Tenebrae

I am torn each year before attending service. Thinking I MUST be mournful, that my FEELINGS must be pulled to sadness. BUT, I live under Grace. Constantly. So each Maundy Thursday and Good Friday I wrestle with the "am I sad enough" feeling. Then I go to the Tenebrae service.

And I get it.

I understand.

It is so not about what I am feeling. It is how Lent, Holy Week and Easter of our church season "keeps it real" for me.

I am thankful.

Really.

FULL of thanksgiving to Christ in a solemn, reverent way.

Our Hymns this afternoon were awesome.

Full of sound doctrine. Full of Truth. Full of Christ Crucified.

FULL

Please, if you have not attended a traditional Tenebrae Service, the readings as the altar is stripped of our earthly worship tools...make room in your heart to attend next year. You will be FILLED!

Thanks Jane!

Conservative Spring by theparsonswife featuring American Eagle Outfitters tank tops

IndianaJane posted about this cool site... she must really be in a shopping mood lately! Thanks for a new addiction... no really, I have all the time and funds to play THIS game... teeheehee!

I want a mall!

Mommy moments...

This Year's Cookie!

Rolled Fondant Sugar Cookies... REViISiTed

Table Favor Cookies for the Confirmation Students this week.

All it takes is a few ingredients...

Cheap ingredients!

To create rolled fondant!

This seems to be my "springtime" tradition... making these cookies, if you recall here...

Again, take my advice, and don't try to save time by buying the Wilton Brand in the store... you will NOT ever eat fondant again if you try pre-made!

Youth Group Project

Our Youth Group is having a cookie decorating event to donate to a fundraiser in April. How fun this is going to be! Drop in & Decorate is a group of gals who want to support community one cookie at a time! They have given us permission to be a part by decorating our cookies and donating them for a fundraiser... I am already planning another event to donate cookies to help with maybe the pregnancy center, or the nursing home, or gosh... there are so many people who could benefit from this fun activity! How fun!

Be Courageous

Be Strong and Courageous for the Lord your God will be with you Wherever you Go.

Joshua 1:9

I love this man. I feel safe when I am with him. He continually gives me grace. And I know he loves Our Lord.

We are One.

I thank my father that he has taken me out of my comfort zone and lead me to places that I would have never imagined I would live. I am thankful he gave me this man to be part of me, and to Love Christ together on this adventure. When I am in His Word I am strong and courageous... and when we are in His Word together it is a beautiful thing. I am thankful that my dh is a pastor and in God's Holy Word constantly.

I am blessed.

Tea Stain Tag Tutorial... tongue twister?

What an easy and classic way to "up" your gift giving! THIS TUTORIAL is easy and quick! You have to check it out! Thanks kellishouse for sharing!

Ultimate Blog Party

Okay, new to the blog party idea... but these prizes would be grand! Really, any prize would tickle me! I am excited to get over a look at all of the blogs... check it out with the link to the right, and this is not an advertisement, just a way to connect. Bless your day!

109 — $30 Stampin’ Up Prize pack

58- Moms Who Think- Kitchen Aid Artisan Stand Mixer

50 – 2 $50 gift certificates to Paperlicious 5 — Core Fitness for Mom DVD from Moms into Fitness

Weekly Menu...

Snickerdoodles. Period. Thanks to the BlogWorld.

I think it is funny, when we get down to the bare essentials in the cabinets and my sweet hubby asks every-so-often, "Do we have enough food for the next ten days?" LOL... So I will post here my menu plan for the week, just to assure him.

Monday

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Quiche with sliced apples and baby carrots

Spaghetti and Italian Herb Bread

Snack: Snickerdoodles

Tuesday

Oat Muffins

Bean Burritos with Salad

Creamy Chicken and Rice with mixed Vegetables

Snack: Popped Corn

Wednesday

French Toast

Macaroni and Cheese with Tuna Sandwiches

Lenten Soup Suppers

Snack: Crackers and Cheese

Thursday

Whole Wheat Waffles

Peanut Butter Bread with Jelly and Baby Carrots

Ricotta and Spinach Ravioli with Italian Green Beans

Snack: Shakes or Homemade Ice Cream

Friday

Simple Muffins

Chicken Rice Soup with Fresh Wheat Bread

Pizza Night!

Snack: Popped Corn

Saturday

Scones

"Plan" Overs

Whole Wheat Pasta with Grilled Chicken Veggies

Snack: Peanut Butter Cookies

Sunday

Cereal

Fellowship (we eat with our congregation)

Individual Meat Loaves, Spiced Rice and Fresh Salad

Snack: Brownies

Monday

Whole Wheat Pancakes

Stromboli

Tuna Noodle Casserole

Snack: Cinnamon pull apart

So, dear, if you read this, be assured, we are fine! I love it when we have such a great abundance of foods and fulfilling mealtimes! God is so good and provides in such wonderful ways!

How can it be doubled?!!!

As you see we lost a car... we dropped it from insurance, and now our monthly payment is doubled! I can't believe we almost could buy another car for cheaper insurance! WEIRD, could somebody bail me out?!

Oh to Twitter...

Learning a new techi-task...

My Home... what a mess...

This is the day that I pray trustees don't stop by for a visit. I live in a parsonage, and "spring" cleaning has hit... hard.

It is a mess... dust... cobwebs in corners... trash bags full of future yard sale stuff... errrr not good, so not good.

Thinking Spring

Mostly because I can only "think" Spring. Snow fell again, BUT today it is going to be 40 degrees! Time to Spring Clean!

Kitchen Aid First Aid Day

First, our cat, Shadow. Can't you just see the sarcasm in his eyes. Oh, the life of a cat.

My sweet man searched the www and found my gear that is stripped (again) in my Kitchen Aid Professional 6 Mixer. He sent for it as a thoughtful gift four my 19th wedding anniversary! YIPPEE!

Then, when it arrived, he spent the evening replacing the gear. I love this man. And as you can see he wore an appropriate shirt for the task! Thank you my man!

This evening we will enjoy fresh ground wheat again. (BTW, this gear is stripped mostly due to mixing large amounts of sugar based items, like icings and cookies... as per the Kitchen Aid customer service.) And the part can be found here... it is pretty easy to replace yourself.

Sweet unexpected Vintage Gifts

I was blessed at our Lenten Service last night with this gift from the friend who made pasta with me this Christmas...

A Rosette Iron

I immediately came home and found this tutorial. So very helpful! So this morning the children are enjoying these wonderful treats, and our house smells like a sweet doughnut factory... so worth it, dontcha think?!