Chocolate or Chocolate???

I received an email with the following signature line:

"Save the Earth; it's the only planet with chocolate!"

Now that is one Save the (Whatever) slogans that I can really get into. While I don't have a problem with save the whales or save the spotted owls I just don't feel really passionate about either of them. They are fine in themselves and I'm glad God made them, but it's not my cup of tea.

Chocolate now, that's another matter~! I read where women need chocolate at certain times. I was really glad to see that someone else agreed with me. It really didn't matter though, because my daughters and I already knew that. We have made many chocolate runs from this house. It's a good thing we don't live far away from the store or I would have to stockpile it for those occasions. Then it would be really hard not to indulge.

The first picture is one of our favorites. It's a Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cake and it is served with Hot Fudge Sauce. Um...Um...Good~! Even the guys at our house love this one. In fact, Daniel requested this for his last birthday, hence the candles.

The other is a delicious cheesecake that Rebekah made for me on my birthday.
See the delicious chocolate drizzled across the top? It was sooo good~!

I can already tell that this is one of those days when I'll be needing some chocolate.

Down Comforters

I am back at home in my own little world today. We are still officially on "vacation"; at least Donald and I are. The kids are working as they have already had theirs....vacation that is. I came home to one very clean and sweet smelling house. I paid Hannah to clean for me while we were gone. It was worth every penny I've yet to pay her~! I absolutely hate coming home from a trip to a messed up house. It doesn't take long after unloading the car to have things setting around waiting to be put in place. I used to be hyper about it and would immediately start unpacking and putting away. The first thing I did last night was come directly to the computer. We had computer access in our very lovely hotel room but they charged for it. Why spoil a "free" night by paying for something?? We also declined the valet parking for $14.00 and walked.

Donald used to travel in his job and had points for a free night that he had earned. We stayed at the RENAISSANCE AUSTIN HOTEL and experienced "an authentic luxury hotel in Austin." You could even call for a turn down service. If I had known they wouldn't have charged for it I might have called; however since I have expertise in that area (and I am also on the cheap side) I did it myself. They had fancy bottled water for $4.00 if you cracked the seal. I was completely satisfied with my Diet Coke. Donald had one iced down and oh so cold for me when I woke up yesterday.

The reason we chose Austin was to see Monte Montgomery. He can play one mean guitar. I was mesmerized by how fast his fingers flew up and down his guitar the first time I saw him. I don't know squat about music, but that guy can play~! He was at the Saxon Pub and we saw another band before he came up. I enjoyed them a lot. One guy was really the entertainer and I almost got dizzy watching him bob his head. They did a fantastic job of "Jackson" or maybe that's not even the name of it, but it was great. They had my foot tapping for sure. Monte was alone and I missed his band, but he was still fantastic. If you're interested here's his web site. You can listen to sound clips from some of his albums. I didn't see my favorite on there, "I Know You By Heart." He did it Wednesday night though and it was awesome~!
http://www.montemontgomery.com/

Vacations are meant to be enjoyed. I just gave Donald one little item on his "honey do" list. He's already taken care of it for me so he can enjoy the next several days. Am I awesome or what??

Mum's the Word

We are on vacation this week~! I love not having a schedule. I'm sure I would tire of it eventually, but it's pretty awesome right now.

We went out of town today for reasons I won't disclose. I am trying to protect someone I love by not giving too much information. (I guess I do have a habit of doing that sometimes and embarrassing said member of our family.) It was a lot of fun though and I got to eat at Schlotzsky's. I love Schlotzsky's and wish we had one here. We did at one time, but for some reason they went out of business.

Maybe I'll have something interesting to write about later, but for now I'm pretty content to keep quite.

Shhh~!

Bird Caught in a Storm

Bethany and Ben returned from San Antonio last night. They had been gone since Saturday. Bright was SO excited to see them. The rest of us were also, but I dare say we didn't grin as much as Bright did. Now you may think I'm crazy, but that dog DOES grin.

I had bought a large plastic container and put all my cards, artwork, etc. in it day before yesterday. It had been in several containers and boxes all crammed under my bed and I had run out of room. We ended up looking at and laughing over some of the early artwork and letters the kids had blessed us with when they were young. Bethany had drawn "mom and dad holding hands." I was pretty big since I took up most of the page. Donald was drawn very small down in the corner. I like to think that is the way she saw me, larger than life so to speak. After all I was the one with her day in and day out while Dad had to go to work to take care of us.

Daniel had drawn soldiers and one "Zorro" that made us laugh. Hannah had written "books" and stapled her stories together for us. Rebekah contributed many also and made one cute plea asking Donald if she and Bethany could sleep on the sofa sleeper that night. If not, she advised him that they would gladly sleep in their beds. How can you turn down a request like that???

The one though that disturbs me the most is the one I can't find. Ben had drawn a lovely picture which he proudly presented to us. It was rather hard to tell exactly what it was or which side went up. He was more than happy to tell us it was "a bird caught in a storm." I put it somewhere for it is one of those keepers you always treasure. And now I can't find my treasure. I have searched and searched and can't find it. It will drive me crazy until I do.

I have several more places to look which will require some time and effort, but with God's help I will find it. Since He knows the number of hairs on my head, I'm sure He knows where my picture is.

I think I rather feel like the woman who lost her coin and searched until she found it. Luke 15:9 says: "And when she finds it you can be sure she'll call her friends and neighbors: 'Celebrate with me! I found my lost coin!' "

Our Grand Dog

I imagine a lot of blog owners post pictures of their grandchildren. Since I don't have
grand kids yet I decided to post pictures of my "grand dog." And a grand dog he is~!

Bright has been a part of our family now for over four and a half years. He loves people. He always wants to be in the middle of whatever is going on. He celebrates all occasions with us. Christmas finds our red minivan full of our family and Bright as we drive around looking at Christmas lights. We took him with us the first Christmas he was ours. He sat in Bethany's lap. Now it is a tight squeeze but he has to go~!


A few weeks ago Sonic had free root beer floats. We were minus a couple of kids as they had
other plans. But we loaded up those who were home and Bright and went for free floats. He ate small bites from a plastic spoon. Bethany has taught him all manner of things. He really is an amazing dog.

We took him for obedience training when he was young. I watched as he dragged Bethany all over the fairgrounds. The next lesson he did much better. I guess he was excited to be out with all the other dogs and people and wide open spaces. Soon he was sitting for treats, and staying, and walking beside her. Proud "grandma" watched from the sidelines. It's amazing what he will do for a bite of string cheese.

We have a lot of people coming and going at our house. Our kids have lots of friends coming by and he gets really excited when the doorbell rings. He loves it and has made quite a few friends who always have to pay attention to him when they are over.

I never imagined I would be this crazy over a dog. After all he is just a dog. Although it is quite amazing to me how he knows what we say. If someone drops food in the kitchen we can call out "clean up on aisle three" and he comes running to clean it up~! He knows the words out and go and is always ready to run to the van and wait until someone opens the door so he can jump in. Of course the word bone has great meaning for him also.

Bethany can say just about anything to him and he understands.

I couldn't resist the picture of him wearing the
birthday hat. And I have one with him
in a tee shirt and......................

Stopping to Think

Did you ever stop to think about your life?

God could have let me be born anywhere in the world. For me He chose a small town in Texas with under 300 people. I lived in the same house all my life; no moving around for me. In fact, my mom has lived in that house since she was about eight years old. That means she's lived there almost 80 years~! Why that house? Why that town? Why that state? Why this country?

Psalm 139:15-16 says: "You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know
exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you. The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day." (The Message)

Isn't that incredible? How can I doubt that God
loves and cares for me?

This red step stool has been in my mom's house as long as I can remember. Each of my kids sat on it while eating at my parent's table. In fact,
they still do~! It's as much a part of the house as the house itself; at least in my eyes. And I think
my children would agree. There are so many
things that are the same when I go home. My parents provided stability and love for me and
my brother. They were always there for us. I think my mom is one reason I wanted to be home with my children. Even after I graduated
from high school and got a job I loved having her there when I came home. She worked hard and did so many things for us.

I may not have had an exciting life in that small town, but it was a good life. God made the best decision for me. After all He planned it all~!

The song I woke up with today is:
"I will make my plans Lord, but you direct my steps." I guess it goes along with this post quite well.

Apple, Coconut, or Pecan?

Summer has finally arrived at our house. We are finished with school and the kids are scattered. Bethany and Ben are in San Antonio visiting some dear friends. Rebekah and Donald are at work, Daniel and Hannah are sleeping. I have let Bright out and fed the cats and should be doing some things around the house. However I'd rather be blogging. I really do need a digital camera. I have never felt the need for one before I started my blog. We have lots of photos thanks to the kids and Donald. I will be doing something and think what I could write about if only I had a picture to go along with it. I think the saying "A picture is worth a thousand words" perfectly describes my thoughts here.

We celebrated Father's Day yesterday with brisket, potato salad, baked beans, and three kinds of pie: pecan (Donald's request), coconut (for Rebekah) and apple (for whoever didn't want the other two). Ben if you read this they were really good; I'm sure there won't be any left by the time you get back from your trip~!

As you can see I really don't have any inspired thoughts at the moment. Not that I ever do, but one can hope. If we had an IHOP here I'd wake Daniel and get some breakfast. That kid loves IHOP. Right now it sounds pretty good. Maybe I'll go see if there's any pie left.