today's gifts

There are many things to be thankful for here at the beach! Here are this week's gifts:


21. having our entire family under one roof for a week
22. slightly (remember I work for a dermatologist!) sun-kissed cheeks of my grands
23. the vastness of the ocean
24. fresh peaches (and the ice cream made with them!)
25. canopies that provide wonderful shade on the beach
26. beautiful blue skies with puffy white clouds
27. the laughter of my adult children as they "play" together
28. wagons to haul our beach stuff
29. ice ( I like my drinks COLD!)
30. cameras to capture these precious moments!


Thanks for all your good wishes! There will be much to share and pics when we return! 

beach bound

The beach is calling our names again!

 And today, we are answering! It is the first day 

of our annual family vacation there.

 We have been anticipating it for months now

and we are ready to go!

 I am praying for safety, good weather

 and shrimp in our seine! ha! ha!

Regardless, I know we will have fun

 and enjoy each other...we always do! 

Hope you have a great week, too!

july 6...a special day

 My dad passed away almost two years ago at the age of 83. Today is his birthday. He was a sweet daddy who loved his God and his family. He had a servant's heart and delighted in helping others. He was responsible and organized which made him a good leader. He was a good handy-man and was always up to taking on most any small project. 

 In God's mercy, I was able to spend the last week of his life with him. During that time, I was assured that he was ready to go and we had the opportunity to say good-bye. I take great comfort in knowing that he is in heaven enjoying his reward for being a "good and faithful servant". He loved to sing so I know he is happy singing with the multitudes praising his savior. One day, I will join him and my mom there. What a day that will be!

today's gifts

Oops! I missed Today's Gifts on Tuesday! Guess I got distracted with the holiday. So here you go... I think it's okay to be grateful on Thursday, too!! :-)


11. rain (we got almost 4 inches this week!)
12. good coffee with hazelnut creamer (the best way to wake up!)
13. a job that I like
14. music
15. peanut butter (on just about anything!)
16. a kind and generous boss
17. a freshly mowed lawn (the way it looks and smells!)
18. freedom ( spiritual, physical and emotional)
19. crystal light lemonade ( a recent discovery...so refreshing!)
20. God's Word ( a lamp to my feet, a light to my path!)


Hope your day is blessed with unexpected joys! :-)

happy 4th

From me and Little E...

...and Mr Rabbit, of course!

Hope you have a wonderful holiday!

ponder this...

"Only the rejoicing that requires you to agree

 with God's perspective on your situation

 is the sacrifice of praise that pleases Him

 and has the power to transform you."

"Wild" Bill Johnson

What do you think?

cool cake

We had a special "God and Country" service at church today.

There was lots of red, white and blue, wonderful music 

and a great sermon.

After the service, we had lunch in our Family Life Center. 

The meal was provided by the church,

 so our responsibility was dessert!

This recipe has been around for a long time

and is called by several names.

It's cool and light... an excellent

summertime cake.

My recipe (which was my mom's) is called 

Hawaiian Wedding Cake.

Here it is:

1 butter recipe cake mix

1/2 cup oil

4 eggs

1 11 oz. can mandarin oranges, chopped in juice

Blend mix, oil, and eggs.

Gently fold in oranges and juice.

Pour into 3 round cake pans that have

 been greased and floured.

Bake at 325 for 25-30 mins.

Filling:

1 8 oz Cool Whip topping

1  20 oz can crushed pineapple (in juice)

drain and reserve juice

1 small box instant vanilla pudding

Mix topping, pineapple, half the juice, and pudding.

Spread between layers and on top of cake.

Store in refrigerator.

This is what I brought home. 

I guess people liked it! :-)