Saturday ~ Lovies

Aren't these two littles just darling? My brother and his wife sure have cute kids! Little G was trying to prop her head on her hands like Little M. =)

Starbucks Tuesday

This morning, I felt like a drink, so I took a vote and won unanimously. Starbucks on my way to work it was! I knew that a coffee beverage was out, as the last few times I had coffee in the early morning, it was less than pleasant by the afternoon (I suspect a developing inner aversion to dairy products. Please weep with me [it's biblical]). Anyways, now, in the past few months, I've noticed a popular tea that looks fantastically delicious. Namely, the Passion Tea. Doesn't it look like it should take robust and fruity?? The kind of thing that makes your taste buds sing and dance for pure joy? Well, being a fan of the Green Tea Lemonade  I thought so. So with great anticipation, I ordered a venti passion tea. 

Taken on the ol' zebra phone...

Four sugar packets later, I was left disillusioned, holding just the empty sugar packet dream I'd had about the Passion Tea. To put it bluntly, it's bland. Tasteless. Not a winner. And after referring to the Starbucks online menu, I believe I should have ordered a Passion Tea Lemonade. Corresponding with my Green Tea Lemonade. Oh well.

But at least it didn't cost much. And as the old proverb says "A cream cheese danish covers a multitude of sins." =)

Monday ~ Girls Night

My sister Katheryn and I have two of the most amazing friends. They happen to also be sisters. Even though one of them is married, we still get together and have girly evenings together. Her husband is a good sport. =) Saturday night was our 3rd installment of "Nice Dinner & Gift Exchange." We draw names, pick a theme and buy presents for each other. It's wondrously fun!

This time began with a barbecue.

 L did a fab job with the steaks!



 Some of us preferred our steak to have evidence of continued mooing; some of us *cough cough* preferred a certificate of death before eating. =)

Mrs. R (and baby R inside!)

 Katheryn was kind enough to take pictures of the photog. =)



 Katheryn & L

Our dinner up on L's balcony was....simply put, romantic. =)

Bliss.

Saturday ~ Welcome to the World!

Welcome to the world:

My tiramisu!

Born: Friday night

Weight: Oh, I'll probably gain about a pound.

Length: An inch or pants size at least.

 Making tiramisu might be old hat for someone more culinary than myself, but being someone with less than a baker's thumb, this was a pretty big deal for me!

Also note worthy...not only did I make this tiramisu myself, I also made the ladyfingers from scratch as well. Yes. Thank you.

She's a beaut. But I'm dreadfully nervous that she won't be liked, as I've actually never really had real tiramisu before, so I was unsure on some of the finer details of how it was supposed to be layered. More ladyfingers? Less cream? Hmm...I guess I'll have to wait to see it's success or failure until tonight, when she is laid up on the table of feasting and (hopefully) consumed.

Thursday ~ Frisbee

 

Tuesday

Who is the man who fears the Lord?

Him will He instruct in the way that he should choose.

His soul shall abide in well-being and his offspring shall inherit the land.

The friendship of the Lord is for those who fear him,

and He makes known to them His covenant.

Psalm 25:12-14

Taken on my phone, obviously.

I am amazed at all the benefits of simply fearing the Lord: instruction in decision making, contentment of the soul, generational prosperity, the personal friendship of the Lord, not to mention that the Lord will "tell you His secrets," as I like to put it. Of course, even though I said by "simply" fearing the Lord, we all know that living in fear of the Lord isn't really that simple. But it should be. Things really only become complicated and complex when we're not willing to put it all down. I'm the rebel child in God's family, and I know that the results of fighting God are anything but peaceful. One of my favorite quotes of all time is found in the novel Christy by Katherine Marshall (and yes, I believe that truth can be found in fiction!):

"The only time I ever find my dealings with God less than clear-cut, is when I'm not being honest with Him."

That pretty much says it. Living in the fear of the Lord begins with complete honesty with God. Something I'm working on right now. Really, if it wasn't breaking His heart, I think God would probably be laughing at me when He sees me trying to hide things from Him! My futile attempts at avoiding detection by putting my earbuds in or sticking my nose in a book must seem to Him like my little niece who covers her eyes with her hands and then says " You can't see me!" But I don't think God laughs at me like that, because my behavior does break His heart. He's so big and holy and righteous and perfect...that even my silly hiding places are enough to break the heart of such a God.

Right there in Psalm 25, the Lord lays out so clearly what He'll do for me if I fear Him. I stand holding in my hand a fun-sized bag of Skittles...when God wants to give me the run of a Charlie-and-the-Chocolate-Factory sized Candy Shop. If the Candyman can, God certainly can. And will.

Who is the man who fears the Lord? 

Monday ~ Go to the Aunt

The Auntie-mobile. The Auntie-bag (filled with toys). Auntie's house. Etc. Needless to say, anyone who's watched this blog for more than a week will know that my Auntie-ship is one of the dearest and most precious things in my life. And so, I introduce my mascot: the Ant!

 I keep a small garden outside just outside of my bedroom, and it's become one of my "secret" places (not secret because no one knows about it, but secret because I often go there to think or pray). I was at Joann's the other day, perusing their garden section and this little beauty jumped up and waved frantically at me, just begging to be bought!

Unfortunately, this little Ant's price tag was a little high and so with sadness, I left her there...only the think of her every time I went into my garden. I finally decided to just go back and get her, because she just belonged with me. And lo! A 60% off tag hung over her smiling little face. Even better. =)

So, this is Auntie's Ant. I can't wait to introduce her to my nieces. My Ant's about as big as they are!

Isn't she cute? She's got such a friendly, pleasant face. The kind of face that will listen to your whispered thoughts and murmured prayers when one sits alone in one's flower garden.



Friday ~ My Crafty Sister

My oldest sister K is extremely talented when it comes to sewing and creating crafty things. Not just "crafty" things, but cute, usable crafty things. Such as these flowers below.

I never leave the house without a flower pinned to whatever bag I happen to be carrying; there's one often clipped to my blouse or in my hair. I have found that accessories are the things that pull one's outfit together in a mature, confident looking way. Thanks to my sister's skills of creativity, that is so much easier accomplished now.

She also makes amazing felt ornaments for different  holidays. Here are some of the ones she made for patriotic holidays, as well as some cute felt magnets she also created.

All in all, I'm pretty proud to have a sister who's so talented. =)

Thursday ~ Tennis

A new adventure has begun, and that new adventure is...tennis. For years I've wanted to learn to play tennis, but my one venture out onto the courts about 5 years back almost cured me of that. I don't think I hit the ball even once. But at the end of last year, I decided that I wanted to seriously pick up tennis, so I asked for and received a tennis racket for Christmas. Note the fact that I received a racket in December. And this is the first signs of any tennis-like activity. That's right...this week was my first time actually USING my racket. Better late than never, eh?

As far as our combined family skill goes...we were pretty good for being absolutely terrible! Photos courtesy of Ryn.

Did I mention we had no idea what we were doing?

Trying to look like I really know what I'm doing...

Karis & Stuart having a swing.

Enthusiasm.

Don't ask.

Monday ~ Frisbee