Pumpkins and Friends and Turkey Talk

It's almost here -- the gathering of friends, family, and festivities! Got big plans???

Our plans are small this year, just a quiet gathering of the kids and a few others. It will be nice.  :)  {After writing this I discovered that I will not have 6, but maybe 15! YAY!}

Still, I've been having a blast looking through November's magazines with all the bountiful recipes and decorating ideas! Helping, was that I got to do this with my Bestie Shannon while we were away on our whoever-knows-what-number annual Girlfriend Getaway. What a blast we had. The two of us began Friday morning reading our Bibles, then surrounding ourselves with holiday magazines galore, choosing recipes and ooohing and aaaahing over clothing, stocking stuffers, beautiful ribbons and bows and pillows. Oh, MY!!!

As usual, Martha Martha Martha has a 2011 Thanksgiving booklet you can download for free from SiriusXM, HERE. To get it to download,  you have to click on each category separately and save it to your computer. I put mine on my desktop so that it's easy to get to.

Also, Paula Deen has one, too - for free- HERE.

Big or small, quiet or boisterous, have a thankful heart!

Happy Thanksgiving, ya'all! (It's that Paula Deen! She's rubbing off on me!)

The Cutting Edge Ruler!!!

Do you ever feel like your brain just up and left you???!

Well, I am just positive that mine said goodbye the day after Amy's wedding, the second I woke up!

Yes, that was many months ago, so you can only imagine how it must feel!

But fiddley-ee-dee!  :) 

Life goes on, with or without a brain and I simply must plan a trek to the land of Oz, and soon!!!

So, here I am now, finally, and before I ever post about Thanksgiving, I must tell you that I won a fabulous prize back in October! Posting about it this late in no way diminishes the jubilant excitement I experienced when Pat Sloan emailed that I had won HER BRAND NEW CUTTING EDGE RULER -- any size my little heart desired to choose!!!!!!

Now, doesn't that reveal a ginormous giving heart??!!  Thank you, Pat!!!! (And to those who chose me from their blog... thank you!!! My emails got deleted and I now have no way to remember... wah!)

This ruler is like none other -- It actually sharpens your rotary blade as you cut, whirring as you go along to remind you that you have in your arsenal-of-sewing one handy, dandy, awesome tool!!!! 

You are going to want one of your very own, and lucky for you --- Santa needs a list!!!!! Just crawl upon that red-velvet lap and spill the beans! You just might be surprised to awaken on Christmas morning and finde one of your own under the sparkling-lit evergreen!!!  That would be jolly! Here is where you can send your husband, I mean, Santa!...  http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/sullivans-cutting-edge-ruler-shop.html ...  smile, smile, smile!!!

Anyhoo, glad I didn't have to wait till Christmas! 

Have fun preparing your heart for plenty of Thanksgiving and your home for holiday gatherings!

Giveaway Winners!!!

In my neck of the woods, it is overcast and very cool. Almost winterish-looking, but delightfully FALL! This is why I just had to give you my Mini Pumpkin Pie-ette recipe. Yesterday, I ate this with a cup of Constant Comment tea and it was the perfect team to cheer me on for the rest of the afternoon!  :)

But! Before we go any further, I must say congrats to the two winners of The Faith of Leap by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch. THANK YOU, BAKER BOOKS!!!

... dRuM RoLL ... 

BillieBee (billiemick) 
&
Happy Cottage Quilter

Hoooray for you both! 

Thanks for joining the fun!

Also,  I won something yesterday that I am just thrilled about. I'll tell you all about it later!!!

And now... 

Mini Pumpkin Pie-ette

1 mini pumpkin

1 Tbsp butter

1 1/4 tsp brown sugar (or more...)

Dashes of cinnamon & nutmeg (as much as you like) 

• Carefully cut off the top portion of the pumpkin - it will be your lid. 
• Scoop out all the seeds and pulp 
•  Fill the hollowed pumpkin with the above ingredients
• Put the pumpkin on a cookie sheet & place on the lid 
• Bake 350 for 45 - 60 minutes.
• Add dollop or two of whipped cream, if you wish.
•  Happy Taste of Fall!  :) 

The Faith of Leap - A GIVEAWAY!!!!

(Giveaway now closed. Thanks!)

Enjoying the cooler autumn mornings, my Bloggerinas?

I am! Before I even lift my head off the pillow, Superman throws open every door and lets the whole-house fan bluster its way through every nook and cranny. Fall's crispness gives me the biggest caress! Pure delight! The cozy flannel quilt I made eons ago gets pulled up to my neck and I just luxuriate in this bliss for a few minutes before the day's doings carry me away from thinking about such delightful moments. Just wonderful; one of my favorite fall things!!!  :)

Another fav of mine is lollygagging in bed or on the couch, curled up with a good read. And just in case this is one of your favorite pastimes, too, I have two more books to give away!!!  Yay!!!! Can you believe how generous these book companies are today?! In this time of economic chaos, it's like they are scattering Christmas gifts all year round!!!  Love it!

So, Baker Books is this month's giver of good things. The title of the book I read and reviewed is The Faith of Leap by Michael Frost & Alan Hirsch. How many times does the feeling of security chain us to inaction when a bit of courageous risk is called for? I, for one, have something the Lord has asked me to do - long ago...sigh - and leaping out and doing it by faith has yet to be accomplished. There, I said it. Not proud of it, but it's just a simple fact. I'm more on the chicken side of things, than the bold lion side. What about you? Do you need some encouraging words to get you to embrace a little risk and courageous adventure in faith?

If so - or if you would like to give it away to someone who has just popped into your mind - then just leave me a comment with your blog or email address, so that I can contact you if you are one of the TWO winners!!!  Yep, I have twin copies to GIVEAWAY!

The GIVEAWAY WINNERS will be announced one week from today,

Wednesday, October 5th!

P.S. Candy corn, another autumn delight, is proving too much to bear. I better toss this yummy-ness out soon or begin to look like one... and I'm not talking about the color!!!  :)

Taco Cupcakes!! Can You Believe It?!!

I just discovered this cute website that has recipes, like TACO CUPCAKES. Since I only found this site a minute ago, these delectable-sounding tacos have not made their way into my mouth yet, but doesn't your mouth want to go............             chomp-chomp?!!!

Perfect football watching food, I'm thinking!  What do you think???

For recipe (and I 'stole' the picture from this site), go HERE, to Emilybites.com.

Still Dreamin' of the FUN!

Every summer my sis and her troop rent a house right on the beach. Just climb down the stairs and your feet are oohing and ahhing under the warmth of the sand.

Every year I say I will drive over, and every year I never show up.

Till this year. 

I had so dang much fun, that the afterglow has lasts all these many weeks later.

My darling grandnephew, who calls me "Wiz" (instead of Liz) was so cute in the water. As the waves would carry me onto shore, he'd run up and say either, "You are cool" or "Are you okay?" 

So fun. So cute!

He wanted me to sleep in the bunk beds with him, so they secured him on one top bunk, and I took the other. It's just nice to be loved!!!  :)

Anyhoo, I had eyelid surgery (not for cosmetic, but if it ends up making my eyes look younger, I shall not utter one bit of complaint  :) ) yesterday, and while under the anesthesia they told me I said, "I'm at the beach!"

As you can tell, I am still happily dreaming of the complete blast I had over there. 

Next year, I'll be there!!!

Happy end of summer. Enjoy the sunshine while you can!

Time to go ice my eyes for an hour... brrrrr!

XO

Did I Ever Tell You...

...about my fetish with all things Italian?

Well, I hit a new extreme the other day after skimming through Teresa Guidice's two cookbooks.


After she talked (and talked and talked) about the virtues of Italian products, explaining why (which did make total sense) these choices of olive oil, balsamic vinegar, etc. were superior to other products of the same variety, I went right out and returned my huge bottle of just-bought olive oil. Teresa was right. When I read the back of the label, sure enough, the contents of my bottle were from four different countries. I guess that makes it a Heinz-variety!


Anyhoo, World Market had quite a few products from Italy, so I read the labels, then filled up my cart. Such fun!!!


And guess what????


I love these new finds! They taste better, plain and simple!


These cookbooks are fun to read and I like all the recipes I've tried to duplicate in my kitchen.


Surely, in my bloodline, somewhere, I have a bit of Italiano in me! After all, I'm loyal, exuberant, fiesty, fun, love tomatoes and pasta and full-of-yummy-fat parmesan! Oh, and I could sit with friends for hours on end eating and having a jolly ol' time!


So, now ya know all about my Italian fetish.


Do you have a fetish or two???

You Could Have A Chance To Win! :)

 Fall's getting close, I'm getting giddy, 

so you just might want to look at this outcome!  :)

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/08/you-could-have-chance-to-win.html

Blessings to YOU!

I love autumn (well, it is too almost here lol)!!! 

Something To Smile About

There are many reasons I have to smile this summer..

1. Sunshine, right on my happy face
2. Veggie garden that is producing like a rabbit
3.  Juicy clown-nose-colored tomatoes
4. Vintage bike to ride, with basket
5. Swimming pool to dive in after bike ride
6. BBQs & BBQ sauce & corn-on-cob
7. Friends & Bloggerinas!
8. Diet Squirt with a slice of a baby lime, right off my tree
   
9. So many other things.
10. What has made you smile this summer???

Bon Sip-Appétit!

There's a 50-50 chance that you are going to love this newest, refreshing, low-cal concoction of mine!

It's so simple that your 9-month-old can make it. Okay, not really, but it doesn't take much brain power or time to whip it up.

1. Simply freeze some diet orange soda. 
2. Almost freeze some milk.
3. Whir these two in a blender.
4. Pour in a frosty mug.
5. Insert a polka-dot straw. (I just received a box of them as a gift!)
6. Be refreshed!  :)

Bon Sip-Appétit!

xo

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/anew-skincare.html

Magazines Galore!

Hello, my Bloggerinas!

If there is one thing that hangs over my head, like one of those multi-colored umbrella hats that baseball fans wear to the stadium, it's my endless surplus of magazines! (As you can see. And that's not even all of them!) How crazy is this - I didn't even put an AVON catalog in there. Oh, well. lol

There is never, ever enough time to read them all! So, does this addiction need a cure? Are you like me, and can't resist a cover that beckons you to open its pages?

Afar and Southern Living and Sunset I like because they tell me of faraway places that I can dream about. Those three I like to peruse right before bed.

In the winter, more reading gets done because I'll fill the tub with lots of hot water and bubbles, and sink down till I'm lost in the effervescent clouds, for a long soak with whichever magazine cover makes me the happiest. I like the colorful, matte finishes, like the one that adorn REAL SIMPLE magazines. Which do you like, glossy or matte?

The reason I have so many subscriptions? Lots of kids on the blocks that knock on my door for their school's fundraisers. Or a blog will announce that Amazon is offering $5 subscriptions. Reasons like that. Or, I think I will be inspired, learn to cook, find workout routines, or in-home spa treatments or cures for what ails me. lol (What ails me is not enough hours to read them all!!! And you know that no magazine is going to give you a cure for that!!!)

 You know. Magazines are just fun... When there's time to chime into that fun, that is!

Until a few summer's ago, one of my besties and I would play Scrabble by my pool and that's when I would catch up on all that pile of mags. I'd drag them out there and when it  isn't our turn to try and beat the other, we read all these delish magazines! (She has a pool, too, but mine is very large and we just usually end up here. She says my home is fun and homey and she likes being over here. Lots of people say that; it swells my heart with joy. Just what I prayed for when we built this house. I wanted people to feel welcome and totally comfy being themselves here.)

And so, what has been hanging over my head all summer is finally going to end, because she's back in town and asked if she can come over for fun on Thursday. HECK, YES, I SAY!!!!!! We play Scrabble with our own rules. Everyone rolls their eyes at us and refuses to play with us... Which, is just how we like it - just us two rule-breakers having fun, reading all those magazines!

So, I just answered my own question!

This addiction does not need a cure -- Just more Scrabble games!!!

What is YOUR favorite magazine?

xo

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/perfect-lips-for-puckering-up.html

Not Mrs. Robinson!

Just a bit ago, this one line from Simon & Garfunkle's song Mrs. Robinson came to mind: Where have you gone Mrs. Robinson?

It struck me as funny, because I have been gone from this blog for too long. 

It's like my brain shut down after that long and yummy year of being MOB. Not on purpose, of course. It just happened. 

But... It's coming back out of the fog!

So, hello, my dear Bloggerinas! How are you? What have you been up to? I will be stopping by your blogs, a few a time, to say 'hi'. I've missed you all!!!  Yes, YOU!  :)

I was finally able to convince Superman to leave the last few strands of wedding twinkle lights up. When the moon comes up and the wolves start howling, I plug them in, get on my inflatable kayak, and row up and down my pool, singing, looking at the stars, and dreaming.

FUN!

xo

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/07/free-shipping.html

Are You Seeing RED?

It's the season for seeing RED!!

• Sun-ripened RED tomatoes....

• Ravishing RED raspberries...

• Darling RED cherries (I almost typed 'cheeries' which sooo works, too!)

This past Sunday I made a batch of RED raspberry jam, using liquid pectin instead of powdered. For me, it's a much more fresh & fruity flavor, and nicer consistency, too. YUM!

Get your fresh fruit into jars

so that you can carry summer into your winter mornings!

 

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/make-your-cake-and-celebrate.html

Isn't It Fun To Create?!

Since I loved the fabrics, this bag was so much to make! 

One of my BFF's daughters got this one

for graduating in the Masters Program! 

Hmmmm, what will be next???  :)

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/i-f-you-want-really-long-hair-dont-cut.html

This Thing Is From Me!

You don't have to tell me what you are going through right now, but God is telling you something:

This thing is from Me! (1Kings 12:24)

No matter what it is, how it hurts, that you dislike it worse than ever, or that you want to turn your back and run away, Jehovah says:

I am in control!... of your life, world, comings and goings, AND STAYINGS!

Sometimes staying is harder than going, ever notice that?

Anyhoo, God has a plan for you. He has not forgotten you. No, He has not. It just feels like it, maybe.

Trust and doubt not.

Amen.  xo

http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/remember-these.html

 My zucchini plant has been handing me dark green gifts for weeks! It's one of the many things I love about the good ol' summertime! Eating them in a simple saute is great, but turning them into the best-tasting-ever muffins is even better! I'm sure I've shared this recipe in summer's past, but here it is again... and don't be fooled by the ingredients! My veggie-hating kids LOVE this, as well as every friend I know! 

Grab some zucchini and let's get baking!  :)

Zucchini Banana Nut Bread

Preheat oven to 350°.

Cream till light and fluffy:

1/2 cup butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup dark brown sugar

Add:

2 eggs

2 ripe bananas, mashed

1 cup zucchini, grated

1 tsp vanilla

Sift together, then add to mix:

2 cups flour

1/2 tsp baking soda

2 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

Now add:

1/2 cup walnuts, chopped

Pour into greased & floured bread pan

(or muffin tins) and bake for one hour

(muffins for @25 minutes).

You will love them!!!

 http://avonalwaysforyou.blogspot.com/2011/06/germs-who-needs-them.html

King Kong and Other Big Thoughts!

This week I have been thinking a lot about King Kong. No, he's not the most handsome thing around, he is too big to be able to dance around the jungle with, and I can imagine that there is no toothbrush big enough for those ginormous teeth, which would mean... no kissing the big guy.

Still, here is why I think he'd make a great catch....

1. His hands are huge - big enough to make any gal feel safe.
2. He will go all around the world to get his gal!  :)
3. He whisks said gal to remote getaway vacations. (Hey, Bill Gates must be related, because that's what he did when he got married!)
4. If he can beat off airplanes with his own bare hands, then he could for sure send all my recent cravings to kingdom come...

I have rented a Fay Wray costume this week, and I've been waiting. Too bad he's smarter than he looks!

Oh, well, I'll have to beat any cravings by myself!  Or will I...?


Our God is bigger than any King of Kong! He holds the world, and me... and you, in His jumbo hands. He pursues us like no other, He wants us, He loves us with His humongous, never-ending, non-changing Love, He writes love notes that last through eternity and beyond (take that, my beloved Buzz Lightyear; actually, my love is Woody. Yep.), He thoroughly cares for us... for all of it; if it's on your mind, He cares - dare to believe it! We are loved with an everlasting love, and Jesus, the Creator of the universe, traveled from the best place ever to come get us. He will whisk us away to our "quiet" eternal home (see Isaiah 33:20) with Him for all of our days and more. 
King Kong, you are no match for Jehovah!  Amen!!!! 

xo

THE WINNERS ARE...... drum roll.......

Good Morning, my delightful Bloggerinas!!

It's finally Friday! Are you as glad as I am???   :) 


For me, Fridays have the same feel as the entire month of December, you know, that feeling that stardust has overtaken the dust particles that float in the air (that can only be seen when sunlight's shining in through the window).


Anyhoo, on with the Giveaway Winners ---- Congrats!!!  


It is YOU... Kim


And YOU... Jean.E.Lane  

Please send your addresses!  :)  Thanks!!

Moody Press, THANK YOU!!!

GIVEAWAY!!! Just In Time For Father's Day!

CONTEST NOW OVER

Honor your father and mother" is the first command with a promise (Ephesians 6:2-3). We all know that promises from our own Heavenly Father are airtight and wonderful, so Father's Day is a good day to reap the benefits of obedience! Bless your dad!

You know who you might also want to bless? - Those first-time dad's, either recent, or soon-to-be. 


Do you remember how many books we piled high by our nightstand in anticipation of our new little Baby Bumpkins? Women do this without thinking. We eagerly search out and share the latest and greatest baby helps. We wanted to know what was coming, so that we would be prepared!!! Well, what about that for the new dad, hmmm?


Men do not rush out and buy baby books, normally. Some do, of course, but on the whole, that's mostly left up to the wife. So, help a guy!!!  :)


There are two ways to do this:

1. Win this GIVEAWAY!!!
2. Buy one on Amazon (or anywhere)! 

Here are my thoughts on this get-the-dad-trained book:  First-Time Dad is one of those books that must be read to the very end. Not only because it is packed with helpful information, sharing, and encouragement, but because it also has some chapters that, to me, might scare the courage out of any almost-first-time dad. Turning that book upside down on the nightstand would have him missing some very important truths and tips, not only for the soon- to-arrive baby, but for the careful handling of some issues his wife and marriage might undergo. So, read every page.

It was a little amazing to me how brutally honest the author, John Fuller, was, particularly in sharing some of his own fatherhood mistakes. Some of the things he shared my husband and I went through, and some of it was unique to him and his family. All of it, though, gives a healthy helping of food for thought and prayer, and it just might feed any new-dad's excitement even more!

I know this, BEING TRAINED for anything - whether for a Marathon or fatherhood - GIVES CONFIDENCE. Mr. Fuller does give first-time dad's "the stuff you really need to know". Read this book, First Time Dad: The Stuff You Really Need to Know, and the day your run of Fatherhood begins, you will be ready to keep pace!

This book would make an awesome Father's Day gift!

The publisher of this book is trustworthy Moody Press, and as always, they have been generous for my blog giveaways. At first, I was going to save my copy for my son-in-law (because I just know Amy and Tom are going to give me at least one grand-darlin' in a few years, lol), but one of you might know a future or new dad right now. 


To win, simply leave me a comment stating that you know a dad who could use John's book (and, you know what? Come to think of it, some dad's might need help somewhere in the middle... They count, too!). Please, also leave me a way to get in contact with you if you are a winner. Thanks!


The giveaway begins right now, and the winner will be announced Friday, June 10th, so that I have time to mail it to you for the day of honoring Fathers.


Blessings!!!  


xo