tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-81100779860005484202024-02-07T18:07:55.767-06:00A Simple LifeIf you are new to A Simple Life, here is a little tip. I like to post about all things family! New posts will always appear once or twice a week, and will include topics ranging from Recipes, Seasonal Traditions, Party/Events, Blog Linkage, Dates and/or Weekend Happenings. Also, the ORIGINAL A Simple Life can be found at www.belindafaulkner.blogspot.com. There are hundreds and hundreds of posts and ideas at that blog address, too! Thanks for visiting!Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.comBlogger821125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-80521659207074774022021-09-30T23:04:00.002-05:002021-09-30T23:06:00.293-05:00Good Thursday evening!<br /><Br />
<b>From the Heart</b><br /><br />
<b>Sucker Pumpkin - Preschool and Elementary School</b><br /><br />
You will need the following items:<br /><br />
Pumpkin<br />
Different colored Sharpies<br />
Small (skinny) screwdriver<br />
Bag of multiple colored suckers (Dum-Dums)<br />
Four bowls (one for each color sucker)<br /><br />
<b>Devotion – Fruit of the Spirit</b><br /><br />
“But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. There is no law against these things.” Galatians 5:22-23<br /><br />
In the Bible, Paul talks about qualities found in God. God wants us to have these qualities in our lives, too.<br /><br />
When you think about God, do the words “hate” or “mean” or “bad” ever come into your mind.<br /><br />
NO!<br /><br />
God isn’t mean… or hateful… or bad. He is none of those things.<br /><br />
Paul tells us God (the Holy Spirit) produces (or makes) LOVE, JOY, KINDNESS and GOODNESS.<br /><br />
These qualities are called the “fruit of the Spirit.”<br /><br />
Does that mean it is always easy to love people?<br /><br />
No.<br /><br />
Does that mean it is always easy to be good or kind?<br /><br />
No.<br /><br />
Does it mean if you know God you are always happy or joyful?<br /><br />
No.<br /><br />
But we are supposed to let others see God through us and how we act or behave. So when we are good and kind and happy and loving, people who do not know God get to see a little bit of God by how we are acting.<br /><br />
Today, we are going to make a Fruit of the Spirit Pumpkin.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM NANA B</b> - Prior to sitting down with the kids for the Devotion, use the screwdriver to make holes on the very top of the pumpkin. The holes should be shallow. If you go all the way through to the inside of the pumpkin, it will not last as long. The suckers should stand tall… like a buzz cut!<br /><br />
With a Sharpie, show the kids how to draw a face on their pumpkin… two eyes, a nose and a mouth. (There is no “wrong” way to draw the face.)<br /><br />
Explain what each sucker symbolizes…<br /><br />
Red – Love<br />
Yellow – Joy<br />
Purple – Goodness<br />
Green – Kindness<br /><br />
Whenever you stick a sucker in a hole on the pumpkin, be sure to say which “fruit of the Spirit” it represents. Also, make sure the children use all four of the colors.<br /><br />
When the children finish the pumpkins, here are a few more questions you can ask…<br /><br />
How can we show God’s love to our classmates?<br /><br />
Our brothers or sisters?<br /><br />
Our neighbors?<br /><br />
Give everyone a sucker, and end the Devotion in prayer.<br /><br />
<b>ANOTHER NOTE FROM NANA B </b>– This is a great devotion to have before a preschool or elementary school party in October. Your child can take the pumpkin to his or her classroom a few days before the party as a decoration to share with the class. On the actual day of the party, all of the classmates can take a sucker from the Sucker Pumpkin. Your child can even tell the other children what their sucker color represents.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - "G" Adventure -</b> Judith, Eden and I accompanied RT on his "G" Adventure... because we're GIRLS, you see!<br /><br />
And Pop came, too, just for fun!
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Before the GIRLS arrived, we started the GLORIOUS "G" Adventure with the always popular GRAVY biscuit.
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We also enjoyed some GRINS, GIGGLES and GUFFAWS!
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We went to the Demonstration Farm at Oak Mountain, and it didn't take long for all of the kids to figure out why!
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Although several different types of farm animals were represented, we were happy to see GOATS GALORE, Baby!
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And the fact RT found a GOLF Cart in the middle of a field with a GOAT sitting in the front seat...<br /><br />
Well, that was just icing on the cake!
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We had 22 other "G" words/pictures, but I will spare you and just put them in the Alphabet Adventure Book!<br /><br />
I hope everyone has a fantastic October weekend! I'll talk to you very soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<Br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<Br /><br />
P.S. My next post will feature all things "Roxie," so stay tuned for that one!
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The Chick just can't take a bad picture, can she?
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-76267824031804996752021-09-14T08:59:00.015-05:002021-09-14T09:25:03.952-05:00From the Heart (Bird Feeder Pumpkin Project) AND Turning 60Good Tuesday morn!<br /><br />
I want to share some Fall Devotions with you the next few posts. They are tried and true... AND FUN! Gather your young kids, grandkids, nieces, nephews, etc. and spend some VERY INTENTIONAL TIME sharing God's Word with them this Fall Season!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart</b><br /><br />
<b>Bird Feeder Pumpkin Project</b><br /><br />
You will need the following items:<br /><br />
Medium-Sized Pumpkin<br />
Bag of Bird Seed<br />
Wire or Cord Strong Enough to Hang Half Pumpkin<br />
Picture of Sparrow<br />
Picture of Colorful Parrot<br />
Picture of Painted Bunting<br />
Unsharpened Pencil<br /><Br />
<b>Devotion – His Eye is on the Sparrow</b><br /><br />
<b>Falling Sparrows Game </b>– Have your family fly around the room like sparrows until Dad or Mom shouts out, “FALLING SPARROWS!” Children will all fall down on the floor until Dad or Mom shouts out “FLYING SPARROWS!” Continue as time allows. Gather the children in a circle when you are finished playing the game.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>– This is a great game to play before your devotion when the kids appear to be a little antsy. It gets rid of some of the excess energy.<br /><br />
<b>DEVOTION</b> - I have a picture to show you. This bird is a sparrow. A sparrow is a very small bird. He weighs about the same as this pencil. (Pass around an unsharpened pencil and let everyone fell how light.)<br /><br />
Sparrows do not fly south for the winter. They live here all year long… even when it is extremely cold.<br /><br />
Sparrows are everywhere. They are common, everyday birds. Lots of birds are more beautiful than sparrows. (Show picture of parrot.) Lots of birds sound much more lovely when they sing than sparrows. (Show picture of painted bunting.) Sparrows are considered by people to be ordinary.<br /><br />
All of that is true, but Jesus had something special to say about sparrows:<br /><br />
“When sparrows are sold, two small sparrows cost only one penny. But not even one of them can die without God’s knowing it. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. So don’t be afraid. You are worth much more than many birds.” Matthew 10:29.<br /><br />
God loves the sparrows, and He pays attention to their lives.<br /><br />
God loves you much more, and He pays close attention to your life. God knows how many hairs are on your head. And God knows what is going on in your life. God knows when you are sad about something, and when you are happy. God knows when you are afraid, and He understands.<br /><br />
We can care for sparrows, too, just like God does. When it is very, very cold outside, birds need to eat more food for their little bodies to stay warm. <br /><br />
We’re going to clean out this half of a pumpkin AND fill it with birdseed. Then we are going into the backyard to find a place to hang it.<br /><br />
We will watch from our window for a few days, and see the birds eat from their new birdfeeder!<br /><br />
End with a prayer thanking God for knowing and loving you so well.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - TURNING 60 </b>- You read correctly. I am 60. <br /><br />
To be honest, I am not fully comprehending anything that happened a couple of weeks ago...<br /><br />
On that fateful day...<br /><br />
When I turned 60.<br /><br />
WHEW! I literally cannot wrap my head around it!<br /><br />
I still feel VERY 59.<br /><br />
But 60 or not, we still had a BIG to-do in the front yard!<br /><br />
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This one enjoyed her Baby Pool Kitchen BESIDE the BIG to-do.
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This one...
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And this one...<br /><br />
NEVER STOPPED SLIDING.<BR /><BR />
NEVER!
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This one worked on her tan, and wandered around.
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Pop played hard.<br /><br />
The next day we decided he might have played a little TOO hard.<br /><br />
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I had a lovely little Krispy Kreme Doughnut Tree (which fit my mood, I tell you)...
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And I blew out six birthday candles (which also fit my mood).<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I want you to know I went down the Water Slide a few times, too. <br /><br />
Unlike Pop, who somehow had fluffy hair AFTER playing in the water all afternoon, I had to come inside, quickly dry my hair and get back to the party.<br /><br />
That is why the lady in the picture blowing out candles isn't wearing any make-up OR sporting nicely coiffed hair.<br /><br />
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After doughnuts and the obligatory ten-minute sugar high, the kids crashed and watched a movie while the grown-ups visited.<br /><br />
All in all, it was a very fun 59th Birthday Celebration.<br /><br />
UGHH! I mean 60th Birthday Celebration!<br /><br />
I hope everyone has a great week!<br /><br />
Take care, and I'll talk to you in the next day or so.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Five of us went on RT's "G" Adventure this past weekend.
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RT spent some time with GIRLS and GOATS...<br /><br />
And experienced other "G" things along the way.<br /><br />
I'll share more next post!
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-72099910213281400832021-09-07T13:19:00.002-05:002021-09-08T10:46:25.543-05:00The Wild, Wild WestGood Tuesday afternoon!<br /><br />
I'm going to put the entire<b> Wild, Wild West </b>trip in one post. <br /><br />
I'll hit the highlights and lowlights.<br /><br />
I will share a small fraction of the pics I took.<br /><br />
I will keep the verbage light and airy.<br /><br />
At least, that's the plan!<br /><br />
<b>ALABAMA</b><br /><br />
The smile plastered on my face was 100 percent fake.<br /><br />
Not gonna lie!
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<b>MISSISSIPPI</b><br /><br />
We went through Tupelo (home of Elvis), but as any good Southerner will tell you, we had already spent time in Tupelo paying homage to Elvis many years ago.<br /><br />
All that to say, we didn't stop and we didn't take any pics.<br /><br />
<b>TENNESSEE</b><br /><br />
We've been to Tennessee dozens and dozens of times, but on this specific trip, we stopped in Memphis for Gus's World Famous Hot and Spicy Fried Chicken.
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Guess who was "hangry?"
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<b>ARKANSAS</b><br /><br />
I have never had a life experience in Arkansas, so I was getting ready for something really, really spectacular.
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This is what the entire state of Arkansas (and part of Oklahoma) looked like on our first day of driving.<br /><br />
We stopped at a Waffle House for dinner.<br /><br />
We saw an unbelievable and frightening lightning display.<br /><br />
It wasn't so much a "life experience" I will remember as a "near-death experience" I survived.<br /><br />
<b>OKLAHOMA</b><br /><Br />
The end of Day One we ended up in Tulsa, Oklahoma at a very clean and comfortable Marriott Hotel.
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We saw not one, but two, murals on our way to the Interstate in Tulsa the next morning.
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We drove by fields of windmills...
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And oil rigs with fields of windmills behind them...
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And we stopped for Arbuckle Fried Pies at a little roadside store. <br /><br />
There were many different flavors to choose from in a large display case.<br /><br />
Mikie had peach...<br /><br />
Roxie had vanilla custard...<br /><br />
And I went with the chocolate.<br /><br />
They were different from the Alabama fried pies I have had since my youth, but still very, very good.
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As we were leaving with our fried pies in hand, we walked across the parking lot to look at two horses we had spotted...<br /><br />
And one was a Clydesdale.<br /><br />
I know it was a Clydesdale because of the thousands upon thousands of Budweiser Beer Christmas commercials I have seen over the past 60 years.<br /><br />
Until I return to Oklahoma to visit my pretend friend, The Pioneer Woman (which I hope will be in the very near future), the above will be my "life experience" in the great State of Oklahoma!<br /><br />
<b>KANSAS</b><br /><br />
Everyone said Kansas would be the hardest part of the drive because there was absolutely nothing in Kansas except flat land and blue skies, but after all the horrible weather we drove through in Arkansas, I must say Kansas was very peaceful and relaxing.
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And even though the windmills had first been spied in Oklahoma, I liked the way Kansas continued to carry the theme all the way to the Colorado border.
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Also, we stopped in Hays, Kansas to eat at a little place called Gella's Diner, and it was oh, so delicious and lovely.<br /><br />
And I will just add this little nugget to the story...<br /><br />
When we got out of the car to walk up the cobblestone street to Gella's, we heard live bagpipe music being played somewhere nearby.<br /><br />
I'm not usually what you would call a bagpipe groupie, but it just kind of fit my mood, I tell you.<Br /><br />
I gave Hays, Kansas FIVE STARS!<br /><br />
<b>COLORADO</b><br /><br />
We ended our Day Two drive in yet another Marriott in Denver, Colorado.<br /><br />
Our dinner was from a Chick-Fil-A drive-thru because (after 13 hours on the road) all we wanted was familiar chicken, cozy pajamas and a comfortable bed.<br /><br />
And it suited us just fine!<br /><br />
My Colorado "life experience" will be remembered as one of the best night's sleep I have ever experienced.<br /><br />
Quite possibly one of the Top Ten Best Night's Sleep in the past 60 years!<br /><br />
I was JUST THAT TIRED!<br /><Br />
<b>WYOMING</b><br /><br />
I have to say, Wyoming was a surprise. We were supposed to stay in Colorado for most of our Day Three journey, but because of a GPS warning of a wreck on our route, we ended up in Wyoming for the majority of our day...<Br /><br />
And it was lovely.<br /><br />
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<b>FUN FACT FOR YOU</b> - If we raced past the obligatory "WELCOME TO" state signs (and I didn't have time to take a pic), there wasn't any way to keep up with which state we were leaving or entering on my camera.<br /><br />
I just knew some of the Oklahoma fields were going to look a lot like the Kansas fields...<br /><br />
And some of the Colorado mountains were going to get mixed up with the Wyoming mountains.<br /><br />
And in the end, it was going to bother me greatly.<br /><br />
I came up with what I think was a brilliant plan of taking a picture of my feet whenever we entered a different state to keep everything separated, accurate and in order. <br /><br />
This is the exact picture I took while leaving Colorado and entering Wyoming.<br /><br />
Feel free to use this tip. It's just a little gift from me to you!<br /><br />
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So we decided to have lunch at a place called Cactus Jack's.<br /><br />
As you can tell from the outside, it was an "iffy" spot to stop, but the other side of that...<br /><br />
There weren't that many places to stop, so you had to be willing to try something "new" and hope in the end it didn't kill you.
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It was clean...<br /><br />
And the food was good (chicken-fried steak for the win)...<br /><br />
And we were happy.
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The entire time we were in Wyoming, we were halfway expecting to hear big, sweeping "cowboy music" and see John Wayne-types riding alongside us on horseback...<br /><br />
But no such luck.<br /><br />
Mike and I, however, cannot wait to go back to Wyoming!<br /><br />
<b>SALT LAKE CITY, UTAH</b><br /><Br />
We arrived in Salt Lake City, dropped Roxie off at her new apartment with her roommates, Kylie and Helen, and drove to our hotel for the evening...<br /><br />
Hyatt Place Salt Lake City/Cottonwood.<br /><br />
Now the hotel was fine, but it wasn't anything super duper special...
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Until you looked out your window the next morning.<br /><br />
I asked Mike if we had to pay extra for the golf course/mountain range view, but what became obvious as we explored Salt Lake City with Roxie was this simple fact...<br /><br />
If there was a window, there was most definitely a view!
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We walked around downtown SLC for a little while (very pretty, by the way), grabbed some lunch and headed only a few minutes away (30 or 35) to the top of a ski resort on the outskirts of town.
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I cannot remember why I'm hiding behind the big boulder, but I am only a few steps from the car in this pic. <br /><br />
It is an amazing, beautiful place, and Mike and I are looking forward to exploring it much more in the months to come...<br /><br />
Or maybe we'll just stay at Roxie's apartment and stare at her for days at a time.<br /><br />
Yeah. <br /><br />
That sounds fun, too.<br /><br />
I'll be back in a day or so with this, that and pics to prove I'm telling the truth.<br /><br />
Take care.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Here are just a few photos of some of the things Roxie has been doing in the 20 days since we dropped her off!
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She and Kylie camped and hiked in the Grand Tetons...
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And Emma and Nat came for a long weekend to horseback ride, hike and see all the sights.<br /><br />
P.P.S. The next post will include a few more pics like these from my 60th Birthday Fiesta.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh9Fb-xpNvIpXLDPj-fYmXoAbYl1D5iFXvjT9NZnD-d0ks-rwztR6cZr74Z6RV-p70XCPwCGUw_JdQoWvuVJ5F-BBAcR42QyqI9xbb7rvLC5x7zRl9z62Aq8iuLMIzBUOxVhsdmiTcXU/s2048/IMG_5542.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAh9Fb-xpNvIpXLDPj-fYmXoAbYl1D5iFXvjT9NZnD-d0ks-rwztR6cZr74Z6RV-p70XCPwCGUw_JdQoWvuVJ5F-BBAcR42QyqI9xbb7rvLC5x7zRl9z62Aq8iuLMIzBUOxVhsdmiTcXU/s600/IMG_5542.JPG"/></a></div>Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-50917925343461594062021-08-20T11:14:00.002-05:002021-08-20T11:19:40.591-05:00Graduation and Big Moving PlansGood Friday morn!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - Graduation and Big Moving Plans </b>- I told you in the last post I had some BIG-TO-ME news to share, and here it is! <br /><br />
Over the past few months, I've shared with several people that after Roxie graduated from Grad School in Auburn she was planning to spend a year or two in Utah. She has been wanting to go out west and travel, travel, travel to all the many places she has yet to see on that side of the country. <br /><br />
She'll be living in Salt Lake City with two roommates (who also happen to be sweet friends from Auburn and her Camp Crestridge counseling days).<br /><br />
There were a lot of doors that needed to be opened before the decision to move was finalized in my mind...<br /><br />
And as is my nature, I prayed many of them would not only be BOLTED shut, but no way, no how would it work out for her to move so far, far away from Sweet Home Alabama.<br /><br />
And then when every single one of the doors not only opened, but opened wide enough for a U-Haul to drive through (Utah or Colorado, roommates, apartment, new job, traveling plans, benefit packages, etc., etc., etc.), I did what every Helicopter Mom on the planet has done before me...<br /><br />
I pushed it ALL out of my mind and thought about something else.<br /><br />
Guess what?<br /><br />
Mike and I just returned from a six-day trip to Salt Lake City, Utah.<br /><br />
Three days driving...<br /><br />
One day moving in...<br /><br />
One day sleeping a little late and then visiting two or three "must-sees" in SLC...<br /><br />
One day flying home.<br /><br />
Roxie will be starting her new counseling job working in a residential treatment facility for women who are dealing with substance use disorders. The women AND their children live there, so Roxie is looking forward to working with the kids, also.<br /><br />
She will be finding a new church...<br /><br />
Visiting Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, the Grand Tetons, Bryce Canyon and a bunch of neighboring states...<br /><br />
Learning to ski...<br /><br />
Etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />
It has been mind-blowing and life-altering and oh, so bittersweet. Those are my words.<br /><br />
Roxie's words have consistently been "exciting," "unbelievable" and "I absolutely cannot wait!" <br /><br />
We are practically the same person, aren't we?<br /><br />
I'm going to share a few graduation pics with you, and I'll be sharing the trip pics before too much longer.
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As a special treat, Roxie and family and friends were all invited to meet on the football field after graduation while she had her picture taken in front of the Jumbo Tron. Her name will show in the school pic.
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It was kind of thrilling.
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Roxie's SP (Special Person) in Auburn during Grad School (and even before) has been Jan.
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She and her husband, Carter, have loved Roxie so well.<br /><br />
And speaking as a Helicopter Mom one more time, that is truly a blessing.<Br /><br />
I am halfway hoping Jan and Carter decide to move to Utah in the very near future!<br /><br />
Who am I kidding?<br /><br />
I am all-the-way hoping!
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At the end of the evening, Mike and I took her for a late dinner to Acre where we had a wonderful meal, and we reminisced about her six years at Auburn...<br /><br />
And the days, weeks, months (and maybe years to come) in Utah. Believe me! I tried very hard to keep the conversation centered around Auburn, but she and Mike kept "going out west."<br /><br />
I've already started working on the Out West post, so stay tuned.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Here are a couple of mountain pics from Utah. It is an exceptionally beautiful place, and The Chick is only 20 minutes from this particular mountain/ski resort.
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<b>DISCLAIMER</b> - There is a big wildfire very close to Salt Lake City right now, so the mountains are all a little hazy from a distance. I cannot even imagine the colors when the air is clear. They are absolutely amazing!
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-1053146640632857472021-08-09T10:29:00.002-05:002021-08-09T10:48:43.611-05:00From the Heart AND Water Balloon Ambush ON POP Good Monday morning!<br /><br />
Super short...<br /><br />
And hopefully sweet!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart </b>- On August 1, our Pastor (Kevin Hamm) began a two-part sermon entitled, "Ten Foundations Under Attack in America." Both sermons were excellent, eye-opening and definitely worth sharing with others. As always, Pastor Kevin based the sermons on what the Bible had to say about each of the Ten Foundations, so not only were they "excellent, eye-opening and worth sharing with others," they were also (most importantly) true.<br /><br />
If you call ahead, Gardendale First Baptist has a bookstore (Encouraging Word Bookstore), and you can purchase CDs or DVDs of these messages there for a minimal cost.<br /><br />
Just go to https://www.gfbc.com, scroll to the bottom of the page and click on "Bookstore" for the contact information.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - Water Balloon Ambush ON POP</b> - To say Judith and RT like throwing water balloons would be an understatement.<br /><br />
They kinda love it.<br /><br />
For our Beginning of Summer Water Balloon Fight, we made 500 of those attach-to-the-hose-and-fill-a-bunch-in-less-than-a-minute water balloons.<br /><br />
For the Water Ballon Ambush ON POP, they wanted 500 more, but we took turns filling 300 (or so) and we did just fine.
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Judith and RT were in charge of four bunches each.
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We put one baby pool full of balloons in the back of the old blue pickup truck...<br /><br />
And the other baby pool beside the house on the ground.
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Both kids crouched in the back of the pickup waiting for Pop to come home from work.
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Hmmm...<br /><br />
Pop may or may not have found out about the plan because he's wearing tennis shoes instead of his work shoes.<br /><br />
Again, hmmm.
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RT is really into squirting the water balloons like squirt guns...
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And he likes the double-barrel-underhand-toss, too.
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Judith was very big into using the boat and other vehicles as a shield as she tried to sneak up on Pop.<br /><br />
Also, Pop was never supposed to take over the baby pool by the garage doors. <br /><br />
That was never in the plan...<br /><br />
And we really resent him for not sticking to the plan!
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Someone may have been a little over-dramatic...<br /><br />
And it wasn't one of the two Grandtots.
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Next year, same plan except we're adding Eden!<br /><br />
Have a great Monday. I have some BIG news to share in a couple of days (I'm already working on it)...<br /><br />
And when I say BIG, I mean BIG to me and not the world at large.<br /><br />
So I will talk to you very soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Can you guess?
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And this is only A SMALL PART of the BIG NEWS TO ME!<br /><br />
Stay tuned!
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-90328473016131479502021-07-31T17:55:00.002-05:002021-07-31T17:55:54.055-05:004th of July AND Judith's W AdventureGood Saturday evening!<br /><br />
In an attempt to be succinct, I am catching up on pics from July, and I'm not adding anything else to this post...<br /><br />
Which leaves me wide open in August for anything and everything else!<br /><br />
And more pics. <br /><br />
Always more pics!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - 4th of July</b> - As you can tell, we rented an inflatable again this year.
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This particular inflatable did not have it's picture taken when the palm trees were standing tall...<br /><br />
So you'll have to take my word for it.<br /><br />
It was awesome!
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RT and Saw-Man!
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After Eden's initial trip down the slide with her Mom, she decided to stay in the pool the rest of the day...
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And she cheered for and hugged all the crazies who risked life and limb in the name of "4th of July FUN."
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Toppy, Sawyer and Carly.
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Beebo and Baby Lawson. He is a beautiful addition to the family, isn't he?
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There was a nice semi-shady spot BEHIND the inflatable, and the 20-somethings headed there for some cornhole time.<br /><br />
Brad and Zac Martin.<br /><br />
I haven't told anyone yet, but next year I think there will be an official Cornhole Tournament with an epic First Place Prize!
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Maggie (Zac Martin's sweet fiance), Katie, Roxie and Courtney.
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Hanging out in the baby pool with a cousin is a fine way to spend the 4th!
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<b>Blog Linkage</b> - Okay. I thought I could just do pics alone with no content, but I was wrong. Oh, so wrong!<br /><br />
If you ever plan on getting in a car with kids for a roadtrip, go to www.kellehampton.com and read her post entitled, "Road Trip Hacks for Family."<br /><br />
Lots and lots of good ideas and resources for getting from "here to there" and surviving the question, "Are we there yet?"<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Judith's W Adventure </b>- That's right.<BR /><BR />
I said W.<br /><br />
Here are just a couple of <b>WAYS WE</b> celebrated that <b>WONDERFUL</b> letter!
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First <b>WE</b> headed to <b>WAR</b> Eagle country to spend a <b>WEEKEND </b>WITH Roxie.
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<b>WE WENT </b>on a <b>WINDING WALK </b>to a nearby...
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<b>WATERFALL</b>!
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<b>WE WERE WANDERING WOMEN</b>!
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<b>WE</b> stopped at <b>WHOLE</b> Foods on the <b>WAY</b> home the next day...
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And <b>WE </b>bought some <b>WATERMELON</b>!<br /><br />
And, yes. <br /><br />
It <b>WAS WAY</b> too pricey...<br /><br />
But<b> WONDERFULLY</b> sweet to eat!<br /><br />
Here's hoping you have a great Sunday!<br /><br />
July went by in a big, busy blur...<br /><br />
And I'm thinking August will probably do the same.<br /><br />
Talk to you soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Judith and RT planned a Surprise Water Balloon Fight for Pop, and I'll have more of those pics next post!
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They hid in the back of Pop's old pickup and ambushed him!
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Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-1510886967015481652021-07-23T10:42:00.001-05:002021-07-23T10:44:01.975-05:00From the Heart, My Favorite Thing RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Molasses Cookies, Judith's Dance Recital AND 9th Annual Lake Trip (Guntersville)Good Friday morning!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart</b> - I'm currently watching Bellevue Women's Spring Bible Study (This Present Kingdom) on YouTube. I wanted to share this quote from Donna Gaines' Week 2 Lesson with you:<br /><br />
"To really grasp what you are studying, share it with a child, a grandchild, a friend, a sister, a brother, a mother, a neighbor. Once you articulate it and make it a part of your life, it really becomes yours." <br /><br />
So simple and so true!<br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Thing RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE</b> - I am currently watching the third season of Making It with Amy Poehler and Nick Offerman which airs on Thursday nights (NBC). I'm not sure what time. My TV magically records it because of some buttons Mikie pushed on one of our 32 remotes.<br /><br />
But I digress.<br /><br />
It's a funny, clean, entertaining bit of television, and while I also watched Seasons 1 and 2, Season 3 has kicked it up a notch.<br /><br />
I find it VERY ENJOYABLE!<br /><br />
<b>Soft Molasses Ginger Cookies</b> <br /><br />
You will need the following ingredients:<br /><br />
1 cup butter, softened<br />
1/2 cup packed dark brown sugar<br />
1/3 cup unsulfured molasses<br />
1 cup granulated sugar, divided<br />
1 large egg<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla extract<br />
2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour<br />
2 teaspoons cinnamon<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda<br />
1 teaspoon ginger<br />
1/4 teaspoon cloves<br />
1/4 teaspoon nutmeg<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br /><br />
1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper.<br /><Br />
2. Beat butter, brown sugar, molasses and 1/2 cup of sugar with a stand mixer until smooth and fluffy, 2 to 3 minutes.<br /><br />
3. Add egg and vanilla. Beat until combined, about 30 seconds.<br /><br />
4. Whisk together flour, cinnamon, baking soda, ginger, cloves, nutmeg and salt in medium bowl until combined.<br /><br />
5. Gradually add to butter mixture, beating on low speed until combined, about 2 minutes.<br /><br />
6. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate until chilled (at least 1 hour or up to overnight).<br /><br />
7. Remove dough from refrigerator. Using a 2-inch cookie scoop (about 3 tablespoons), scoop cookie dough into rounds, and roll each into a smooth ball. Place remaining 1/2 cup granulated sugar on a plate and roll balls in sugar to coat.<br /><br />
8. Arrange 3 inches apart on baking sheets. Bake until cookies and edges are slightly darker in color, 10 to 12 minutes.<br /><br />
9. Let cool on baking sheet 10 minutes before transferring to a wire rack for another 30 minutes.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I baked each batch for 15 minutes, and the cookies came out just like we like 'em.<br /><br />
<b>ANOTHER NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - These are as good or better than the Archway Molasses Cookies in the store.<br /><br />
At least I think so.<br /><br />
So, yes.<br /><br />
In answer to your next question, you could just buy a package of Archway Molasses Cookies at your local grocery store...<br /><br />
But where's the fun in that?<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Judith's Dance Recital </b>- Because of the Pandemic, instead of starting dance at the beginning of school last year, Judith started taking lessons in January, 2021. We had such a fun time at her recital. It felt like a very normal-un-COVID-type thing to do, and with only five months of dance instruction, she did an excellent job...<br /><br />
And that is my totally unbiased opinion!
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A picture under the marquee at The Princess Theatre in Decatur.
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Kimmy and Eden...<br /><br />
Just a couple of her biggest fans.
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Judith loved the tradition of getting flowers after the performance...<br /><br />
And ice cream.<br /><br />
She liked going to a local ice cream parlor with everyone, too.<br /><br />
Since I didn't receive any flowers, I would have to say the ice cream parlor was my favorite tradition on this particular evening.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - 9th Annual Lake Trip (Guntersville)</b> - We had some firsts on this trip. I'll point them out in the pics below.
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Judith recently learned how to make Cinnamon Toast, so she was in charge of breakfast one morning.
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RT caught his first fish...<br /><br />
And shortly after we took this pic, he caught nine more!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymKfPkYx39z9ZYI1qNlWKJc90_zqG70SRZFIvTXXbJn4_5qyoAHzFY9Uat_j2wOcGH8Yt2O8Vd0v72uWS1PVrdbxAEczAUBppXnWvyshJBXiDx4MQIrs6PRY4skY9mlM13qRaGdNtlQk/s2048/IMG_4515.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhymKfPkYx39z9ZYI1qNlWKJc90_zqG70SRZFIvTXXbJn4_5qyoAHzFY9Uat_j2wOcGH8Yt2O8Vd0v72uWS1PVrdbxAEczAUBppXnWvyshJBXiDx4MQIrs6PRY4skY9mlM13qRaGdNtlQk/s600/IMG_4515.JPG"/></a></div>
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It isn't a first, but I decided I really, really like synchronized tubing.
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ME rode the boat last year, but this year she remained AWAKE! <br /><br />
That was most definitely a first!
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We celebrated Mikie's 60th birthday at the lake this year.<br /><br />
Such a big, big number!
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RT tubed for the first time.<br /><br />
Last year he got on, and I took a pic...<br /><br />
But then he decided to wait one more year before officially attempting the "riding of the tube."
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Little Man loved it!
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Eden started wearing a fedora recently, and it quickly became one of my new favorite pieces of lake attire.
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I hope you all have a most wonderful weekend. I will try to do the same!<br /><br />
Talk to you soon.<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. The 4th of July Celebration AND Judith's "W" Adventure will be featured in the next post.<br /><br />
I'm posting more often each month, but I'm still consistently late on some of the "big" posts. I'm just proud it's going to show up in July!
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Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-18087457391268323992021-06-30T14:11:00.000-05:002021-06-30T14:27:11.153-05:00From the Heart, 500 Water Balloons, ME's First Splash Pad Experience AND RT's "C" AdventureGood Wednesday afternoon!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart </b>- I just have a few quotes to share today from my Insta followings...<br /><br />
From @bellevuewomen - "For Christians, the Word of God is our external control while the indwelling Spirit of God is our internal control." This Present Kingdom<br /><br />
Also from @bellevuewomen - "As we spend time in the Word, we will find that our thoughts begin to conform to God's thoughts." Humanity Redeemed<br /><br />
From @sheilawalsh1 - "There is a place called 'heaven' where the good here unfinished is completed; and where the stories unwritten, and the hopes unfulfilled, are continued. We may laugh together yet." J. R. R. Tolkien<br /><br />
"If you leave Jesus out of anything, you are simply going to war without any weapon." Charles Spurgeon<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - 500 Water Balloons </b>- I told Judith and RT we were going to celebrate the end of the school year by throwing 500 water balloons...<br /><br />
With only one rule...<br /><br />
NO THROWING ABOVE THE NECK!<br /><br />
At the ages of 6 and 4, they are very content just throwing them at each other's feet and the house and the cars and the bushes and the...<br /><br />
You get the idea!
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It took the two year-old a couple of seconds, but she got the hang of it.
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RT even had to take a little break from the throwing of 500 water balloons.<br /><br />
It ain't as easy as it looks!
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Mom/Aunt Mia got in on the action, too.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - Any time I walk into Target and I have the extra money, I buy a pack of the water balloons. We don't use them on every Driveway Day, but we play with them three or more times during the hot Summer months.<br /><br />
<b>ANOTHER NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - We no longer physically pick up the pieces of the 500 balloons. Now we use the Wet Vac after the driveway and balloon pieces have had time to dry. It works great!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - ME's First Splash Pad Experience</b> - She loved it!
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Eden dabbled in it.
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And these guys went nuts!
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<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - RT's "C" Adventure </b>- As I have said before, I won't show you all of the Adventures, but some of them will get a little shout-out.<br /><br />
We went to RT's last soccer game where he devoured a green CUPCAKE, before we headed to CHICK-FIL-A for CHICKEN and fries with our COUSIN, Judith, and our CUTE Aunt Ro.
Then we drove to Rickwood CAVERNS and explored the CAVE with 31 other not-as-fun-loving-as-we-were CAVE explorers.<br /><br />
After leaving the CAVE an hour later, we went to the Snack Bar a few feet away and enjoyed some CANDY and ice CREAM.<br /><br />
There were a few more "C" things here and there, but I think you get the idea.
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We're getting ready for our "E" Adventure as I type this. I'll keep you posted.<br /><br />
I hope you and yours have had a great week so far. <br /><br />
Talk to you soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Dance Recital and Lake Trip pics coming next post!
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Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-34766804324169854102021-06-07T12:23:00.001-05:002021-06-07T12:24:17.578-05:00My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Taco Shells and Cheese AND Stomach Bug vs. 33rd Anniversary Trip to Oxford, MississippiGood Monday afternoon!<br /><br />
<b>FYI </b>- I've been blogging for about 12 years now, and every now and then Blogger changes the "rules" for something I've been doing day-in-day-out forever...<br /><br />
And I have no idea how to fix it.<br /><br />
So I will "play" with the computer for a few days, weeks, months (and one time a YEAR) before I figure out the new "rule."<br /><br />
I am sorry to say, the newest "rule" applies to making the picture at the top of every blog EXTRA LARGE.<br /><br />
One day this may be fixed...<br /><br />
Or not.<br /><br />
But it won't be because I didn't try.<br /><br />
<b>ANOTHER FYI </b>- I have been unable to crop any of my pictures for a little over eight months because of some new "rules" in my editing program.<br /><br />
And yes, I did try different editing programs...<br /><br />
But as of today's date, I have discovered I don't understand <b>ANY </b>of their "rules."<br /><br />
Not a single one.<br /><br />
I know what you're thinking...<br /><br />
And, yes.<br /><br />
It is hard being me!<br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE</b> - Mike, Roxie and I went to <b>THE MOVIE THEATER </b>this past weekend to see A Quiet Place Part II. It was lovely to be in a Movie Theater again without a mask! And the movie was good, too...<br /><br />
Just not for the Grand-Tots!<br /><br />
<b>Taco Shells and Cheese</b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
1 pound small pasta shells<br />
2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
4 tablespoons butter<br />
1 pound ground chuck<br />
2 teaspoons chili powder<br />
1 teaspoon ground cumin<br />
1 teaspoon onion powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder<br />
1/2 teaspoon paprika<br />
1 can Rotel<br />
1/2 cup hot water<br />
Freshly ground black pepper<br />
2 cups milk, plus more if needed for thinning<br />
8 ounces Velveeta, diced<br />
2 1/2 cups grated Cheddar jack cheese<br />
1 teaspoon dried cilantro<br />
Sour cream and jarred salsa, for serving, optional<br /><br />
1. Bring a pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook according to the package directions. Drain and set aside.<br /><br />
2. Heat the olive oil and 2 tablespoons of the butter in a pan over medium-high heat. Add the ground chuck and cook, crumbling it with a wooden spoon, until browned, 5 to 8 minutes.<br /><br />
3. Stir in the chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder and paprika. Stir in the diced tomatoes and chiles, hot water, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper and bring to a simmer. Cook until the sauce thickens, 2 to 3 minutes, then remove to a bowl (it will still be a little juicy).<br /><br />
4. In the same pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons butter and the milk and cook until hot and bubbling. Add the processed cheese and cook, stirring, until melted. Do the same with the Cheddar jack. Pour in the cooked pasta, add the taco meat and stir to combine. Taste and adjust the seasoning, thinning with a splash of milk if needed. Stir in the cilantro.<br /><br />
5. Top each serving with some sour cream and salsa if desired.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - Mike and I tried this last week, and it was very good. It makes a lot for just two people, so we will be sharing it with Austin/Melia and Josh/Courtney to make sure it won't be wasted. <br /><br />
I will definitely be making it again in the near future.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - Stomach Bug vs. 33rd Anniversary Trip to Oxford, Mississippi </b>- Anyone have a guess who won this contest?<br /><br />
Before we hand out any trophies, let me share a few pics of the Airbnb we picked for our anniversary getaway.<br /><br />
We stayed in a great old house which was located on top of an ACTIVE fish pond which was such a good, good thing for Mikie later on when The Bug attacked.
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After we dropped our bags inside the foyer Friday night, we headed up the road to a place called Taylor's Grocery and Restaurant. It was on our list of places to try while we were in Oxford, so even though we felt like we were in the middle of nowhere, dinner was definitely covered.<br /><br />
It had the look of a college hangout, but all ages were very well represented. There was live music by a guitarist (around our age), and I am assuming that is why his play list was so good.<br /><br />
I wasn't feeling great at dinner, but I wasn't sick either. On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I was a solid 2.
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In this pic, Taylor's is the two largest side-by-side buildings. There were two separate dining rooms and these were connected by a hallway near the back of each building.<br /><br />
Don't let this photo fool you. On Friday night, this place was hoppin'!<br /><br />
On Saturday, we started the day driving through the Old Miss campus on our way to have our brunch/lunch at a local place. <br /><br />
Mike ordered the hamburger steak and fries, and in true Enchanting Belinda fashion, I tried the pimento cheese.<br /><br />
<b>Semi-Fun Fact</b> - When in doubt, I have always ordered the pimento cheese because (to me) there has always been a very low risk factor of it not being tasty... <br /><br />
Until we went to Oxford, Mississippi in January of 2021.<br /><br />
I took a bite of this particular pimento cheese sandwich, and while it looked very normal, it tasted like it had vinegar and/or dill pickle juice all over it.<br /><br />
No kidding.<br /><br />
And not just a little dab of vinegar and/or dill pickle juice!<br /><br />
It tasted like it had been marinated overnight.<br /><br />
Because we were in a small place with very good service, I didn't want to hurt the server's feelings, so I continued to eat half of the pimento cheese before the magnitude of how bad I was starting to feel began to register.<br /><br />
On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I was now a 4...<br /><br />
And I knew it had nothing to do with my pickled pimento cheese sandwich because I was also experiencing aches, pains and chills...<br /><br />
Which indicated a fever. <br /><br />
I asked Mikie to get me back to the Airbnb as quickly as humanly possible.
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This was me from noon on Saturday until noon on Sunday.<br /><br />
On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I became a 12 by mid-afternoon.
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This is the fish Mike caught on Saturday.<br /><br />
Mid-afternoon on Sunday, we ventured out and drove around the Square, drove to the entrance of Rowan Oak (William Faulkner's home), and at my request, drove back to the Airbnb.<br /><br />
On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I was now a 9... <br /><br />
And because of how badly I felt when I was a 12 out of 10, I was grateful for the 9.
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This was me from 1:00 p.m. on Sunday until 5:36 p.m.
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This is the fish Mike caught on Sunday.<br /><br />
I know what you're thinking...<br /><br />
It looks exactly like the fish he caught on Saturday.<br /><br />
I have no idea if it was or not, but if it was the same guy, I am very grateful he hung around and kept Mike company.<br /><br />
At 5:36 p.m. on Sunday, Mike and I ventured out one more time to a little coffee shop called The Lost Dog which was very close to where we were staying.
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It was so cute and comfortable and lovely. Mike was starving, so he ordered their special Meat Sandwich and I ordered a Cheddar Bagel which I cautiously nibbled during our 15-minute outing.
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This was me Sunday night.<br /><br />
That's right, People! I was sitting up!<br /><br />
On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I was now a solid 6!<br /><br />
Monday morning came, and it was time to check out and head home to Gardendale.<br /><br />
On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I was a very weak 4.<br /><br />
The following pics are the four things we actually got out of the car and WALKED SLOWLY PAST...
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Dear, dear William Faulkner.
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I loved this English telephone booth on the corner.<br /><br />
Can you tell the "hair thing" didn't happen this particular morning? <Br /><br />
Can you tell I didn't care?
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There are several different Square Books stores, but I am drawn to children's books ALWAYS.
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And this particular Square Books offered some whimsey...<br /><br />
And I LOVE ME SOME WHIMSEY!
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We ended up at Ajax Diner for a late lunch. <br /><Br />
I don't know what I was thinking, but I ordered the Ajax Salad which consisted of smoked catfish, toasted pecans, crumbled blue cheese, black eyed peas and corn served over mixed greens.<br /><br />
The two smallish bites I had of the salad were excellent, so if and when we visit Oxford again, I plan on ordering it AND actually eating it!<br /><br />
After our late lunch, we went home.<br /><br />
As I crawled into our own bed later that evening, Mike asked me how I was feeling for the 100th time, and I answered...<br /><br />
"On a scale from 1 to 10 (with 10 being the SICKEST I HAVE EVER BEEN WITH A STOMACH BUG), I am proud to say I am a solid 5."<br /><br />
And I asked him to please make me a piece of very dry toast served with a Sprite, which he cheerfully did...<br /><br />
And I declared the Stomach Bug to be the winner!<br /><br />
I hope everyone had a fantastic weekend. <br /><br />
Take care, and I'll be back in a few days!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. RT and I have started his Alphabet Adventures, and that is why we are pictured here in a C-C-C-Cave.... with our C-C-C-Cousin!
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I'll have a few more "C" pics from this Adventure next time.
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-5682409119768029702021-05-13T10:09:00.000-05:002021-05-13T10:09:22.614-05:00From the Heart, Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken AND Early Mother's Day Picnic at the ParkGood Thursday morning!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart</b> - I have a fun fact for ya! I love Mother's Day sermons. <br /><br />
For me, they tend to be both encouraging and a big reminder I am human...<br /><br />
I am beyond flawed...<br /><br />
And no matter how hard I try/tried, <b>my</b> best efforts aren't/weren't enough.<br /><br />
God has got to be in the parenting of our kids, the grandparenting of our grandchildren, and so on and so on and so on.<br /><br />
I am just going to share a little bit of Bro. Steve Gaines' sermon from this past Sunday...<br /><br />
"These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates." Deuteronomy 6:6-9<br /><br />
On your hands - It should govern everything you do.<br /><br />
On your head - It should govern everything you think.<br /><br />
On your doorpost - It should go with you every time you leave the house and return home.<br /><br />
On your gates - It should be on your gates for the whole world to know you belong to Jesus Christ.<br /><br />
And then Bro. Steve gave two practical ways to teach your children the Word of God...<br /><br />
1. Put scripture in every room of your house (pictures, plaques, painted on the walls, etc.). Make sure your children have scripture around them at all times in your home.<br /><br />
2. When you find out you are expecting, start praying scripture over the unborn baby (and continue to pray scripture over your children as they grow).<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I have added a list of just some of the verses you can use to pray over your children.<br /><br />
Rejoice before God that all of your child’s days have been ordained by God (Psalm 139:16). Acknowledge to Him that your child's days belong to Him, from the first to the last and every day in between.<br /><br />
Ask God for your child to have a close relationship with Him as he/she abides in Christ (John 15:7-9).<br /><br />
Claim on your child’s behalf the truth that God has not called him/her for impurity, but in holiness (1 Thessalonians 4:7).<br /><br />
Pray that God would give your child a heart that trusts in Him, leaning not on his/her own understanding, but acknowledging Him in all things. (Proverbs 3:5-6).<br /><br />
Ask God to grant your child a biblical fear of the Lord, an awareness of His holiness and His power, and a reverence that inspires obedience. Pray that your child will know God intimately in his/her life, and that the fear of God and the knowledge of God would lead your child to wisdom and insight (Proverbs 9:10).<br /><br />
Pray that your child would develop self-control, thus securing his/her testimony before others (1 Corinthians 9:24-27). Ask God to help him/her renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life in the present age (Titus 2:12).<br /><br />
Recount back to God that your child’s worth is more than that of many ravens, and that He is the only One who can provide for his/her needs (Luke 12:24).<br /><br />
If you have ever wondered as a Christian parent what to teach your children (at any age)...<br /><br />
Get the Word of God in their hearts now.<br /><br />
Don't hesitate. Don't delay. Don't take a break.<br /><br />
The Word of God is THE tool you need to use every single day when raising your family.<br /><br />
<b>Slow Cooker Creamy Tuscan Chicken</b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
1 tablespoon butter<br />
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts<br />
Salt and pepper<br />
2 (15-ounce) jars Alfredo sauce with roasted garlic<br />
2 (3-ounce) packages slivered sun-dried tomatoes (NOT IN OIL)<br />
1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese<br />
1 1/2 teaspoons Italian seasoning<br />
1 (5-ounce) bag baby spinach leaves<br /><br />
1. Melt butter over medium-high heat in a nonstick pan. Season chicken with salt and pepper. Add chicken to pan and cook until browned on both sides. (About 2 minutes on each side.)<br /><br />
2. Place chicken in a lightly greased slow cooker.<br /><br />
3. In a medium bowl, mix together Alfredo sauce, sun-dried tomatoes, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasoning.<br /><br />
4. Pour mixture over chicken. Cover slow cooker and cook on LOW for 3 to 4 hours.<br /><br />
5. Open slow cooker, mix in spinach. Cover and cook 5 more minutes. Serve over noodles.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I always tell you when something is good, but this is a new favorite, and if you would like to try an Italian dish that is a little different, this is the one for you. It is delicious!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - Early Mother's Day Picnic at the Park</b> - Our original plan was to have a picnic dinner at a park in Cullman the Sunday before Mother's Day. Things changed a bit, and we ended up going to a local park in Gardendale.<br /><br />
We were a little concerned at first because two out of three pavilions were being used for BIG birthday parties, but then we found out the third pavilion was empty...<br /><br />
And a grill close by wasn't being used...<br /><br />
And the park was plenty big enough to accommodate our 11 family members and two giant birthday parties at the same time.<br /><br />
In other words, it worked out really well!<br /><br />
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Here are some swingin' pics...
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And here are a few of the twirly thingy pics...
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And, of course, the slidin' pics.
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We'll end this little photo blitz with the always popular hodge-podge pics!
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If you were wondering why Austin was the adult assigned with pushing and twirling kids, you can now see Josh was slaving over a hot grill.<br /><br />
Everybody had a job!
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This is clearly not the best pic The Chick and I have ever taken together...<br /><br />
And I am going to have to take 100 percent of the blame.
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Maybe this one will do from a few weeks back.<br /><br />
Y'all have a delightful Thursday, and I will be back before you know it!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Here's a little preview from the next post...
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<b>HINT</b> - I was just a little ill when this pic was taken on our anniversary weekend a few months back.Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-10694819335478258582021-05-07T09:38:00.010-05:002021-05-12T20:56:52.774-05:00From the Heart, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Sheet-Pan Chicken and Waffles AND McWane Center RandomnessGood Friday morn!<br /><br />
No time for idle chit chat. I have a 45-minute deadline to maintain.<br /><br />
So hold on, because here we go!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart</b> - I recently listened to Bellevue Baptist's service from this past Sunday. Bro. Steve Gaines is doing a study in the book of James, and this particular sermon was about faith AND works, and how faith without works is dead. The scripture reference was James 2:14-26.<br /><br />
He read this poem as he closed, and I thought it was very fitting.<br /><br />
I’d rather see a sermon than hear one any day.<br />
I’d rather one would walk with me than merely tell the way.<br />
The eye’s a better pupil and more willing than the ear.<br />
Fine counsel is confusing, but example’s always clear.<br />
The best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds.<br />
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs.<br /><br />
I soon can learn to do it if you’ll let me see it done.<br />
I can watch your hands in action, but your tongue too fast may run.<br />
The lectures you deliver may be very wise and true.<br />
But I’d rather get my lesson by observing what you do.<br />
I may not understand the high advice that you may give.<br />
But there’s no misunderstanding how you act and how you live.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- Even though I enjoy rhyming words (very much), I am normally NOT a poetry person...<br /><br />
Mainly because I fail to understand a great deal of it.<br /><br />
But this was just as clear as could be to me.<br /><br />
And it isn't just for pastors!<br /><br />
I hope you'll take time to read the scripture reference and the poem in the very near future.<br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE </b>- I have posted three of these before, but today I have four because ME turned one recently...
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And Judy Kirk added the little portrait on the end to my collection!<br /><br />
I love the portrait, the subject of the portrait and Mrs. Kirk VERY much!<br /><br />
<b>Sheet-Pan Chicken and Waffles </b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
Cooking spray<br />
4 skinless, boneless chicken breasts (6 to 8 ounces each), cut on an angle into thirds<br />
1/2 cup sour cream<br />
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder<br />
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper<br />
Finely grated zest of 1 lemon<br />
1/2 teaspoon salt <br />
1/4 teaspoon black pepper<br />
5 cups cornflakes, finely crushed<br />
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil<br />
12 frozen home-style waffles<br />
Maple syrup, for serving<br /><br />
1. Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees. Coat a rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray. Toss the chicken pieces with the mixed sour cream, garlic powder, cayenne, half the lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of black pepper in a large bowl to coat. Set aside.<br /><br />
2. After crushing the cornflakes, put them in a shallow dish and stir in the olive oil, 1 tablespoon thyme and a pinch each of salt and black pepper. Coat the chicken in the cornflake mixture, pressing to adhere. Place on the prepared pan and lightly coat with more cooking spray. Bake until lightly browned on top, about 15 minutes.<br /><br />
3. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, and move the chicken to one side. Arrange the waffles in two rows on the other side of the pan, overlapping them. Bake, flipping and rotating the waffles halfway through, until a thermometer inserted into the thickest part of the chicken registers 165 degrees and the waffles are toasted and hot, 10 to 15 minutes.<br /><br />
4. Serve the chicken and waffles with maple syrup.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- Of course, you can use your own homemade waffles. (On this particular night, I cheated!)<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - McWane Center 2021</b> - It has been a little while since I've been to the McWane Center. <br /><br />
One year, two months, five days and...<br /><br />
You get the idea.<br /><br />
I was thrilled when most of us were able to meet up at one of my favorite places in Birmingham a few days ago. (We were missing Pop, Josh and Roxie, and we added Sarah Grace.) <br /><br />
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There was a great LEGO exhibit on one of the floors. <br /><br />
This is what <i>Bham Now</i> had to say about the BRICKOLOGY EXHIBIT!<br /><br />
1. Building Tables. With hundreds of pounds of LEGOs for visitors of all ages, let your imagination loose to design one-of-a-kind creations. From dinosaurs and race cars to castles and airplanes, the options are endless.<br /><br />
2. Giant Jump Ramp. How do you like your race car — fast, flashy, big, small? Dream it, build it, then put it to the test on a Giant Jump Ramp. <br /><br />
3. Earthquake Tables. Think you can build the tallest, strongest and most durable LEGO tower? Find out by testing it on a vibrating earthquake table that’s so quivery it would make King Kong quake in his fur. <br /><br />
From Batman’s Arkham Asylum to a scale model of the Alabama Theatre, witness the creations of some of Birmingham’s most talented creators. Trust me, you’ll be wowed. <br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- It really is that good!<br /><br />
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The best pics I have of RT are of him looking down working furiously on LEGO creations, so you'll just need to remember how cute he is up close and personal from previous soccer pics.<br /><br />
You have to be super fast to get good pics of everybody, and I hate to admit it, but I don't appear to be as quick as I was 30 years ago.<br /><br />
I wonder why?
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I hope your upcoming weekend will be a wonderful time spent with family and friends. Take care, and I'll be back in just a few days. (Sneak Peek below!)<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. We celebrated my Mother's Day this past weekend at a local park. Everyone was able to attend. Josh grilled hamburgers and hot dogs. The kids (and some of the adults) played hard. A good time was had by all! I'll post some of those pics next time.
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZtfislo7-0LJpIc_fRks3MFdvTK3vCCpK5Ak_3FthaIw9IIAaj6AcmgidsNL5fazW6VfSL4g2QeQT9SqCr8GPW_d8oWNEaxRztR3XGhCV5zc9F2Fz9D6aizwV79suoEBy5o8t0fc0bg/s2048/IMG_4163.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1365" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKZtfislo7-0LJpIc_fRks3MFdvTK3vCCpK5Ak_3FthaIw9IIAaj6AcmgidsNL5fazW6VfSL4g2QeQT9SqCr8GPW_d8oWNEaxRztR3XGhCV5zc9F2Fz9D6aizwV79suoEBy5o8t0fc0bg/s600/IMG_4163.JPG"/></a></div>Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-56687782118750755722021-04-28T10:14:00.004-05:002021-04-28T10:26:58.373-05:00From the Heart, Mrs. Faulkner's Birthday AND More SoccerGood Wednesday morning!<br /><br />
In case you're counting, this is the THIRD short-and-sweet post in April. My goal was to "create" it in 45 minutes or less from start to finish, and so far, so good.<br /><br />
Let's get started!<br /><br />
<b>FROM THE HEART</b> - I wanted to share an act of kindness I read about this week that really made me think, think, think.<br /><br />
Here it is...<br /><br />
"My father, John, wanted to complete 90 acts of kindness in the year leading up to his 90th birthday. He wrote letters to friends, distributed chocolates and gave books to children. By his birthday, he had completed 116 kind acts. My dear father passed away in 2018. He liked to say, 'Spread a little kindness and reap a lot of love.'" I plan on doing just that in his honor."<br /><br />
I thought this would be a good idea for parents to suggest to their own children after they celebrate a birthday. For example, if the child is turning <b>eight</b>, after the party (but before they go to bed), sit down with them one-on-one and give them a "special" birthday card challenging them to perform <b>eight</b> acts of kindness sometime during the next week or so (family, friends, neighbors, etc.).<br /><br />
Depending on the child, you may need to help keep up with the acts of kindness, or maybe even give them ideas if they get stuck.<br /><br />
On a day that has totally been about the birthday child, what a sweet lesson to be able to teach them.<br /><br />
"<b>Be kind to one another</b>, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4:32<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - And it isn't lost on me that I'm going to have a milestone birthday in a few months. <br /><br />
Sixty sounds like a lot, but if John can do 90 (and I'm assuming he was probably a little more tired than I am on a daily basis), maybe, just maybe, I could crank out some acts of kindness, too!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Mrs. Faulkner's Birthday</b> - Mrs. Faulkner turned 89 this year, and she celebrated one weekend with her daughter's side of the family and one weekend with our side of the family.<br /><br />
We kept it pretty simple.<br /><br />
Bubbles and balls on the outside, and cake on the inside.<br /><br />
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<b>ANOTHER NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- I know you might be wondering about the half-glazed birthday pound cake. <br /><br />
Some people like their pound cakes without glaze, so I was just covering all my bases.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - More Soccer </b>- I also know we talked about this in the last post, but here are two more pics of a really cute soccer player.
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I hope you and yours have a very good week... <br /><br />
Hot, but good!<br /><br />
I'll be talking to you very soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. We went to McWane Center for the first time in a year this past weekend. We can talk about that a little in the next post.
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Also, Melia told me I could Photo Shop her out since her eyes were closed...<br /><br />
But guess who doesn't know how to do that?
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-64150349874206395792021-04-15T10:51:00.002-05:002021-04-15T10:58:07.885-05:00From the Heart, Whipping Cream Pound Cake AND Guess Who is Playing Soccer?Good Thursday morn!<br /><br />
Here's another semi-short post. (I'm getting better, I think!)<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart </b>- The past few months, I have been trying to focus on my prayer life and ways to make it better. <br /><br />
After watching several different Bible Studies and sermons on the subject over the past few months, I made the following "go-by" for my daily prayer. <br /><br />
1. Start by reciting (and really listening to the words of) Psalm 23.<br /><br />
2. Pray for the things I am thankful for on that specific day.<br /><br />
3. Pray for any unconfessed sin I might have, and also, that I will recall anything I have done in the past which needs forgiveness.<br /><br />
4. Pray Romans 12:1-2.<br /><br />
5. Pray for wisdom and control over my tongue when I speak to people during the day (especially, but not limited to, Mike, Austin, Melia, Josh, Courtney, Roxie, Judith, RT, Eden, ME and Beverly).<br /><br />
6. Pray for help remembering the prayers God has already answered in my life over the years (be specific), and make me aware of divine appointments, open doors, people God may bring alongside me for a reason, calls to missions and ministries I can perform through the Holy Spirit... not by myself.<br /><br />
7. Pray for a desire to have an attitude like Christ... to have humility and submit to the will and Word of God. <br /><br />
8. Pray Ephesians 6:10-20 inserting my name in all the appropriate places.<br /><br />
I have blank pages at the end of each month in my journal, and I write down very specific prayer requests there. At the end of the month, I begin a new list. Some prayers carry over, and some will have already been answered. <br /><br />
This is what is working for me in my prayer life right now. I literally sit down with the above list in my hands before I start praying each day to help me stay focused, because, "SQUIRREL!"<br /><br />
I am so easily distracted even when totally alone in my house with no kids running around.<br /><br />
Please know, the fact I am 59 years-old and still such a work in progress is not lost on me. But also not lost on me... God loves me and always wants me to spend time with Him each and every day. <br /><br />
His mercies are new every morning, and all I have to do is go to Him in prayer.<br /><br />
<b>Whipping Cream Pound Cake</b><br /><br />
This recipe came directly from the back of the Swans Down Cake Flour box. It is a really good pound cake, and I have made it several times. Also, it is delicious with or without the glaze.<br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
1 1/2 cups (3 sticks) salted butter, softened<br />
3 cups white granulated sugar<br />
6 large eggs (room temperature)<br />
3 cups sifted Swans Down Cake Flour<br />
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract<br />
1/2 pint heavy whipping cream<br /><br />
You will need the following for the Glaze (if desired):<br /><br />
2 cups sifted powdered sugar<br />
1/2 stick butter, melted<br />
2 to 4 tablespoons heavy cream<br />
1/4 teaspoons vanilla extract<br /><br />
1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.<br /><br />
2. Butter and lightly flour a 10-inch tube pan.<br /><br />
3. In large mixing bowl, cream butter then gradually add sugar beating on medium speed until creamy. <br /><br />
4. Add eggs, one at a time, beating just until blended after each addition.<br /><br />
5. Add Swans Down Cake Flour and heavy whipping cream alternately beating on low speed until just blended.<br /><br />
6. Add vanilla. <br /><Br />
7. Pour into prepared pan.<br /><br />
8. Bake 1 hour and 15 minutes or until a long tester inserted in center of cake comes out completely clean. (Cover top of cake with a loose sheet of foil after first 20 minutes in oven so it will not get too dark.)<br /><br />
9. Cool in pan on wire rack 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.<br /><br />
For the Glaze:<br /><br />
1. Combine powdered sugar and melted butter in medium size bowl.<br /><br />
2. Stir in 2 tablespoons of heavy cream and 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract.<br /><br />
3. Beat until smooth and creamy, adding more cream 1 tablespoon at a time if necessary. Drizzle over cooled cake.<br /><Br />
Enjoy!<br /><Br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - Guess Who is Playing Soccer?</b> - It's been a skinny minute since we've done this, but Mike and I found ourselves on the sideline of a riveting soccer game a couple of Saturdays ago.<br /><br />
There were a lot of other athletes playing, but this little guy caught our eye!<br /><br />
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I know I'm probably a little biased, but I definitely see us attending an Olympics soccer event in a few years.<br /><br />
I'll keep you posted!<br /><br />
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I bet Sister and Mimi (and all the rest of us) will be wearing matching shirts in the stands!<br /><br />
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And the cousins!<br /><br />
The cousins will definitely need/want/insist upon matching shirts, too!<br /><br />
Have a most wonderful "rest of the week" and weekend, and I will certainly try to do the same.<br /><br />
Take care, and I'll talk to you soon!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Ever-So-Short-and-Succinct Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Someone had a birthday this past weekend, and unlike last year, we were able to celebrate it with her.
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No. It wasn't Eden, but she was definitely there to help blow out the candles...<br /><br />
And shoot people with her new bubble gun.<br /><br />
I'll share the rest of those pics next time.
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-45696310734075951932021-04-04T22:23:00.003-05:002021-04-05T08:01:42.902-05:00From the Heart, Blog Linkage, Easter Egg Hunt AND Easter DayGood Monday morning!<br /><br />
I am well aware we talked about the 2021 plan for A Simple Life in January. <br /><br />
To recap, I was going to try to post much shorter blog posts two or three or four times a month instead of the wordy/picture-heavy posts I have given you the last decade or so.<br /><br />
Turns out, it is very difficult for me NOT to write the long posts.<br /><br />
Very difficult indeed.<br /><br />
Please bear with me today while I try (very hard) to keep this April post UNDER 45,000 words and 52 photos!<br /><br />
Wish me luck!<br /><br />
<b>From the Heart</b> - Here are a few quotes from Ann Voskamp which I read today regarding Easter.<br /><br />
"On the night when Jesus was betrayed, He gave thanks. If Jesus can give thanks in that, you can give thanks in everything."<br /><br />
"If Jesus can dip from the same bowl as Judas, we can share the same table, the same space, with anyone, with grace."<br /><br />
<b>Blog Linkage </b>- If you have any time today, go to https://annvoskamp.com and read her blog post entitled, "WHY THIS IS THE STORY WE ALL HAVE TO GO AND SPEAK." <br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Easter Egg Hunt</b> - Mike and I hosted our family Easter celebration last Sunday, and below you will find a few photos from that day.<br /><br />
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Eden was all about the egg hunt this year. She needed a little assistance at the beginning, but by the end, she was pretty independent.<br /><br />
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ME was much more interested in quality over quantity...<br /><br />
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And in the end, an egg in each hand was all she really needed.<br /><br />
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Some of the Egg Hiders were a little over-the-top when it came to finding the "perfect" hiding places for some of the eggs, but we decided to forgive them after they helped the tiny people retrieve them from tree branches and other ridiculously high places.<br /><br />
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RT loves cars, so if anyone came across red plastic eggs (all of which contained cars), they knew he was the only one who could pick them up.<br /><br />
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And Judith loves fingernail polish, so if anyone came across purple plastic eggs (all of which contained polish), they knew she was the only who could pick them up.<br /><br />
And so on, and so on.<br /><br />
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Since ME was only interested in two empty plastic eggs (and her empty bucket)...
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That was all she needed to be perfectly happy.<br /><br />
And just in case you were wondering, Eden was in the corner with her back turned opening her yellow eggs which contained yogurt-covered raisins.<br /><br />
Simple pleasures are truly the best.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Easter</b> - Mike and I went to church with The Chick in Auburn this Easter Sunday, and the other kids sent me several Easter pics from their celebrations today...<br /><br />
And you'll find those below.<br /><br />
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Austin and family...<br /><br />
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Josh and family...<br /><br />
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Mike and Roxie.<br /><br />
We did take a pic with all three of us, and our faces all looked pretty good. However, Roxie was wearing a floral print...<br /><br />
And Mike was wearing plaid...<br /><br />
And I was wearing a blouse covered in vertical stripes.<br /><br />
It was all I could do to sit beside them in church, much less post a photo of the three of us together.<br /><br />
* * * * * *<br /><br />
Okay. From beginning to end, it took 50 minutes to put this post together, so that is much better than I've done in the past.<br /><br />
I am going to try to finish the LONG post I've been working on the last three or four weeks which contains Maine stuff, Eden's second birthday party, etc., etc. before June!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
P.S. Someone's playing soccer, and I will try to get that SHORT post up in the VERY NEAR FUTURE!
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Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-78448792232443789122021-02-26T09:45:00.010-06:002021-02-26T15:23:29.960-06:00From the Heart, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Grandtot Catch-Up, Maine (Days 3 and 4) AND Pod PeopleGood Friday morning!<br /><br />
I'm going to jump right into today's post with <b>FROM THE HEART</b>...<br /><br />
Followed by a myriad of other "thangs!"<br /><br />
<b>FROM THE HEART</b> - <b>I want to share an article by Focus on the Family about grandparents. (I also want to make sure you know I was never a youth minister. Everything posted below is from the article.)</b><br /><br />
In my youth ministry days, I was always a little disappointed to hear that youth workers ranked pretty low on the list of “top spiritual influences” in teenagers’ lives, but it was true. Researchers found that parents and grandparents, not youth workers, were at the top of the list. But should this be surprising given the Bible’s verses about the importance of grandparents?<br /><br />
So, later in my youth ministry career, I turned my attention to helping parents leverage their well‐deserved position of influence in their kids’ lives. I conducted parenting seminars, wrote books on parenting and championed parent ministry in the local church. I did this for more than twenty years.<br /><br />
Strangely, it never occurred to me to help grandparents as well — until recently.<br /><br />
That’s because I am now a grandparent. And it’s also because I have discovered that grandparents are, for the most part, a forgotten, marginalized resource in the church. <br /><br />
<b>Bible Verses About Grandparents</b>:<br /><br />
I did a Bible study a few years ago on grandparenting. I learned that the Bible does not marginalize grandparents at all. Instead, it has a high view of grandparents and gives them a vital role in their grandchildren’s lives. There are a few Bible verses about grandparents that demonstrate this role.<br /><br />
One good example is in Deuteronomy 4:9. “Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them fade from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.”<br /><br />
Notice the word “and” in that last sentence. We aren’t finished when our children grow up and leave home. God’s people are instructed to teach at least two generations (children and grandchildren) the stories of our faith and the greatness of our God.<br /><br />
Another example is Psalm 71:17‐18: “Since my youth, God, you have taught me, and to this day I declare your marvelous deeds. Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, my God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your mighty acts to all who are to come.”<br /><br />
This verse kept me going for a long time in youth ministry. But this verse applies directly to grandparenting. In most cases, when the Bible speaks of the “next generation,” it is referring to our immediate families. “All who are to come” references our children’s children, namely our grandchildren as well as our great-grandchildren. <br /><br />
Throughout scripture, you find that grandparents (often referred to as “elders,” “forefathers” or “ancestors”) are crucial to God’s plan of salvation for the whole world. Grandparents have the responsibility of making sure that the baton of faith gets passed from generation to generation. <br /><br />
What if we could mobilize the more than 30 million Christian grandparents (in the United States alone) to take their role as spiritual leaders in their families more seriously? What if those grandparents intentionally committed to teaching their grandchildren about the love of Christ? How many children do you think this would impact?<br /><br />
Let’s take the Bible verses about the importance of Christian grandparents seriously. Remember, they are uniquely positioned and equipped to share the good news about Jesus with the people they love the most. <br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I love the phrase "intentionally committed" when talking about the grandparents' role. <br /><br />
I also love this article!<br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE </b>- Actually, I have two new favorite places to share.<br /><br />
1. If you haven't been yet, Urban Suburban Antiques (located behind The Filling Station in Crestwood) is one of the nicest antique stores I have visited recently. While the pics below depict some of my favorite booths, there are SO many other things to see in this store, big and little.<br /><br />
And as someone mentioned in a recent review, they have a nice Ladies' Room, too...<br /><br />
Which is always a plus.
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2. If you get off Exit 284 on 65-North, bear to the right and in a minute you will come to a small strip mall on your left which has a store called Home Re-Decor (which is attached to a Mexican restaurant). <br /><br />
Re-Decor is a lovely store, and while I've only visited during the Christmas season and more recently, at the beginning of the Spring season, it is a wonderful place to spend a little time enjoying pretty smells, pretty things and pretty music.
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<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - GRANDTOT CATCH-UP</b> - Just a little something quick to represent February!
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This one is constantly trying to keep up with the "big kid" in her life...<br /><br />
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And one day she'll be taking dance classes, too, I bet!<br /><br />
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This one got to play in her first snow last week...<br /><br />
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With her big, handsome brother!<br /><br />
Is it just me, or are ALL of the Grandtots growing bigger and older at a tremendous rate of speed?<br /><br />
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Nana, however, appears to just be growing more and more weary.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - MAINE (DAYS 3 AND 4)</b> - I may have forgotten to mention it, but Mike and I planned our trip the week AFTER the the last peak weekend. In other words, the crowds in Acadia National Park and Bar Harbor were gone. <br /><br />
I'm not sure Bangor ever has crowds (the town where we stayed), but if anyone was ever walking on the same side of the street as we were, we had our masks on...<br /><br />
And so did they.<br /><br />
If we passed anyone on a trail, masks were worn.<br /><br />
Restaurants were not crowded in the least, and we were able to take masks off as soon as we sat down at our table.<br /><br />
All in all, the rules were the same in Maine and Alabama.<br /><br />
Okay. On Days 3 and 4, we spent all of our time in Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park (which are located next to each other). The drive was only 40 minutes from where we were staying, so we were able to visit both of those locations several times during our week in Maine.<br /><br />
First, and foremost, I want you to understand Maine is an extraordinarily beautiful place. <br /><br />
I mean it.<br /><br />
Anything and everything is picturesque and lovely and charming and quaint. I have six more synonyms I could use in the last sentence, but I don't want to appear pretentious. I also have six synonyms I could use with "pretentious," but I'm working on keeping things a little more "to the point."<br /><br />
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Mikie took many pics with his phone this trip...<br /><br />
And I never even had to ask.<br /><br />
I'm hoping it is something that will continue if and when we take other trips. (His phone takes epic photos!)<br /><br />
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You know how there's a Chick-Fil-A or a McDonald's every few blocks in the South?<br /><br />
Well, in Maine, Dunkin' Donuts is their Chick-Fil-A and/or McDonald's. They are EVERYWHERE, and they always have a line of cars around the building in the drive-thru.<br /><br />
Just a little Fun Fact for you and yours!<br /><br />
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The town of Bar Harbor is so pretty, and even visiting after the final peak weekend (which meant a lot of the restaurants and shops were closed for the season), there were still plenty of things to do, see and eat...<br /><br />
Without the crowds.<br /><br />
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Mike and I decided to go on a two-hour Nature Cruise in the Atlantic Ocean around the Porcupine Islands. <br /><br />
The Porcupine Islands are a group of islands immediately off the coast of Bar Harber that supposedly have a shape similar to that of a porcupine.<br /><br />
The porcupine shape thing is a stretch, for sure.<br /><br />
Bill, our expert tour guide, even thought so.<br /><br />
The sky was dark and the day was cold and the ocean was extremely choppy.<br /><br />
Bill kept telling us, "This is nothing! We've had waves come over the side of the boat before!"<br /><br />
It was definitely rough, and I was concerned about losing my "never-been-seasick" status, but for some unknown reason, I'm exceptionally resilient when it comes to the rocking of the boat. <br /><br />
I am also ridiculously proud of the above factoid, which is kinda sad.<br /><br />
Heavy sigh.
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Speaking of Bill, here is a picture of a truly amazing man. <br /><br />
He was a career educator, and worked on the side for many years on rescue operations all over Acadia National Park and the surrounding waters. <br /><br />
He was a wonderful storyteller and guide.<br /><br />
When he was telling us how old the islands and other land formations were, he gave us the scholarly number of "thousands and thousands of years." Then he paused and said, "And if you want a more accurate account, Genesis 1:9-13 tells us, "On the third day, God created the land, the oceans and all the plants. And God saw that it was good." <br /><br />
Bill quickly became my favorite Mainer...<br /><br />
My favorite tour guide...<br /><br />
And perhaps, my favorite older gentleman of all times. <br /><br />
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This particular Porcupine Island has been home to the area lighthouse for many, many years.<br /><br />
Beautiful place to live, but it looked extremely lonesome.
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Our last sight to see before heading back to Bangor for the evening was a pretty famous place called Thunder Hole.<br /><br />
If you're lucky, you visit at the exact time the ocean crashes into the rocks and sends a huge spray of water up, up, up into the air.<br /><br />
The above picture was taken by Mikie.<br /><br />
The photo immediately following this sentence shows what Mike and I missed!
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Maybe next time!<br /><Br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - POD PEOPLE</b> - For no other reason than Roxie was home for a day and night, we all got together for lunch after church a Sunday or two ago.<br /><br />
It was a wee bit chilly on this particular day, so to get outside for just a few minutes, Mike and I decided to open up the empty pod sitting in our driveway.<br /><br />
The reason we have an empty pod in the our driveway is because we are emptying our basement before some demolition occurs...<br /><br />
And some new walls and water proofing are added...<br /><br />
Etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />
This particular Sunday was going to be the only time an EMPTY pod would be in our driveway.<br /><br />
Two flashlights, two glow-in-the-dark remote control crazy cars, two kiddos, one Pop and one Dad at a time climbed into the pod and closed the doors.<br /><br />
I was wary about the kiddos wanting to play in the pod with the doors closed, but they would have it no other way...<br /><br />
And the noises that came from the inside of that pod sounded like there were 30, maybe 40, Grandtots jumping around, yelling, laughing and generally having a fun time.<br /><br />
You may want to know where Nana B was during Pod Time. I was in the pod for the first 20 minutes, and I started getting a headache not unlike the ones I used to get in the laser tag setting of long ago.<br /><br />
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As you can tell, no one enjoyed the pod more than Pop.<br /><br />
While the older Tots played outside, the younger two played inside.
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<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA (A/K/A NANA) </b>- Sometimes when you ask Eden to smile for a picture when she is busy playing, she will give you this look.<br /><br />
I do not take offense. In fact, I think it is pretty funny.<br /><br />
I've been taking pics of kids a long time, and it's going to take more than a cute baby glare to make me stop.<br /><br />
Eden may have met her match with Nana B!
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It was much quieter and calmer in the house.<br /><br />
I spent the rest of our visiting time going back and forth between the two entirely different play areas...<br /><br />
And my headache was better during my time INSIDE...
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Until the "piano recital" started.<br /><br />
What can I say? <br /><br />
The piano is going to be a work in progress!<br /><br />
I hope your upcoming weekend is full of good moments and sweet things.<br /><br />
I will talk to you soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting BelindaBelindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-27215241684291718092021-01-31T18:10:00.000-06:002021-01-31T18:13:08.628-06:00From the Heart, Judith's 6th Birthday, RT's 4th Birthday, Visiting the OC (Original Chick) AND Glow Wild at the Birmingham ZooGood Sunday afternoon!<br /><br />
As I talked about a little in the last post of 2020, there will be a few new Headings on the Blog this year...<br /><br />
Beginning today!<br /><br />
<b>FROM THE HEART</b> will feature those musings tugging at my heartstrings from time to time.<br /><br />
That being said, let's do one of those today!<br /><br />
<b>FROM THE HEART</b><br /><br />
When my kids were small, I wanted to have devotions with them every day. <br /><br />
I learned having a daily devotion for two boys and a girl (all three years apart) did not always work out as planned, but Mike and I tried our hardest...<br /><br />
And sometimes it paid off big time!<br /><br />
(And sometimes... not so much.)<br /><br />
I now feel the urge to make sure the GrandTots have devotions when they spend the night at Pop and Nana's house (having devotions when they come over during the week for a couple of hours or a meal doesn't always work out, but spending the night gives us all kinds of time).<br /><br />
Following a story line when there might be five to eight days between devotions is not doable for us, so I found these simple, age-appropriate workbooks that teach very short character lessons about different Bible personalities. The workbooks use mazes, stickers and games, and the stories themselves are very short and to the point...<br /><br />
The devotion rarely lasts more than five minutes, but it is colorful and fun, and more often than not, it re-enforces Bible stories they have heard at home, in Sunday School or at School.<br /><br />
It's a win-win right now because as of the posting of this particular blog, whenever I say, "It's time to do a few pages in our devotion book," they are all about it!<br /><br />
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Judith and RT each have their own book.<br /><br />
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As you can see, age appropriate, colorful and holds their attention just fine.<br /><br />
I am going to plan on doing an Object Lesson Devotion once a month, and I'll share my favorite in my next post.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Judith's 6th Birthday </b>- Here are a few pics from Judith's big day. COVID kept the celebration a bit small, but we had a good time.<br /><br />
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An Elsa Cake, MouseTrap (one of Courtney's favorite games as a kid) and a pretty day outside made for a sweet 6th birthday.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - RT's 4th Birthday</b> - A few days later, RT had a party, too. Another COVID-type party, but fun, fun, fun.<br /><br />
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Spiderman was the overall theme, but the Edgar's Strawberry Cake got a lot of attention, too.<Br /><Br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - Visiting the OC (Original Chick)</b> - Mike and I scooted to Auburn yesterday for quality time with Roxie. We had brunch at The Hound, walked off the food we ate at The Hound and sat on the couch and talked a good hour or two before we headed back to Gardendale.<br /><br />
It was lovely...<br /><br />
And so was she.<br /><br />
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Here is Mikie doing his Jack Nicholson impersonation...<br /><br />
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Semi-normal for us...<br /><br />
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And just Mike at The Hound.<br /><br />
Photo creds go to The Chick.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #4 - Glow Wild at the Birmingham Zoo</b> - I hope, hope, hope they continue this tradition. We went on a Sunday night in January with Josh and family and it was SO lovely. <br /><br />
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Okay. That's it for today. Short and sweet... and hopefully, directly to the point! <br /><br />
I think that's going to be my new motto for 2021!<br /><br />
See you soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting BelindaBelindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-65844793593748954182020-12-30T22:02:00.006-06:002021-02-26T09:58:07.465-06:00A Little This... AND A Little ThatHey, Guys!<br /><Br />
Happy New Year's Eve Eve!<br /><br />
Just so you know, I've been working on a blog post the entire month of December. In fact, I saved the eight page (and still growing) post in a safe place until the year 2021. <br /><br />
Tonight, I'm just going to share a few pics of our December with short captions...<br /><br />
Give you a list of what I've got planned for A Simple Life in 2021 (as always, it is subject to change)...<br /><br />
And leave you with a little wisdom from the Word I came across in a devotion this month.<br /><br />
So here we go...<br /><br />
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Mike and I still go to Pine Hill Farms every year a day or so after Thanksgiving, but it is no longer a "mandatory" tradition. If anyone wants to come, they are welcome! <br /><br />
We ride the wagon, run amongst the trees, pet the dogs, drink hot chocolate, etc., etc., etc.<br /><br />
Stress-free and fun.<br /><br />
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Melia hosts a Sibling Christmas Cookie Party each year, and fortunately, everyone was able to attend. (Roxie took this pic.)<br /><br />
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Mike and I had the Grandtots while their parents played, and they decorated their own cookies...<br /><br />
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Molded and decorated Play-Doh Christmas trees...<br /><br />
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And enjoyed a short, brisk walk up and down the street to get some of the "wiggles" out of their systems.<br /><br />
The next six pics are from our Christmas Eve Brunch. Things can change in an instant, but thankfully, we were able to still get together.<br /><br />
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Like so many others, some of our family Christmas gatherings/parties had to be cancelled because of COVID, but we are incredibly grateful for the times we were able to be with our immediate family.<br /><br />
Two more little things (and one pretty big thing)...<br /><br />
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This little one was determined to destroy the Nativity Scene every time she was put on the floor.<br /><br />
And...<br /><br />
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The Eggnog Cream Filled Doughnut from Krispy Kreme was truly one of the best things that happened during the month of December, 2020.<br /><br />
Last, but not least, our church's live Nativity Drive-Thru (Gardendale First Baptist Church) was incredible.<br /><br />
Melia and Austin drove with RT and Judith, and Mike and I followed behind with sleeping Eden and ME. <br /><br />
I especially loved RT's answer when I asked, "Do you remember where we went last night?"<br /><br />
"Yes! I went to Bethlehem with my cousins!"<br /><br />
It was an unforgettable experience for me, so I can only imagine how real it felt to the kids. Excellent!<br /><br />
All right...<br /><br />
On to A Simple Life in 2021.<br /><br />
1. I still want to finish up the Maine trip.<br /><br />
2. I plan to have a minimum of two posts per month (but I'm going to try for three or four).<br /><br />
3. I want to continue with the usual family stuff, but I also want to write about a few things which have been on my mind and heart these last few months, so there should be some new "Headings" as the year progresses.<br /><br />
4. A Simple Life won't go on forever, of course, but I still have a few things to do before it is time to say good-bye, I think.<br /><br />
Finally, this is what I wanted to share from my December devotions. I LOVE reading <i>Unwrapping the Greatest Gift</i> by Ann Voskamp each year, and if you don't already have this beautiful Advent book, I hope you get it before next December 1.<br /><br />
"We don't have to stumble around in the dark, because Jesus is running the world. We don't have to be scared of the dark, because Jesus is our forever Light.<br /><br />
"Jesus is our Light in the dark that we could never light with a match or flick on with a switch - Jesus is the Light we can only find.<br /><br />
"Just like Christmas - Christmas can only be found.<br /><br />
"Christmas cannot be bought in a store. Christmas cannot be created in the kitchen. Christmas cannot be made by hand, lit up, set out, dreamed up. Christmas can only be found - right there in the manger."<br /><br />
In the year 2020, there were times I stumbled around and times I was scared. There were times I tried to buy, bake or make Christmas special or magical for those around me.<br /><br />
With two little sentences, this devotion made me remember what I already knew...<br /><br />
"Jesus is the Light we can only find," and "Christmas can only be found right there in the manger."<br /><br />
As always, thank you very much for stopping by and spending some time with me. <br /><br />
I will be back soon with my first post of 2021!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Hopefully Still Somewhat Enchanting BelindaBelindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-46369535033679162962020-11-18T09:31:00.005-06:002020-11-18T15:58:30.242-06:00 Quotable Quotes, My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Pioneer Woman's Fish Sticks, Pinterest Stuff (Gratitude Pumpkin), Hoots and Howls, Fall Festival, Melia's Birthday Celebration AND Maine - Part OneGood Wednesday morn!<br /><br />
<b>Quotable Quotes</b> - “Hospitality seeks to minister. It says, ‘This home is not mine. It is truly a gift from my Master. I am His servant, and I use it as He desires.’ Hospitality does not try to impress, but to serve.” Karen Mains, <i>Open Heart, Open Home</i><br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE</b> - If you go to wherever it is you watch YouTube and search for Amy Hannon (author of the <i>Love Welcome Serve</i> cookbook), you will find a lot of Cooking Today videos...<br /><br />
But that's not what you're looking for right now.<br /><br />
Scroll through until you see her YouTube Video entitled <b>Love Welcome Serve, Dinner and Fellowship with Amy Hannon</b>. You will notice it is a Bellevue Women's Ministry video. <br /><br />
She is an excellent speaker, and this is a wonderful, inspiring lesson on "authentic Biblical hospitality." I think this will be one of my favorite things for much longer than a minute!<br /><br />
<b>Pioneer Woman's Parmesan Fish Sticks</b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
2 tablespoons olive oil<br />
2 pounds cod or haddock fillets<br />
1 cup all-purpose flour <br />
1 teaspoon kosher salt <br />
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper <br />
2 cups plain breadcrumbs <br />
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves<br />
4 tablespoons salted butter, melted <br />
1/2 cup grated Parmesan <br />
3 large eggs<br />
Ketchup, for serving <br /><br />
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Grease a sheet pan with the olive oil.<br /><br />
2. Cut the fish fillets into 2 1/2-inch-long and 1-inch-wide strips.<br /><br />
3. Combine the flour, salt and pepper in a shallow bowl. Set aside.<br /><br />
4. Combine the breadcrumbs, parsley and butter with a fork in a separate shallow bowl. Add the Parmesan and stir to combine.<br /><br />
5. Beat the eggs in a third bowl.<br /><br />
6. Bread the fish by giving the strips a good coating of the seasoned flour. Tap off any excess. Dip in the beaten eggs until coated. Roll the egg-coated fish in the crumb mixture. If need be, press the breadcrumbs into the fish. Place on the oiled sheet pan.<br /><br />
7. Bake for 10 minutes, then flip the fish sticks and continue cooking until the breading is deep golden and the fish is cooked through, about another 8 minutes.<br /><br />
8. Serve with ketchup.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- This was SO good. A grown-up fish stick!<br /><br />
<b>Pinterest Stuff</b><br /><br />
<b>Gratitude Pumpkin</b><br /><br />
This isn't a new idea...<br /><br />
Or a difficult idea...<br /><br />
Or a time-consuming idea.<br /><br />
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But it is a perfect Thanksgiving centerpiece idea!<br /><br />
(Picture from Pinterest)<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Hoots and Howls - </b>Our first trip to Hoots and Howls at the Birmingham Zoo was cancelled due to rain...<br /><br />
And when the second opportunity came around, Melia, RT, ME and I were the only ones able to attend.<br /><br />
It was a fun afternoon, and while we skipped the VERY LONG candy line and the VERY, VERY LONG train ride line, I am happy to report the NONEXISTENT LUNCH LINE (thanks to a handy, dandy APP) and the NOT SHORT, BUT NOT EXTRA LONG carousel line suited us just fine.<br /><br />
Just fine, indeed.<br /><br />
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Allow me to introduce you to Rosie the Riveter...<br /><br />
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And Lightning McQueen!<br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Fall Festival - </b> Later that same afternoon, Mike and I met Josh, Courtney, Judith and Eden (also known as "Hunter and Cute Herd of Deer") at their church's outdoor Candy Trail. <br /><br />
Again, not the original plan, but very much fun!<br /><br />
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Eden wasn't too sure about the two graham crackers and marshmallow who came up to talk to her.<br /><br />
I believe she was trying to figure out where the Hershey bar was hiding.<br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - Melia's Birthday Celebration - </b>Melia had a birthday the first of November, and with hot dogs, chicken strips, unicorn plates, unicorn hats and a fire...<br /><br />
We celebrated her milestone with birthday smore's. <br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #4 - Maine - Part One -</b> Mike and I went to Bangor, Maine for a week in October. It is my 22nd state to visit thus far, and just between you and me (and every Mainer I talked to the entire week of our visit), it is my favorite.<br /><br />
We flew to Charlotte, North Carolina for a short layover, and then flew straight to tiny Bangor International Airport. The flight time was less than three and a half hours total, and we arrived a little after noon on a Friday.<br /><br />
It was a dreary, gray day (my most favorite kind of day God ever created), and as we walked out of the airport to catch our shuttle to the car rental place, a very brisk, one might even say "blustery," wind hit me square in the face...<br /><br />
And I knew I was home.<br /><br />
I won't go on and on, but I will say I didn't experience one drop of neck sweat the entire time I was in Maine. <br /><br />
NOT ONE!<br /><br />
And it was beyond lovely.<br /><br />
A few weeks earlier, I found a newly-renovated loft on Airbnb located on Main Street in Downtown Bangor, and I booked it for our stay.<br /><br />
I've always wanted to stay in a loft, and it wasn't until we arrived in MAINE that it hit me...<br /><br />
Maybe we should have stayed in a CABIN...<br /><br />
In the WOODS...<br /><br />
Since Maine is known far and wide as an OUTDOORSY/WOODSY kinda state.<br /><br />
But as soon as we walked into our super chic, super modern, super urban loft, I was very happy with the decision.<br /><br />
Mike was a trooper, and if we ever go back (and we will GO BACK), we're staying in a log cabin WAY BACK in the woods.<br /><br />
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This is the view of the back of our building. Our loft was on the second floor.<br /><br />
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And this was by far my favorite room in the loft. <br /><br />
That bench covering was made out of some kind of wild animal fur.<br /><br />
Maybe fox.<br /><br />
Maybe albino moose.<br /><br />
We may never know. One of life's great mysteries.<br /><br />
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This is the view from our wall of windows in the living room. We were directly across from an attorney's office and some more lofts.<br /><br />
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I could post 25 more pics of houses in Bangor neighborhoods, but this is a good go-by. <br /><br />
There are a lot of two story, white homes in the neighborhoods. You will see other colors, but by and large, white is the most popular.<br /><br />
Also, there are not many brick homes. Mike and I were surprised because of the harsh winters, but wood houses and a lot of firewood make up the norm.<br /><br />
DAY ONE - We explored Bangor in our car (it had started raining), ate a lovely dinner and went back to the loft to get ready for DAY TWO!<br /><br />
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We awoke to sunshine and cool, crisp autumnal temps on our second day, and we drove 42 minutes (more or less) to Acadia National Park. Once in the Park, we drove directly to Jordan's Pond House which overlooks Jordan's Pond and a three-mile trail (divided into three different trail types).<br /><br />
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We started on the raised platform trail which, as you can see, was not a hard hike at all.<br /><br />
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However, the raised platform trail ended and the giant boulder trail began.<br /><br />
It was a little more "challenging," but still enjoyable.<br /><br />
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And just when we thought we never wanted to see another boulder again, we reached the perfectly smooth and lovely EASY TRAIL.<br /><br />
Guess which one was our fav?<br /><br />
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Yeah.<br /><br />
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No competition!<br /><br />
DAY TWO - After our little hike around the pond, we leisurely drove back to Bangor (stopping at an epic roadside antique store), ate dinner and called it a wonderful day.<br /><br />
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It would have been easy to stay two or three hours in this one store and still not see everything.<br /><br />
I'll hit the highlights of Days Three and Four in the next post.<br /><br />
In other news, Roxie and I were able to go on a quick, but exciting, 2020 Mother/Daughter Trip...<br /><br />
And it might be my favorite one to date!<br /><br />
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We kinda took a two-hour sailing lesson into a smallish storm.
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I'll talk about that a little more in the next post, too.<br /><br />
Have a wonderful Wednesday!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
"I don't understand why people 'get ready' for bed. I am ALWAYS ready for bed!"
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-91618283914659273822020-10-30T20:51:00.002-05:002020-10-30T21:06:17.210-05:00Quotable Quotes, The Babies, Pumpkin Happenings, Pumpkin Shopping at Reeves Farm AND Pumpkin Shopping at Witt's MarketGood Saturday morning!<br /><br />
Guess where Mike and I found FALL hiding last week?<br /><br />
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MAINE!<BR /><BR />
I'm going to post a few little October things here today, but I'm working on a two- or three-part blog about our trip to one of the loveliest states I have ever had the privilege to meet.<br /><br />
Please stay tuned!<br /><br />
<b>Quotable Quotes</b> - "When you're ministering to someone in pain, you must remember this: The deeper the pain, the fewer words you use." Pastor Rick Warren<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - The Babies</b> - Nothing "October" about these pics...<br /><br />
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They are just plain cute.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Pumpkin Happenings</b> - I am a huge advocate of the Dollar Tree Pumpkin Craft Kits. <br /><Br />
Whether you like stickers...<br /><br />
Or painting...<br /><br />
Or hot gluing...<br /><br />
Or all three...<br /><br />
They usually have a fun, inexpensive option.<br /><br />
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Semi-funny story about the red pumpkin...<br /><br />
I let RT and Judith pick out of four animal kits (sloth, llama, panda or shark) which one they wanted to decorate for Nana's Front Porch.<br /><br />
Without any fuss, Judith picked the gray panda and RT picked the pink llama. <br /><br />
I know.<br /><br />
I was surprised, too.<br /><br />
However, RT had a plan.<br /><br />
RT always has a plan.<br /><br />
His favorite color is red, so he never intended to use anything pink except the felt ears.<br /><br />
I also believe if he had chosen the panda, sloth or shark, they would have ended up being red, too...<br /><br />
And that would have been just fine with Nana.<br /><br />
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If you're wondering how Nana's Front Porch Pumpkins looked on Nana's "grown-up" front porch...<br /><br />
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Wonder no more!<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- Always remember to check out Target's Dollar Bin for their seasonal ceramics. (I bought 18 paint cups for all the ceramic stuff we paint during the different holidays because they only come with three colors, and sometimes we want to use 12 colors.) <br /><br />
Everyone knows that!<br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - Pumpkin Shopping at Reeves Farm </b>- Take a right off of the Hartselle Exit on I-65 (Exit 328)...<br /><br />
And notice a little bit past Cracker Barrel...<br /><br />
On your left...<br /><br />
A VERY OLD white farmstand for Reeves Farm. <br /><br />
Last year, the original farmstand was up and running, but this year (the INFAMOUS 2020) the family opened their lovely, new farmstand on the hill directly behind the old. <br /><br />
It is a wonderful new-to-me place to purchase pumpkins, food items and a little bit more if you're traveling in that general direction.<br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #4 - Pumpkin Shopping at Witt's Market </b>- And one of my favorite pumpkin-buying places in The Dale will always, always be Witt's.<br /><br />
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And if you haven't tried it yet, their peanut brittle is fantastic.<BR /><BR />
I hope you and yours have a very beautiful Fall weekend. The plan at this moment is to see both sets of the Grandtots in their Halloween attire sometime tomorrow. I cannot wait!<br /><br />
Take care, and I'll talk to you soon!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
"I'm naturally irritated when I first wake up. You have to give me a few days to adjust!"<br /><br />
Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-29525719336437184052020-10-03T11:29:00.000-05:002020-10-03T11:37:11.700-05:00Blog Linkage, Family Devotions, Pre-Party, The Party, Post Party AND How Can So Many CUTE People Take Such Not-So-Cute Pictures?Good Saturday morn!<br /><br />
<b>Blog Linkage</b> - Go to www.kellehampton.com and click on her post entitled "You've Got Mail Fall Movie Night," and read every single word.<br /><br />
Look at every single picture.<br /><br />
Such a fun idea!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Family Devotions</b> - I found a Bible Study I enjoyed on Instagram this week, and it was all about the importance of teaching the children in our lives (beginning at a very young age) everything we possibly can about the Bible.<br /><br />
The importance of helping them memorize scripture.<br /><br />
The importance of being in God's Word daily.<br /><br />
The importance of worship music.<br /><br />
The importance of prayer.<br /><br />
The importance of obedience.<br /><br />
This "Important List" continues to grow as the child grows.<br /><br />
Deuteronomy 6:6-9 says, "These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates."<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - The above scripture is as clear and concise as it gets, isn't it?<br /><br />
<b>Bejeweled Pumpkin</b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
Pumpkin<br />
Tulle<br />
Ribbon<br />
Bag of Gemstones (Dollar Tree)<br />
Hot Glue Gun<br /><br />
Things to do pre-Devotion:<br /><br />
1. Cut a hole in the top of the pumpkin, but DON'T take any pulp out of the pumpkin. Remove it to make sure it comes off easily, and then replace it.<br /><br />
2. Get a large square of tulle, and place the pumpkin in the center of the square.<br /><br />
3. Gather all the edges of the tulle up around the stem, and tie a pretty ribbon around the base of the stem to hold the tulle in place.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - Do NOT glue the tulle around the top of the pumpkin. You need to be able to untie the ribbon, push the tulle away and lift the top to look inside during the devotion.<br /><br />
4. After securing the tulle with the ribbon, decorate on top of the tulle using the hot glue and gemstones.<br /><br />
<b>ANOTHER NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I got this picture from the computer, but it is very similar to the one I made back in the day (minus the ribbon and gemstones). <br /><br />
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Now you are ready to call the family together for the Devotion.<br /><br />
<b>Devotion</b> – There are two words I am going to use a lot in the next few minutes. The first one is "pretty," and the second one is "beautiful." You can be a very pretty person on the outside, but did you know God is much more interested about how you look on the inside?<br /><br />
Share 1 Peter 3:3-4. <br /><br />
“Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold jewelry and fine clothes. Instead it should be that of your inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight.” <br /><br />
This does not mean it is wrong to fix/curl/braid/straighten/etc. your hair or dress in stylish clothes. It doesn't mean you can't wear bracelets and rings and earrings with your outfits.<br /><br />
God created girls. He knows they love pretty things. They like to try new hairstyles and dress up in all kinds of fun clothes. God understands the way a girl's mind works, because he made you.<br /><br />
But more important than the way you look on the outside, God wants to see you spend time and energy striving to be beautiful on the inside. He wants you to have a beautiful heart.<br /><br />
Even when a woman grows very old and her physical beauty fades, she can still be very beautiful if she has spent time during her life acquiring the kind of beauty God truly appreciates.<br /><br />
Let’s look at this pumpkin more closely.<br /><br />
I am going to untie the ribbon and pull the tulle back...<br /><br />
And look! The top of this pumpkin has been cut. I am going to take the top off so we can see inside.<br /><br />
(Let the girls take turns seeing the yucky inside of the pumpkin. Make sure they smell it, too.)<br /><br />
This pumpkin looks so beautiful on the outside, but when we look closely, it is NOT beautiful on the inside, is it?<br /><br />
Do you think God knows when someone is pretty on the outside, but not pretty on the inside?<br /><br />
Do you think God knows when girls say mean things, or do not share or do not treat their brothers and sisters nicely?<br /><br />
Yes, He does.<br /><br />
No matter how much you might try to hide what is on your inside, you can hide nothing from God.<br /><br />
<b>YET ANOTHER NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - This will be a good time to tell/remind them that no one can be "good" all the time. We all make mistakes and sin, but God is merciful and forgiving of our sins when we talk to Him in prayer. <br /><br />
Being beautiful on the inside isn't something that just happens. It takes a lot of work every single day...<br /><br />
But as you grow up and get older and older and older, how wonderful would it be to have "the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit"?<br /><br />
And even better than that...<br /><br />
To know "it is of great worth in God's sight."<br /><br />
Let's pray.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Pre-Party -</b> Little Miss showed up for the September/October birthday party in all of her "cupcake" finery...<br />
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And that is why she gets her very own RANDOMNESS Pre-Party Section.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - THE Party -</b> Courtney's birthday is September 14...<br /><br />
Roxie's birthday is September 25...<br /><br />
And Josh's birthday is October 4.<br /><br />
That is why a few years ago, we started celebrating these three together.<br /><br />
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I went with a Luau party theme...<br /><br />
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And it seemed to fit everyone's mood.<br /><br />
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Remember I told you I would show you Bev's birthday gift to me in the next post?<br /><br />
Do ya?<br /><br />
Well, here it is!<br /><br />
The tallest bassett is Eunice, and I've had her since Judith was the only Grandtot.<br /><br />
The shorter bassett is Rufus, Walter or whatever. It is still undecided.<br /><br />
All I can say...<br /><br />
The only thing better than one giant plastic bassett hound...<br /><br />
Has to be TWO giant plastic bassett hounds!<br /><br />
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Looks like she agrees.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - Post Party -</b> Mimi and Boss (Melia's parents) sent their inflatable bounce house over for the day's festivities, and it made everyone pretty happy.<br /><br />
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<b>RANDOMNESS #4 - How Can So Many CUTE People Take Such Not-So-Cute Pictures? -</b> All Roxie wanted was one good pic of her with her nieces and nephew. <br /><br />
She might as well have asked for $1,000,000!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl6iW2caZbEnU4EZ_jtvsP96blFdsecYtenI-illh09hGRj6C2mrTN7kdapZ79RetnWm8t5V5NI9JZ9joZSDkoa5tNQMiqxxds8wRSQAplV5fr_3iTXq7PcqVvfBt5rcToWMjF_Wl2XA/s969/119916819_259411471885159_6930900652496699604_n+%25281%2529.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="969" data-original-width="698" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHl6iW2caZbEnU4EZ_jtvsP96blFdsecYtenI-illh09hGRj6C2mrTN7kdapZ79RetnWm8t5V5NI9JZ9joZSDkoa5tNQMiqxxds8wRSQAplV5fr_3iTXq7PcqVvfBt5rcToWMjF_Wl2XA/s600/119916819_259411471885159_6930900652496699604_n+%25281%2529.jpg"/></a></div>
Honestly, we still had a great deal of hope at this point of the picture-taking process...<br /><br />
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But by the time we took this one, I could tell Eden wasn't going to willingly hang around much longer...<br /><br />
And Little Miss ME had spotted some hair within pulling distance.<br /><br />
In other words, things were going south quickly.<br /><br />
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Not getting any better!<br /><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37w-gq_YE9fbIj-XVAcrLNtvw26Ae7uiLvBUnqmnGUzV8SQrPRgJpxgTUvjT4VtaESjXaHpNa87Az8W2d0uT-RLps03HraHU4jmgAHCI72XPkdaTLoP5XHyr_xbuct-I-sJINtg_a3yM/s1000/120063135_774026276504932_5087181517426082814_n.jpg" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" height="600" data-original-height="1000" data-original-width="751" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37w-gq_YE9fbIj-XVAcrLNtvw26Ae7uiLvBUnqmnGUzV8SQrPRgJpxgTUvjT4VtaESjXaHpNa87Az8W2d0uT-RLps03HraHU4jmgAHCI72XPkdaTLoP5XHyr_xbuct-I-sJINtg_a3yM/s600/120063135_774026276504932_5087181517426082814_n.jpg"/></a></div>
And we are OUT!<br /><br />
I hope you and yours have a wonderful cool, autumnal weekend.<br /><br />
I'll be back soon with another October Family Devotion and more pics!<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
Some call it multi-tasking, but I call it doing something else while I try to remember what I was doing in the first place.Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-916146302845564332020-09-23T09:09:00.003-05:002020-09-28T22:23:02.018-05:00Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken, Pinterest Stuff (September Bucket List), THE SPIN-OFF of I DIDN'T FALL AGAIN, BUT I'M TELLING THE STORY ABOUT THE FIRST TIME I FELL TWO YEARS AGO... Just Because, Celebrating with Bev, Labor Day Choices, A Little Extra AND A Little TeaserGood Wednesday morning!<br /><br />
It's officially the second day of Autumn, so that means I am in a particularly good mood. <br /><br />
Join me, won't you?<br /><br />
<b>Crockpot Hawaiian Chicken</b><br /><br />
You will need the following:<br /><br />
3 to 4 boneless chicken breasts<br />
1 bottle Kraft Sweet Honey Barbecue Sauce<br />
1 (20 ounce) can pineapple chunks<br />
1 teaspoon soy sauce<br /><br />
1. Put chicken breasts into the crockpot.<br /><br />
2. Add the barbeque sauce, pineapple chunks and soy sauce.<br /><br />
3. Cook on high for 4 to 5 hours.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I served the chicken on a bed of rice (adding a couple of spoonfuls of "juice" to the rice), as well as several chunks of pineapple placed around the chicken and rice. Hawaiian rolls and a giant fruit salad finished the very simple meal.<br /><br />
<b>Pinterest Stuff </b><br /><Br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- I went through about a dozen Bucket Lists, and I found ten things that might not be the "norm" for your family. I've done a couple of these in the past...<br /><br />
And I plan on doing a couple more.<br /><br />
<b>September Bucket List</b><br /><Br />
1. Try a new-to-you pumpkin recipe.<br />
2. Make caramel apples.<br />
3. Have an apple bobbing competition.<br />
4. Make your own family scarecrow using things from your closets.<br />
5. Make a donation to a local food bank.<br />
6. Pay for the car behind you in the Starbucks drive-thru. (Chances are there will be a "pumpkin spice" something in their order!)<br />
7. Plant bulbs. (Something to look forward to in the Spring.)<br />
8. Take a Family Fall Bike Ride.<br />
9. Create your own Family Trail Mix recipe... and make it around the same time every year.<br />
10. Make a no-sew blanket. Just Google "no-sew blankets" for several fun ideas.<br /><Br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Without further ado... The Spin-Off </b>- Two weeks before I fell in the middle of the street in front of Gardendale's First Baptist Church (see September 1, 2020 re-post), I dropped a can of baked beans on my toe.<br /><br />
Specifically, one of the little toes on my left foot closest to the smallest piggy.<br /><br />
A day or two after it happened, I had a pedicure, and sure enough, my toenail was black.<br /><br />
My solution...<br /><br />
THREE coats of bright orange nail polish, and I was good to go.<br /><br />
Now flash forward to one week AFTER the Enormous Fall.<br /><br />
Three weeks had gone by since the can incident, and I was sitting in the pedicure chair once again...<br /><br />
But this time, I also had the scraped knee, elbows, ankle, wrists, etc., etc.<br /><br />
And I was sore.<br /><br />
Really, really sore.<br /><br />
I wouldn't have gone to the nail place at all except I wanted to do something fun with Roxie before she moved to Auburn.<br /><br />
Roxie was getting her manicure when they called me to a pedi-chair directly behind her.<br /><br />
When the pedicurist sat down to start, he couldn't help but notice all of my bandages.<br /><br />
"I can't have a normal pedicure today. No lotion. No scrubbing. No exfoliating. Just removal of old polish and addition of new polish," I told him.<br /><br />
He just stared at me.<br /><br />
"And I can't have the massage chair turned on for my relaxing pleasure," I added. "I'm pretty sure it would kill me."<br /><br />
Then I told him the entire story of the Enormous Fall of 2017.<br /><br />
When I finished, he looked down, picked up my left foot in both hands and ever-so-gently placed it on the stand. He started removing the old toenail polish, and then I remembered the black toenail.<br /><br />
"Oh, yes! And I dropped a can on the toe you're about to start working on. It is very black and very sore and very loose. What we're trying to do with that is just keep the black toenail, but I'll need three heavy coats of the bright orange nail polish... just like the last time I was here," I explained.<br /><br />
He sat back and just looked at my bandaged knees, ankles and yucky feet.<br /><br />
I was overcome with pity for him, and I decided to give him a way out.<br /><br />
"If I am just too gross to even be here, just say the word and I'll go home now."<br /><br />
That's when I heard a dull thud, thud, thud coming from the direction of Roxie's manicure chair. She had put her head down on the manicure table and was quietly and methodically beating her head against it.<br /><br />
One might have thought she had had enough of The Enchanting Belinda for one day.<br /><br />
It's hard to imagine, but Mike assures me it is possible.<br /><br />
The pedicurist didn't answer verbally, but he lowered his head and went to work.<br /><br />
He finished my toes and stood up. "Hot towels?" he asked.<br /><br />
Ahhh. Hot towels. I love the hot towels. I thought for a minute trying to figure out if the hot towels were indeed doable, and much to my pleasure, I could think of no reason they would harm me in any way, shape or form.<br /><br />
"Yes! Hot towels would be lovely!"<br /><br />
And they were.<br /><br />
My little black toenail fell off yesterday. It just gave up, and I don't blame it.<br /><br />
Not even a little bit.<br /><br />
I'm going to get a pedicure sometime this week, and while I am missing a toenail and I have seven big scars here and there, I don't feel as gross as I did three weeks ago.<br /><br />
Hey...<br /><br />
I might even let him turn the massage chair on HIGH because that's how good I'm feeling about my 56 year-old self right now.<br /><br />
That's right!<Br /><br />
I said HIGH!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Celebrating with Bev</b> - My sister, Beverly, and I have a little birthday tradition. I like to take her to a new-to-her restaurant and then shopping at unique shops I think she would love. <br /><br />
The flip-side of the tradition...<br /><br />
She does the same for me. <br /><br />
She really outdid herself this year.<br /><Br />
Bev has moved to a more rural part of our state, and she and Tommy are loving it.<br /><br />
That being said, she planned my entire birthday tradition around her new locale, and it was pretty awesome.<br /><br />
First stop...<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5yS3DBe1FFamV49-HyKQiSrfn6YwpeeymvXoULXilrr7xsJ-82HqlFb2yZLzaXOrOLjHYN67MreQbJHe1bisgRpMn16yTgVg-SHWV6j1VipGi0b04O83xvSJiTglh-dmHSh7h4A6cSQ/s1600/119132733_3254203311329270_8564303024812721354_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR5yS3DBe1FFamV49-HyKQiSrfn6YwpeeymvXoULXilrr7xsJ-82HqlFb2yZLzaXOrOLjHYN67MreQbJHe1bisgRpMn16yTgVg-SHWV6j1VipGi0b04O83xvSJiTglh-dmHSh7h4A6cSQ/s640/119132733_3254203311329270_8564303024812721354_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
The Greasy Cove General Store in Gallant, Alabama. <br /><br />
It was rustic, quaint and a fun place to shop.<br /><br />
I would have been pretty content with just the one little General Store, but wait!<br /><br />
There was more!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_tyh_lJ9o7XIDB0RoPh4KtrCfNKYB53d9E1IDiFxyBzOkwR7JtRAz3074VvCn_Q87Cezcg4ESg0ggQcRS3CcU0dQ9OwIAMJ8vDxtMqJL4ju6fC0merX9BoMSVa-lG5X_CLJZ2L1Pw6E/s1600/117647514_781061245992194_6156709064301145331_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhW_tyh_lJ9o7XIDB0RoPh4KtrCfNKYB53d9E1IDiFxyBzOkwR7JtRAz3074VvCn_Q87Cezcg4ESg0ggQcRS3CcU0dQ9OwIAMJ8vDxtMqJL4ju6fC0merX9BoMSVa-lG5X_CLJZ2L1Pw6E/s640/117647514_781061245992194_6156709064301145331_n.jpg" width="640" height="348" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="871" /></a><br />
Gargus Market was also a great place to browse and shop. I thought we were going to eat lunch there (since it had a place for that, too), but nope. <br /><br />
Just down the road was our lunch spot for the day.<br /><Br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNww6QR7LcBwf1vMElLhD9QNH7BVEBgFSMNDJuFM2C_HDgTOvypKP4YKHJfIfJilJeuNiahLC24R-ctSGeYOX_Xnpa-joZ4EntEfJ6VWwTmchPwb5mdh8jKd2TXdZgnmtd6-ctt9RCw64/s1600/119031419_651808242418486_3383014096326277028_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNww6QR7LcBwf1vMElLhD9QNH7BVEBgFSMNDJuFM2C_HDgTOvypKP4YKHJfIfJilJeuNiahLC24R-ctSGeYOX_Xnpa-joZ4EntEfJ6VWwTmchPwb5mdh8jKd2TXdZgnmtd6-ctt9RCw64/s640/119031419_651808242418486_3383014096326277028_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
And it totally fit my mood.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIK9XwQWbx4fBkLlvgXwPvEGWamoq5e0SrBKpfldro3OMtmL7SB7C_fSGXWlL4TxgPkxyMZ-xiFX5yASDrfNoNRACdhSEkE8oTRLDqrX7DYoH87jXQUqqaPC_-wy7UOCE9PHZdUT58Lk/s1600/119082902_2602780896651588_346156850132330583_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIK9XwQWbx4fBkLlvgXwPvEGWamoq5e0SrBKpfldro3OMtmL7SB7C_fSGXWlL4TxgPkxyMZ-xiFX5yASDrfNoNRACdhSEkE8oTRLDqrX7DYoH87jXQUqqaPC_-wy7UOCE9PHZdUT58Lk/s640/119082902_2602780896651588_346156850132330583_n.jpg" width="573" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="837" /></a><br />
I'm not sure if I've ever frquented a Trading Post before, but I plan on visiting as many as I can in the foreseeable future.<br /><br />
The food was great, and the desserts were all homemade.<br /><br />
Loved it!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCqM2gsfubQ0UuHr5HavXJ-WbBTQmvDZbiBssJ0f8tjW1rfHDciPNX0Sv2QbuF0YXc9GvzwPY5YEZ8F0hNSLUIVIOo0kRsShwF2UIiDffNF7EEn4lgEaWKj6yBcmagr2wme9VOHkTr14/s1600/119011198_643173563070008_2202095839338974243_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCqM2gsfubQ0UuHr5HavXJ-WbBTQmvDZbiBssJ0f8tjW1rfHDciPNX0Sv2QbuF0YXc9GvzwPY5YEZ8F0hNSLUIVIOo0kRsShwF2UIiDffNF7EEn4lgEaWKj6yBcmagr2wme9VOHkTr14/s640/119011198_643173563070008_2202095839338974243_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
Something you may or may not know about me...<br /><br />
When in a rural area, I like to drive around and take pictures of farm animals.<br /><br />
On this particular day, we saw horses and cows galore, but I understand not everyone is a lover of the domesticated animal photo, so I'll just share one of those.<br /><br />
Also, I'm planning on showing you the birthday gift Bev gave me in the next post.<br /><br />
It deserves it's own spot, I think.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Labor Day Choices</b> - We had the following choices on Labor Day...<br /><br />
The Zoo...<br /><br />
Let's Play...<br /><br />
Or have a Driveway Day which would include riding the bikes and/or swimming.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4yQEzN8ABeOwseTWp10G7PT92e3fa-CQFwJ1pb8wytRWwmgL3R4WGbEid-X86Qa0HXw7taqmeAlzJGtB6fck5rFA_E-5rlfZXZ4EBN-h3e7X1y6dmUT9OJTRLbhj2axevwGkm5dlzok/s1600/IMG_2184.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha4yQEzN8ABeOwseTWp10G7PT92e3fa-CQFwJ1pb8wytRWwmgL3R4WGbEid-X86Qa0HXw7taqmeAlzJGtB6fck5rFA_E-5rlfZXZ4EBN-h3e7X1y6dmUT9OJTRLbhj2axevwGkm5dlzok/s640/IMG_2184.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Let's Play won out because when I called The Zoo, I was told it hadn't hit capacity yet, but it was definitely the biggest crowd since the Pandemic started...<br /><br />
And people were still walking up to the gate.<br /><br />
When I called Let's Play, they had a total of four children and eight adults...<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXdiO322w-64oDkYSchi6ecr2n7T4SHa3T0a_VIK4GyGmymMCTgkZxBDDvFE4Th6yBZ5aDhNdJDHqLJHsNIpcaE96IAS_7r29sSC_5B709tu1yNGTpBvc1yGkBo5600A_caKLxi-u-T8/s1600/IMG_2186+-+Copy.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBXdiO322w-64oDkYSchi6ecr2n7T4SHa3T0a_VIK4GyGmymMCTgkZxBDDvFE4Th6yBZ5aDhNdJDHqLJHsNIpcaE96IAS_7r29sSC_5B709tu1yNGTpBvc1yGkBo5600A_caKLxi-u-T8/s640/IMG_2186+-+Copy.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
And when we arrived, that hadn't changed.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnRZeWZdPtq1Ko2a_PCWXCxsHNGT8u-knt3FpF75zcjQcjVJFS3pPaDVvEMyb-UFE6yalE3JyACTV8-l9eYByH6pHWfhotOARItgHlz-5_ziY9btffHsHVcNjUcufIDFK4apSxoD7dlk/s1600/IMG_2192.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKnRZeWZdPtq1Ko2a_PCWXCxsHNGT8u-knt3FpF75zcjQcjVJFS3pPaDVvEMyb-UFE6yalE3JyACTV8-l9eYByH6pHWfhotOARItgHlz-5_ziY9btffHsHVcNjUcufIDFK4apSxoD7dlk/s640/IMG_2192.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
We played for a good 90 minutes before eating pizza for lunch and heading back for the Driveway Day activities.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEbgrlkYoQBruKC_FKH6auRUf8h8lrVk4il-e7kndRtKuEJ05ObDrXO3w6PMvveExZ69j_2L_x9vCuVwV0WJKnm0eMJUkRzRRa06XhH0-GQ-OQCHVEMTHZzQYBVBcnU7k8cRaqv57nBs/s1600/IMG_2193.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXEbgrlkYoQBruKC_FKH6auRUf8h8lrVk4il-e7kndRtKuEJ05ObDrXO3w6PMvveExZ69j_2L_x9vCuVwV0WJKnm0eMJUkRzRRa06XhH0-GQ-OQCHVEMTHZzQYBVBcnU7k8cRaqv57nBs/s640/IMG_2193.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
It was a pretty nice Labor Day.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHQv21AK8ar4qgvpy9lZUVQkSGPvxLqSKbwdx7o_0iqj39lqGa1JGNxjTlwPiHSSB2yVmUXVDmgg6fjgQDxLbrTeEiF0YYfSrTgNeXQ1YsAQL5O86pcIJBx5R4IbrbIYWvzDwp_3NFGE/s1600/119168862_350912096043575_3061993107329323851_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHQv21AK8ar4qgvpy9lZUVQkSGPvxLqSKbwdx7o_0iqj39lqGa1JGNxjTlwPiHSSB2yVmUXVDmgg6fjgQDxLbrTeEiF0YYfSrTgNeXQ1YsAQL5O86pcIJBx5R4IbrbIYWvzDwp_3NFGE/s640/119168862_350912096043575_3061993107329323851_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
Pretty nice, indeed.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - A Little Extra</b> - This little lady turned six months old a few days ago, and she is crawling and scooting and rolling up a storm. <Br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbJvnYf-CE1P26PLJdpBSxCyqVhtZJqSIA3XtIuD_jgxDQp__QB7qHoLkxW2N9390vjH83yDs_WHr9kLGmpWmjiNKzVGJOtAeRm-nH4dctJekXNron5Q827-WowNOpe0hyphenhyphenFXz5OVhYBU/s1600/119121440_375874360466276_8090403400770063049_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibbJvnYf-CE1P26PLJdpBSxCyqVhtZJqSIA3XtIuD_jgxDQp__QB7qHoLkxW2N9390vjH83yDs_WHr9kLGmpWmjiNKzVGJOtAeRm-nH4dctJekXNron5Q827-WowNOpe0hyphenhyphenFXz5OVhYBU/s640/119121440_375874360466276_8090403400770063049_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="1000" /></a><br />
And drooling.<br /><br />
She's also drooling up a storm, too.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwape8QI6Kx_qEZVOLBEhbcNWKi-rhjqTbXNHSThoS_QlUBpowuEidaqGorwedrs_UBF0CInMrN87s_oMpCfm9WRrmSPECiXjLX_01udA2pPOEpQmG2CJrSUcUFt43I4qw5V47ZSk6sG4/s1600/119471057_740229713200576_3725231343677904759_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwape8QI6Kx_qEZVOLBEhbcNWKi-rhjqTbXNHSThoS_QlUBpowuEidaqGorwedrs_UBF0CInMrN87s_oMpCfm9WRrmSPECiXjLX_01udA2pPOEpQmG2CJrSUcUFt43I4qw5V47ZSk6sG4/s640/119471057_740229713200576_3725231343677904759_n.jpg" width="640" height="640" data-original-width="280" data-original-height="280" /></a><br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #4 - A Little Teaser</b> - We celebrate Courtney, Roxie and Josh's birthdays ALL together in September OR October each year because their days of birth are so close together. I'll leave you with one pic and post the rest before the end of the month!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz2dqfMBiepnapvy7Yb8ZQsvTBieoxVPrppQOSK1JAtPU9wDPXKVR4pw-BXgwgV1Gp0tgPH-Ch6JD2kT25K-hiDybQkmY96wHes8ehdq_994qNnuIEWluInTWoedVKVIV1PQpvxkiKbU/s2048/IMG_2283.JPG" style="display: block; padding: 1em 0; text-align: center; "><img alt="" border="0" width="600" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbz2dqfMBiepnapvy7Yb8ZQsvTBieoxVPrppQOSK1JAtPU9wDPXKVR4pw-BXgwgV1Gp0tgPH-Ch6JD2kT25K-hiDybQkmY96wHes8ehdq_994qNnuIEWluInTWoedVKVIV1PQpvxkiKbU/s600/IMG_2283.JPG"/></a></div><br />
Have a fantastic Wednesday. I'll be back with some FALL stuff in just a few days.<br /><br />
Until then...<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
Being a parent is literally just changing the toilet paper roll and cleaning up messes that don't belong to you repeatedly until you die.Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-6114412530496722432020-09-01T08:12:00.000-05:002020-09-03T10:27:06.815-05:00Quotable Quotes, Grandtot Catch Up, My 59th Birthday AND I DIDN'T FALL AGAIN, BUT I'M TELLING THE STORY ABOUT THE FIRST TIME I FELL TWO YEARS AGO... Just BecauseGood Monday evening!<br /><br />
<b>Quotable Quotes</b> - The following quote was used in one of the devotions I told you about last week given by Donna Gaines and her daughter, Bethany. I will give you that information one more time in case you haven't been able to get to it yet.<br /><br />
Go to YouTube and type "Donna Gaines Choose Wisely Live Fully" in the Search Box.<br /><br />
There are four 25-minute devotions taught in conversation form by Donna and her daughter, Bethany. I learned something new from each one. They are all excellent, and I highly recommend you take a few minutes during the next four days to listen to each of them.<br /><br />
And this is the Quotable Quote! "I believe that appreciation is a holy thing--that when we look for what's best in a person we happen to be with at the moment, we're doing what God does all the time. So in loving and appreciating our neighbor, we're participating in something sacred.” Fred Rogers<br /><br />
Makes you think, doesn't it?<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1</b> - <b>Grandtot Catch Up</b> - Summer is winding down, so I decided to share a few Summer pics that didn't make the blog before today. <br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcGFV32Zfe-QMvVPWuX7XnZ379zZY4jDPJQ0JEttC4ojASYJBqagzBTRkdsia0CSug_19Mgx6dPWWQcZ-ZP6xobtw4cIZlKIiVap3PPYvU9sPh4pE2Zb101_D-vVfKNaHIIQUKnf8ek4/s1600/117541770_2413692475599668_4505877395206073235_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtcGFV32Zfe-QMvVPWuX7XnZ379zZY4jDPJQ0JEttC4ojASYJBqagzBTRkdsia0CSug_19Mgx6dPWWQcZ-ZP6xobtw4cIZlKIiVap3PPYvU9sPh4pE2Zb101_D-vVfKNaHIIQUKnf8ek4/s640/117541770_2413692475599668_4505877395206073235_n.jpg" width="467" height="640" data-original-width="670" data-original-height="918" /></a><br />
Courtney, Judith, Eden and I found a new ice cream shop in Cullman this Summer called La Michoacanita Ice Cream. It's colorful and delicious...<br /><br />
And all homemade.<br /><br />
It's one of my new favorite places.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PWYkmts4sgTIn_OpfFJV3ZB9Z1QjLXYkPHvyzpHpOH11RKBtcjbsEHYb6a2d47AIFZ36Ddb6uNvZVp_df3XjklkCIZvbKnwPqr2LCJ8e3vyBLI0py4jCyxE4NXFWEZyi8Y8IDiXapQ8/s1600/117613002_836576606873550_8592716428850359314_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_PWYkmts4sgTIn_OpfFJV3ZB9Z1QjLXYkPHvyzpHpOH11RKBtcjbsEHYb6a2d47AIFZ36Ddb6uNvZVp_df3XjklkCIZvbKnwPqr2LCJ8e3vyBLI0py4jCyxE4NXFWEZyi8Y8IDiXapQ8/s640/117613002_836576606873550_8592716428850359314_n.jpg" width="640" height="640" data-original-width="750" data-original-height="750" /></a><br />
On one of her first trips to the Zoo, Little Miss ME was bright-eyed and interested.<br /><br />
Not mesmerized, but most definitely interested!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP4tRADsjaDzERklvxTMu4EzX5-tMF_ZWZVn8B0W1gNbCPi03vxHVUw4rcvLfCzYYc7XLzKRwVyx-8Ayj4vcCXjrjwLb6sluHsrMbQnmyQ8paadLe8wGvEAZY25fmvI-sVb5AcFqD5ao/s1600/IMG_1730.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCP4tRADsjaDzERklvxTMu4EzX5-tMF_ZWZVn8B0W1gNbCPi03vxHVUw4rcvLfCzYYc7XLzKRwVyx-8Ayj4vcCXjrjwLb6sluHsrMbQnmyQ8paadLe8wGvEAZY25fmvI-sVb5AcFqD5ao/s640/IMG_1730.JPG" width="640" height="630" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1575" /></a><br />
Eden and the 4th of July celebration went well together this year. I think she is just normally predisposed to loving holidays of all kinds.<br /><br />
It's in her genes!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime-DnOXCDLfpGZFh7AwPLVQ9hpQWvN5cGtAxMwoZAdbb_eBCXGB1UliY2MMn0p5HbmGz3HV26elYhtLM2ARi7kIGkUHAZ5ckiOFjkSdak4lAkRKxIbdDMJJvxOl6ZfMHz7NRslVlyZmE/s1600/118284840_1065124410584170_1953594278920129411_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEime-DnOXCDLfpGZFh7AwPLVQ9hpQWvN5cGtAxMwoZAdbb_eBCXGB1UliY2MMn0p5HbmGz3HV26elYhtLM2ARi7kIGkUHAZ5ckiOFjkSdak4lAkRKxIbdDMJJvxOl6ZfMHz7NRslVlyZmE/s640/118284840_1065124410584170_1953594278920129411_n.jpg" width="640" height="501" data-original-width="629" data-original-height="492" /></a><br />
RT learned how to relax in a tube ALMOST the same size as the pool. <br /><br />
I think I was born relaxed, but it takes RT a little time to decompress...<br /><br />
And when he does, he does it extremely well.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - My 59th Birthday</b> - I'm not sure if you caught it on CNN or Fox News, but I turned 59 this past week. <br /><br />
Other than being a major shock to the system, it was overall an okay event.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKjnCMsfjkWSF-iAodP8l4Js606ue2Wv2r65RrGn1vZ3gyMlsLx6Jms5WP5xIQlIeynEPllt1H8SH50tA8INAaj7zgDgSg6fDzgQ_IsyKZ8bUnvdgtPlYi26PE8AsgHfEqOv2DXJU1x4/s1600/IMG_2150.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKjnCMsfjkWSF-iAodP8l4Js606ue2Wv2r65RrGn1vZ3gyMlsLx6Jms5WP5xIQlIeynEPllt1H8SH50tA8INAaj7zgDgSg6fDzgQ_IsyKZ8bUnvdgtPlYi26PE8AsgHfEqOv2DXJU1x4/s640/IMG_2150.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
Since we had a Trolls' party the first part of the Summer and watched the new movie on our TV...<br /><br />
And Roxie and some of the other girls did the Troll Hair Thang...<br /><br />
I decided to have a Scooby Doo party around my birthday.<br /><br />
Dinner was served in light blue dog food bowls.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMIEnhLLVlhZ-rLsIJfr6AcO3emJ2me9T_VBZ58SGYGz_PCtj2LNOFZkRKnecIQpnOsELElqqB7cr7B8YrCPddDIXEZhqKil_HAWVqXj3XU0mYclNBf2bqCy_oiumaajLdCRlWE11juQ/s1600/IMG_2151.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMIEnhLLVlhZ-rLsIJfr6AcO3emJ2me9T_VBZ58SGYGz_PCtj2LNOFZkRKnecIQpnOsELElqqB7cr7B8YrCPddDIXEZhqKil_HAWVqXj3XU0mYclNBf2bqCy_oiumaajLdCRlWE11juQ/s640/IMG_2151.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtLIo3fP7QGaeKNNZneDXyNaJ4peqtMGS8_57Ot8JvFgWfXUtIEzUWX35ondIgmLnb9iOYBGTgdPUJlDD7myG6k7itgQbx5ExTczKcy18-lUP2XJjX4KQFD7auwemKXLIu0VPU8SxfwY/s1600/IMG_2152.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTtLIo3fP7QGaeKNNZneDXyNaJ4peqtMGS8_57Ot8JvFgWfXUtIEzUWX35ondIgmLnb9iOYBGTgdPUJlDD7myG6k7itgQbx5ExTczKcy18-lUP2XJjX4KQFD7auwemKXLIu0VPU8SxfwY/s640/IMG_2152.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
And Scooby Snacks (Cinnamon Graham Cracker flavored dog biscuits) were all the rage.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgjTNCtFYxrHs1lLQOW7l2Hc2MW3DpJqWTT9ns3r0BqM99TUMZLLRHDw1NxKeti9nqTK79xN8KSuTp-y2IICgSjeRceD0H-J0LYdTrpC5z4Iv8xwMGS9P9l2lRS92y3Y5civv3AeqntA/s1600/IMG_2154.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSgjTNCtFYxrHs1lLQOW7l2Hc2MW3DpJqWTT9ns3r0BqM99TUMZLLRHDw1NxKeti9nqTK79xN8KSuTp-y2IICgSjeRceD0H-J0LYdTrpC5z4Iv8xwMGS9P9l2lRS92y3Y5civv3AeqntA/s640/IMG_2154.JPG" width="448" height="640" data-original-width="1121" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
And just so you know, Salvatore's Spaghetti and Meatballs was our "dog food" of choice.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgV5EKy8steoT4Hyuha1gQv-j0rT_ZaSfsb6chNDeBP2-SDZgL1B0KHGNc0z8MBsuCDGjjDHa8P5dPDwiS2KowGpES2VHkzUWX48E_CC2psvhfEH3Dh54o3IF1OFvxqTKX7WBRwi5X4A/s1600/IMG_2162.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgV5EKy8steoT4Hyuha1gQv-j0rT_ZaSfsb6chNDeBP2-SDZgL1B0KHGNc0z8MBsuCDGjjDHa8P5dPDwiS2KowGpES2VHkzUWX48E_CC2psvhfEH3Dh54o3IF1OFvxqTKX7WBRwi5X4A/s640/IMG_2162.JPG" width="640" height="516" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1290" /></a><br />
We ended up not watching the newest Scooby Doo movie (a little bit too old and a little bit too long for some of us), so we picked a couple of the OLD shows. <br /><br />
We chose two with the least scary "monsters," and Judith and RT hung in there while all of the grown-ups sang the theme song at the top of our lungs...<br /><br />
Because that is what old people do!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWGyGcRM8mRB6lsd3cpLeusWNnOp_ELP9pChpfaGZtmL2LAuyxqG3B-5ynHMNFbzeKrTZZwhKvSSULkYd0q_bE2sB7bxcjT8vnA_hhdYSZXjZdkRosZ-qKHQOWhiGNoIHHIhkyf5OxOY/s1600/118008530_295392015086779_4387106172356042631_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbWGyGcRM8mRB6lsd3cpLeusWNnOp_ELP9pChpfaGZtmL2LAuyxqG3B-5ynHMNFbzeKrTZZwhKvSSULkYd0q_bE2sB7bxcjT8vnA_hhdYSZXjZdkRosZ-qKHQOWhiGNoIHHIhkyf5OxOY/s640/118008530_295392015086779_4387106172356042631_n.jpg" width="485" height="640" data-original-width="633" data-original-height="836" /></a><br />
We ended the evening with a walk in the neighborhood in our pajamas.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - No one would wait while I changed into my PJs, so I guess we all know what I'm wearing to our next event!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - WHEN YOU FALL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE STREET LEAVING CHURCH BECAUSE YOU WALK UP INTO YOUR FLOWY PANTS LEG... A SAD, TRUE STORY </b>- I bet I know what you're thinking.<br /><br />
Did she fall again?<br /><br />
No. No, she did not!<br /><br />
This happened over two years ago, but now my life is divided into two parts...<br /><br />
BF (Before the Fall) and AF (After the Fall). <br /><Br />
In other words, the story bears repeating. (At least it does in my mind.)<br /><br />
You've heard the Bible verse, "Pride goeth before a fall," haven't you?<br /><br />
Well, if you were one of about a hundred or more people in the parking lot of Gardendale's First Baptist Church between the first and second service, I kinda supplied the visual for the verse...<br /><br />
If you know what I mean...<br /><br />
And I think you do.<br /><br />
Something you may or may not know about me... I am not necessarily a vain person. I mean, I have my good hair days and my bad hair days. I have outfits that look better on me than others. I try to look presentable and wear lipstick on more days than not. <br /><br />
I am, after all, a Southern girl born and raised, but all in all, I don't over-obsess when it comes to appearance. <br /><br />
In other words, I didn't think I was very prideful about my looks.<br /><br />
Until Sunday...<br /><br />
Because Sunday I wore my navy blue patterned flowy pants, my off-white silk flowy top and my big ol' navy blue and rhinestone studded necklace.<br /><br />
Also, my hair was exceptionally big and coiffed.<br /><br />
Remember when Justin Timberlake said he was "bringing sexy back?"<br /><br />
Well, I am single-handedly "bringing big hair back." <br /><br />
I am not ashamed to admit I liked the 80s. I thrived in the 80s. I miss the 80s. <br /><br />
When big hair comes back, I am going to start bringing back the enormous shoulder pads...<br /><br />
And I'm starting a petition to get Designing Women on Netflix for the next generation of Southern women to watch and learn.<br /><br />
All of the above being said and recorded for posterity, I may or may not have looked at myself in the full-length bathroom mirror of Gardendale's First Baptist Church second floor bathroom after Sunday School and thought to myself, "Looking good, Enchanting! Looking good!" before meeting Mikie in the hallway and heading to our seats for the first service.<br /><br />
Yes. I know. Very, very prideful. <br /><br />
Not only was it a good service, but The Chick arrived home Saturday afternoon and was sitting with us, so I was feeling especially happy and bouncy. <br /><br />
In hindsight, I now know I was feeling much too bouncy, because in the parking lot of the church, crossing the street to get to my car, my right toe/shoe caught in the leg of my flowy pants. <br /><br />
I lurched forward, but caught myself. Mistakenly thinking I had gotten my toe/shoe OUT of the flowy pants, I took another little hop/step to make up for the slight trip/stumble.<br /><br />
The only thing worse than tripping/stumbling in the middle of the street in the church parking lot AND catching yourself, would have to be tripping/stumbling in the middle of the street in the church parking lot AND realizing you didn't catch yourself, but instead walked up your flowy pants leg two more steps...<br /><br />
And then falling in front of the cars coming to and leaving church (completely stopping traffic in two lanes) on your hands and knees.<br /><br />
And if that wasn't enough of a humiliation (and I'm assuming it wasn't enough because it just gets worse from here), I rolled over onto my back with my hands and legs up in the air...<br /><br />
And I rocked back and forth very turtle-like until Mikie put his hands under my arms and HOISTED me to my feet. <br /><br />
There was nothing left to do except dust myself off and do the princess wave to all of the cars who were patiently waiting to park and/or leave the parking lot. <br /><br />
I did not limp to the car. I needed to limp, but I refused. When I see that in writing, I immediately start thinking to myself, "That was pretty prideful, too, wasn't it? Why not just admit one toe, two knees, my right wrist and elbow and the top of my left wrist were all scraped and bleeding? Not profusely bleeding you understand, but bleeding just the same." <br /><br />
Hmmm.<br /><br />
That's a question for the therapist if I've ever heard one. I'll need to write that down in my handy-dandy notebook.<br /><br />
There isn't much left to say except if and when I wear flowy pants again, I will probably hold them up in front (not unlike a wedding dress) while walking to and from church or up and down steps.<br /><br />
Also, I seriously doubt if I will ever look in the full-length bathroom mirror of Gardendale's First Baptist Church second floor bathroom ever again.<br /><br />
Nor will I utter, "Looking good, Enchanting! Looking good!" <br /><br />
Mentally or verbally.<br /><br />
Heavy, heavy sigh.<br /><br />
I will end this little tale with two final words...<br /><br />
LESSON LEARNED!<br /><br />
I hope you and yours have a very productive, blessed week. That is most definitely the plan around here.<br /><br />
Take care.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
I wanted to go jogging, but Psalm 28:1 says, "The wicked run when no one is chasing them."<br /><br />
So there's that...Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-32636467415980432522020-08-29T12:20:00.000-05:002020-08-29T12:20:12.478-05:00Blog Linkage (Kinda), My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE, Joanna Gaines' Baked Chicken with Bacon Bottom and Wild Rice, Family Photos, Driveway Days AND Quarantine and The ChickGood Thursday morning!<br /><br />
<b>Blog Linkage </b>- This isn't actually BLOG Linkage, but it is information on a very good four-week devotion for women.<br /><br />
Go to YouTube and type "Donna Gaines Choose Wisely Live Fully" in the Search Box.<br /><br />
There are four 25-minute devotions taught in conversation form by Donna and her daughter, Bethany. I learned something new from each one. They are all excellent, and I highly recommend you take a few minutes during the next four days to listen to each of them.<br /><br />
That is all!<br /><br />
<b>My Favorite Things RIGHT THIS VERY MINUTE</b> - Many moons ago, Roxie was in first grade and her teacher that year was Mrs. Judy Kirk. A better first grade teacher for Roxie I could never have imagined.<br /><br />
Fast forward 18 years, and Mrs. Kirk is now retired from teaching, but working as an artist. I have seen several of her paintings over the years in different homes in my small town, and I love her work. <br /><br />
When Judith turned one, I took several pics at her first birthday party which was held on her actual birthday. <br /><br />
I sent one of the photos to Mrs. Kirk and asked her to paint a small portrait of the picture. The features I cared about the most were the hair, hair color and eye color... <br /><br />
And I told Mrs. Kirk just that.<br /><br />
Also, since Judith's first birthday outfit was a cute-as-could-be black onesie with lots of sparkles on it...<br /><br />
Topped off with a large hot pink bow...<br /><br />
I asked Mrs. Kirk if she would use my favorite color pallet of soft greens, blues, creams, browns, yellows, etc. for the backgrounds and the clothes.<br /><br />
As you can see, she delivered.<br /><br />
All three of these paintings came from pics I took on their first birthday (whether at the party or at their home if their party was scheduled on a different day), and I love these three paintings very, very much. <br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS4951QvgdXfF7gwdd2Nh3F_c-ndLqObB_zqG5q8TqJuHAe_mQcanHcP6b8QjvWYx2NgQAblzv7BtXZLB6G8DxwfUOoJGNxCGTDc5BNanL3HO0boIeKHbENFa5sgVem4GLsoXwkfvAmo/s1600/IMG_2137.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUS4951QvgdXfF7gwdd2Nh3F_c-ndLqObB_zqG5q8TqJuHAe_mQcanHcP6b8QjvWYx2NgQAblzv7BtXZLB6G8DxwfUOoJGNxCGTDc5BNanL3HO0boIeKHbENFa5sgVem4GLsoXwkfvAmo/s640/IMG_2137.JPG" width="640" height="325" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="812" /></a><br />
Judith, Eden and RT.<br /><br />
In seven months, I will be sending her yet another pic...<br /><br />
This time of Little ME.<br /><br />
She has already told me she can hardly wait... <br /><br />
And that goes double for Nana.<br /><br />
<b>Joanna Gaines' Baked Chicken with Bacon Bottom and Wild Rice </b><br /><br />
This recipe came out of her first cookbook, and it was delicious. The full recipe also feeds ten, so it is a great meal for a group.<br /><br />
You will need the following: <br /><br />
Three 6.2-ounce boxes Uncle Ben’s Long Grain & Wild Rice Fast Cook Recipe<br />
12 ounces thick-cut peppered bacon slices<br />
1/2 medium white onion, thinly sliced<br />
6 tablespoons salted butter<br />
One 10.5-ounce can condensed cream of mushroom soup<br />
1 cup sour cream<br />
1 cup chicken broth <br />
1 teaspoon garlic powder<br />
Kosher salt<br />
Freshly ground black pepper<br />
2 1/2 pounds chicken tenders<br />
1/4 cup chopped chives or parsley, for garnish<br /><br />
1. Cook the rice according to the package directions.<br /><br />
2. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.<br /><br />
3. Lay the bacon slices side by side on the bottom of your baking dish so it is completely covered, using any leftover slices to line along the sides. Scatter the onion slices over the bottom layer of bacon. Cut 4 tablespoons of the butter into cubes, then distribute them evenly over the onion.<br /><br />
4. Stir together the cooked wild rice blend, soup, sour cream, broth and garlic powder in a mixing bowl. Season lightly with salt and pepper.<br /><br />
5. Spoon this mixture into the baking dish, spreading it evenly.<br /><br />
6. Nestle the chicken tenders into the surface of the rice layer; the fit will be tight side by side, and they should be lightly pressed in. Melt the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then use it to brush the tops of the chicken. Season lightly with salt and pepper.<br /><br />
7. Cover tightly with aluminum foil; bake (middle rack) for 55 minutes. At this point, the chicken will not be cooked through. Uncover and bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until the chicken is done. (It will be pale, so check by inserting a knife into the center of a tender).<br /><br />
8. Scatter the chives or parsley on top just before serving.<br /><br />
Love this recipe!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - Family Photos</b> - While we were at the lake this past July, we asked Karen Waters of Waters Photography to come to Guntersville and take some family pics. She did this for us three years ago and Judith was the only Grand Tot visible to the naked eye. (RT was coming, but not for a little while longer.)<br /><br />
She did a great job, and I love the photos. I'll post some today and some on the next post, I think.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Lb-s6lXSw3TanwM6G15iMsXmKN60LuaUxiIhXbrbFVDAShJZWdNV_8PAdytWuE4_B8FltHnir2GySmUCVyz4kFN-Cw-E-M9pTd0WxOe0CvbU0DsyFHN3PmR9XbvvIEqqcq6vR7MG0c/s1600/109469884_3408238602543844_6265642940100642121_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim0Lb-s6lXSw3TanwM6G15iMsXmKN60LuaUxiIhXbrbFVDAShJZWdNV_8PAdytWuE4_B8FltHnir2GySmUCVyz4kFN-Cw-E-M9pTd0WxOe0CvbU0DsyFHN3PmR9XbvvIEqqcq6vR7MG0c/s640/109469884_3408238602543844_6265642940100642121_n.jpg" width="640" height="479" data-original-width="960" data-original-height="718" /></a><br />
One of our family shots.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbxUxTW8ojr10q_n7TqXbPs1QmDS03clUjrsfr3mv3lCL0FGTQhqAQnmBMPH6EYOlUv8O386OABz6zrsYpVrLYZYGX8kcUewE9fDPyLJBXNtOOI2Z8rJ0SFPC9KHTZ3NnnE2pprsKmmQ/s1600/50193664687_b906498b8f_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNbxUxTW8ojr10q_n7TqXbPs1QmDS03clUjrsfr3mv3lCL0FGTQhqAQnmBMPH6EYOlUv8O386OABz6zrsYpVrLYZYGX8kcUewE9fDPyLJBXNtOOI2Z8rJ0SFPC9KHTZ3NnnE2pprsKmmQ/s640/50193664687_b906498b8f_b.jpg" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="683" data-original-height="1024" /></a><br />
RT.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35I20By0DxDw-USqFRcbCiC8Kh7-C60fi2hXzSjnhXpvUhNR4OuiPwRFZHCR_dbpAQ8WfqNP0auIGvBaof524TfT1D6cRWVs1wtJnlPHMvoFL6Ev3tAD333U2inb0yFMA6KMFy4uoCBw/s1600/GP6A0009.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj35I20By0DxDw-USqFRcbCiC8Kh7-C60fi2hXzSjnhXpvUhNR4OuiPwRFZHCR_dbpAQ8WfqNP0auIGvBaof524TfT1D6cRWVs1wtJnlPHMvoFL6Ev3tAD333U2inb0yFMA6KMFy4uoCBw/s640/GP6A0009.jpg" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Judith.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zp-MHTRROb4Iom_4hi3oYWQKCg8laTnP2MX1CdTP2a9EEbMpoloe54kUgz0zETj7moCNF3-z_BNTk5LB_xjgY7FYMdlg7zMaC5KDc4mXvDhzb2UGa6ZB2aIkzqc5O1nUrnppQyWIkIo/s1600/IMG_03712.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2zp-MHTRROb4Iom_4hi3oYWQKCg8laTnP2MX1CdTP2a9EEbMpoloe54kUgz0zETj7moCNF3-z_BNTk5LB_xjgY7FYMdlg7zMaC5KDc4mXvDhzb2UGa6ZB2aIkzqc5O1nUrnppQyWIkIo/s640/IMG_03712.jpg" width="345" height="640" data-original-width="844" data-original-height="1566" /></a><br />
Eden.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwOTTRmbDjmVX23KgbGSBPMVUUGlMn_OUtIy9QwlgVszK1ATVe5NXDQlqamGk9Fs0SI-w3ZAKbtXVI466bkg1DHG5n5Zp4PIBbz8S5Of7k5L_GO4ea1aR5bDT0iSumC97Gw79N0wQ52Q/s1600/IMG_0037.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTwOTTRmbDjmVX23KgbGSBPMVUUGlMn_OUtIy9QwlgVszK1ATVe5NXDQlqamGk9Fs0SI-w3ZAKbtXVI466bkg1DHG5n5Zp4PIBbz8S5Of7k5L_GO4ea1aR5bDT0iSumC97Gw79N0wQ52Q/s640/IMG_0037.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N7pB23nK15n1-UIS3xubAu4DSPY7CD0svUeajFJKuklgQYZ3LNSlxzboRhs42OW3l8PFE6wY79UDhOZuued_3hRh-YC0GqXfkBwLig5lyfXhAKkIsJbDG4qtGCZ3_JdkQaB9hXfw52I/s1600/IMG_0145.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6N7pB23nK15n1-UIS3xubAu4DSPY7CD0svUeajFJKuklgQYZ3LNSlxzboRhs42OW3l8PFE6wY79UDhOZuued_3hRh-YC0GqXfkBwLig5lyfXhAKkIsJbDG4qtGCZ3_JdkQaB9hXfw52I/s640/IMG_0145.jpg" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmoRLw4zh6fvGwCjEEleN-W7zmLxtW-EtkbStZDZZuFanOLfFmetMqx5OIJHJz8JDwFxSjWYr3XLq6gYyzFkwDUgundtCBTavUhyphenhyphenyrmibjrbaA2G1dtNIfDC9VlKftZt-4A7pAGRoEPM/s1600/IMG_0336.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXmoRLw4zh6fvGwCjEEleN-W7zmLxtW-EtkbStZDZZuFanOLfFmetMqx5OIJHJz8JDwFxSjWYr3XLq6gYyzFkwDUgundtCBTavUhyphenhyphenyrmibjrbaA2G1dtNIfDC9VlKftZt-4A7pAGRoEPM/s640/IMG_0336.jpg" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
The Boys of Summer shot!<br /><br />
Like I mentioned before, I'll post a few more in the next few days.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Driveway Days</b> - Below you will see some of the ways the Tots and I have spent Quarantine Days this Summer.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir95d0k0t9l7xMD48kGV7GPoTM3PXNDaAajjroRt1cn-WAsP8rBNYs8qmJMqxkJuYANelU5A6q1AZRGjAGLlXgBcgS-5rWqu34J3qmwS-g2mhv0oiHWzlbxzBcRlHUPnUjirK7vEH44pQ/s1600/IMG_2118.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir95d0k0t9l7xMD48kGV7GPoTM3PXNDaAajjroRt1cn-WAsP8rBNYs8qmJMqxkJuYANelU5A6q1AZRGjAGLlXgBcgS-5rWqu34J3qmwS-g2mhv0oiHWzlbxzBcRlHUPnUjirK7vEH44pQ/s640/IMG_2118.JPG" width="633" height="640" data-original-width="1582" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP48_KkS2FeFlCkuM8QEdRzk-8JBog3XRIrWffJCoPgdcIxOZYAofX6KbpFTxTOdfr25NiW0l09OjPwd9aWyy9UgX8RlJWUyE7bcLSW_C4PvswXOOcYGG2ouZ7FQxoPwh-m9hMcKwKnjE/s1600/IMG_2124.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP48_KkS2FeFlCkuM8QEdRzk-8JBog3XRIrWffJCoPgdcIxOZYAofX6KbpFTxTOdfr25NiW0l09OjPwd9aWyy9UgX8RlJWUyE7bcLSW_C4PvswXOOcYGG2ouZ7FQxoPwh-m9hMcKwKnjE/s640/IMG_2124.JPG" width="481" height="640" data-original-width="1202" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
The person who holds the hose is all powerful.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXTBRhWBr-NcUJtNyM-pnFbVXb35ZvzQnCkBL4rYqPkEvGnjvSCoOyLZiQAxDW2FyJX5x5FamaHNzNYCD0Y_fBzruPAa7I9d8zkZLI5CxbK8mLEBOGnKo54Fi-QYzUE33MZm5uWLvWj0/s1600/IMG_2131.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWXTBRhWBr-NcUJtNyM-pnFbVXb35ZvzQnCkBL4rYqPkEvGnjvSCoOyLZiQAxDW2FyJX5x5FamaHNzNYCD0Y_fBzruPAa7I9d8zkZLI5CxbK8mLEBOGnKo54Fi-QYzUE33MZm5uWLvWj0/s640/IMG_2131.JPG" width="610" height="640" data-original-width="1526" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
RT's red, white and blue "summer" shoes he picked out at Target have been one of HIS favorite things since the 4th of July.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DviVGVtdcbSJz8aGQQWHijHXc5RK3N5gDEHxsea37YSlJAvSdm7690igo8vWkKl4cFOdFiX2UbWthMx39kAO4EJG__rkYML4oyySGk5DM7Fk0NixOJlwWBiz6pBOch7pYR49PbYyuFw/s1600/IMG_2133.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6DviVGVtdcbSJz8aGQQWHijHXc5RK3N5gDEHxsea37YSlJAvSdm7690igo8vWkKl4cFOdFiX2UbWthMx39kAO4EJG__rkYML4oyySGk5DM7Fk0NixOJlwWBiz6pBOch7pYR49PbYyuFw/s640/IMG_2133.JPG" width="410" height="640" data-original-width="1024" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
The legs on Eden are almost more than I can stand. <br /><br />
I love them so much.<br /><br />
The way Driveway Day works is pretty simple. If the kids are just coming over for an hour or more on any given day, I put out the tarp, the "big" pool and a couple of riding toys and/or chalkboard and huge box of chalk.<br /><br />
They go in and out of the basement and get other things they want to play with until the driveway is pretty full and it is time to call it a day.<br /><br />
However, if there is a family event happening, I have been known to send an adult kid or Mikie downstairs to set up a more organized Driveway Day. <br /><br />
The drawing will look something like this.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstNu1KRT5a1t0hxJ9piP_NBu1VBoHBI6MQai7o4nIMtK4ddrFPKXoO34FqCbwM5M2RndbDV-weE6plMWx-1TNWXj5QUaXn3bi10XDJAhkTR36nd23hgCFPCz2tLuUXE2YLQbUWiWU3Ug/s1600/IMG_2139.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjstNu1KRT5a1t0hxJ9piP_NBu1VBoHBI6MQai7o4nIMtK4ddrFPKXoO34FqCbwM5M2RndbDV-weE6plMWx-1TNWXj5QUaXn3bi10XDJAhkTR36nd23hgCFPCz2tLuUXE2YLQbUWiWU3Ug/s640/IMG_2139.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
This allows me to stay indoors for a little longer getting ready for the gathering, and when it's time to go outside a couple of hours later, everything is ready to go.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - With the exception of the pools and box of chalk, ALL of the Driveway Toys were purchased at yard sales and a local online Marketplace...<br /><br />
And when they are outgrown, they will be sold in a yard sale or a local online Marketplace.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #3 - Quarantine and the Chick</b> - Due to COVID-19, Roxie spent almost five months living at home. <br /><br />
That big chunk of time was not anything Mike and I would ever have imagined having with Roxie again.<br /><br />
Roxie is scheduled to graduate from Grad School next August, and has never really planned on moving back home unless something unforeseen happened.<br /><br />
We enjoyed this gift of extra time we were given to spend with her, and for us that is exactly what we called it... <br /><br />
A gift.<br /><br />
Were there times when she wanted to run from the house screaming and pulling her hair out because living with The Enchanting Belinda isn't always as much fun as you would think?<br /><br />
Why, yes.<br /><br />
Yes, there were.<br /><br />
Were there times Mike and I missed our Empty Nest?<br /><br />
Uh, yeah!<br /><br />
Would we have traded that five months for anything on this planet?<br /><br />
Nope. <br /><br />
And again I say, NOPE!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AZ86pnc-3Qw9SEp1SME_8Uj0U9G9QfXmSCl_JyCxUmeSWJcKK1mPOUdQhSSRMkW2K1moGv6YkHTnd8LWIn6x_wnihFFsEeDn-eBNodV38LQ7w7aGYgQbtY7SJ4qknSjof9vV8moXdEg/s1600/IMG_0023+%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0AZ86pnc-3Qw9SEp1SME_8Uj0U9G9QfXmSCl_JyCxUmeSWJcKK1mPOUdQhSSRMkW2K1moGv6YkHTnd8LWIn6x_wnihFFsEeDn-eBNodV38LQ7w7aGYgQbtY7SJ4qknSjof9vV8moXdEg/s640/IMG_0023+%25281%2529.jpg" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
I hope you and yours have a fantastic upcoming weekend. I know this was a big week for schools to begin, and whether your kids are physically going to school, homeschooling or doing some kind of remote learning, I am continuing to pray things will one day soon get back to the "old" normal.<br /><br />
Take care.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
"Wiped some grease off my pizza today with a napkin, so don't be alarmed if you see me looking extra skinny tomorrow." veryjaneBelindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-17567403120183189612020-07-30T09:51:00.001-05:002020-07-30T09:54:09.891-05:00Blog Linkage, Apple Dapple Cake, 8th Annual Lake Vacation AND Upcoming PostGood Thursday morning!<br /><br />
<b>Blog Linkage</b> - Go to www.datingdivas.com and hit the BLOG prompt at the top of the page. When you officially arrive at the Blog, type "Kid Dates" in the Search box. <br /><br />
Read anything and everything that comes up under this Search. It is all very good!<br /><br />
<b>Apple Dapple Cake</b><br /><br />
You will need the following for the cake:<br /><br />
3 cups all purpose flour<br />
1 teaspoon salt<br />
1 teaspoon baking soda<br />
1 cup pecans, chopped<br />
1 cup vegetable oil<br />
2 cups sugar<br />
3 eggs<br />
2 teaspoons vanilla<br />
3 cups raw apples (peeled and chopped fine)<br /><br />
You will need the following for the sauce:<br /><br />
1 cup packed brown sugar<br />
1/4 cup milk <br />
3/4 cup butter <br /><br />
1. Spray tube pan liberally with cooking spray and set aside.<br /><br />
2. Mix oil, sugar, eggs and vanilla in a large bowl.<br /><br />
3. In a separate bowl, sift together flour, salt and soda. Add to first mixture.<br /><br />
4. Fold in pecans and apples. Bake in a tube pan at 350 degrees for 1 hour. <br /><br />
5. For the sauce, place brown sugar, milk and butter into a small saucepot over medium high heat. <br /><br />
6. Stir constantly and bring it to a gentle boil. After it begins gently boiling, continue to stir and allow to cook for about three minutes. <br /><br />
7. Pour over hot cake while still in the pan. Allow cake to cool completely before removing from pan.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE</b> - Any type of apple will do great in this cake, so use your favorite.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA </b>- This cake is better to me on Days 2 and 3 than Day 1. It isn't a terribly sweet cake on Day 1, but on Days 2 and 3, it is just right!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #1 - 8th Annual Lake Vacation </b>- That's right. This was our 8th year trying out different lake houses on different lakes. (Actually, this was our second year in a row to visit this particular house, and we enjoyed it just as much this time around.)<br /><br />
For the most part, I am just going to share some of my favorite pics from the trip in an organized fashion.<br /><br />
Well, organized to me.<br /><br />
<b>Judith</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWv7rVHZONVfFyY7eeMcGVPL5TtyeECn6-kDf2vbFmOjMRXJ6HHskC18wC6ugUFJSQUK6iwHq2Xr1xu1ICQilOIePVrkjS-2aNZH4YIfhhh3xXWfcYVML8T_JsxiXo2q_OSfe_uROp9U/s1600/IMG_1754.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJWv7rVHZONVfFyY7eeMcGVPL5TtyeECn6-kDf2vbFmOjMRXJ6HHskC18wC6ugUFJSQUK6iwHq2Xr1xu1ICQilOIePVrkjS-2aNZH4YIfhhh3xXWfcYVML8T_JsxiXo2q_OSfe_uROp9U/s640/IMG_1754.JPG" width="640" height="466" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1166" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorsaehB-6JgcZXcAH82W37TjC0Lg1mVeRXBD8IPjUQ0AiY0O2Bo_l8xZpdk5tqIeXvHP_jRpub43m9TakhgMmkiYmhfBIbovsb1y313kqUAaefGb88RcypGk4o4llHlpS__bebS4kxTY/s1600/IMG_1924.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorsaehB-6JgcZXcAH82W37TjC0Lg1mVeRXBD8IPjUQ0AiY0O2Bo_l8xZpdk5tqIeXvHP_jRpub43m9TakhgMmkiYmhfBIbovsb1y313kqUAaefGb88RcypGk4o4llHlpS__bebS4kxTY/s640/IMG_1924.JPG" width="472" height="640" data-original-width="1179" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
This is how Judith gets Josh to bait her hook.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxILLz4AMBcMLPuS3L6s95LLbfQEb9F9OLBE78ABRxXsmfPKyyRwOG-2eTXAEfJq6g2N4a7LUtuEgNap6I8_JAirmzFRUyQ2qj4MAL1wVYm5QtaP1KCN7_F35YqJhsJeK530TrrB76mrc/s1600/IMG_1952.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxILLz4AMBcMLPuS3L6s95LLbfQEb9F9OLBE78ABRxXsmfPKyyRwOG-2eTXAEfJq6g2N4a7LUtuEgNap6I8_JAirmzFRUyQ2qj4MAL1wVYm5QtaP1KCN7_F35YqJhsJeK530TrrB76mrc/s640/IMG_1952.JPG" width="640" height="610" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1526" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Q0pdMp5DhTCKJhlUl8S8V6vP68_vXSGMAD4H7DGc7O1L4ClMdJVwVLqs73vk0Xvn11NBF82Tf9n1hi27Kp-g6g6fbSMCMy0BJvEONzupM7jIBD6wLP67NkfBzAbCNKJ2Ncolnz101M/s1600/IMG_2056.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw_Q0pdMp5DhTCKJhlUl8S8V6vP68_vXSGMAD4H7DGc7O1L4ClMdJVwVLqs73vk0Xvn11NBF82Tf9n1hi27Kp-g6g6fbSMCMy0BJvEONzupM7jIBD6wLP67NkfBzAbCNKJ2Ncolnz101M/s640/IMG_2056.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQcS8_miQIZjVk56Q9_i6jmjlsuFDg9eDyrTecjYgzkZl40h3EgfGXUa3VRjWVeNYhXQkGFFYAzQh9FI5S2985Nywd92Qz3EmTk-4vThv82tLze0jGHPkndS_FgsFlUlGywfPsbJqV3M/s1600/107790553_3395086700525701_5151255826891895029_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWQcS8_miQIZjVk56Q9_i6jmjlsuFDg9eDyrTecjYgzkZl40h3EgfGXUa3VRjWVeNYhXQkGFFYAzQh9FI5S2985Nywd92Qz3EmTk-4vThv82tLze0jGHPkndS_FgsFlUlGywfPsbJqV3M/s640/107790553_3395086700525701_5151255826891895029_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="720" data-original-height="960" /></a><br /><br />
<b>RT</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOsmnEn13LvbEuDgeC3adtlmXBDG2XgXoX4yZHrA_Mb5pRzxnhPI5JwA-RFhcmtOoV8iyV_n5dqT978kpG-YHp2iaW-jkPuVwO7gtD-PnIWqE09lyW45KnQYdsLfnRpjeoH-m2Yic7p8/s1600/IMG_1803.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWOsmnEn13LvbEuDgeC3adtlmXBDG2XgXoX4yZHrA_Mb5pRzxnhPI5JwA-RFhcmtOoV8iyV_n5dqT978kpG-YHp2iaW-jkPuVwO7gtD-PnIWqE09lyW45KnQYdsLfnRpjeoH-m2Yic7p8/s640/IMG_1803.JPG" width="306" height="640" data-original-width="766" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrNEYzSxVnPRjOQvwamSxPPXo6dbHEwNQ5Wf9sAuLrfkdewWQAT88yHe33xRRf8mepvOCHY51_hIoV_bv7M33qB3hNBX7MDLknIVVqxah0YlCsvsXsx6Wn5zD4mzsF0M5uLpctnS4AJI/s1600/IMG_1860.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPrNEYzSxVnPRjOQvwamSxPPXo6dbHEwNQ5Wf9sAuLrfkdewWQAT88yHe33xRRf8mepvOCHY51_hIoV_bv7M33qB3hNBX7MDLknIVVqxah0YlCsvsXsx6Wn5zD4mzsF0M5uLpctnS4AJI/s640/IMG_1860.JPG" width="396" height="640" data-original-width="990" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj4jKzxjOPZWMV_5vjll3XsyIWPM05yIyb4-JGmUWX9QK6IW_H5HPquA6HOXOsIadBXdTViwmya0C4MFq32YpAuWcgKF30K1XPxw7uEWLy4gDkiTqz43pXldR0MM5T69J6bJA4zPd644/s1600/IMG_1864.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAj4jKzxjOPZWMV_5vjll3XsyIWPM05yIyb4-JGmUWX9QK6IW_H5HPquA6HOXOsIadBXdTViwmya0C4MFq32YpAuWcgKF30K1XPxw7uEWLy4gDkiTqz43pXldR0MM5T69J6bJA4zPd644/s640/IMG_1864.JPG" width="393" height="640" data-original-width="983" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYqjkwTdrFzOCtIH3nOXn0vETwb3pKW_hsUjBlrdkW3G1FCKUsw1KK15qIwpDtXdWm3JNg6d_UYUwsIQnlOWHgDz2LjvMG8Bx821qE5CroZFEJ2XOB_WOjSVRlDzW4MkvvqFU_4wKD6o/s1600/IMG_1908.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYqjkwTdrFzOCtIH3nOXn0vETwb3pKW_hsUjBlrdkW3G1FCKUsw1KK15qIwpDtXdWm3JNg6d_UYUwsIQnlOWHgDz2LjvMG8Bx821qE5CroZFEJ2XOB_WOjSVRlDzW4MkvvqFU_4wKD6o/s640/IMG_1908.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVTyjBXZTbvjKE80t_CjhfQ9EJ_X1fNx95dtg-hcCcyK5TBfOXHCg_LK1-eDsule0EWObVnrxmM8JiUZCIGlsUEY-FEabww-BxuUzVp-8SmyRLVuMIwR_sKni9Xe3eJLqtc-UsWlsIl4/s1600/IMG_1930.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVTyjBXZTbvjKE80t_CjhfQ9EJ_X1fNx95dtg-hcCcyK5TBfOXHCg_LK1-eDsule0EWObVnrxmM8JiUZCIGlsUEY-FEabww-BxuUzVp-8SmyRLVuMIwR_sKni9Xe3eJLqtc-UsWlsIl4/s640/IMG_1930.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0YMsjhPamsQjSp8RKWNYeDsBpnySF4Y3lyiYAlqoXyaCvRvpm6RgnQTBu5A61oXztXqSk2ibzZBGpUl3-KngJWwjF5JtrdiS21ryURWUYRV88gZWFdm5lABuupeYBVo_6YCxeaSb_Q/s1600/IMG_1949.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyi0YMsjhPamsQjSp8RKWNYeDsBpnySF4Y3lyiYAlqoXyaCvRvpm6RgnQTBu5A61oXztXqSk2ibzZBGpUl3-KngJWwjF5JtrdiS21ryURWUYRV88gZWFdm5lABuupeYBVo_6YCxeaSb_Q/s640/IMG_1949.JPG" width="640" height="496" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1241" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKECfwPXIScgdi62c_lK_QT_Qqu2EYVuHhKRPa3aiDVz9IUQYKpK9TxcjnDCfEPGvVfnqz3RBEGossy-Nc-Ml2iopFhsQN2eqDKNn4JYDEZbRADuX1PkZNb84H67t1xFbUOMKh_lBxq-0/s1600/IMG_1932.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKECfwPXIScgdi62c_lK_QT_Qqu2EYVuHhKRPa3aiDVz9IUQYKpK9TxcjnDCfEPGvVfnqz3RBEGossy-Nc-Ml2iopFhsQN2eqDKNn4JYDEZbRADuX1PkZNb84H67t1xFbUOMKh_lBxq-0/s640/IMG_1932.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<b>Eden</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXau7S8zRnz9hZkX5ZEgknmk4Ns19C8pWip-B2rSr9SdKXPOfHMbE175ouKuvnjiKvqEDRxygUwtp1UkoVAh7SMelXlUhpxarJq_CTEkQGVSPR-AFyAUc6fZOzDDHTDbY5tvbIrA3YOY/s1600/IMG_1776.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEXau7S8zRnz9hZkX5ZEgknmk4Ns19C8pWip-B2rSr9SdKXPOfHMbE175ouKuvnjiKvqEDRxygUwtp1UkoVAh7SMelXlUhpxarJq_CTEkQGVSPR-AFyAUc6fZOzDDHTDbY5tvbIrA3YOY/s640/IMG_1776.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyFuxoHIT6xx5VIo7fZVgth01RYvw9JACdiQpEKlBGXR6Z1HzeVaUoOAuzaCQ1-MnX0fHq47bpfWiOctCMNZk5RTqhw2xwNvrKAlXGTO3-PSoQvL5ouJ-grHMLCPhpYu9GC-Wl5vcJo4/s1600/IMG_1751.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoyFuxoHIT6xx5VIo7fZVgth01RYvw9JACdiQpEKlBGXR6Z1HzeVaUoOAuzaCQ1-MnX0fHq47bpfWiOctCMNZk5RTqhw2xwNvrKAlXGTO3-PSoQvL5ouJ-grHMLCPhpYu9GC-Wl5vcJo4/s640/IMG_1751.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2w_uDrPKF_Ks-PFZFMciKqYWDserNsqwOCoXiRMXAc6s2zPJeRoi_1-w2YkOA510josDkb4bAdxWFJNchXwIxtFZv-YeSKqYNk7gpNIrAMyLirIPv3ixcakhUqtjJRJ5qMUZNup_yLQ/s1600/IMG_1799.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga2w_uDrPKF_Ks-PFZFMciKqYWDserNsqwOCoXiRMXAc6s2zPJeRoi_1-w2YkOA510josDkb4bAdxWFJNchXwIxtFZv-YeSKqYNk7gpNIrAMyLirIPv3ixcakhUqtjJRJ5qMUZNup_yLQ/s640/IMG_1799.JPG" width="190" height="640" data-original-width="351" data-original-height="1180" /></a><br />
Eden in a bathing suit makes me smile. She has a very positive body image, and...<br /><br />
I think she could be a professional swimsuit model for the 16-month-and-younger-crowd.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uf8iGbrCUwMF969qj-tcXBIY8nuXaCpLCVPfFrvgHwybEyiaeuhYqMO00-d_usW9ZxMqF9QIvwKuDgFvZ1vswRkfLUDwBmCAURkas0oL7B8Bqe093v278LH20sTXI3mk0TTnnjDrBVs/s1600/IMG_1801.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-uf8iGbrCUwMF969qj-tcXBIY8nuXaCpLCVPfFrvgHwybEyiaeuhYqMO00-d_usW9ZxMqF9QIvwKuDgFvZ1vswRkfLUDwBmCAURkas0oL7B8Bqe093v278LH20sTXI3mk0TTnnjDrBVs/s640/IMG_1801.JPG" width="354" height="640" data-original-width="886" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFyALvrA2QMLdz3BYD9h8JxojBhoSF82Xs73lTr_Hzran9TcW7dpzWeCaR_24fQk1vMBvkz9J1U0Xiovp0gbXCuQFDZjebqhYb6enkeaqOGfvKaO_s5U0NT5PCPyWGyYK32x2eOWT9zs/s1600/IMG_1961.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUFyALvrA2QMLdz3BYD9h8JxojBhoSF82Xs73lTr_Hzran9TcW7dpzWeCaR_24fQk1vMBvkz9J1U0Xiovp0gbXCuQFDZjebqhYb6enkeaqOGfvKaO_s5U0NT5PCPyWGyYK32x2eOWT9zs/s640/IMG_1961.JPG" width="510" height="640" data-original-width="1276" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDHu9D_uBrF_7zlfiuqMAHQ2PgPa4y_JPqC4gPZXG3ww-HZkE6UrfmRiU8ineaxjAT561BSuQo54gG_xmCLopBd2AyIuWqIBfsUvpQz2ulj7U6E-jxm_uKEnGJpt3lExw1vDb6gBa9F0/s1600/IMG_2085.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJDHu9D_uBrF_7zlfiuqMAHQ2PgPa4y_JPqC4gPZXG3ww-HZkE6UrfmRiU8ineaxjAT561BSuQo54gG_xmCLopBd2AyIuWqIBfsUvpQz2ulj7U6E-jxm_uKEnGJpt3lExw1vDb6gBa9F0/s640/IMG_2085.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uqn7S_2yIY2Wmpp2oaHLuQuBVl4PSgFLAqxiBy4SX8IGigOPWgIwDplmsmPVphjczfOracTbMCndEvZ-U173Eds9OSUsUBBn5LJZKOqyx6xmGTKoHaZl8ngChdWkf_Q2vjOERqtdOfY/s1600/107500949_3392900240744347_999431537498073400_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1uqn7S_2yIY2Wmpp2oaHLuQuBVl4PSgFLAqxiBy4SX8IGigOPWgIwDplmsmPVphjczfOracTbMCndEvZ-U173Eds9OSUsUBBn5LJZKOqyx6xmGTKoHaZl8ngChdWkf_Q2vjOERqtdOfY/s640/107500949_3392900240744347_999431537498073400_n.jpg" width="564" height="640" data-original-width="846" data-original-height="960" /></a><br /><br />
<b>And Little ME</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCiT3j0ni4Xht15DQmFtQ-5q9zZZxuiL0hKlUZb5SKJ_jFEBU8SBMyH2trhfdIw-oWgQT1SS2gw6iOym2c9etIep3KrSJuTdvbn6fBLom5f7D6ph1eCuOWQxMeGjwNzjKB0BXCyt6zmY/s1600/IMG_1809.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaCiT3j0ni4Xht15DQmFtQ-5q9zZZxuiL0hKlUZb5SKJ_jFEBU8SBMyH2trhfdIw-oWgQT1SS2gw6iOym2c9etIep3KrSJuTdvbn6fBLom5f7D6ph1eCuOWQxMeGjwNzjKB0BXCyt6zmY/s640/IMG_1809.JPG" width="375" height="640" data-original-width="937" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyYr5Zw9685r4JRISLLbvB4bjcu9GeHBw9cfoz5sqycgT-ZIhGGAFvmTO-V0Wm5j1ZhC998uSH7c_52IFizHW7KCyWRYQioQfDCoML3WYHsWzjfYHfB93d2Vaq4WVb_SAb_tFDYv3JNM/s1600/IMG_1830.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHyYr5Zw9685r4JRISLLbvB4bjcu9GeHBw9cfoz5sqycgT-ZIhGGAFvmTO-V0Wm5j1ZhC998uSH7c_52IFizHW7KCyWRYQioQfDCoML3WYHsWzjfYHfB93d2Vaq4WVb_SAb_tFDYv3JNM/s640/IMG_1830.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCA-YWuV87TaV-_GAzAS46v6U-C190ncOzj9rVx8maVcNAdcLQyMtiLT_2cONXKFbRbpLs3MMUqUJaGQpoozGYq7XObpCDIC9rHN8ZHeVLBVkbgNQGMHhHdmFzsmFTDXg8nidTrhUBvw/s1600/IMG_1905.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCA-YWuV87TaV-_GAzAS46v6U-C190ncOzj9rVx8maVcNAdcLQyMtiLT_2cONXKFbRbpLs3MMUqUJaGQpoozGYq7XObpCDIC9rHN8ZHeVLBVkbgNQGMHhHdmFzsmFTDXg8nidTrhUBvw/s640/IMG_1905.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS9_zZvmGyyk_DRjkuL197Lqc8094nZggnzJmWcEgQpd8F902PFZIgklKuD8mV0CyykWuRPWGOWEAGfyzNvspv0DfdEmdM2Du6eI9x4jIIL_Hubqli5My_GQLwvAiTuhANi-Ldox-hm0/s1600/IMG_2037.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtS9_zZvmGyyk_DRjkuL197Lqc8094nZggnzJmWcEgQpd8F902PFZIgklKuD8mV0CyykWuRPWGOWEAGfyzNvspv0DfdEmdM2Du6eI9x4jIIL_Hubqli5My_GQLwvAiTuhANi-Ldox-hm0/s640/IMG_2037.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<b>Tubing Pics</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QZKdN4lRLDuwQ1vaB-5nyR5uKrVuyOTiOC_qXX-5clO0gYOg-OhlqGmqghG5b4QgRu2lNm6Zz0eMrF4_VuY87y-RQfGrrEfLdOOFSUg6dhBprZ3mwSqlaJL7VdHPj39B6-toiS4LRmQ/s1600/IMG_1806.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8QZKdN4lRLDuwQ1vaB-5nyR5uKrVuyOTiOC_qXX-5clO0gYOg-OhlqGmqghG5b4QgRu2lNm6Zz0eMrF4_VuY87y-RQfGrrEfLdOOFSUg6dhBprZ3mwSqlaJL7VdHPj39B6-toiS4LRmQ/s640/IMG_1806.JPG" width="640" height="635" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1588" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVLfPEA49r_eLdsFSwSqKEcLTvLetitupUXIMVCmE5LLJahkj_rUStjBNd8dt0VYKuSE9asC0tCQq0OzSNPJta5RILqfHwveh46QC9-VVBH-4pCyU3zrt242axI3t2piYrxU04N3y6VU/s1600/IMG_1810.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdVLfPEA49r_eLdsFSwSqKEcLTvLetitupUXIMVCmE5LLJahkj_rUStjBNd8dt0VYKuSE9asC0tCQq0OzSNPJta5RILqfHwveh46QC9-VVBH-4pCyU3zrt242axI3t2piYrxU04N3y6VU/s640/IMG_1810.JPG" width="640" height="540" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1350" /></a><br />
RT let us know he didn't mind taking a pic with everyone on the tube, but under no circumstances was he going to actually "go" tubing.<br /><br />
Maybe next year.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgQGVd-Ml4HEdSGs65MDwRlsoRs3oZCbJVumvZUjdvqhGLsDAfPX6NTv4QQD6RXp94jU3fwOSJ_yL6c1gg4r9QKpUl7EjmsKG18XAtstcytFyhq-jCy5uR_5UIb-oi2X9GAVSiA340T4/s1600/IMG_1855.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDgQGVd-Ml4HEdSGs65MDwRlsoRs3oZCbJVumvZUjdvqhGLsDAfPX6NTv4QQD6RXp94jU3fwOSJ_yL6c1gg4r9QKpUl7EjmsKG18XAtstcytFyhq-jCy5uR_5UIb-oi2X9GAVSiA340T4/s640/IMG_1855.JPG" width="476" height="640" data-original-width="1097" data-original-height="1476" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MhUI3YGhicf29Kx_r2w_Fo0A40fEU4x6v96UpX4a61enOkbUmPyiGwgrxCUGqKfUULOP5-cDWWoG0kxUk4ueZDLIgQlYsCZF6UcJiVFaLWtqaHSeKx_hfTjHgwW53N6wgUId35cYRb4/s1600/IMG_2051.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1MhUI3YGhicf29Kx_r2w_Fo0A40fEU4x6v96UpX4a61enOkbUmPyiGwgrxCUGqKfUULOP5-cDWWoG0kxUk4ueZDLIgQlYsCZF6UcJiVFaLWtqaHSeKx_hfTjHgwW53N6wgUId35cYRb4/s640/IMG_2051.JPG" width="640" height="446" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1116" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6mU3VsOuPGNOuewesX72yn80dL3S4DBlN7l_FBfto39KvQk2jjr-reLrlQHx_EOYxTzVs1Exy3YhIhra71EpI1L5Xl7BpXYIXFbW2OG2Gdi10QgEFC56YAvzjL8VossNnoPSt13yTYc/s1600/109726132_306735107372602_7892425556159797630_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI6mU3VsOuPGNOuewesX72yn80dL3S4DBlN7l_FBfto39KvQk2jjr-reLrlQHx_EOYxTzVs1Exy3YhIhra71EpI1L5Xl7BpXYIXFbW2OG2Gdi10QgEFC56YAvzjL8VossNnoPSt13yTYc/s640/109726132_306735107372602_7892425556159797630_n.jpg" width="640" height="498" data-original-width="904" data-original-height="703" /></a><br /><br />
<b>Water Fight</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2CECYnnAHSfopffgID_Zh2Q9oDFTkjejp4Gd6uCSj39OcypuGdXCKcaaRl2jFqoFUMha2sL-8VqkSxkbAR388Ms92jDQR5PXG9f2bj1vBOiuWaz3jG9iG0P1dl_WsVULaKVz2fI5Eko/s1600/IMG_1867.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_2CECYnnAHSfopffgID_Zh2Q9oDFTkjejp4Gd6uCSj39OcypuGdXCKcaaRl2jFqoFUMha2sL-8VqkSxkbAR388Ms92jDQR5PXG9f2bj1vBOiuWaz3jG9iG0P1dl_WsVULaKVz2fI5Eko/s640/IMG_1867.JPG" width="640" height="587" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1468" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rkEplQtx_qV4ho8y0JKEWTIVgx-pYqQldaHNP7aakliWqLNfkQombXBQ18SUTXSam3ZCbuwWmw5n_5Ln1hCJrYKzw57iPf65L_hMBaxHZ8WnR5txI-gfdMqdzVU0bQ1DxuWtFp_kGOQ/s1600/IMG_1873.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0rkEplQtx_qV4ho8y0JKEWTIVgx-pYqQldaHNP7aakliWqLNfkQombXBQ18SUTXSam3ZCbuwWmw5n_5Ln1hCJrYKzw57iPf65L_hMBaxHZ8WnR5txI-gfdMqdzVU0bQ1DxuWtFp_kGOQ/s640/IMG_1873.JPG" width="583" height="640" data-original-width="1458" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmk_TAO7E3f1WwBBYdbM7MltzOMJFxJUb0jnVH0Kc1ixurguFobr7Qv0vSKZW8y-Ql1inY8HoyijfgCXnC2heI1MDYrus40nznoFPmrqHalnSXRQ-_0uGEHLJg2Vh8f3HJtRBOUJERjo/s1600/IMG_1875.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidmk_TAO7E3f1WwBBYdbM7MltzOMJFxJUb0jnVH0Kc1ixurguFobr7Qv0vSKZW8y-Ql1inY8HoyijfgCXnC2heI1MDYrus40nznoFPmrqHalnSXRQ-_0uGEHLJg2Vh8f3HJtRBOUJERjo/s640/IMG_1875.JPG" width="510" height="640" data-original-width="1276" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohLeStBaHRDuo8GOWHiUhjthz62X5HCe_gsDN__kD5_Nd3TylQEjTq8b1Yy0uvjDhEoMVKYmoxLY2_zgPEnpidgHPA0WBohfXGXtXBQa2R0Kighada-h7QlMetYauxnhyphenhyphenCcjq1-N8gEw/s1600/IMG_1888.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhohLeStBaHRDuo8GOWHiUhjthz62X5HCe_gsDN__kD5_Nd3TylQEjTq8b1Yy0uvjDhEoMVKYmoxLY2_zgPEnpidgHPA0WBohfXGXtXBQa2R0Kighada-h7QlMetYauxnhyphenhyphenCcjq1-N8gEw/s640/IMG_1888.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
In the end, Aunt Ro lost the Water Fight.<br /><br />
<b>Boat Driving</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ2qgAy_n1OezCSkH7hxw1_t5zkQhEFnQuX2on8CuzHdnQDHktD19K5V97BxCsN68ePld-qFK1oKEULJGnU6OyAfBmPcekJfNPcuWtB2PVwMmsQvdruKd44uAc3LiB0H96YJeLRooz_k/s1600/IMG_1758.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdZ2qgAy_n1OezCSkH7hxw1_t5zkQhEFnQuX2on8CuzHdnQDHktD19K5V97BxCsN68ePld-qFK1oKEULJGnU6OyAfBmPcekJfNPcuWtB2PVwMmsQvdruKd44uAc3LiB0H96YJeLRooz_k/s640/IMG_1758.JPG" width="640" height="414" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1036" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj_ZWx-16hElBisULX_bQXOxOSPH8gT0kqP2lnOT9vOLfM9PwzzpbRLfW-8vUl1AigRrzGw0rTrOK_AUEwvjKYxmgX285vOQOB2RSJxwFJQwqhxcBDyoBkNk3GMO2fwjR-6l-9LHIsII/s1600/IMG_1974.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFj_ZWx-16hElBisULX_bQXOxOSPH8gT0kqP2lnOT9vOLfM9PwzzpbRLfW-8vUl1AigRrzGw0rTrOK_AUEwvjKYxmgX285vOQOB2RSJxwFJQwqhxcBDyoBkNk3GMO2fwjR-6l-9LHIsII/s640/IMG_1974.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrvCIiiZwKutfPiPb_hCIaGHK55hXpFFEO4NMdRg2SZdT3ruVbxdOqBSMF3N9CfNXNTZ3W2YrbpVYp-fKnZFT-FR0l-pHaUBYNsQ9JQgdtI5NXwhiNOOweO9pIpCQUe0RysDXAQVqfs/s1600/IMG_1986.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmrvCIiiZwKutfPiPb_hCIaGHK55hXpFFEO4NMdRg2SZdT3ruVbxdOqBSMF3N9CfNXNTZ3W2YrbpVYp-fKnZFT-FR0l-pHaUBYNsQ9JQgdtI5NXwhiNOOweO9pIpCQUe0RysDXAQVqfs/s640/IMG_1986.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<b>A Gaggle of Geese</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-Kje6T7OPVMldntl4xUeHYeRaXgqSusnxbh9p-u28DZGXTR_YTh2_pLh3zSS23tsa8yC8CYG1PpgNVyiGrNW3GEynaD6IbYWhWFsHsfBtKQrI2V5IgsbprCExwb1ETKNTdPm9509TmM/s1600/IMG_1999.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI-Kje6T7OPVMldntl4xUeHYeRaXgqSusnxbh9p-u28DZGXTR_YTh2_pLh3zSS23tsa8yC8CYG1PpgNVyiGrNW3GEynaD6IbYWhWFsHsfBtKQrI2V5IgsbprCExwb1ETKNTdPm9509TmM/s640/IMG_1999.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIehX5PGEMXGKN9GXvrKL-fx9Rpvkj7cRi8QMcRLJSoilzDSnbFvigC4T6IWZ9ScZ-1XYZj5ORRZqY5awoeN3Q-dl0xLXIHUKo6MFnRyzkpx9aLmIcQb47dQLPQ6jQZa-tEHU-ArrEN4/s1600/IMG_2011.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIehX5PGEMXGKN9GXvrKL-fx9Rpvkj7cRi8QMcRLJSoilzDSnbFvigC4T6IWZ9ScZ-1XYZj5ORRZqY5awoeN3Q-dl0xLXIHUKo6MFnRyzkpx9aLmIcQb47dQLPQ6jQZa-tEHU-ArrEN4/s640/IMG_2011.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWpoM-zkiYmPzHKZRuciHIbN6i-jZrmqcoYzPOEaZ58oQACGOdaoU7EUUhQjZg-2SIKE15UKh63Tt1K0FKbLjA1gus6v44ZZ4L4xyzPa5Lo9wu2jd76Gb5f_w77MUD41VTG9QHa00VOo/s1600/IMG_2016.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggWpoM-zkiYmPzHKZRuciHIbN6i-jZrmqcoYzPOEaZ58oQACGOdaoU7EUUhQjZg-2SIKE15UKh63Tt1K0FKbLjA1gus6v44ZZ4L4xyzPa5Lo9wu2jd76Gb5f_w77MUD41VTG9QHa00VOo/s640/IMG_2016.JPG" width="640" height="533" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1333" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIndd6BUJjjVAV6JICSoklxPa1h2TaCOSHuyrknYjJkG5NWclsIEXvwPjpw8QRLiH8RvucVhyvcdd-cYUDmtCpk270kCWhbes20bYWL7PTYh2MGcwG089iJGdVTIT-Q-eolFWOxucsv-Q/s1600/IMG_2023.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIndd6BUJjjVAV6JICSoklxPa1h2TaCOSHuyrknYjJkG5NWclsIEXvwPjpw8QRLiH8RvucVhyvcdd-cYUDmtCpk270kCWhbes20bYWL7PTYh2MGcwG089iJGdVTIT-Q-eolFWOxucsv-Q/s640/IMG_2023.JPG" width="640" height="362" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="904" /></a><br />
It was all fun and games until Courtney decided to herd the geese into the water...<br /><br />
Which didn't happen because when you're in a gaggle, you don't have to go anywhere you don't want to go!<br /><br />
<b>Fishing Pics</b><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SOkVOU_MsAfF7ms4rKXIlup1y5KqIuHfCRDn1Z7piCbaTE_KHUH5-uSGeQUeQOdccVi3hjf7vgcaGnj0ArcMZn0cXPA2lsRt5K8H4l2FMl7kQ-YT1GJp5oB3xKkmXrPDXpn9rXYQUgE/s1600/110137824_412018016385593_3575343970639759090_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_SOkVOU_MsAfF7ms4rKXIlup1y5KqIuHfCRDn1Z7piCbaTE_KHUH5-uSGeQUeQOdccVi3hjf7vgcaGnj0ArcMZn0cXPA2lsRt5K8H4l2FMl7kQ-YT1GJp5oB3xKkmXrPDXpn9rXYQUgE/s640/110137824_412018016385593_3575343970639759090_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1125" data-original-height="1500" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIDLCPUBlqXTYQIN6xBUR7k-x_gpzKIjmb7rfve5pocyQdpAEZeO2WIGJZ_c2lPjl55TIQBkKmAWbjpZzU8tDCGYwfuBkP7pyqveIy8VOzIlPyv9JtyprEeI2w0abGIgIFOvJ9QUIsWc/s1600/114293284_1946759988787665_5103330235279908612_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeIDLCPUBlqXTYQIN6xBUR7k-x_gpzKIjmb7rfve5pocyQdpAEZeO2WIGJZ_c2lPjl55TIQBkKmAWbjpZzU8tDCGYwfuBkP7pyqveIy8VOzIlPyv9JtyprEeI2w0abGIgIFOvJ9QUIsWc/s640/114293284_1946759988787665_5103330235279908612_n.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1125" data-original-height="1500" /></a><br />
Believe it or not, I cut down on how many pics were originally in the post.<br /><br />
You are welcome.<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS #2 - Upcoming Post</b> - While we were at the Lake this year, Karen Waters of Waters Photography came by and took a bunch of family pics for us.<br /><br />
It has been three years since our last professional pics, and she did not disappoint.<br /><br />
I'll be posting more of these photos on the next post, but I will leave you the one below as a little teaser...<br /><br />
Along with the photo at the top of the page!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdmsNtxTfTGlVV3yy_wE5Nj8MKJ6a4KXKF_tk2HNuY_qqg9ptR6zTelzwnzDZv8R62CmChyVaxP7E5AVNRiciR64McSeaMXyXJU2lclzBbc-CiREu_QhCcMTQ69MyKTw6IJaqDIMnXts/s1600/109178557_10156884498941065_669119339950489455_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSdmsNtxTfTGlVV3yy_wE5Nj8MKJ6a4KXKF_tk2HNuY_qqg9ptR6zTelzwnzDZv8R62CmChyVaxP7E5AVNRiciR64McSeaMXyXJU2lclzBbc-CiREu_QhCcMTQ69MyKTw6IJaqDIMnXts/s640/109178557_10156884498941065_669119339950489455_n.jpg" width="640" height="523" data-original-width="640" data-original-height="523" /></a><br /><br />
I hope you and yours have a very good Thursday. We are having a typical hot, sticky, muggy July here in the Deep South, and while I may not enjoy the humidity, after 59 years of living in it, I am not surprised when it arrives...<br /><br />
But I continue to be very thankful when it leaves!<br /><br />
Talk to you soon.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
"The fact my entire body cracks like a glowstick whenever I move, yet refuses to actually glow is very disappointing."Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8110077986000548420.post-78537367468430061122020-07-08T22:22:00.000-05:002020-07-08T22:23:49.219-05:00Slow Cooker Cheeseburgers, Nana B Stuff (Family Picture Board) AND THE 4TH OF JULYGood Thursday morn!<br /><br />
Below you will find way too many pics from the 4th of July.<br /><br />
It has actually become one of my favorite holidays in my 40s and 50s, so indulge me, please.<Br /><br />
<b>Crockpot Cheeseburgers</b><br /><br />
You will need the following ingredients:<br /><br />
1 1/2 pounds ground chuck<br />
3 cloves garlic (pressed and divided)<br />
1/4 teaspoon salt<br />
1/2 teaspoon pepper<br />
8 ounces Velveeta Cheese (cubed)<br />
2 tablespoons milk<br />
1 onion finely chopped<br />
Hamburger buns (or Sara Lee Dinner Rolls for sliders)<br />
Garnish with mustard, ketchup, mayo, pickles, etc.<br /><br />
1. Brown beef in a skillet with one clove of garlic and seasonings.<br /><br />
2. Drain and mix with remaining ingredients in slow cooker.<br /><br />
3. Cover and cook on low for three to four hours.<br /><br />
<b>NOTE FROM ENCHANTING BELINDA</b> - I know I've shared this recipe before, but it has come in handy recently when I've made something for adults (barbecue or seafood), but the kids needed something a little more their speed.<br /><br />
<b>Nana B Stuff </b><br /><br />
<b>Family Picture Board</b><br /><br />
I started doing this after I became a Nana. I bought a little burlap-covered bulletin board from Hobby Lobby, and I cropped a bunch of pictures I liked of our family at an event. (Let's say it was Easter.) It was nothing fancy. No ovals, circles, backgrounds, etc.<br /><br />
Just a bunch of Easter pics of the entire family (some posed and some not posed) stuck on the burlap board with some pretty thumbtacks.<br /><br />
I added some Hobby Lobby flowers...<br /><br />
And a little chalkboard.<br /><br />
When Christmas came around, I still had the Easter pics on the Picture Board.<br /><br />
This started to bother me, so as soon as we entered the winter months, I replaced the Easter pics with Christmas family pics. <br /><br />
As soon as Judith and RT started noticing their pictures on the Family Picture Board, I began trying to do it seasonally. <br /><br />
Now I am averaging three or four boards a year, and that seems to be working well for all involved.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPevmDwMEw25nZHpGTy1TDJwy8NAUGPNq2HTm6HFGGW4iDTdICLTArOf-BqmBvLcWlWzOweLIoNr_Ue7W_FMeg7o0HayZA80w9E2zLINYCJFIPRQlvp6xLG_sZSuj65IYmakVHCQ3OcPo/s1600/IMG_1731.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPevmDwMEw25nZHpGTy1TDJwy8NAUGPNq2HTm6HFGGW4iDTdICLTArOf-BqmBvLcWlWzOweLIoNr_Ue7W_FMeg7o0HayZA80w9E2zLINYCJFIPRQlvp6xLG_sZSuj65IYmakVHCQ3OcPo/s640/IMG_1731.jpg" width="640" height="581" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1452" /></a><br />
Especially me!<br /><br />
<b>RANDOMNESS - THE 4TH OF JULY </b>- Just so you know, we all started the day with dry clothes and coiffed hair...<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznPMjxz7S96x75bTsxd3iBmJWuXYopSWfCpuU9EcDtHKB2w7lxai1T_MsmT6VVMOJDHQNNBGDcVeVDNO2uiHYOOm6lzxt-ZooNoqRsCkg3JLKsEXg2mbukGQGnqJcNn2eunPWk8-hev0/s1600/106373486_1001297666939876_6470767315859711917_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhznPMjxz7S96x75bTsxd3iBmJWuXYopSWfCpuU9EcDtHKB2w7lxai1T_MsmT6VVMOJDHQNNBGDcVeVDNO2uiHYOOm6lzxt-ZooNoqRsCkg3JLKsEXg2mbukGQGnqJcNn2eunPWk8-hev0/s640/106373486_1001297666939876_6470767315859711917_n.jpg" width="399" height="640" data-original-width="998" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
But it didn't end that way!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRoUXQOZFHqysAL52bmBjh0SLwFOYwmbIQIec-U6AFR6QWyNX1ucdSY-zW5BkUSIiwmXduUp0fxkdzg9XDpB1WMwWZ0_W4KqRdI9Qbdf7m_pOYH_vmApFtcgPt9KtpBTawObR3hds7c/s1600/IMG_1467.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLyRoUXQOZFHqysAL52bmBjh0SLwFOYwmbIQIec-U6AFR6QWyNX1ucdSY-zW5BkUSIiwmXduUp0fxkdzg9XDpB1WMwWZ0_W4KqRdI9Qbdf7m_pOYH_vmApFtcgPt9KtpBTawObR3hds7c/s640/IMG_1467.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
We had a total of 16 this year. Austin and his family were unable to attend because there was a chance he had been exposed to COVID a couple of days prior, and he had to quarantine.<br /><br />
Great sadness...<br /><br />
But thankfully, Melia posted a pic of her and the kids dressed for the 4th...<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3kuDFv00WoT_H3GEQF4ZbGZYj4Yelzylg1qpZFX_cG4qb3sv2oIOpMkDmZqWDQkGyZ1C9t9tRQTsJQVwgjRxNHPI-DO-QOCdVrG8MvIOPPnt-hN-JAvjyhXvH6ql9X7t2SmptqVmOQI/s1600/107533115_10156857728101065_7553653538417189679_n%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz3kuDFv00WoT_H3GEQF4ZbGZYj4Yelzylg1qpZFX_cG4qb3sv2oIOpMkDmZqWDQkGyZ1C9t9tRQTsJQVwgjRxNHPI-DO-QOCdVrG8MvIOPPnt-hN-JAvjyhXvH6ql9X7t2SmptqVmOQI/s640/107533115_10156857728101065_7553653538417189679_n%255B2%255D.jpg" width="512" height="640" data-original-width="768" data-original-height="960" /></a><br />
Which wasn't the same, but it was so good to see them in their festive garb.<br /><br />
They were definitely and wholeheartedly missed.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmercIPbsREqLBwb2dS_TyaKPtQLAQZtIEmFLhcwgKIf6kmrPksQHs9GEbehoAU9I6EnoNIbrt5mWqhBGpqERKYK32tobfN2u1LNs0CbQ4vIGA5uBJRDURBki29DSALLW3bkengRJiFc/s1600/IMG_1477.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcmercIPbsREqLBwb2dS_TyaKPtQLAQZtIEmFLhcwgKIf6kmrPksQHs9GEbehoAU9I6EnoNIbrt5mWqhBGpqERKYK32tobfN2u1LNs0CbQ4vIGA5uBJRDURBki29DSALLW3bkengRJiFc/s640/IMG_1477.JPG" width="640" height="428" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1070" /></a><br />
We started saying the Pledge of Allegiance at the beginning of the meal this year. We have to work on the flag NOT touching the floor, but I thought Judith, Sawyer and Carly did an outstanding job.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQcrr2HKGorIDw5WDKmVbbPJUio2kJmCyl4pCJPRSyT2wsx2NMuLO5VHAQ8K3vrpDqrE1KnFBYCmPM8Yu0E3kp4oBJLlCHd2jzdNo1a6GIcjp2G43H9xhxuZG5wxQZX2ktUyaOVJmhkQ/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoQcrr2HKGorIDw5WDKmVbbPJUio2kJmCyl4pCJPRSyT2wsx2NMuLO5VHAQ8K3vrpDqrE1KnFBYCmPM8Yu0E3kp4oBJLlCHd2jzdNo1a6GIcjp2G43H9xhxuZG5wxQZX2ktUyaOVJmhkQ/s640/IMG_1610.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
We ate quickly because the kids (and a lot of the adults) were wanting to play outside on this thing.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRdz8OyuWbcasdnEuiWfZbxNbeO02RwZkztPoO598T6seKUJglQnd9h3zh97CmW95Xi8ZlQrPeVMt8xfjDhyLLHLeJbAFoBKhiZyQ4iKa64uyqb_M_jAJJ3lHZoM0h36m42n8h45aq-g/s1600/IMG_1596.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfRdz8OyuWbcasdnEuiWfZbxNbeO02RwZkztPoO598T6seKUJglQnd9h3zh97CmW95Xi8ZlQrPeVMt8xfjDhyLLHLeJbAFoBKhiZyQ4iKa64uyqb_M_jAJJ3lHZoM0h36m42n8h45aq-g/s640/IMG_1596.JPG" width="640" height="565" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1412" /></a><br />
Zac.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcemqKcMfp3-Pm7pXwYuRWxgxOTf2DragAknlMcdPtKr1cOYp9n64sJuNqU4mRZIDrSGsuosDO2x5ppSApl3r-P_co9dXg2VuTK_IXPlRgOeAk_HEQXWN1iqcuCQLStXZFHCmIfib1FDo/s1600/IMG_1487.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcemqKcMfp3-Pm7pXwYuRWxgxOTf2DragAknlMcdPtKr1cOYp9n64sJuNqU4mRZIDrSGsuosDO2x5ppSApl3r-P_co9dXg2VuTK_IXPlRgOeAk_HEQXWN1iqcuCQLStXZFHCmIfib1FDo/s640/IMG_1487.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
Sawyer.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMR6Zc9_J8IvWG2dBO3Zjpa726LSMvSeBYbUW2-Fx4v8BRmNAezz3ufwl9afOFK6DPEUH3QgYmUY_4_7JnDfAFjX3fwnnB3y5AAuYqRofqBcMugz0OkAkED584eJQtNi79iEo7-VzfeR0/s1600/IMG_1502.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-
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Judith.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQFmAzqSwVexTbcQo6r4mEgeufDtmbLDzASu-nSdMFPrPexAcWP3Tr-oBtUakH6DmNZPfVti6WusrPhQD7jsEsN37pHb63MzzVExV3Fc9CAbCWo3NZX_eFGzT52oCwcIiCutavgocJqI/s1600/IMG_1520.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCQFmAzqSwVexTbcQo6r4mEgeufDtmbLDzASu-nSdMFPrPexAcWP3Tr-oBtUakH6DmNZPfVti6WusrPhQD7jsEsN37pHb63MzzVExV3Fc9CAbCWo3NZX_eFGzT52oCwcIiCutavgocJqI/s640/IMG_1520.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
This one took a little time to figure out.<br /><br />
I assumed it was Josh's leg...<br /><br />
Because it was definitely Eden's hair...<br /><br />
But then there was Brad's cap.<br /><br />
At the end of the slide, we discovered Eden willingly went with Brad down the slide...<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxgn0ds6KF-18kf4CBcTQKa6VXWLQxZg-Yr5JXXzQ7ed7xHTrNMkyyIRdeTbUf64LTXxggGEw6ZrY2FUNK61TVssmUENNMBRqr7DIzCSLqMusjLzlPrpMG-MA7dw1VjBVMwpZWBJ69wo/s1600/IMG_1524.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyxgn0ds6KF-18kf4CBcTQKa6VXWLQxZg-Yr5JXXzQ7ed7xHTrNMkyyIRdeTbUf64LTXxggGEw6ZrY2FUNK61TVssmUENNMBRqr7DIzCSLqMusjLzlPrpMG-MA7dw1VjBVMwpZWBJ69wo/s640/IMG_1524.JPG" width="640" height="514" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1285" /></a><br />
But regretted it soon after.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxDtklGcN-0VkFnyX6EUa8D_pe91FcyxCuM3fMvr2hBCvXMONUyRmt00xvzeXRqFO6ypXwKUQbhF7kpaKL_aQ4JeFQ2WIbyGFvsmgBEEbqwsnPuhNPaMe2LZmXHaiIrFi25Lf5728Kfc/s1600/IMG_1526.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxDtklGcN-0VkFnyX6EUa8D_pe91FcyxCuM3fMvr2hBCvXMONUyRmt00xvzeXRqFO6ypXwKUQbhF7kpaKL_aQ4JeFQ2WIbyGFvsmgBEEbqwsnPuhNPaMe2LZmXHaiIrFi25Lf5728Kfc/s640/IMG_1526.JPG" width="640" height="452" data-original-width="1402" data-original-height="991" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1Y5_h3drCiAmQupIEMPCivxpEBsQGVTTB1h3aFrh_QfUMbf67eo_FJnocmeB38qwQ8g1CzON6PO2ydlXmXSlh2-EjNqFhiNDGUtevruHSIHHu-eW4M5aiqHl8FHuO-E1ifySIwh-sfc/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF1Y5_h3drCiAmQupIEMPCivxpEBsQGVTTB1h3aFrh_QfUMbf67eo_FJnocmeB38qwQ8g1CzON6PO2ydlXmXSlh2-EjNqFhiNDGUtevruHSIHHu-eW4M5aiqHl8FHuO-E1ifySIwh-sfc/s640/IMG_1525.JPG" width="640" height="478" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1196" /></a><br />
Beebo and Carly.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OEYtQphLkzFtiGqlbsochaUixu_4j94gA5UQ9H1Eem0orS6YoHy_1DigSsNigSEg2plnnG5vGyexItS07FPDEMa_l8_5_5NE_DmIr6d5I2M4vyRJF_HXdp0efysVp2uDLamgkpQxsQA/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1OEYtQphLkzFtiGqlbsochaUixu_4j94gA5UQ9H1Eem0orS6YoHy_1DigSsNigSEg2plnnG5vGyexItS07FPDEMa_l8_5_5NE_DmIr6d5I2M4vyRJF_HXdp0efysVp2uDLamgkpQxsQA/s640/IMG_1545.JPG" width="535" height="640" data-original-width="1338" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Zac's girlfriend, Maggie, and Carly.<br /><br />
Again, she went down willingly...<br /><br />
But in the end, did not care for it!<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzpYBLIxNzW5j5aVcAqjn2nPWclDAW-5X6-RImVZ5DEIMZfSuc0AWnibLXRRj6ElBb8cxYLCLXa24CAJMJimzYuVd-BHAhvzoInAa8aBv0zlqlPh26mVEdZ07tpyKKZOhX-7WwhpLFQY/s1600/IMG_1547.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqzpYBLIxNzW5j5aVcAqjn2nPWclDAW-5X6-RImVZ5DEIMZfSuc0AWnibLXRRj6ElBb8cxYLCLXa24CAJMJimzYuVd-BHAhvzoInAa8aBv0zlqlPh26mVEdZ07tpyKKZOhX-7WwhpLFQY/s640/IMG_1547.JPG" width="640" height="577" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1442" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBdIGrPFlYuKZWWK2e_tok-JRfKHukSk5BcQsISohy0mn-vvvd7cXz1i-_h0eEIP7CgJSG1lzm9nzoeaV3e1lClhfc0_b_ptS7wqfgKK6ORspFkNeixlCJDXP76AK3sUOVmZ27h9AL9k/s1600/IMG_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEBdIGrPFlYuKZWWK2e_tok-JRfKHukSk5BcQsISohy0mn-vvvd7cXz1i-_h0eEIP7CgJSG1lzm9nzoeaV3e1lClhfc0_b_ptS7wqfgKK6ORspFkNeixlCJDXP76AK3sUOVmZ27h9AL9k/s640/IMG_1557.JPG" width="640" height="486" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1216" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyfdphtatcGdAlJIk5kbk-4uiJC9vcnWY4rw30HEukcoy01pLNCqVgvK1B3RYDpMwojvTfqEgZt-cVyQaFhu1VPfuXNiG-4dcqEQq-h5MKIjYN8dFwIe5-17nLaGAlRcuFRHgX3W06yg/s1600/IMG_1562.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNyfdphtatcGdAlJIk5kbk-4uiJC9vcnWY4rw30HEukcoy01pLNCqVgvK1B3RYDpMwojvTfqEgZt-cVyQaFhu1VPfuXNiG-4dcqEQq-h5MKIjYN8dFwIe5-17nLaGAlRcuFRHgX3W06yg/s640/IMG_1562.JPG" width="640" height="422" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1056" /></a><br />
As you can see, Sawyer had no problem at all coming down alone OR with his Dad (Brad).<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehh2FQ41FeYUITq94RG-JkdiTFhYlpf9AnPbM43r8qM9VEoK5VynANqbfjIK_0KlMGkPm52soJAoiV1sW44jjKQS29B6Fg0aI-llMQTlOoMNk44BVWt58fUO0Dpm0Vd_fkAiM3IhB3FM/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjehh2FQ41FeYUITq94RG-JkdiTFhYlpf9AnPbM43r8qM9VEoK5VynANqbfjIK_0KlMGkPm52soJAoiV1sW44jjKQS29B6Fg0aI-llMQTlOoMNk44BVWt58fUO0Dpm0Vd_fkAiM3IhB3FM/s640/IMG_1585.JPG" width="565" height="640" data-original-width="1305" data-original-height="1479" /></a><br />
Josh won for "Most Displaced Water."<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG20MavRQva0cWMdiMPlCXlbAdY-cPeES6oFn7hcfWp1qBLDKdepZ3RAGy6NyM5aF8uaKAM3TZ_zTcCiT_ia6Pe0n4lLR6NIvBEIgt2004c40rfCuM1ZQaOp6pJd1cVjEaWsBTQKW4faE/s1600/IMG_1591.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG20MavRQva0cWMdiMPlCXlbAdY-cPeES6oFn7hcfWp1qBLDKdepZ3RAGy6NyM5aF8uaKAM3TZ_zTcCiT_ia6Pe0n4lLR6NIvBEIgt2004c40rfCuM1ZQaOp6pJd1cVjEaWsBTQKW4faE/s640/IMG_1591.JPG" width="431" height="640" data-original-width="998" data-original-height="1482" /></a><br />
And Judith nabbed the "Cutest Mermaid Bathing Suit" prize.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm-CxWQ-W76fiyJYdXN55MKS79aqppAkl0M8oB9G5j2ra7vaC4tKk26j0clQ1GAbgPG76HciwcGYQZiy0lxru-yT9gvLyv9_CDlfa9NNiJ1JSTYufINKX91yGwfc3Kq7GM8JqsyOhqfg/s1600/IMG_1598.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBm-CxWQ-W76fiyJYdXN55MKS79aqppAkl0M8oB9G5j2ra7vaC4tKk26j0clQ1GAbgPG76HciwcGYQZiy0lxru-yT9gvLyv9_CDlfa9NNiJ1JSTYufINKX91yGwfc3Kq7GM8JqsyOhqfg/s640/IMG_1598.JPG" width="640" height="555" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1388" /></a><br />
Eden...<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8Cqa4m_GG4nLHh9V_cV6i6cyRXHouLCzoH_m9YFmSP5XjDrjusPqeNP4E6P_70igsLCLpRwtgtnPafOfgdNp1X-7q2n0_bw9DAHFyXjwrVF3CSCetkba-7iqeVHYvURKukUi6D8NNZg/s1600/IMG_1605.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgG8Cqa4m_GG4nLHh9V_cV6i6cyRXHouLCzoH_m9YFmSP5XjDrjusPqeNP4E6P_70igsLCLpRwtgtnPafOfgdNp1X-7q2n0_bw9DAHFyXjwrVF3CSCetkba-7iqeVHYvURKukUi6D8NNZg/s640/IMG_1605.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
And Carly may not have enjoyed the slide portion of the inflatable, but they loved the "chillin' in the pool" part.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdnzvxLTTF3HudMevwFBuuEWAfg4nytFbUlXYtQZYuagiRGnvWd5DuOeQe-3iecIdM0wztA5OV_h-khcLr2Pt16mjhwKJSdTtx5posfa_pdbaX3xB3uZg_ERp4P61Az9ovv_IK33iP-w/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNdnzvxLTTF3HudMevwFBuuEWAfg4nytFbUlXYtQZYuagiRGnvWd5DuOeQe-3iecIdM0wztA5OV_h-khcLr2Pt16mjhwKJSdTtx5posfa_pdbaX3xB3uZg_ERp4P61Az9ovv_IK33iP-w/s640/IMG_1606.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Mike worked hard helping prep for the party...<br /><br />
And I'm almost 100 percent sure that juice sippy cup belongs to one of the kids.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaSveqZmpLQX-E1q69RtJO_4rLYGxAlQje-eBPzrvpROuCVWl2flXVIybgAKWCAsZpGpmPH73f97ZqZAZqMnKAshL2frJwa3fOOzNGESwriQD-pFr0BDA5kjpMs2lILaGxib5d0-tVAM/s1600/IMG_1617.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJaSveqZmpLQX-E1q69RtJO_4rLYGxAlQje-eBPzrvpROuCVWl2flXVIybgAKWCAsZpGpmPH73f97ZqZAZqMnKAshL2frJwa3fOOzNGESwriQD-pFr0BDA5kjpMs2lILaGxib5d0-tVAM/s640/IMG_1617.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
This one rocks ruffles on a bathing suit...<br /><br />
And one piggy up and one piggy down.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0wGZGeRH_kFEQx8RVldEHMYR_IpZlVzbdDx9PVuxwrAdHJL6xniWVXGOuselceRf6MXY1flg-MuHE8sLPh1C7WHB2OuldHPpEuaRj84jPi1MSVUhvGtFZ1WDLUEghRY8ikL5jr-JejY/s1600/IMG_1619.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf0wGZGeRH_kFEQx8RVldEHMYR_IpZlVzbdDx9PVuxwrAdHJL6xniWVXGOuselceRf6MXY1flg-MuHE8sLPh1C7WHB2OuldHPpEuaRj84jPi1MSVUhvGtFZ1WDLUEghRY8ikL5jr-JejY/s640/IMG_1619.JPG" width="527" height="640" data-original-width="1122" data-original-height="1362" /></a><br />
Totally content.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJehjMwmgTQu0EfQRKMZPmgvk_DuvzbqiXfMjrW5wc_0mnk4s_w1slxq_sW4bWkKlxeLJYA3Kp0kb8Cjm18T2AdFokKy40kg-qUfUZ8xKKwQ7X3MlmWae-XJLIiv_4juRHWkNbG9XGXxg/s1600/IMG_1638.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJehjMwmgTQu0EfQRKMZPmgvk_DuvzbqiXfMjrW5wc_0mnk4s_w1slxq_sW4bWkKlxeLJYA3Kp0kb8Cjm18T2AdFokKy40kg-qUfUZ8xKKwQ7X3MlmWae-XJLIiv_4juRHWkNbG9XGXxg/s640/IMG_1638.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
We have started calling them The Twins.<br /><br />
Zac and Brad.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUff9DrifjCM_ph4kEkEwxmt9vBW3N66SKrUprn4F6-N587lKVLCCvFM-NEUk0rN67BH8ySwgVSBHevk-9wk3HTE0so6KpmgWQWHYxYBZ-YFVPfio1gl7aKOz7TQtlk8x0vch652_EJo/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAUff9DrifjCM_ph4kEkEwxmt9vBW3N66SKrUprn4F6-N587lKVLCCvFM-NEUk0rN67BH8ySwgVSBHevk-9wk3HTE0so6KpmgWQWHYxYBZ-YFVPfio1gl7aKOz7TQtlk8x0vch652_EJo/s640/IMG_1642.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br />
Maggie and Zac.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYyuxaGoDshexgRsWl03U5anifLq17vjtNQZixmxA3ETk4UXYdN0ElNcVCkXOi1PjjJ4Wv1F-QFUBLloh-2k0buR5dKQmZsvZVpNDOd99zvj87DZFX94zcj0MdLFJmT9RDmjTtaQNQlQ/s1600/IMG_1661.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYyuxaGoDshexgRsWl03U5anifLq17vjtNQZixmxA3ETk4UXYdN0ElNcVCkXOi1PjjJ4Wv1F-QFUBLloh-2k0buR5dKQmZsvZVpNDOd99zvj87DZFX94zcj0MdLFJmT9RDmjTtaQNQlQ/s640/IMG_1661.JPG" width="343" height="640" data-original-width="858" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
I'm pretty sure Eden thinks the 4th is the best holiday ever.
She was just sitting in her Daddy's lap minding her own business when one adult handed her a giant twirly thingy and another one came by with a bunch of Airheads.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUXCz1CeUR7o0CdzCI9Pe8xdKJoK_qNZkWJfGGaS0nZ0JMwrxLg5JQnlJDhe_tK7gK9Arlt3gwer4S8eajTYdU8LB4yjDrApCX0CHvz8o2SUhobYFDEMlE05UcOpTVnEte6HRhXYxAjA/s1600/IMG_1681.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwUXCz1CeUR7o0CdzCI9Pe8xdKJoK_qNZkWJfGGaS0nZ0JMwrxLg5JQnlJDhe_tK7gK9Arlt3gwer4S8eajTYdU8LB4yjDrApCX0CHvz8o2SUhobYFDEMlE05UcOpTVnEte6HRhXYxAjA/s640/IMG_1681.JPG" width="399" height="640" data-original-width="997" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
And to make it even more wonderful...<br /><br />
Some outdoor flag waving took place.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0g8vtpzMbrFRvO-CTmorAij4xP-CHpVnsRkGlIxWEykBn8DuGALr3kAgodoAPvWdur1CdnlbC3syIi-nv6j7I43xSQBJitj3HEej-CQ0sUNKghSKe5HRaRJyX2Y1-taw5rznLRtzM8U/s1600/IMG_1689.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD0g8vtpzMbrFRvO-CTmorAij4xP-CHpVnsRkGlIxWEykBn8DuGALr3kAgodoAPvWdur1CdnlbC3syIi-nv6j7I43xSQBJitj3HEej-CQ0sUNKghSKe5HRaRJyX2Y1-taw5rznLRtzM8U/s640/IMG_1689.JPG" width="640" height="576" data-original-width="1552" data-original-height="1397" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4t2hLMa0rkOjgjDxlW2OOEsJn-X96j3yqBqZhxEyihV6K5Ap-pQC4AhFRlzqdi3yCTmGhWPeSIK2tuGQdN2x1RkIMdF67RC5gnyzdg20lkH-DR021kaK2TRfoxH7JN12cXnYpUqem_g/s1600/IMG_1696.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw4t2hLMa0rkOjgjDxlW2OOEsJn-X96j3yqBqZhxEyihV6K5Ap-pQC4AhFRlzqdi3yCTmGhWPeSIK2tuGQdN2x1RkIMdF67RC5gnyzdg20lkH-DR021kaK2TRfoxH7JN12cXnYpUqem_g/s640/IMG_1696.JPG" width="640" height="427" data-original-width="1600" data-original-height="1067" /></a><br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzA8jQiK2aFsozn7S4o8lR9G_KezT4qJfjQvihrnlhFG7y8ZgeGBmVeS4Wix92OpjJEAk0WDbcPI3rnEoqKzZCBut45YoZr6GTfRSf4eu-bcTMb4OJUV88fu2enkcHfyqnnfGQ4o7h5U/s1600/IMG_1698.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKzA8jQiK2aFsozn7S4o8lR9G_KezT4qJfjQvihrnlhFG7y8ZgeGBmVeS4Wix92OpjJEAk0WDbcPI3rnEoqKzZCBut45YoZr6GTfRSf4eu-bcTMb4OJUV88fu2enkcHfyqnnfGQ4o7h5U/s640/IMG_1698.JPG" width="632" height="640" data-original-width="1581" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Brad and Stephanie.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TwI5mffPivIfQ0iR9MwS7napLQ9n7J-dWpRWCc99wd5f6EnbSuzByzszzZqg59KTRfwZh1g6cbq9JFltGhZ7wvnWPgBjCmJUjCnUuN4iELOxbgTerIdKVmoBWfQkWz19Ss4g-V_W3CA/s1600/IMG_1700.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0TwI5mffPivIfQ0iR9MwS7napLQ9n7J-dWpRWCc99wd5f6EnbSuzByzszzZqg59KTRfwZh1g6cbq9JFltGhZ7wvnWPgBjCmJUjCnUuN4iELOxbgTerIdKVmoBWfQkWz19Ss4g-V_W3CA/s640/IMG_1700.JPG" width="427" height="640" data-original-width="1067" data-original-height="1600" /></a><br />
Toppy and Beebo.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDmsDve-lzSfd_MI2VHWKZDMKiSJWdQcx-bvMCIbTm_EpxYcE8MhXrF7YZ1s_MCh5hwBdkY64JnB2gqHg9eoagLjTGTHBgjg8ojphQHdoUeSUSLIfXIv2jreZH7XpI6Tl13V12tEVsrE/s1600/107593823_710161296445264_3901696972879307321_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpDmsDve-lzSfd_MI2VHWKZDMKiSJWdQcx-bvMCIbTm_EpxYcE8MhXrF7YZ1s_MCh5hwBdkY64JnB2gqHg9eoagLjTGTHBgjg8ojphQHdoUeSUSLIfXIv2jreZH7XpI6Tl13V12tEVsrE/s640/107593823_710161296445264_3901696972879307321_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="480" height="640" data-original-width="1125" data-original-height="1500" /></a><br />
At the very end of the party, right before Josh and his family left, I became unable to focus on the good-byes because I was a hot, sticky mess...<br /><br />
And the pool at the end of the water slide looked so cool and inviting...<br /><br />
So I just sat on the edge and slipped backwards into the water...<br /><br />
While still wearing my 4th of July garb. <br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V8o6RcbIhTFph_coWQhPaSPJyKIpTmcUN0y4zX4AJSC2gumJFEChp4MQ78KKanYXWMP55vmgG0PxxJc-JyXMUH4rKZXG7QptzhP57tQw4nNuWHCQ4OhWmsuJW9NpAdxztYc3k81ElgA/s1600/IMG_1723.JPG" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2V8o6RcbIhTFph_coWQhPaSPJyKIpTmcUN0y4zX4AJSC2gumJFEChp4MQ78KKanYXWMP55vmgG0PxxJc-JyXMUH4rKZXG7QptzhP57tQw4nNuWHCQ4OhWmsuJW9NpAdxztYc3k81ElgA/s640/IMG_1723.JPG" width="478" height="640" data-original-width="721" data-original-height="965" /></a><br />
I then went on to bounce in the house and slide down the waterslide a couple of times.<br /><br />
Those pictures have since been destroyed...<br /><br />
But this one of Judith cheering me down the slide was a keeper.<br /><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHq8G_SKZwTL1fGZIWumQC6s2jypQ33cbSaV7WX1STrmz2RrPVpBAmadEZNrYG6-Bizn-_d756sR9_7_yCNMLPqpp45lBMlCD_cbI-TAwNBwwP6xF_xKvUKvdCoLEScgRyk92CIu7uVw/s1600/107461921_2670951173187907_8960380419901902455_n%255B1%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" ><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHq8G_SKZwTL1fGZIWumQC6s2jypQ33cbSaV7WX1STrmz2RrPVpBAmadEZNrYG6-Bizn-_d756sR9_7_yCNMLPqpp45lBMlCD_cbI-TAwNBwwP6xF_xKvUKvdCoLEScgRyk92CIu7uVw/s640/107461921_2670951173187907_8960380419901902455_n%255B1%255D.jpg" width="640" height="599" data-original-width="957" data-original-height="895" /></a><br />
It was a good day, and clean-up was made much easier with everyone taking their leftovers home.<br /><br />
You can tell she can't wait until next year!<br /><br />
I hope you and yours have a good "rest of the week." I'll be back soon with more July stuff.<br /><br />
Sincerely,<br /><br />
The Enchanting Belinda<br /><br />
Nobody is more exhausted than a mother of a little boy who never stops moving... except the mother of a little girl who never stops talking!Belindahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03258676305397427670noreply@blogger.com0