Merry Christmas!!! :-)

It has been a wonderful Christmas, and I'm not just talking about today. This whole month has been wonderful. We took the last two weeks off from school, and I have been baking, and cooking everyday. :-) You may think that is a lot, but it wasn't all just for today or just for Christmas. We made MANY cookies to give away as gifts, as well as 2 batches of cinnamon rolls and an innumerable amount of Oreo Truffles.

I've baked 2 cakes for both a baby shower and a birthday. Actually, 2 for birthdays. I've spent the holidays trying to relax, and improve my cake baking/decorating skills. :-) The following photos show my progress.


Yes, I made that little "sweet" baby out of fondant. My first time to try to sculpt something from fondant. Also, the cake shows I watch are teaching me about sculpting cakes, but you can't do that with Duncan Hines. :-) So, I've been looking for sponge cake recipes from scratch. Found a couple and made one. It tasted really good, but I did not venture into the sculpting part yet. That is coming. :-)

To help me with my new cake adventures my family gave me a Wilton Ribbon Cutter and Embosser set. :-) I can't wait to try it.

And, my FAVORITE gift was.................................................






That's right, I got the cook book. :-) I plan to make the cinnamon rolls sometime this week. :-)

Of course, none of these things compare to THE ULTIMATE GIFT given to us by our LORD, His Son, Jesus Christ; and the gift He gave to us, Himself. :-)

Blessings to all you and your family.
Love,
Wendy Darling

Nostalgia....

I am really showing my age here, but all of these old Christmas specials are making me nostalgic. Yep, it happens every year, and I love the Christmas specials. :-) We watch most of them, and even enjoy some of the new ones. Did y'all happen to catch "Prep and Landing" the other night? I laughed so hard I cried. :-) It will definitely become a classic, in our house anyway. :-)

But, during the shows it hit me what I've been missing. A LONG time ago Kraft used to sponsor the Christmas shows, and every commercial break the "man with the nice voice" came on and gave several recipes, using Kraft products of course. I MISS THOSE. That was one of my favorite parts of all the shows.

Maybe that's why I love recipes/cook books now. Maybe I had an "inner cook" in me back then waiting to get out. :-)

My family and I talked about those commercials the other night, and it really made me want to see them again. I sure wish they would do those kind of commercials during the holidays now. It would be a HUGE improvement over the junk they show now.

Anyway, I spent some time on Youtube looking for the old commercials, and I finally found some. :-) I can't tell you how excited I am. :-)

Enjoy!! :-)

We Have A Winner!! :-)

I used the Random Number Generator this morning, and entered numbers 1-6. It shot out #5, so Julie at Elisharose has won the Yancy CD.

Congratulations, Julie. :-) I will e-mail Julie to get her address, and mail her CD.

If you would still like to have a copy of Yancy's CD, please see the original post. Also, we were in LifeWay this weekend, and turns out they sell it. :-) SO, if you're near a LifeWay just hop on over there and purchase one for $9.99 and save the shipping cost. :-)

Thank you for playing. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About How We Celebrate Christmas **

Everything You Always Wanted To Know About How We Celebrate Christmas **

** but didn't care enough to ask.

I have no recipe today, so I am totally stealing this from Julie over at Elisharose News. :-) Thank you, Julie. :-)

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? I prefer Hot chocolate.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just sit them under the tree? Wrap. I love to wrap presents. :-) This year, I even wrapped empty boxes for decorations.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? White on the trees, none on the house

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Sometimes, but not this year.

5. When do you put your decorations up? The Saturday after Thanksgiving.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish? I love it all. That's part of the fun of the holidays. If I HAD to pick just one, okay two, I would say Fruit Cake Cookies, and Cheeseball.

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child? I love them all. But, I still think THIS ONE is the best.

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I figured it out when I was around 6 or 7. When I asked my parents they told me the truth. It wasn't a sad thing though, I kind of liked being "in the know" with the grown ups.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? No.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas tree? With ornaments we have collected over the past years.

11. Snow! Love it or Dread it? LOVE IT. Wish we had some.

12. Can you ice skate? No. It is my firm belief that fat people who have no medical insurance should not be on any kind of skates, period.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? I think that would be the stereo.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Remembering the birth of THE Savior, and instilling the real reason for Christmas to the nephews.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Can't pick just one. Sorry.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? Going to Santa Land to "kick off" the Christmas season.

17. What tops your tree? An angel

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving!!!!

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? I love so many, but I think it's Silent Night, or Mary Did You Know.

20. Candy Canes: Yuck or Yum? Yum.

21 Favorite Christmas Show? I can't choose just one, I love and watch them all.

22. Saddest Christmas Song? There are no "sad" ones, but Christmas Shoes and Merry Christmas with Love always make me cry.

Need a Christmas break? Go ahead, copy this post and fill it out on your blog. And let me know about it so I can read it too. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Let's have a drawing!! :-)

Today is December 1st. That seems like a good day to give away some Christmas music for you to enjoy over the next several weeks. :-) And this CD is a good one for doing just that.

For those of you who have not heard of Yancy , she is a young, contemporary Christian singer/songwriter and author who's sound I would equate with Demi Lovato. "Little Mark" says she reminds him of Pink, but he isn't allowed to listen to Pink. ;-)

"Little Mark" came home from church camp with two of her CDs, and pre-ordered the Christmas CD. He has been playing it since October, and I have to say that while he and I differ on our taste in music (me usually yelling "turn that stuff down") I like Yancy. She is fun, energetic, and has a good voice and great Pop sound, but is not "overpowering" like a lot of mainstream female singers today.

The songs are a mixture of traditional Christmas carols and contemporary favorites, but all performed in a very fun and modern way. Yancy penned two songs: “Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas” and “Christmastime”. Both are sure to become staples for many Christmas’s to come. The song "The Greatest Gift" is being played at radio across the U.S.

It's definitely one of those CDs that the entire family can enjoy. :-)

Track listing:

1. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas

2. Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas

3. Wonderful Christmastime

4. Joy To The World

5. Christmastime

6. The First Noel

7. Medley: Jingle Bells, Rockin' Around The Christmas Tree, Feliz Navidad, We Wish You A Merry Christmas

8. Angels We Have Heard On High

9. O Come All Ye Faithful

10. The Greatest Gift

I think my favorite song is "Merry Christmas, Happy Christmas." I really like the energy and joy I get when listening to it, and being reminded of THE reason we celebrate Christmas. :-)

Yancy has been nice enough to send me a copy to give away in a drawing. So, to win all you need to do is leave a comment, and make sure I have a way to get in touch with you to let you know if you won. If you have a blog, link back to it, or leave me an e-mail address. This drawing is open to EVERYONE.

I will draw for the winner on December 8th, that way you are sure to receive it in plenty of time to enjoy during the holidays, or give as a gift. :-)

If you would help "spread the word" on your blog or facebook wall I sure would appreciate it. :-)

If you would like to just go ahead and purchase the great CD you may do so at www.amazon.com
from Yancy or from iTunes.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Myspace Graphics, Thanksgiving Graphics at WishAFriend.com

Projects and More Projects....

I am taking a break from making the Christmas presents for our Aunt and Uncle. I'm trying to make a DVD, and it isn't working out. SO, I'm stepping back for a bit, and decided to blog. :-)

I do have another project that I will need to start soon. I need to get all of my recipes typed up and printed into a cookbook. It is no longer a neat idea that I WANT to do, it is now out of necessity.

Why? Because of THIS:

And this:
That's my cook book that I write recipes in. The pockets are stuffed, and the pages are falling off of the spiral binder. Not good.

I spared you the picture of the "Gingerbread recipe" with the molasses stain. :-)

So, I'm thinking that after the first of the year I will be working on a personal cook book. I wonder how much it would cost to have it bound in hard cover? ;-)

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving, everyone!! :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Cookie Recipe

Well, I did it. I read the "Pioneer Woman Cooks" cook book cover to cover, and I have determined that it would take A LOT less time and effort to just buy the book rather than copy each of the recipes I want to try. :-) So, when I get the money I shall plop it down on a new copy. Seriously, this is one you should take a good look at. Be sure to ask for it at your public library. :-)

OK, today is Friday, and that means it is time for the Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap. After you finish here be sure to hop on over to Gayle's to check out all of the great recipes linked there. :-)

A couple of weeks ago I was sitting in a doctor's office waiting for my Mom, and I was flipping through magazines. I found this wonderful cookie recipe, and I was REALLY tempted to tear out the recipe and take it with me. But, since that is one of my HUGE PET PEEVES, I just searched for pen and paper and wrote as fast as possibly could to copy it down. It is beyond delicious! :-) I made them and for Bible Study this week, and there were NONE left. Since Christmas is coming, and many people will be attending cookie swaps, I thought it would be good to share this recipe with you. ENJOY!!

ROLO COOKIES

1 C butter
1 C sugar
1 C brown sugar (packed)
2 eggs
2t vanilla extract
2 1/4 C flour
1t baking soda
3/4 C unsweetened cocoa
48 Rolo candies (unwrapped)
Powdered sugar

Beat butter, gradually add sugars, beat well. Add eggs and vanilla, beat well. Combine dry ingredients. Gradually add to mixture and beat. Cover and chill 2 hours.

Preheat oven to 375 F. Divide dough into 4 parts. Refrigerate the 3 parts you are not working with. Divide 1 part into 12 pieces. Flatten each piece and roll a Rolo into each one. Bake 8 minutes. Cool for 1 minute and then move to a cooling rack. Let them cool completely, then sprinkle with powdered sugar.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Jealousy is such a bad characteristic...

but I am jealous. I guess you would say "coveting" more than jealous. But I'm getting ahead of myself on this post, so let me start over...

I have A LOT of cook books. I love them. I read them like a novel, and mark all of the recipes I want to make. Then, I actually do make some of them. ;-) A few months ago, I downsized my collection, and gave about half of them away. I held on to the ones I really love and use. One thing I have noticed is that most of the ones I kept are Christmas themed, or all about cookies/baking.

Hey, I know what I like. :-)

My family will tell you that I love collecting recipes, not just in cook books. I can't tell you how many recipes I have printed from the Internet, or copied from a magazine. I keep those in a three-ring binder, so that I cannot find the recipe when needed, and I print another copy. :-)

However, I believe I have THE COOK BOOK, and I want to recommend it to you. It is AMAZING, and very much something I would love to do some time. Here it is:




That's right, Ree at Pioneer Woman Cooks finished her cook book. I have not finished the whole thing, yet.

OK, I have flipped through it, but I can assure you I have found several recipes I will be copying and using this year, and by "this year" I mean before the end of '09. I am seriously thinking I may have to put money down and BUY this one at RETAIL. Yep, it's that good. I can also pretty much guarantee that before the end of this coming weekend I will have found myself a "semi" quiet corner in the house and curl up with a hot cup of cider to read the cook book cover to cover.

This is where my "coveting/jealousy" comes in. Not only do I want to make my own cook book someday (not for retail, just a personal thing for me and maybe some family members), I want Ree's kitchen. I want her talent for cooking/baking and I WANT HER KNOWLEDGE AND TALENT FOR TAKING AMAZING PHOTOS!" Or, maybe just her camera and photo software. That would work too. ;-)

Anyway, hop over to Ree's or Amazon and purchase your own copy of "Pioneer Woman Cooks" today; or just run down to your local public library and borrow it like I did. Just don't drool on the cinnamon rolls because someone else WILL want to check it out. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Let the Holidays Begin!!! :-)

We are planning to make our annual trek to Santa Land early this year. ;-) I don't think I can contain my excitement. :-) Here is just a SMALL sample of what we will see. ;-)



Love,
Wendy Darling

Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe Swap Friday

My goodness, it has been awhile since I have participated in a Friday Recipe Swap. :-)
I thought I would do a simple one, so simple there aren't any measurements. :-) I make this quite a bit as a side dish, but to be honest, it is very good on it's own as well. It is CHEAP, and very filling.

I hope you enjoy it, and please hop on over to The Grocery Cart Challenge, and see all of the wonderful recipes being shared there today. Gayle has a great one for Bay Leaf Tea that helps to fight the flu. :-) If you would like to participate, please do, and link your recipe to Gayle, and don't forget to mention the link in your post so others may enjoy all of the wonderful recipes being shared. :-)

Stewed Tomatoes and Spinach

1 large can of stewed tomatoes. ( I like to use the sliced ones)
small onion, chopped
minced garlic (as much as you like)
1 lb of spinach leaves
salt and pepper to taste
dash of nutmeg

Combine tomatoes, onion and garlic in a sauce pan. simmer until hot, and the onions are soft/translucent. Add salt and pepper. Add washed spinach on top of tomatoes, and grate just a bit of nutmeg onto the spinach. Turn off your heat, and place lid on pan to allow spinach to wilt. This will only take a few minutes, and will allow the spinach to keep most of it's color. Give a toss and enjoy. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

For Our Heroes....

There are currently just under 2000 heroes waiting to be adopted. Please, watch the video, then go to www.soldiersangels.com and sign up to adopt a soldier today.



Love,
Wendy Darling

Staycation and Christmas....

Dictionary.com defines "staycation" as: (noun) a stay-at-home vacation

Pretty self explanatory, I think. We have been on a "staycation" this week. I have a feeling that with the current economy MANY people will be taking staycations, if any vacation at all. I have to admit, when our Tennessee vacation turned into a "staycation", I was disappointed. However, I have to say that I did enjoy myself this week. :-)

We originally had several trips planned, within a 2 1/2 hr. driving distance, for this week. However, we ended up only traveling 2 of those days. The first day we actually spent at home, cooking breakfast for the week. We made things ahead of time that could be frozen, such as cinnamon rolls, pancakes wrapped around little smokies, etc. That way we cut down on the cooking this week, and were able to relax more even if we did not get to go anywhere. :-) It worked well, I think.

If you will indulge me, I'll give you a quick run down of our "adventures." :-)

Our first "trip" took us to a little town called Woodville, in southeast Texas. We went to Heritage Village to attend the Harvest Festival. We did actually have a little adventure here involving our low sitting car and a root, but I am going to let Cleggy tell you about that, because he will be much wittier than me. (Hear that, Cleggy? You have to blog about it now.) :-) I have to apologize up front to all of my scrapbooking friends. I am ashamed to say that I did not think to get a picture of Cleggy under the car trying to fix it, and once he reminded me about it we were already on the road and he refused to pull over and recreate the scene for me to redeem myself.

I KNOW!! How selfish could he be, right? ;-)

Anyway, the Harvest Festival was a lot of fun. All of the vendors were in period costume, and we saw them spinning yarn, making baskets, making hand dipped candles, etc. It was a great day.

On Sunday we went grocery shopping. Try to contain your excitement. ;-)

Monday we spent at home and played games. I finally got the rest of the family to play Mexican Train with me. :-) It was a lot of fun, actually.

Tuesday was our second and last "trip away from home." We spent the day in Jefferson, TX. Jefferson is home to several of "the most haunted places in Texas." I am happy to report that we didn't see any ghosts. ;-) Just a lot of old, historical buildings, a music/used bookstore antique stores, museums, etc. We ate lunch at the Hamburger Store. It was really good, and we loved the atmosphere. Everything from the red and white checker pattern on the floor and table cloths to the 50s music that filled the air. OH, and if you ever get a chance to go there, be sure and ask them about the story behind all of the $1 bills that paper the walls. :-)

And order the Chicken Fried Steak sandwich with sweet potato fries; I'm just sayin'. :-)

We also had floats and milk shakes and the "Jefferson General Store". This place was so neat, and really was like taking a step back in time. :-) And, we found THIS:





We didn't buy it mind you, we just saw it and took a pic. ;-)


Wednesday we "straightened" the garage and watched a movie. We also played games, and "Little Mark" and I painted Christmas ornaments.

Today and Friday will pretty much be the same; run a few errands, watch a movie, play some games, and just relax. I did finish making a Christmas tree I have been working on for our front porch. I made it using a tomato cage, greenery and decorations I got from the $1 store.


No we didn't travel umpteen hundred miles, stay in hotels and spend a lot of money eating out just to come home and "need a vacation from our vacation", but we did get out a little, got a few projects finished and relaxed a lot. With a little planning about the meals, and cooking ahead, we didn't spend all of our time in the kitchen, and we were able to just enjoy each others company. Really, isn't that what family vacations are for?

Love,
Wendy Darling

What to do?

I have been struggling with a decision for a couple of months now, and still have not come up with the proper answer. So, I thought I would post it and see what advice I get back on this.

I have a Bible that is over 20 years old. Actually, it used to be my brother's. I LOVE this Bible. It is a Thomas Nelson/KJV Study Bible. Well, the leather covering has literally crumbled off, and the spine is now separating from the pages. Recovering the Bible is not an option, because: 1. It is too expensive, and 2. One page (JUST ONE PAGE) in Isaiah is torn, so it it missing some of the words.

I have purchased a new Bible, but my problem is, "What do I do with the old one?"

I just cannot bring myself to throw it away. I mean, it's missing a part of a page in Isaiah, so giving it to someone who could/would have it recovered is not an option. I have done some research on this, and quite a few places say you should bury it, but I keep thinking the rest of the Bible is still perfectly usable; even though I have underlined and made notes in it. It seems a sin to bury it, but then I have to wonder if I am worshiping the Bible more than God? I mean it's THE WORD OF GOD... (Yeah, that's deep. I think I'm getting a headache.)

Someone even said to send it to a missionary and let them divide it up by "books" to use in the mission field. How do I find a missionary who would be willing to do that?

So, there it sits on my night stand, unused. Have any of you had this dilemma with old Bibles? What did you do?

Love,
Wendy Darling

Yep, it's me! :-)

I think I just heard a huge "gasp" in the blogosphere... yes, I am writing. :-) I can't believe that it has been so long since I have blogged... where does the time go?

I have started many blog posts, and even have a couple of them saved in notepad, that will probably never see the light of day. There are days when I had really great things I wanted to write about, and didn't have time to blog about it. Then there were days I wanted to be sentimental and inspiring... uh... yeah. Then there were the days I just wanted to vent, and they were mostly about politics. So, I typed them out. I even got up one morning at 3:00 a.m., because I just couldn't sleep, and began typing randomly. It made no sense, but helped me, so I guess it was therapeutic.

Then, I went through a time when I just didn't want to do anything. I stopped reading blogs I faithfully read everyday, and even considered whether or not I wanted to continue this one. I just went through a "funk." My mother swears I have entered menopause (sorry men), and she may be right. I even stopped posting recipes; the one thing I loved doing, and could always count on.

But, I'm feeling better now; I think I am getting my spirit of blogging back, and have even begun reading blogs again. ;-) I've missed them. It's like not talking to a good friend for a long time, and then losing touch.

One blog I read faithfully was My Best Investments, and I read it tonight for the first time in a long time. Leighton is the owner of this great blog, and he had a really good post I wanted to share with you titled, "Dreaming out Loud." I think you will enjoy it as much as I did. Makes a lot of sense.

I guess a readers digest version of "catch up with Wendy" might be in order, so here goes:

1. Homeschool is going great. New schedule this year seems to be working out.
2. Experiencing mood swings, and given to tears when I think of how the nephews are growing, pretty much anything sentimental.
3. 4-H is back in full swing, and I am NOT the manager. :-)
4. I am leading the photography project and it is going well.
5. Entering new season of life and, with God's help, surviving mood swings.
6. Very involved with church ministries and loving it.
7. GOD IS GOOD.
8. Pretty addicted to Facebook
9. Did I mention mood swings?
10. Biggest Loser competition... don't ask... They are doing it again in January
11. Chocolate is great for the mood swings, but NOT helpful in the Biggest Loser competition.

That about sums it up. ;-) Hopefully, I have not lost the 3 or 4 people who actually read my blog, and I hope you will come back. I have every intention of writing again soon. :-) Maybe next time we can share some spiced tea and cookies together.

Love,
Wendy Darling

Please, watch and pass it on. Contact your Senators!!

I don't care what political party you claim to be, this is NOT a Republican issue, Democrat issue, etc. It is an AMERICAN issue. If you are a parent, or even just KNOW a parent, this affects you. Call your Senators, and urge them to co-sponsor this amendment.

It was a lazy week...

"Little Mark" was at church camp this week. :-) He really enjoyed himself, and came up with a couple of new CDs. It seems a young lady named Yancy was the singer for the week, and "Little Mark" likes her VERY much. ;-)

His birthday was on Thursday. I still can't believe he is 13. The Children's Director arranged to have a cake brought to camp for him, and they had a "surprise" party for him. ;-) That was so sweet. We didn't know they were going to do that.

"Little Mark" also showed his bravery by going down the Zip Line. I believe it is 4 stories high, and most of the people in our household are afraid of heights, including "Little Mark." But, he did it. ;-) We're very proud of him.

While he was away I got a few things done around the house, but mostly I stayed on facebook, and caught up on the TV show "Harper's Island." Now, I'm hooked!! ;-) I did do my weigh-in yesterday, and I have lost another 2 lbs. That's 11 in all.

It's going slowly, but it is indeed going. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

Great day/ iPod cake...

We had a really great day today. We had the "family" party for "Little Mark's" 13th birthday today. He got the Wii he has been wanting, and we have all had a ball playing on it. ;-) I think bowling, tennis, and golf are my favorite. :-)

I made him another iPod cake, but I think this one came out so much better than the last one. "Little Mark" requested a blue one this time, so we made it blue. ;-) Hope everyone had a great weekend.


Love,
Wendy Darling

Weigh-In #3 and Friday Recipe Swap

Well, this has been a busy week. :-) I am baking the nephew's birthday cake for tomorrow. I am going to make a few changes from the one I did last week. We'll see what happens. :-)

Tomorrow is the family party, and the day he gets all of his presents from us. :-)

"Little Mark" leaves for camp on Monday morning, so I have spent all week making sure he has everything he needs, and getting it together. I will spend Sunday afternoon helping him pack, and writing his name on EVERYTHING. :-) I plan to include a few "we love you" and "have a great day" notes hidden among his clothing. He has requested that I pack each days outfits as a set, so he can just "grab and dress". I am going to mark the set he wears on Thursday, so I can hide a birthday card in there, as well as $5. That way he gets a little surprise on his actual birthday. :-)

I know, it's corny; but I'm corny like that. ;-)

OK, the weigh-in for today is: I lost 3 lbs. this week. :-) It's moving slow, but at least it is moving in the right direction. :-)

Now for the recipe. :-) Remember, you can find more recipes by going to Grocery Cart Challenge Recipe. Gayle is so great about hosting this each week. If you want to participate, just post a recipe and link it to "Mr. Linky." :-)

Sassy Southwest Egg Rolls (From the Hungry Girl Cook Book)

3 Original (not large) Low Carb/High Fiber Tortillos (she recommends La Tortilla Factory)
1 oz of cooked, skinless, lean chicken breast; shredded (I used 98% Fat Free canned chicken)
3/4 C frozen, chopped spinach; thawed and thoroughly drained.
2 T canned black beans
2 T canned sweet corn, drained
1 oz fat free jalepeno jack cheese, shredded (I used the sandwich slices)
1 T diced red chili pepper

For sauce
2 T fat free sour cream
1 T mashed avocado
1 T diced tomato
1/2 t dry ranch dressing mix/dip mix
black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.In a small bowl combine chicken, spinach, beans, corn, cheese and chili pepper. Microwave for 30 seconds.

Warm tortillas for 15 seconds. Place 1/3 of mixture in center of tortilla. Fold sides in and roll from bottom to top.

Spray pan with non-stick cooking spray, and place wraps seam side down on pan.

Bake 12 minutes flipping half-way through the cooking process. Egg rolls will be crispy when done.

In a small bowl combine all ingredients for the sauce. Let egg rolls cool a few minutes and enjoy with the sauce. :-)

This makes 2 servings. Each serving is 181 calories, and 4.5 g of fat. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling

VBS, weigh-in, and cakes...

That pretty much sums up my last week. :-)

We did VBS all last week, so we never made it to the gym. I knew this would have an adverse affect on my weigh-in, and although it was a set back, it was not devastating. On Friday I weighed-in and I had gained 1 lb.

Yeah, I was upset too.

HOWEVER, I went ahead and weighed this morning and saw I have lost 2 lbs. over the weekend, so I am not feeling bad anymore. ;-) Hopefully, the "official" weigh-in this Friday will show even more loss. ;-)

VBS was great. This is the first year I have done "Missions", and our project is putting together "Lifeboxes" for soldiers. The kids really came through with the donations, and it was all great. The lessons were great, and I think I would really like to do it again next year.

Moving on.... let me give a positive testament to "Coppertone Spray". We took "Little Mark" and a friend to a local amusement park on Saturday. I sprayed everyone down with the Coppertone before we went in. The guys even did their faces and the backs of their necks. I did my arms, but didn't do my face because of my makeup, and forgot the back of my neck/top of my back. NO ONE got burned except for me...... and guess where? Yep, a little on the face, and the back of my neck/back. Moral of the story: Coppertone works if you use it. :-)

The reason we took the boys to the amusement park was for "Little Mark's" birthday. It really isn't for a couple of more weeks, but this was his "party" with the friends. He opted for something more exciting and just take one friend. It was fun. :-) Well, except for the whole "sunburn" thing. :-) I made his cake again this year. This is a picture of it. :-)



I plan to do another one this coming weekend for the family party. He will be at church camp on his actual birthday, so we are having the parties a little early. :-)

Love,
Wendy Darling