Seasonal Decoration Idea: Apple Centerpiece

One of my favorite fall activities is visiting an apple orchard! Here is a way to showcase some of those juicy, delicious apples!

Nest a stocky candle in the middle of a glass salad or punch bowl filled with green apples. No need to use a tall candle; simply elevate a short one with a candlestand or aluminum can. Then hide the stand with apples.

A quick and easy centerpiece for your dining room table for September!

Happy decorating!

Seasonal Decoration Idea: Pumpkin House Number Sign

Seasonal Decoration Idea:
Pumpkin House Number Sign

Greet your guests at the door with a pumpkin house number sign! Stack small, medium, and large Cinderella pumpkins (removing the stems, except for the top one), and trace stenciled number outlines using a craft knife. Then scrape the pumpkin skin out of the stenciled numbers, revealing the lighter pumpkin flesh underneath.

This autumn decoration works well for fall, Halloween and Thanksgiving!
Decorate your front porch today! :)

Recipe: Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

A quick and easy treat for fall!
Don't wait until Thanksgiving Day for the taste of pumpkin...

Pumpkin Cream Cheese Spread

Ingredients:

• 1 8-ounce package cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla

Directions:

Beat all ingredients in a medium mixing bowl with an electric mixer on medium speed until smooth. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour or up to 24 hours.

Makes 1-1/2 cups (24 - 1-tablespoon servings).

Happy Birthday Autumn Joy!

Our middle daughter, Autumn, celebrated her 3rd birthday yesterday! One of her presents was her own bike from Papa Holt in Ohio!
Happy Birthday, Autumn Joy!

Seasonal Craft: Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece

Fall Pumpkin Centerpiece

Supplies

• Medium-size pumpkin
• 6-inch pillar candle
• Sprigs of bittersweet, preserved leaves, vines, or artificial berries
• Sharp knife
• Marker

Instructions

1. Snap or cut the stem off the top of the pumpkin. Placing the bottom end of the pillar candle on the top of the pumpkin, tightly trace the perimeter of the candle's bottom with a marker.
2. Using a sharp knife, cut vertically just inside the traced outline. The cut portion can then be discarded.
3. Wedge the candle securely inside. If you've cut the hole a bit too large, simply place a can or other object inside the pumpkin as a base for the candle. If necessary, keep the candle from tipping by wedging one end of a vine in between the candle and the cut edge.
4. Tuck in a few leaves and sprigs of vine around the base of the candle.

Eric's Fishing Adventures!

My husband went fishing on the Truckee River yesterday with our oldest daughters, Addie and Autumn. He caught a big trout - 18 1/2 inches! He casually mentioned to put it on my blog and our website! LOL! I am glad he was able to go fishing and caught a big one to bring home!

Bible Study Lesson: The Will of God

Our pastor preached a thought-provoking sermon on the Will of God Sunday night. I want to share with you some thoughts from his sermon...

We go through life frustrated looking for the will of God thinking it should look different than it does.

You may say...what is happening in my life right now is not the will of God. How do you know? What does the will of God look like then?

Our journey is not to find the "will of God" but to find PURPOSE in the "will of God"!

Have you ever thought that you are right now in the "will of God" but are just refusing to accept it?

Finding the "will of God" is not hard. It is submitting to the will of God that is hard.

What is going on TODAY IS God's will!!!

Illustration: When Mary became with child, she most likely dreamed of the day the Son of God would be born. When she had to travel to Bethlehem on a donkey to pay taxes...find there was no room in the inn...had to choose a stable and lay the Son of God in a manger? She probably thought...this can't be the will of God! This is not how I pictured it! Yet it was the will of God! The will of God may never be how we picture it to be!

How Do You Know If You Are Submitting to the Will of God:
1. There is a surrendering of self.
2. There is a supremacy of Christ.
3. There is a sincere love for others.
4. There is a spirit of thanksgiving.
5. There is a song in your heart.
6. There is a service of Christ.

I hope this sermon helped you as much as it inspired and convicted me!

My Favorite Treat from my Childhood

Just recently, I had the urge for just a little something sweet! My mind went to a simple treat that my Grandma Holt used to make for us grandkids. Vanilla frosting in between two graham crackers! Grandma would mix up some yummy homemade frosting and make a plate of treats for us. Of course, the best way to eat a graham cracker treat is to lick the frosting first and then eat the graham crackers!

Well, I just happened to have 1/2 jar of frosting in my fridge along with graham crackers in my pantry! I introduced graham cracker treats to my girls who, of course, loved them!

Many times...the simplest and most inexpensive things are the ones that we remember the most!

What is a favorite treat that you remember from your childhood?

Video: Sierra walks with her walker!

We brought out the walker for Sierra two days ago and today she is really getting the hang of using it!

Health Issue for the Day: Caffeine

My dad recently shared with me that he had been tired lately. He had a doctor's appt. in which the doctor realized he had an irregular heartbeat..."arrhythmias". He asked my dad if he consumed a lot of caffeine. My dad said he drinks decaf coffee but does drink soda pop and enjoys a lot of chocolate. His doctor cut off his caffeine and at his next visit - his heartbeat was normal!
Many of our health issues and problems are caused by our bad habits that perhaps we are not willing to break! I am thankful that my dad broke his caffeine habit and is protecting his health! He said he did not realize how much caffeine he consumed and the way it affected his health. And yes, he says he is not tired like he had been! Praise the Lord!

I have included some helpful information on caffeine. Especially helpful is the list of how many milligrams are in various foods and drinks.

What exactly is caffeine?

Caffeine (C8H10N4O2) is a chemical stimulant of the central nervous system. It belongs to a class of organic compounds called alkaloids, which also include morphine, codeine, LSD, cocaine and nicotine. Caffeine is found in a variety of products, including coffee, tea and chocolate. Varying amounts of it can be found in over 60 plants, including the following:

• Cocoa beans
• Coffee beans
• Cola (kola) nuts
• Guarana
• Mate
• Tea leaves

People have been consuming caffeine since the first pot of tea was brewed in China around 2700 B.C. It is widely used for its ability to help people wake up, stay alert, maintain energy levels and respond quickly. Some researchers claim that caffeine is non-addictive, whereas other researchers declare it to be the fifth most addictive substance in the United States (following heroin, alcohol, cocaine and nicotine).

How does caffeine effect cardiovascular health? Even though there is no conclusive evidence, some studies have suggested that high levels of caffeine consumption can increase the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions. Caffeine can:

• Cause irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
• Increase the heart rate
• Increase the rate of breathing
• Increase the force of the heartbeat
• Raise levels of stress hormones
• Raise blood pressure, temporarily

Critics argue that these effects will only be seen in people who are either oversensitive to caffeine, or whose bodies have not adjusted to caffeine because they rarely consume it.

Other research suggests that drinking coffee is associated with higher cholesterol levels. However, this effect does not seem to be caused by unfiltered or instant coffee, suggesting that chemicals other than caffeine may be responsible. To be on the safe side while the controversy continues, patients who have had a heart attack may be encouraged by their physicians to reduce or eliminate caffeine use until a final conclusion has been made.

How much caffeine is considered safe?

Physicians know the ways in which caffeine may interact with other medications that patients may be taking. Therefore, patients are encouraged to talk with their physician about caffeine. In general, most experts encourage people to use caffeine only moderately between 250 and 350 milligrams per day because there are very few studies that have associated moderate caffeine use with health risks. However, extraordinarily high caffeine intake (150 milligrams per kilogram of body weight) can be fatal, and even moderate caffeine intake can create symptoms of caffeine overdose in some people. Symptoms of caffeine overdose include the following:

• Flushed face
• Frequent need to urinate (diuresis)
• Rapid heart rate (tachycardia)
• Restlessness or feeling "jittery"
• Shakiness
• Throwing up (vomiting)
• Trouble sleeping (insomnia)
• Upset stomach (nausea)

More severe cases of caffeine overdose can also include symptoms such as delirium (acute mental confusion) and visual disturbances. In rare cases, caffeine overdose results in death.

Amount of caffeine in common foods, drinks and medications

Varying amounts of caffeine are present in over 200 foods, drinks and non-prescription medications. Examples are presented below:

Food	Amount of Caffeine (in milligrams)
Unsweetened chocolate, 1 oz.	26
Chocolate ice cream, ½ cup	2
Dark (semi-sweet) chocolate, 1 oz.<>	5-35
Milk chocolate, 1 oz.	1-15

Drink	Amount of Caffeine (in milligrams)
Brewed coffee, 8 oz.	60-160
Brewed American tea, 8 oz.	20-90
Brewed imported tea, 8 oz.	25-110
Chocolate milk, 8 oz.	2-7
Decaffeinated coffee, 8 oz	2-4
Espresso, 2 oz	100
Iced tea, 8 oz.	9-50
Instant coffee, 8 oz.	2-4
Instant tea, 8 oz.	24-31

Medication	Amount of Caffeine (in milligrams)
Aspirin 1 Tablet	0
Appetite Supressant, 1 Tablet	200
Medication to help people to stay alert	100-200

Blessing: A Swingset for the Girls!

Our neighbor recently bought a house across the street. In the backyard, there was left a large wooden swingset from the previous owners. He is letting us have it for our girls! We started taking it apart this morning so we can transport it to our home.
Yet another blessing from the Lord! :)

Update on Remodeling...

Just thought I would update you on my recent days...

My husband finished laying the red cherry laminate flooring in the dining/living room and in the kitchen. Yea! It looks wonderful! He has yet to put on the baseboard for the finished look. :)

We moved over several loads of boxes to the house and I spent this afternoon unpacking a lot of my kitchen. How great is that! You know...a woman spends her life in the kitchen so you want to make it your own right away! I even have the coffee maker cleaned and ready to go. :)

We had the carpet man out to measure the bedrooms for the new carpet. We had a little change in the plans for the hallway. We were going to lay carpet over the wood flooring but there would be too many complications so we will have another project to refinish and stain the hallway in the future! Anyone have any experience or tips in this area?

So the work goes on! Keep us in your prayers! :)

Flooding in Northwest Indiana!

Hello! I have a second post for today. :) My sister called yesterday from Merrillville, IN informing me of the flooding in their area. They received very heavy rains near 10 inches this weekend. My brother-in-law works on the fire department and helped evacuate citizens of these cities this weekend. Please pray for all the people in this area as well as those in the Hurricane Ike area.

Here are a few pictures of the flooding in the city where we recently moved from...Schererville, IN. Also a few pictures of our favorite Cracker Barrel under water! We have not eaten at a Cracker Barrel in three months (the closest one is over 300 miles away!) :(

Blessings from the Weekend!

I wanted to share a few blessings from the weekend with you!
My father-in-law's neighbor, Joe, works at Job Corps which is a school for high school students to learn a vocation or trade. He had the students make a picnic table for our daughters! It is very good quality and it is beautifully painted as well. The girls have eaten their breakfast, lunch and snacks out there many times already! What a sweet blessing and a great addition for our new home!

About every six weeks at the store where my husband works, they hold an auction for the employees. They put into various bins items that were sold and returned but can not be resold again. Instead of throwing these items away, they auction the items to the employees. My husband went to his first auction this weekend and was able to purchase two bins for a total of $50! He came home with some great items totaling retail hundreds of dollars! A few of the items were a hiking backpack - able to hold a small child and supplies when you hike....(The price tag was still on this - it was $139.00!!!), a pair of men's polarized sunglasses with extra lenses (my husband has a similar pair from this store valued at $109!!), a 36 can camo cooler for camping, fishing, etc., a fishing rod, a fold-up aluminum camping table (his favorite buy!), two sleeping bags, a men's fall jacket with a hoodie, a camping stove with removable legs with two burners - this came with a griddle to cook pancakes, etc. (This is my favorite item! It is awesome for cooking when camping!), etc. I think I am missing a few things but you get the jest! What fun for him and all at a great price!

My last blessing was on Sunday morning. A man from our church gave Eric a brand new Bible! It is the Defined King James Bible. My husband has already started using it for church and for his devotions! What a great and thoughtful gift!

I hope your day is full of blessings!

Recipe: Salted Peanut Cookies

Salted Peanut Cookies

Ingredients:

• 1-1/2 cups shortening
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 cup packed brown sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 3-3/4 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1-1/2 cups semisweet chocolate chips
• 1-1/2 cups salted peanuts

Directions:

In a large mixing bowl, cream shortening and sugars. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture. Stir in chocolate chips and peanuts.
Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto greased baking sheets. Bake at 350° for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks. Yield: 10 dozen.

The Reno National Championship Air Races!

This week is the Reno National Championship Air Races. It is held in the community where we live. It is so neat to go outside in your own yard and watch the planes fly! The sound they make is incredible!! My favorite is the Thunderbirds so I have included some pictures of them!

Happy flying!

Fly Low - Go Fast - Turn Left!

Welcome to the home of the Reno National Championship Air Races, the only place in the World where you can see five days of REAL AIR RACING by six classes of aircraft up close and personal. The Air Races have been run since 1964 near Reno, Nevada, USA, and are currently held at Reno Stead Field, about eight miles North of Reno.

Race aircraft in the Unlimited Class reach speeds of over 500 mph - by far the fastest-moving machines in motorsports! The event also includes a world-class air show featuring the USAF "Thunderbirds", top aerobatic performers, military and civil flight demonstrations, and a large display of static aircraft.

In addition to enjoying all of the flying, you can visit the pits and watch race teams work on their aircraft, browse the vendors for aviation-related and other merchandise, and enjoy a wide variety of food and beverages and other amenities during your visit.

September 11, 2001-God Bless America!

Remembering September 11!

Today, I have been thoughtful of that fateful day on 9-11-01 in our nation's history. My husband and I were newlyweds - married just that summer on June 23. I was working at our church's Christian school for Chicago children and teenagers - City Baptist High School. I was a secretary and I took a call from a security guard from the church informing the school staff of the attack.
It was an event that will always be ingrained in my mind from my young adult years.

God bless the families of the ones who were lost that day!
And God bless America!

Tips To Make It Through The Day!

Overwhelmed? Yes, I am there! Since we have closed on our house, I have been working to try to get it to move-in condition! That is quite the undertaking - we have realized! So in the midst of long days, I try to keep myself encouraged in little ways...

1. I always start out my mornings with the Lord! After my morning ritual of making a pot of coffee, packing a lunch for my husband and making his breakfast...I sit down with my warm cup of coffee with French Vanilla creamer and my Bible. I love it! I can't think of a better start to the morning!

2. I try to get as much done in the mornings as possible. You will accomplish more in your day the earlier you begin.

3. Treat yourself! My favorite summer treat is a cold glass of sweet tea! I always have a cold pitcher in the fridge ready to drink! I also love Blazin' Buffalo n Ranch Doritos, Cheezits and Oreos!

4. Especially when you are rushed and tired, take a second to sit down, hold one of your kids and just hug them. My 2 yr. old always says something to make me smile when I just sit down for a few minutes with her!

5. If you are working on a major project that takes more than one day, break it up. I was so sick of painting that I despised the thought of it! So today, instead of starting painting, I worked on another project. I finished putting on my cupboard doors, swept all the floors, took all the garbage out, organized the tools, etc. By the time I did those things, I felt like doing a little painting and was able to finish the bedrooms!

6. Eat a healthy lunch to move you through the day. I make a salad for my lunch every day and it tastes so good! Have the items cut and ready and just toss when it is lunchtime!

7. I always read a good book or magazine in bed before I sleep. It relaxes my mind and body.

The Power of Prayer!

In a small Texas town, a new tavern business started constructing a
building in which to open up a bar.

The local Baptist church began a campaign to block the bar from opening
with petitions and prayers. Work progressed, however right up until the week before opening, when lightning struck the bar and it burned to the ground.

The church folks were rather smug in their outlook until the bar owner
sued the church on the grounds that the church was ultimately responsible
for the destruction of his building, either through direct or indirect actions or means.

The church vehemently denied all responsibility or any connection to the
building's demise in its reply to the court.
As the case made its way into
court, the judge looked over the paperwork.

At the hearing.... he commented...........

"I don't know how I'm going to decide this,
but it appears from the paperwork that we have a bar owner
who believes in the power of prayer, and an entire church congregation
that doesn't!"

The Great Reno Balloon Race!

My husband told me this morning...he was driving to work, listening to the Bible on CD and talking to the Lord. He rounded a bend in the highway and suddenly came upon all the hot air balloons in the sky! Wow! What a beautiful way to start the morning!

The Great Reno Balloon Race is the largest free hot air ballooning event in the Nation. During three days in early September, you can look up into the Reno skies and see a rainbow of hot air balloons soaring about.
From its humble beginnings in 1982 with just 20 balloons, The Great Reno Balloon Race has taken flight with more than 100 balloons each year. Taking place just a few miles north of downtown Reno, the event enchants both young and old with its vibrant colors and inspiring music. The Balloon Race has won many awards over the years including 'Best Special Event in Reno' and 'Best Special Event in Northern Nevada.'
With an average of 140,000 spectators attending the event each year, the number of lives touched by the beautiful spectacle continues to rise just like the balloons themselves.

The Law of the Garbage Truck

I read this story and thought it a great thought to apply to each of our lives!

The Law of the Garbage Truck

One day I hopped in a taxi and we took off for the airport. We were driving in the right lane when suddenly a black car jumped out of a parking space right in front of us. My taxi driver slammed on his brakes, skidded, and missed the other car by just inches! The driver of the other car whipped his head around and started yelling at us. My taxi driver just smiled and waved at the guy. And I mean he was really friendly.

So I asked, "Why did you just do that? This guy almost ruined your car and sent us to the hospital!"

This is when my taxi driver taught me what I now call... "The Law of the Garbage Truck."

He explained that many people are like garbage trucks. They run around full of garbage, full of frustration, full of anger, and full of disappointment. As their garbage piles up, they need a place to dump it and sometimes they'll dump it on you. Don't take it personally.

Just smile, wave, wish them well, and move on. Don't take their garbage and spread it to other people at work, at home, or on the streets.

The bottom line is that successful people do not let garbage trucks take over their day!

Life's too short to wake up in the morning with regrets, so...Love the people who treat you right. Pray for the ones who don't.
Life is ten percent what you make it and ninety percent how you take it!

Have a blessed, garbage-free day!