A Recipe for You!

Hello, my friends! I'm procrastinating what I should be doing - getting lesson plans together for my sub for while we're on vacation - and posting this recipe. :D It's one of Kenn's absolute favorites, and I want to make sure I can locate it while we're on the beach, so I can make it for him. :) Isn't that a great way to show him some love? (I've already decreed that we'll be eating clam strips at our favorite restaurant for Valentine's Day! :D)

It's a Taste of Home recipe, but I can't find it again online so I can link you. I did change a little of the direction, so now it's OK to call it my own, according to recipe law. Did you know that?

Anyway. :D I hope you try it - let me know what you think!

Sour Cream Coffee Cake

1/2 cup butter, softened 1 cup sugar
2 eggs 1 cup sour cream
1 teaspoon vanilla extract 2 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking powder 1 teaspoon baking soda
Topping:
1/4 cup sugar 1/3 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons cinnamon* 1/2 cup chopped pecans

In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Beat in eggs, sour cream, and vanilla. Combine the dry ingredients; add to creamed mixture and beat until combined.

Pour half the batter into a greased 13x9 pan. **

In a small bowl, combine topping ingredients; sprinkle half of the topping over batter. Add the remaining batter and topping. Bake at 325 degrees for 40 minutes. Cool completely.

* I always at LEAST double the cinnamon. It's really good for you, and we love cinnamon around here!

** When I make this at home, I make it in 2 8" square pans, and double the topping mixture. I usually end up with SOME topping mixture left, but it freezes well! That way, I have a cake for now, and a cake to wrap and freeze for future sweet tooth consumption or company!

My Lumberjack!

Psalm 90:14-17

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love,

that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us,

for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants,

your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;

establish the work of our hands for us—

yes, establish the work of our hands.

Today was kind of fun - I can't believe it's already early evening! It's been SO beautiful here, and I'm just feeling SO blessed. Dad's increased the tulip bulb count to over 400 - partly because I love tulips so much. :) It's GLORIOUS around here - but that's not today's post. Today is about my lumberjack, Kenn.



There is a tree out in the "wheel" that is most of our back yard. It was planted before Mom & Dad decided on the wheel design, and it throws too much shade, gets leaves everywhere, and the roots are beginning to cause problems. So Dad wanted it down.

Guess who volunteered to at least try! So, first he cut off the bottom limbs....

Then higher up, on top of the ladder. He only used a Sawzall and a hand saw!










(That's my dad, assisting.... :D )









And finally, the tree trunk in three pieces. The sunglasses are mine; they couldn't find the safety goggles. :D I figure any glasses were better than an eye in trouble!
















LOTS of sawdust and sweat later, he has the tree down as far as the parents wanted. He's gonna be SORE, for sure, but what a great thing for him to do!

How was YOUR day? Did you do something fun, or get to watch an event like I did?? :D Tell me about it!!!!!!!!!! I want to HEAR!!

Here I am!

WHEW, what a month it's been already! :) Kenn and I did a whirlwind trip to visit some of his relatives while his brother and sister-in-law were there, and I'm glad we went, but I'm SO glad to be home!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was tired of SITTING. LOL!

The picture above was taken at a hat store in Wichita. Cute, huh. :D

I wanted to let you know I'm alive, and working on some posts to bring you. I'll be back soon with more!!

BE BLESSED, beloved. I'm SO grateful for you, for the fact that you haven't given up on me completely, and the fact that God sometimes uses this blog to bless you. YOU ARE A BLESSING, TOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Tuesday!!

Hi, girls! Sorry it's been so long since I've posted - I'm going away AGAIN this coming weekend, and I'm trying to make sure I have all my ducks in a row. PHEW. I gotta lotta ducks! :D

ANYWAY. We had a lovely time getting away to Smyrna this weekend. :) We went and dropped Kenn's wedding band off for resizing- my gift to him for our anniversary. :D Then, we went and had lunch at Buffalo Wild Wings - Kenn loves to play trivia there! :) He has a LOT of knowledge, and always impresses me.

Off to the hotel we went, and checked in just fine. We had a "suite", and it was really comfy. We set up our computers and made sure we both could get online ;), and off Kenn sped to work - just a few minutes away!

I took a short nap, then worked most of the afternoon. But it was so nice to not have other things I "needed" to do distracting me; I watched TV, had a snack, read some of a book I took, and just generally kicked back while working. :D Kenn came back around 8, got changed, and we went to a local restaurant for dinner. We had a really good dinner! Appetizers, and dinner - and we were soooooooo full, but took a piece of their carrot cake with us; we'd been told it was their signature dessert. :)

Back we went, and it wasn't too long - some football scores later :D - that we went to sleep.

We got up about our regular time on Sunday, our real anniversary. We got ready - this is Kenn that morning :) - and Kenn brought some breakfast up for us. We also ate a bit of the carrot cake. WOW, was it rich. We decided to take it home with us, but it didn't survive the heat. It was MUCH warmer than I thought it was supposed to be!!!!

We left the hotel - which was about FIVE minutes from church - about 15 minutes after we normally would leave our HOUSE for a 35 minute drive. Can ANYONE say ANTSY?!?! ::::::::sigh:::::::::::: That's Kenn for you, in case you didn't know. :D

Church was EXCELLENT, as usual, and then we had sushi for lunch and came home to relax and unpack.

There. Now you know the whole weekend! :D It was really nice. Thank you for your well-wishes and prayers for us. :)

God's stirring up that topic in me again, girls. I'll be posting soon, the next in the series of Christian relationships.

Leave me a note, let me know you visited!!! :D BE BLESSED, dear one! YOU ARE LOVED AND HIGHLY FAVORED!!!

Who am I, anyway???

I realize that a lot of you don't really KNOW anything about me, so I thought I'd just introduce myself a little bit! :D

But what do you want to know?? Or DO you? :D

Let's see. I'm the oldest of three girls, all spaced four years apart. Neither one of them wish to be "outed" online, so I'll respect their wishes. :)

I've lived all around the US, in each region, I think. :) I LOVE the Pacific Northwest, and it would be my permanent home if I were given a choice. But no matter where I go, God brings wonderful, special people into my life. My friends are very important to me!

I really like to TRAVEL, as in go to far places on a plane. :D I am a homebody, though, and on any given day I'd rather stay home and work than have to go out someplace.

I've worked in a lot of different fields! That old saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none"? Yeah, that's talkin' about me. :) Honestly, I think the thing that still gives me the most satisfaction is teaching - but NOT what I've done in the school system. I LOVE teaching people when they want to learn - like what I do with rubber stamping and scrapbooking. I love to hear people's reactions when they realize they can do whatever we're working on, and it's pretty, and THEY did it!! :)

I have a BA in communications, emphasis in interpersonal comm - which perhaps explains why my relationships with friends are so important to me! My minor's English lit - one of those truly USEFUL degrees. :D Did all that in El Paso, Texas. :D I've done community theater for YEARS, both on- and backstage duties. I love to be onstage, but it's a bit difficult when you look like I do. ;D

I still keep in touch with one of my best college friends - HI, RHONDA!!!!!!! :) - and she, besides my family, has known me the longest on this planet.

My parents have called me "Pooh" since I was about three. I still collect Pooh, and wear Pooh, and am called Pooh. :D

Then there are my best friends from Ohio I used to do theater with, Karen and Joe. I still have wonderful, cherished memories of our times together, and need to do a better job of staying in touch with them. Karen's husband is also a diabetic, with serious health complications. If you could pray for Doug when you think of it, we'd all be so grateful!

I met Kenn on the Internet, back when the Net was still in its infancy. We'll be celebrating 12 years of marriage next month! If you'd like to read more about that, go HERE and then read some of our writings - links on the right side. Karna actually knows us from the old days when we first got together! :D

I have a beautiful stepdaughter, Kaisa. She's happily married to Jeff, and they live in California. Children are in the PLANS, but not the WORKS. :D

I'm a type 2 diabetic, with eye complications. Speaking of which, I have another laser surgery on the 28th of this month, if you happen to think and would like to pray for me! :) I struggle with my glucose levels, but I know Who's got ALL of me in the palm of His hand, so I try to rest there.

I grew up in a Christian home, accepted Christ as my Savior when I was 6. There have been times of real stagnance (?? is that correct???) - but also times of great growth. God has been calling me to go deeper in Him for a few years now, and I feel like He has planned for this blog to play a role in others' growth, as well.

If there's ANYTHING you'd LIKE to know about me, please don't hesitate to ask. God's brought me through a LOT of trials, and has taught me that praising Him regardless of my circumstances is what He truly desires from me. It's not always easy, but I CHOOSE TO DO SO! :) Sometimes, praising Him is a sacrifice of our desires and will.

So, ask away. :D Tell me about YOU!!! Post to your blog, and let me know you did so!!! I want to know you, my friend. I care about you! I know our Father loves you deeply - so deeply, we can't comprehend it. I also know He wants us to live in His love, and to deal with others from there!!!! :)

Don't forget to enter the drawing for the book - scroll down for details. :)

Have a WONDERFUL weekend, dear one. Rest in Him!!!

Good morning!

My but I'm tired! I've been working hard this week, and now I have a day where I get to stay HOME, but still need to get things done - and one of the things I needed to do was to get busy HERE! I'm sorry it's been a few days since I posted. I always want to do quality posts here, and some days I just don't have the time. :(

Anyway. This post is going to be for housekeeping chores - I'll be sending you a couple of other places to read. But always come BACK - you won't want to miss any of these links. :)

First, one of our friends here at Wannabe, Karna, has started her own blog. I think you'll enjoy her - she's witty and fun, and has been a dear friend of mine for a LONG time! Her blog is called SASSY LASS. :)

Second, I think we ALL forgot about THIS POST. Sorry, girls; let's give this until what, Monday the 18th? I just want as many people as can to get in on this drawing! :)

Third, I know that I've mentioned that Kenn has a blog, but have I mentioned that he's got TWO? He's started his second blog to work on his book; he began this book 12+ years ago, but never felt like he had an ending. Now, he feels like God's telling him it's time to finish it - so he's working on it again! :) You have to read from the bottom up, or it's not going to make any sense to you. :D And PLEASE leave him comments; he wants to make it the best he can. :) GO HERE to read Kenn's book! Oh, and grab a tissue when you come to the interlude about me. :D

And last but not least, my dear friend Becky P. has a friend who's in the end-stages of Cystic Fibrosis - a cause that is dear to my heart because of Greg McDougal's kids. She's trying to get 100 people to post a comment - there's also blog candy involved! - but she wants to get people PRAYING for her friend, Nancy. GO HERE to read Becky's post.

OK, I think that's all for this post! :) Summer's almost over, and I know you're busy! Thank you for sharing some of your precious time with me. I hope you'll leave me a comment, too.... :) KNOW YOU ARE BLESSED!!! I appreciate and love you, dear one!

Happy Friday!

Gosh, is it POSSIBLY Friday already?!?!? I've been working hard this week to get ready for my Stampin' Up! open house Monday night - you can go visit my blog for more info about it. :D ANYWAY. Kenn LOVES what we call "munchy" meals - things where he can nibble whatever he wants for a couple of hours, versus a real meal. AND he's picky about what he eats - sorry, Love, but you are. :)

So, a few weeks ago I made a bunch of different dips, served them with a couple of different kinds of chips, and he was SO HAPPY. :) So, we've done it once a week.

Last night was the night. I had been to the grocery store Tuesday, found some bruschetta topping - tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, maybe a little balsamic vinegar - on sale, and they also had a crab dip we both liked (a miracle, truthfully!!!) on sale. So I made our favorite potato chip dip, clam dip, and made some spinach artichoke dip, and toasted up some leftover bread I had in the freezer, plus had some potato chips. Oh, and threw a dozen chocolate chip cookies into the oven for him.

I put this plate together JUST FOR YOU, my friend. Sit down with me. Isn't God GOOD? His bounty is overflowing! Especially in America. We think we're deprived if we can't have something we want. But we are SO blessed. So many in this world are hurting for the smallest thing. And look at what we are able to share!

I love you! I'm so glad you came to visit me. I wish you could stop by for a REAL visit, but until then, know that I count YOU as one of my blessings. I hope and pray you'll be aware of how blessed you are today!

Wow, what a weekend!!! This post is SATURDAY....

Ever been so busy, you wonder what you've been doing?? :D That's the way Saturday felt to me. I SO missed having Mom home to do things with - Saturdays, we USUALLY go either thrift shopping or garage saling. I still went to a couple of sales within a mile of the house - believe it or not, anyone who REALLY knows me, I was made up, dressed, class all ready, and at a garage sale by 8:15!!! :D

I found a couple of good deals - a hardcover book for a buck, and a brand-new lavender bath "stuff" kit for a buck. I LOVE lavender, and LOVE bubble baths, and LOVE to read while I'm taking them, so it was a GOOD day. :D LOL!!

Then, I taught a class from 9:30 - 11. Cleaned up a bit, puttered around, and left a little while later to grab some lunch and go to Goodwill - after getting the news Mom was NOT coming home Saturday. She'd had a rough night.

Goodwill had their half-price Saturday, and since I had class to teach, I couldn't get out and going and hit as many as I'd have liked to. :) I did find a few things, including a really pretty blouse for Mom. I hope it fits, and that she'll wear it - she seemed to like it....

So, I called on my way to the hospital, and Mom wanted chocolate. WELL, she definitely knew who to ask! ROFL!! I took her quite a variety, and you should have seen her eyes light up! Dad stayed for a little bit, but left to "let us visit". So we chit-chatted, etc. (After the first time I answered her phone at the hospital, I had to answer, 'Becky's room, Lori speaking' because EVERYONE gets us confused!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!) She received two phone calls while I was there, and I left while she was talking to my sister, Debbi.

I headed home to fix Dad dinner, so he could get back to the hospital. Kenn helped out by making a salad while I got the other components of dinner ready, so Dad ate and left. Kenn & I did our own things for a while, then decided to head to Dairy Queen for some ice cream. :)

While there, we ran into a young lady from our former church, who is one of my favorite people and is doing some babysitting for a bunch of my friends this Saturday to raise money to go on a missions trip to South Africa - be watching for me to link you to her blog while they're there! She hadn't heard about what had happened, but was very supportive and loving. It was great to catch up with her - she's a very BUSY young woman, attending Belmont for her nursing degree.

ANYWAY. We then came home and just spent the last couple of hours of the day together, watching TV and chatting. And THEN I fell into a deep, deep sleep.... :D

Well, it finally happened....

We were asked to leave our church last night. It wasn't the way I thought it would happen, but God had told me earlier this year we'd be released by summer - and here we are. :/ Please pray for us while we figure out where God's calling us to serve Him next - and for all the emotions that go along with the whole thing.

Kenn has started his own blog; he and I don't always agree on theology, but he is a TRUE seeker of Truth - and that's one of the things I've always admired and loved about him. Here is a link to his new blog:
www.BereanMusings.blogspot.com

He would LOVE for you to visit his site and LEAVE A COMMENT! :) Discussions on theology are high points in his day, so if you like them, or know someone who does, please point them to him! :)

I'll post again tomorrow. HAPPY JUNE!!! We are blessed and HIGHLY FAVORED, dear one, no matter what circumstance we think we find ourselves in!

Now I'm ready to share specific prayer needs!

Rather appropriate verse for me today. :) Let me explain.

As a reader of this blog, you know I've really been struggling with my glucose levels. Well, today was my diabetes specialist 3-month appointment. Well, we both put stuff out on the line, and what's been happening is glycemic toxicity. That's where my body has too much insulin in it, because I've been putting more in - but my body is also extremely insulin-resistant, so my glucose level is too high. It's a vicious cycle, and one that I have to try to stop.

She wants me to eat 90 grams of carbs a day - which is easy, because that's about what I eat already. The hard part is WHEN.

So, starting tomorrow, I HAVE to eat a bigger breakfast, which I really, REALLY hate. And I can't eat after 6 pm. THAT will be true torture!!!!!

I go back in three weeks, to see how things are going. It's my fasting sugars that are really out of control, and when I get stressed, forget it.

Next week is my check-up with my retinal specialist. He's not going to be happy, but I'm doing what I can. Please pray that this works to get me out of this awful loop!

I've also got the respiratory crud again, which HURTS. Kenn is in a depression; he's not feeling very well, AND his jobs have fallen off - so we're hurting. With co-pays for expensive COBRA for meds and doctors appointments and the monthly payments, I'm EXPENSIVE.

OK. :) I'm done. Thank you for praying, dear friends. I can't tell you how much I appreciate knowing you're there!