MOPS Easter Egg Hunt-Lot's of Friends-Lot's of Eggs

Did Someone say Eggs??

So many smiles when you hunt for CANDY!

Papa always saves the day with the Babe!

Happy Early Birthday to me from my Hubster!

Can you really believe it-I can't- all my local girlfriends are so tired of hearing me say how much I would love a Cricut Expression~ Well-low and behold they FINALLY went on sale at Michaels last week!  I have the hookup with the manager there-Anthony-he is totally AWESOME and had this Limited Edition Pink Journey Cricut Expression-with 3 cartridges just for me because he knows I DROLL over it everytime I am in the store!!  WHAHOO!!! What a BONUS that is to have a PINK one, and with 3 cartridges-if you know anything about Cricuts!!

While I was prego and nocturnal with Griffin-I would watch the hour-long info-mercials about the cricut expression-I knew I could do all the exciting projects they showed and -yep! I was sold!!

(isn't that the point of infomercials)

Anyhow-I could ramble FORever about my NEW CRICUT!!!

Love it, love it, love it!!!

Thank you so much love!!!

I will be posting soon, my first project!! It is a winner in my book! I can hardly believe I made it either...

Menu Plan Monday

All right, this will be an exciting week-

Griffin's 1st Birthday this Saturday, can you hardly believe it~ if you go back a year in my blog you can see the pitiful pictures when he was in NICU trying to survive! It is also a BIG birthday for my mama~70 years, she hardly looks a day past 29- ;)  I sure hope I look that great when I turn 70!  So needless to say-we have a lot going on with friends from out of town staying at our place at the end of the week and a party to plan~

Here are FIVE on-hand meals I have prepped while we have all our goings-ons~

• Mini Teriyaki Turkey Sliders on Hawaiian rolls/fresh fruit/corn on the cob
• Jumbo Chopped Salad with Chicken/fresh fruit/Pita Chips with Homemade Guacamole
• Swedish  Meatballs/Egg Noodles/Green Beans (thanks Ikea for the pantry items to make this-YUM!
• Chicken Parmesan/Angel Hair Pasta/Fresh Fruit
• Pampered Chef's Taco Ring/Green Salad/Fresh Fruit

What are you having for dinner?  Remember even if you change it up a bit throughout the week, starting with a PLAN will prevent you asking yourself at 4 PM - What's for Dinner?  Check out all the GREAT menu's (& recipes) for Menu Plan Monday at www.orgjunkie.com !

Spring is Here-Welcome!

I have been waiting to post a few fun pictures from my Spring Tablescape. I can't wait to finish decorating for Spring.  I just love Pottery Barn-don't you?  I love their ideas to decorate, but don't like their prices.  I was in blogland a few months back and found a fellow blogger who felt the same way- she transforms their ideas from Pottery Barn to Dollar Barn.  I thought-I can do this {I am laughing-out loud!} So here is what I came up with-a little help from some basics I had in my closet (hurricanes from Southern Living at Home), a big chocolate (ceramic) bunny from Cracker Barrell and some inexpensive picks from Michaels.  What do you think?

I'm linked up at The Shappy Chic Cottage~ Between Naps on the Porch ~ check out the other ideas!

Happy St. Patrick's Day

What's everyone making for St. Patty's Day?  Will it be traditional Corned Beef & Cabbage - perhaps some Irish Soda Bread?  I'm making Potato Soup and Boxty- something a little more kid-friendly-

and who doesn't like potatoes.  I like to make both dishes plain

and then put the toppings out for everyone do make it "their-way".

An old Irish poem says:

Boxty on the griddle,

Boxty in the pan,

If you can't make boxty,

You'll never get a man

Boxty (Irish Potato Griddle Cakes)

Ingredients:

1/2 pound raw potato

1/2 pound cooked mashed potato

1/2 pound plain flour

Milk (as needed, see directions)

1 egg

1 medium onion, finely chopped

Salt and pepper

Directions:

Grate raw potatoes and mix with the cooked mashed potatoes. Add salt, pepper, onion and flour. Beat egg and add to mixture with just enough milk to make a batter that will drop from a spoon.

Drop by tablespoonfuls onto a hot griddle or frying pan. Cook over a moderate heat for 3-4 minutes on each side.

Recipe source: http://www.fantasy-ireland.com/Irish-potato-recipe.html

Our local pub- Sl'ainte - (Slawn-cha) - means good heath - is having it's annual St. Baldrick's Charity Head Shaving for Children's Cancer Research-largest independant ORG to raise money outside of the US Govt. Most Irish Pubs in the US- host the event, Sla'inte' is just a half mile from our house so it's neat to see~

Wearin' of the Green

by Dion Boucicault

"Oh Paddy dear and did you hear the news that's going 'round?

the shamrock is forbid by law to grow on Irish ground

No more St. Patrick's Day to keep his colours can't be seen

there is a cruel law against the wearing of the green"

I met with Napper Tandy and he took me by the hand
and he said, "How's dear old Ireland and how does she stand?"
"She's the most distressful country that you have ever seen

they're hangin' men and women there for wearing of the green"

 

Then if the colour we must wear is England's cruel red

let it remind us of the blood that Ireland has shed

so take the shamrock from your hat and throw it to the sod

and never fear will take root there though under foot it's trod

when the law can stop the blades of grass from growing as they grow

and when the leaves of summertime their verdue dare not show

well it's then I'll change the colour that I wear in my corbeen

but till that time praise God I'll keep to wearing of the green.

My Boy's!

Some afternoon fun outside with Dad!

Spring Has Sprung!

We met up with some friends for some Easter fun at the mall.  They had chicks, rabbits, hens and roosters, and most of all a hunt for eggs.  The children were given baskets and a list of all the stores that were passing out free food, candy, eggs filled with treats, and coupons.  We decided to do some of our own photos in front of the decorated bunny area

instead of waiting in line and paying a fortune! 

(I think our photos were cuter :)

My Sweet Boys!

Menu Plan Monday

Good Morning Everyone~Hope it was a fun filled weekend for you-we are still a little sleepy with the time change, but it was nice to have some extra daylight in sunny south Florida which we like to call paradise!
On  the menu this week-simple-but tasty! Griffin is off baby food now-WHA HOO! and he eats EVERYTHING at least this year~ This is a busy night-time week for us-Brett is out of the house Mon-Weds for dinner and Friday I am out at a Pampered Chef conference in Orlando. So here it goes~

Monday- Lemon Greek Roasted Chicken w/ Field Greens - Fresh Cut Fruit

Tuesday- Quesadilla's using left over chicken with Brown Rice - Fresh Cut Fruit - so like there's no chicken left over- it was that good- LOL - Just me and the kids tonight, Grilled Shrimp/over Field Greens (PB&J's)

Wednesday- Irish Potato Soup with Crusty Bread-Boxty Potato Cakes, Green Peas, Fresh Cut Fruit

Thursday- Beef Faita's over Field Greens- Fresh Cut Fruit

Friday-Take Out for whoever is home! (I'm in a conference in Orlando for the day)

There are HUNDREDS of great menu ideas, some with recipes too at Menu Plan Monday at http://www.orgjunkie.com/ Check out the site and link up with what your having~
I think a plan get's you started when you are looking at your clock at 4:30 wondering What's for Dinner???

FINGERPRINT FRIDAY-The Skies Have Opened!

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God.

When I look at you I can see the fingerprints of God

And I know its true

You're a masterpiece

That all creation quietly applauds

And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you - see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.

Is it in nature?

Kids?

Animals?

Where do you see them?

Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.

My Fingerprint today is NATURE~ the fury!

Here in South Florida we are under a FLOOD watch?

WHAT????

It has rained since 2:00am and isn't stoppin' today!

We have had INCREDIBLE weather for months

~since last summer actually~

Am I complaining?

NO

~ Just amazed how we go from one extreme to another! I cannot relate AT ALL to snow, sleet, or nasty cold weather because I am a FL cracker-born and raised in the Palm Beaches~ I guess my parents were smart when they were 18 and moved south! I love living in PARADISE! Wouldn't change it for anything! Thank you Lord for the beauty around me! The ocean is steps away-Disney-2 hours-and to visit anywhere-a hop to the airport!

Psalm 85:12 - Oh yes! God gives

Goodness and Beauty;

our land responds

with Bounty and Blessing

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday, called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well. And post one for yourself!

Menu Plan Monday-okay Tuesday

Okay Friends- this has been a busy week already, but I haven't forgot. I got to the school yesterday and a friend said, where was your menu, I looked at her and said - huh? She said, you know the one online you do- ahhhhh~ I didn't forget just have been busy - busy with all the tasks of the CEO of the house!

Monday- ate a late lunch - husband was gone so did not cook... :)

Tuesday - Deluxe Cheeseburger Entree Salad

Wednesday - Grilled Shrimp with angel hair pasta

Thursday - Breakfast for Dinner (Sausage, Egg Strata -fresh fruit)

Friday - Grilled Chicken Cesaer Salad - fresh fruit

Saturday - Caribbean Style Pork Loin, Black Beans/Rice, Biscuits

~Fingerprint Friday~

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:

I can see the fingerprints of God.
When I look at you I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God

So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints.Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.

Today I dedicate my "Fingerprints of God" segment to ...my Thursday's Post... (below) Are you allowed to do that? It isn't a picture, but the story is worth a million fingerprints of God's hands at work! Just like the clay - he is always molding us to who He intended us to be!

Fellow blogger Beki at The Rusted Chain has a really great weekly post she does every Friday, called "Fingerprint Friday." We are to look around and see where we can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Anywhere? Go find out where Beki saw God this week, and be sure to check out the other bloggers who linked their stories as well. And post one for yourself!

I'm So Proud of You!

Yesterday I was invited to witness an amazing feat for one of my cousin's ~

It was a surreal experience for me.

it was out of my box-
it was non-judgemental-
it was colorless-
it was different-
it was welcoming-

My cousin was gone-out of society for a few years-I missed her-I'm glad she's back-and I am glad she is getting help!

Yesterday was her ONE YEAR anniversary for being DRUG-FREE & SOBER! I am so proud of her! Words cannot express the grin on her face as she waited her turn to be recognized for her accomplishment. Although the journey will never be over, she is on the road now. She told me things that made sense, she showed maturity, she has a new perspective-a healthier one. She is growing, still has a lot to learn, but she's back-that's all I care about-Did I tell you how proud I was of her? I'm beaming! Griffin and I attended her NA meeting yesterday when she received her ONE YEAR medallion. She left with balloons, cards, gifts, friends, her medallion, but most of all- a sense of being. She was alive, not left to die on the side of the road, and given another chance~

I love you cuz~ I'm so proud of you!!!
I dedicate this day to you.
All the hard work, suffering,
and pain may not be over,
but YOU ARE NEVER ALONE!