Say Cheese!

My LIFE Family Picture:



Please note that all of the children are sitting in the back because they are not old enough to sit in the front with their parents.  What a happy [and safe] family!  

The "F.H."

As I consider my future husband, I realize that I need a man who...

....puts the toilet seat down




...can spell (and protect me from warthogs)

...is an Italian barista




...has a connection to Dick Vermeil so that I could invite him to the wedding




...bears a striking resemblence to one of the following men:

           


...likes to dance




These are just some of the essentials.

Oink.

Tonight I am going to write about ham steak.  Not because it has a poor reputation that I am trying to heal, but simply because it seems to lack any reputation at all.  After introducing yet another friend to this easy, simply, flexible, and yummy meal, I decided that it was time.  Yes, it was time that all of those who may randomly stumble upon this blog while googling things such as, "easy...simple...flexible...meal," have the opportunity to consider ham steak as an option for their next home cooked meal.  When it comes to cooking this meat, your imagination is your only limitation.  It can be topped with basic BBQ sauce or smothered with brown sugar and honey.  For all of those out there who dream of someday being Farmer John's wife, remember that a perfect ham steak might just be the way to his heart. 

So there you have it.  Before you rush to thank me....you are welcome.  Praise God for the pork.

There's A Cotton Dress Hanging in My Sister's Closet

Because it is currently 44 degrees outside, I thought it was appropriate to discuss summer. As we are coming closer to the end of sweater and scarf season, I am getting more and more excited for cotton dress and sandal season.  And that's what brings me to this song, my current obsession, "Wildflower" by the JaneDear Girls.  I dedicate it to my sister for all of the summers we spent together growing up...and mostly because of this picture:

Here's the song:

Summer, here I come!

February

February: Possibly the longest feeling month of the year.  When I think of the month of February, I picture the color gray.  At times, this month can seem like one big yawn.

Yesterday, I was on a work conversation talking to a woman about programming at her Church.  As many conversations do, it led to a discussion about the weather while she mentioned the parent's complaints about the inconvenience of winter religious education classes.  Her childlike faith and simplicity caught me off guard as she told me, "Let's not focus on the 3 extra inches of snow on the ground, but on the fact that I heard birds chirping outside of my window this morning or that I saw a few blades of green grass beginning to peak through some of the snow."

I know that she didn't say this simply because she is an optimistic, bubbly, positive person.  She said it in such a way that she realized how often we focus on the inconveniences or setbacks in life an fail to notice the small ways in which God reminds us of his presence.

So, let's not focus on the pain the fresh wounds and the semi-healed scars in our lives or the homesickness for previous parts of life.  Let's focus on the fact that I heard my favorite song on the radio yesterday and that I had an awesome conversation with an old friend.  Let's focus on the small gifts we receive day to day, moment to moment.

They Don't Call Me "Cheaper Mc-cheaperson" for Nothing ;)

Behold: You are now looking at a picture of more than $250.00 worth of Old Navy goods (dresses, skirts, a sweater, jeans, tanks, camis, long sleeve tshirts...) purchased for a meager $50.00. 

Twenty percent. 

That's all I need to say.

Side note: On a scale of one to awesome, how great is the title of this post?