Party Prep #2

Yes, my party is still a go... actually it's in less than 72 hours! Whoa, that's a scary thought....
Anyway, I finally nailed down the menu this afternoon and braved the aisles of walmart to buy my ingredients. I have lots of fun ideas, I just hope that it can all be accomplished in such a short amount of time. :)

Aacck ! And Christmas is only 2 days later...

::::::::::::::::What I am meditating on today::::::::::::::::

Praise the LORD, O my soul;

all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
Praise the LORD, O my soul,

and forget not all his benefits-
who forgives all your sins

and heals all your diseases,
who redeems your life from the pit

and crowns you with love and compassion,
who satisfies your desires with good things

so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's.

Psalms 103: 1-4

Oh, and Read this if you are having a hard time this Christmas season!

Thank you, Gayle and Grace at refreshings for nominating me for this award!

When you are nominated, you are supposed to:
Mention the blog that gave it to you.
Comment on her blog to let her know you have posted the award.
Share 6 values (or things) that are important to you.
Share 6 things you do not support.
Share the love with six ( or however many you want to) other wonderful blogging friends

P.S. I did change the rules slightly ( in italics :)

6 things(+) that are important to me are~

-My relationship with My Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ

-Family

-Friends

-Purity

-Cooking 'licious food

-Excercising

-Finding ways to serve those around me

6 things I do not support are~

-Public Education

-Divorce

-Abortion

-Hamburger Helpers and TV dinners(I just had to throw that one in there :P)

-Homo-Sexuality

-

I nominate

-Mrs. MK

-Miss Gracie's House

-The Mckinney's

One of my recent Christmas Traditions...

~Candy Cane Lane Tea~

It's so good... a 'licious peppermint green tea... but a nice n' mild peppermint.

Regular mint tea is a little strong for my liking but this is just right. And better yet, it's Celestial Seasonings which means you can find it just about anywhere!

Oh, and here are some yummy sugar cookies

I made this evening, too.

Simple, delicious, and of course, the recipe is from my ever trusty Baking Illustrated Book!

Soft Sugar Cookies:
2 cups all purpose four
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup butter, softened but still cool
1 cup granulated sugar
1 tablespoon brown sugar
1 egg
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla
sugar in the raw ( for sprinkling on top)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Whisk together the flour, baking powder and salt. Set aside. In a stand mixer, cream butter and sugars until light and fluffy ( about 3 minutes). Beat in the egg and vanilla. Slowly mix in the dry ingredients; mix until just combined. Roll into balls; place on cookie sheet. Flatten slightly then sprinkle with the sugar in the raw. Bake for about 8 minutes or until just set. Let cool on cookie sheet.

What I'm singing today...

My soul finds rest

In God alone

He only is my salvation

My Rock, my Peace

My fortress strong

I will ever love and adore Him

Great love of GodJesus, His name

He only is my foundation

For on the cross

He bled and died

And He took my sorrows forever

For on the crossHe bled and died

And He took my sorrows forever

And I will praise Him, whatever

Party Prep #1

Well, unfortunately the first thing I gotta do for my party is: CLEAN!

First clean and decorate for Christmas... which technically should have been done last weekend (it's tradition to get the house decorated for Christmas the few days after Thanksgiving), but I'm a little busier than I used to be and so is my Mom, so I guess I have to be fine with broken tradition! :)

Here is a picture of our parlour and dining room... last year. Seems like this is a recurring pattern! Always, always gotta clean up for Christmas 'cause our family of 20 ( including brothers, sisters, their spouses, a Grandma and an Great Aunt) has to go somewhere!

For those of you that don't know, my mom owns a business that includes lots and lots of beautiful creativity and clutter, which is what you see in the picture!

Enjoy life for what it is, not what it could be.

Enjoy life for what it is,

not what it could be!

God answers prayers. Maybe not quite in ways I had planned... in ways far, far, better!

I prayed that things would work out so that I could be content and joyful. Did they work out in the way I was thinking. No, (I mean that would have been ok,too, :) but I am enjoying my life so much... having fun with friends, talks with my sisters and brothers, working, spending time at home... etc! So I am living my life the way it is and loving it!

(This isn't my picture: I stole it off the internet then I edited it)

#1 blessing in my life? My brothers and sisters and sister-in-laws!

Oh and BTW: I'm planning a big Christmas party at my house... hor d'ouvers and desserts... lots of friends. I am so excited- more details about plans and menu to follow!

I did it!

And I LOVE <3 LOVE IT!

Here today, GONE tomorrow!

After much indecision and anguish, I have decided to cut my hair. Short. Very short. Too short, I'm afraid.

It has been long and curly for 12 of my 19 years...

A very tough decision I am ashamed to admit...

.

But, after all, it is just hair... that I do believe will grow back.

After a few scare tactics to my family and friends ( like dyeing it purple) they all say - "Grace, just cut it!"

I promise... I won't complain, not even a word!

( I hope)

(Muahaha, but I still might dye it purple yet! :P)

More pictures to come tomorrow when the deed is done!