Completing Him Challenge~Praying for my Husband

This week as part of the Completing Him Challenge, Courtney challenges us to pray for our husbands daily. I do pray daily for my husband, but this week I'm going to ask him what he'd like me to pray about for him. I also loved the idea of saying a prayer for my husband every time I look at my wedding ring. What a wonderful visual reminder!

Here's the list of prayer ideas Courtney shared:

1. His Wife

2. His Work


3. His Finances


4. His Sexuality


5. His Affections


6. His Temptations


7. His Mind


8. His Fears


9. His Purpose


10. His Choices


11. His Health


12. His Protection


13. His Trials


14. His Integrity


15. His Reputation


16. His Priorities


17. His Relationships


18. His Fatherhood


19. His Past


20. His Attitude


21. His Marriage


22. His Emotions


23. His Walk


24. His Talk


25. His Repentance


26. His Deliverance


27. His Obedience


28. His Self-Image


29. His Faith


30. His Future

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday 6.28.10

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. This week's menu will be filled with a few new menu items, since I didn't get to some of them last week. I'm trying to make easy dinners on these hot days because it is too hot in the kitchen and too hot to eat a heavy meal most days.

Sunday~Dinner at the church festival

Monday~ Manicotti with Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce, Salad

Tuesday~Buffalo Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans

Wednesday~Steak and Chicken Fajitas, Salsa Rice, Salad

Thursday~Sloppy Joes, Macaroni and Cheese, Corn

Friday~Pizza

Saturday~Grilled Pork Chops, Pasta Salad, Fresh Fruit

Have a week full of blessings!

Peace,

Lisa

Thankful Thursday, June 24th

Iris at Grace Alone is hosting Thankful Thursday this week. Please take a moment to visit her blog and the other thankful posts that are listed there.

I am so thankful for so many things.

I am blessed with a faithful husband who works hard to make our dreams come true. I'm so thankful that I have this life to spend with him.

I am thankful for our healthy children.

I am thankful for my true friends, who are present in my life during the good and the bad.

I am thankful for a supportive family.

I am thankful for each day....a fresh start.

Be thankful every day!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

From our garden....

...Red Hot Poker

It's taken three years to get this many blooms from this plant. I'm so tempted to dig it out and plant it at the new house, but am not sure if the transplant would hinder it from blooming again this summer. I just love it!

Blessings,

Lisa

Father's Day 2010

We celebrated Father's Day by going to mass and visiting our dads. Of course, I forgot the camera and didn't take any photos of our dads. So, here's one of my dh opening his gift from the kids....

DH and the kids

Hope your Father's Day was great!

Blessings,

Lisa

Completing Him Challenge~June 21st~Remembering my vows

I am taking the Summer Marriage Challenge at Women Living Well. This week's activity is to share memories of your wedding day. I don't have many photos because most of them are packed up for the move. I did scan these two from the wedding album.

We were married on July 8, 1995 at our former parish, SS Casimir and Emerich Church. We attended mass there together every Sunday while we were dating and engaged. We then went on to have our children baptised there as well. Our wedding day was unusually cool and overcast, which was very unusual that summer. Thankfully it didn't rain! I remember being very excited about marrying John. I had lost it at rehearsal the night before when practicing the vows, but was all smiles at the actual ceremony. Everything during the ceremony, from the singing to the readings and vows went perfectly. After the ceremony we went to an estate to have our outdoor photos taken, like the one above.

Our Wedding Party


Following the photos, we had a huge "hunky" reception with about 300 guests....give or take. The food was great, the music was fabulous and everyone had a great time. It went by in a blur for us because we were so busy that we had very little time to just party. I wish that would have been different. It was so wonderful to have so many family and friends share in our special day. My pen pal from third grade even flew in from Minnesota to be part of our wedding party. How wonderful is that?!

Fifteen years later, we still consider our vows sacred. Despite many challenges, our love continues to grow each passing day. I couldn't imagine life without my husband.



Blessings,
Lisa

Menu Plan Monday 6.21.10

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie. Last week we tried several new dishes. The Weeknight Taco Salads were a hit with the kids. The Sausage and Chicken Kabobs were good, but I would recommend using low sodium soy sauce (which was hidden in my cupboard and I found it after making the marinade!) and leave out the season salt too. We also enjoyed the Zucchini Boats. All the recipes will make another appearance on our menu plans. Here's this week's plan with a few "new" recipes:

Sunday~Dinner at mil's

Monday~Chicken in Cream Sauce over Linguine, Tossed Salad, Garlic Toast

Tuesday~Secret's In the Sauce BBQ Pork Ribs, Twice Baked Potatoes, Baked Beans

Wednesday~All American Hamburgers, Curly Fries and Corn on the Cob

Thursday~Buffalo Chicken, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Green Bean Saute

Friday~Pizza and Wing Night

Saturday~Fettucine with Roasted Red Pepper Cream Sauce and Chicken, Grilled Zucchini and Fresh Bread

Have a great week!

Blessings,

Lisa

Can you say Christmas?

As you know, we are moving. Our new house won't be ready until August, so we have to put most of our things into storage. This is the pile, 3 boxes deep, of Christmas items that we carried down last night. This does not include any Christmas dishes or glassware. Crazy, huh? PLUS I got rid of tons of it last summer for the garage sale. The pile doubled in width when we added all the other holiday items. I have a serious holiday addiction! Thank you to my brother for allowing us to take over his garage with our stuff!

Blessings,

Lisa

What's on the Menu Wednesday~June 16, 2010

photo by Kraft Foods

Tonight's menu features Weeknight Taco Salads. This is a recipe that I found in Food and Family Magazine by Kraft foods awhile ago. This will be our first night trying them, but I think the kids will love the individual tortilla bowls.

Weeknight Taco Salads

4 flour tortillas (8 inch)
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkt. (1-1/4 oz.) Taco Seasoning Mix
4 cups shredded lettuce
1 cup Mexican Style Finely Shredded Four Cheese
1 large tomato, chopped

Optional toppings: black olives, taco sauce, sour cream, green onions
1/4 cup Ranch Dressing

Heat oven to 425°F.
Crumple 4 large sheets of foil to make 4 (3-inch) balls; place on baking sheet. Place 1 tortilla over each ball; spray with cooking spray. Bake 6 to 8 min. or until tortillas are golden brown. (Tortillas will drape over balls as they bake.)
Meanwhile, cook meat with taco seasoning mix as directed on package.
Fill shells with lettuce, meat mixture, cheese and tomatoes just before serving.

Drizzle with dressing.

Enjoy!

Join Debbie at Dining with Debbie for many other recipes.

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Simple Woman's Daybook, June 14, 2010

FOR TODAY, June 14th, 2010

Outside my window...the sky is cloudy, but the temps are in the mid-60's.

I am thinking...how to get the new house built despite all the roadblocks being thrown at us.

I am thankful for...my husband, my supportive parents and for the health of my children.


From the kitchen...homemade sauce over rigatoni for lunch, and philly cheesesteaks for dinner. Yum!


I am wearing...my coral colored summer robe over my pink chemise


I am creating...clutter in our house in preparation for the move next month.

I am going...to finish the laundry today.

I am reading...About That Man by Sherryl Woods

I am hoping...that our house can be built on the lot that we own and that God answers my prayers.

I am hearing...dd sing Hosanna in the Highest while the birds are singing.


Around the house...boxes to fill, laundry to complete, dusting to do.


One of my favorite things...Summer vacation!


A few plans for the rest of the week: This week will be busy. DD has a dentist appointment, we close on our house, the engineer is coming to the lot to help with a remediation plan, and I will be attending a bridal shower on Saturday.


Here is picture for thought I am sharing:

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Fox!

Have a blessed week!

Peace, Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, June 14, 2010

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Today begins the first full week of summer vacation. WOO HOO! I'm going to try a few new recipes this week too. I'll post the results later in the week and let you know if any of them are keepers. Here's the plan for this week:

Sunday~ Slow Cooker Spaghetti Sauce over Rigatoni, Tossed Salad, Garlic Toast

Monday~Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Homemade Fries, and Fresh Fruit

Tuesday~Weeknight Taco Salads

Wednesday~Sausage and Chicken Kabobs, Cheesy Rice, and Corn

Thursday~Stuffed Zucchini Boats, Mashed Potatoes, Rolls

Friday~Spiced Pork Chops, Rice Pilaf, French Cut Green Beans

Saturday~Pizza and Wings

Have a wonderful week full of peace, love and blessings,

Lisa

Garden Flowers 2010

Welcome to our yard....

Hanging basket of assorted annuals



One of our 30 strawberry plants

Red Hot Poker waiting to bloom

Stella D'Oro Daylily

Thank you for stopping by!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Thankful Thursday, June 10

Today I am thankful for the feeling of peace that I've had the last few days. Our world has been turned upside down, but God has been through this with me. The lot on which we are attempting to build our home has unstable soil. This means that without expensive remediation (that may or may not work), we cannot build our home there. We're pretty far into the process, so it's almost too late to back out now. I'm thankful the Lord is with us and his hand is upon us. I can see his work in Dick, our contractor who is being very flexible and accomodating. I see him in the executives at the bank who made a fast decision to support us in solving this problem. I see him in the excavators, Allen and Dan, who are "pulling out the big guns" to resolve our issues. I am so thankful for the work they are doing to help us. I have faith that we will work this out.
(See my post about the butterflies on the lot.)

God is good!



Peace and blessings,Lisa

Small Successes~June 10, 2010

We are currently going through a very trying time. The lot where we were planning to build our house is unacceptable for building without some massive remediation. We're not even sure the remediation will work at this point, but it is too late into the process to turn back now. We have to try. Something that stuck with me while standing at the lot receiving this news was the number of butterflies fluttering around and one even landed on me. There isn't a flower anywhere near the lot and yet butterflies were fluttering all around us. We have a massive hole in the ground, with dirt piles everywhere and these creatures still visited. I'm taking it as a sign that new life can begin there. What do you think?

This week's small successes:

1. I didn't totally lose it when the devestating news was given to me. I stayed strong and kept my faith in the Lord that this too shall be resolved.

2. I've cooked dinner every night this week for the family. (I love summer vacation!)

3. I took time to read a novel.

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Beautiful Blogger Award and Ten Things

Thank you to Mel for this award! I'm so touched to receive the award! I must pass it along to 10 bloggers and list 10 things about me as well! I'm going with Mel and giving it to the blogs I follow because, well, I don't read crap either! LOL

Here are 10 things about me:

1. Gardening and flowers bring me joy.

2. I don't really like Summer weather, but I do LOVE Summer vacation.

3. Very recently, I sat on a toilet with a rat in it (didn't know it was in there when I sat down!) and now I look inside the toilet before sitting down.

4. I love to take photos.

5. I want to own a B&B someday.

6. I've lived in the same neighborhood for 38 years and am moving from it in one month.

7. My husband is my best friend.

8. I hate seafood.

9. I still get anxious during thunderstorms.

10. My least favorite room to clean is the bathroom!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Menu Plan Monday, 6/7/10

Welcome to another Menu Plan Monday, hosted by Laura at I'm An Organizing Junkie.

Today is the last day of school for me until August. HOORAY! I'm so looking forward to spending time with the kids, going to camp and moving into our new house.

Here's the plan for this week:

Sunday~Ham Steaks, Mashed Potatoes and Gravy, Green Bean Bake

Monday~Cheeseburgers, Curly Fries and Baked Beans

Tuesday~Crock Pot Rotisserie Chicken, Penne with Olive Oil and Garlic, Steamed Carrots

Wednesday~ Pizza on the Grill, Salad

Thursday~Kids in the Kitchen~Chicken Fingers, Macaroni and Cheese, Corn

Friday~Philly Cheesesteak Sandwiches, Potato Salad, and Veggies with Dip

Saturday~ Jan and Sean's Wedding Day

Have a week full of peace and blessings,

Lisa

Semi-homemade Snickerdoodles

I made these little bites of goodness today. The weather actually cooled down enough to turn on the oven without overheating the kitchen. I also made them as a pick me up for dh and to use up some ingredients in the pantry before we move to wherever it is we're moving until the house is ready. They're quick, easy and simple.

Snickerdoodles

1 pouch (1 lb 1.5 oz) sugar cookie mix
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/3 cup butter or margarine, softened
1 egg
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon



1. Heat oven to 375°F. In large bowl, stir cookie mix, flour, butter and egg until dough forms.

2. Shape dough into 1-inch balls. In small bowl, mix sugar and cinnamon. Roll balls in sugar-cinnamon mixture. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

3. Bake 11 to 12 minutes or until set. Cool 1 minute. Remove from cookie sheets. If desired, roll tops of warm cookies in additional sugar-cinnamon mixture. Cool completely, about 20 minutes. Enjoy!

Blessings,

Lisa

Maddie's First Recital

This free digital invitation personalized with Smilebox

School is out for the Summer!

Today was the last day of school for 2010-2011. We now have a Kindergartener and a Middle School in our household. Here they are at the beginning of the year. I can remember when ds was in K and dd was a newborn. The time does just fly by....treasure your time with your kids. The grow so fast!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa

Another Cute End of the Year Teacher Gift

I saw these on Domesticated Lady. It's a bottle of water, labeled with for a TEA-riffic teacher and it has a small packet of iced tea attached to the neck of the bottle with ribbon. I made 9 of them for my fellow teachers for my students to give to their reading teachers as an end of the year treat. The best part is that the labels were FREE! Visit Domesticated Lady for the printable and see her other great ideas too! Oh and it's frugal too! The iced tea packets come in a box of 10 for 1.00 at the Dollar Tree and Walmart has cases of water for 3.49. Very cute, inexpensive and thoughtful too!

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Our Graduate!

Our sweet boy graduated from fifth grade yesterday. Here he is after getting his "diploma" and awards. He won the Presidential Excellence Award and Merit Awards in Math, Language Arts, Reading, Science, and Social Studies. He was also recognized for being an ATOMS program participant and having All A's all year. We're so very proud of him and his accomplishments.

Here he is giving the speech for this class.

My guys at the luncheon

Blessings and peace,

Lisa

Teacher Appreciation Gift

I saw this idea on Skip to My Lou, as a last minute teacher appreciation gift. I bought the flowers today and then printed out the pdf file on cardstock. The best part is that you can personalize the flowers with the kids' names. I used wavy edge scissors, but a paper punch would work better. I glued two flowers on each side of a skewer.

I think the teachers will love them! I know I would!

Peace and blessings,

Lisa