Lemons are useful for many things...

Lemons are handy for so many things... Laughter, included. 

Okay, see this cake? (YES, IT'S A CAKE!) lol

This was last night's dessert for our Bible study home group. 

While my son and his girlfriend sat with their Subway footlongs, I stood across the counter and got busy frosting the three layers with a new lemon frosting recipe from the net. I should have known... 


When that top layer caved in under the other two faulty layers (frosting was too runny to be of any use as caulking) we busted up! Immediately, my son grabbed his cellie, snapped the shot, and sent that cake into cyberspace, labeling it: 

Fault Line Cake.

Then, when my BFF got off work and we were having our daily afternoon chat, I told her all about it and emailed the pic to her. Since it was for Bible study, we laughed our heads off as we tried to spiritualize it... and I am going to spare you the crazy ideas we came up with. However, my stomach hurt from laughing so hard. (Don't you love when that happens???!)

 

And then, the creme de la creme was when our very sweet and kind leader's wife walked in later that night and said, "Ohhhh, that's beautiful!"




BAhahahahahhaahhaaaaaaa...Laughter erupted, and I stepped back in case her growing nose knocked me over! (Some lucky folks are just born nice! I like that!)


So funny!


Everyone ate seconds, which just goes to show ya that it's what on the inside that counts! :)


Also, to save money and brighten the counter, this was my centerpiece.... 

So many uses for lemons!  Eat one for medicinal purposes today, because they'll make you laugh, and laughter is good medicine! I think the writer of Proverbs 17:22 had a chuckle or two over them in his time!  :)

Squeezing For Joy! :)

Two months are going to spin by; I know because the past 10 have disappeared quicker than a blink. Amy got engaged a year ago, and we thought that time was definitely on our side. But, here we are... two months to go before she and Tom will become one.

Yesterday I went and bought two little black dresses. Fun ones! Can't wait to dance in one of them...  :)

But, till then....

Lemons from our tree have been squished into submission, surrendering their precious juice for homemade lemonade for the wedding.

 (Had to show you this picture from my friend's daughter's wedding, because it is soooo fabulous!)

Boxes and bags of tablecloths, toppers, napkins, candy (for the candy bar), etc, are filling up the corner of my computer room, reminding me to pray for that happy couple and their lifetime together.

Such joy!!!!  :)

Giveaway Winner!

Good morning, Bloggerinas!

It was tough being able to give only one book away... So.... I am also going to giveaway my copy (not new since I read it, but almost new) and send the moola for one to a gal who happens to live in my town.

The winners are: 1. JayandKristaBrubacher.... 2. faithwalkingmom....  3. Liftupyourhearts

(Please, send me your mailing address to: golfinlizzy@gmail.com

Life sure can be hard! And sad! It's easy to wonder why God allows things, doesn't work faster, or seems to be aloof from our woes and cares, and hard to walk in faith in such times. Yet, God is our strength and fortress. He hears, He cares, He loves us, He is working all things together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

I am praying for His nearness to be palpable for all who commented. That the God of all comfort would hold you close and encourage and refresh your hearts with His presence. He is near to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. His understanding is infinite. I can say like David, like I have never seen the righteous forsaken. Yep, it can feeeeeeeeel like it at times (boy, don't I know!!!), but God's word stands - "I will never leave you nor forsake you......... You are loved with an everlasting love."

Keep praying, remain in the Word, hold steady in the faith -- God is faithful! His Word is true - believe!

My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast...

Psalm 57:7

Always True -- A Giveaway For YOU!

Giveaway now closed. Thanks. :)

 The book that is going to be given away (see end of post for details)

No matter what love is like down here on planet Earth, 

                       God's eternal love

- God who IS Love -

                                is always true.

The True Blue-est!

And ever and always He is true to His Word. 

Always!!! Even when life is hard...

This is what James MacDonald's talks about in his awesome and encouraging, down-to-earth book Always True. (You'll feel like you are having a conversation with an empathetic and encouraging friend; not preachy at all.)


Mr. MacDonald, a pastor in Chicago, had to live by faith in the promises of God, relying solely on God's faithfulness to keep His Word, when the weight of a heavy trial crashed upon him. We've all been there, under a burden so crushing we wonder if it is ever going to be lifted off of us or if we are even going to survive it. That's where he and his wife found themselves...for years. (And you know how hard it is to persevere when it seems that the trial will never, ever end...)


In times like these, God's Word and His faithfulness are all we have and need. James said of that sinking time, "I needed life support. I needed God's promises."


Whether we are in our darkest hour or basking still under the sunshine, this book steers us in the right direction (God's promises), cheers us to believe those promises, trusting the Promise Keeper, and assures us that God hears and is near. 


There is hope and help in the promises of God, and James MacDonald knows all about it!  We will, too, after reading his book. 


Please remember: God loves YOU. He cares for YOU - no matter what it may feel like!


If you are in need of a B12 shot in your trial, then please let me know in the comment box and I will send this to you (I know how desperate and at our wit's end we can get in certain trials, especially the loooooooong ones). Moody Press, whom I am writing this review for, sent me one extra copy to GIVEAWAY. Is it just for you... or do you have a friend who needs it??? Please leave me a comment and a way to contact you if you are chosen.

YOU ARE LOVED! 

(Later...Your comments are so touching and I am praying for everyone commenting and for every friend they are mentioning, as well. I will choose the winner on Friday morning.)  xo

Changing Seasons...

It wasn't more than five days ago that I was freezing my buns off. The cushy rocker from the 50s got dragged into the living room, and I just plopped down there next to the cozy 'fire' and spent hours with Jesus.

Sometimes we just have to be still.

But yesterday... the sun was beaming its best smile on me, and I donned the headphones and helmet and rode my old 1963 Schwinn Tiger for 50 minutes. (I snapped a picture on my cell of the first tree flower of spring, but can't figure how to upload it.)

Sometimes we just have to not be still.  :)

I like both! What gets you to not being still?

A Handy-Dandy Day!

Bloggerinas, I forgot all about the little calendars I put together for some of my friends at Christmas, but I shall forget no more, because YOU are my friends, the reason I sit here click-clacking away at the keyboard - to encourage you, help you, and cheer you on in your day and with the Lord...

So, here is a little gift from moi to yoi! 

Mine sits on my desk in a clear acrylic easel that I purchased with last year's Susan Branch calendar. Michaels has them for 2.99 (or less if you use their 40% off coupon). Some of my friends have taped them to their fridge. It's yours to do whatever you want! Just click on the picture, copy it, and then make it whatever size you want. My February calendar is @ 5.18 x 7.25.

Okay, next. Who knew that Bounce fabric softener sheets for the dryer (just in case you didn't know what Bounce was... lol) has a gazillion handy-dandy uses???  ---- Old Farmhouse Homemaker, that's who. She knew. She shared. We benefit! Yahoo.. See, I told you bloggerinas are the kindest people in the world! 

Have a fun handy-dandy day! Whatever your hands find to do, do it with all your might (Ecclesiastes 9:10a).

Yahooo... February 1st!!!

It's February!!! Here are some reasons I love February...

1. Dreary January is gone. It's a great month for cleaning and catching up, but after a month of that, I'm ready for S.U.N.S.H.I.N.E on my shoulders to make me HAPPY!
2. HEARTS are everywhere. And don't forget their buddies - pinks, REDS, whites, stripes, polk.a-dots... cardboard hearts filled with chocolates and truffles.
3. Only 164 more days till we will be swimming and bbqing and picking our veggie gardens.
4. Winter will be a goner for a whole year in 81 days (March 20th...Now's a good time to build your kite).
5. Soon the trees and flowers and shrubs will look like God has sent us a zillion bouquets - Aha!!! - For His Valentine's!!! "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy" (Acts 14:17).
6. And the last reason is that it's the perfect time for me to tell you, O Bloggerina, that... You are loved! XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOX