Lovin' Life

TUOLOMNE MEADOWS

2010-08-17T13:56:00.000-07:00

What a beautiful week!

We made such good memories.

It was so sad to leave, but oh so good to get home to our luxuries. I'm so thankful for a family that loves each other -- one and all. Brothers, sisters, cousins, moms, dads, grandma, and papa. Everyone together to enjoy God's beautiful creation. Tuolomne Meadows is the neatest place to make memories. From the many hikes, campfires, dirt, river runs, dirt, Smores, flowers, meadows, domes, trees, mosquitos, card games, dirt, deer, bear boxes & dirt, yes bear boxes & did I mention dirt -- & bears!, to the wonderful dinner at The Lodge.

It was wonderful! A vacation I will never forget!

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CAMPING

2010-08-03T15:40:00.000-07:00

We are embarking on our first camping trip this summer. Not sure yet if this is a good idea or not, but there's no doubt we'll be making memories. I can't believe the amount of stuff you have to take with you. How is this even considered vacation with the amount of work that goes into planning, preparing and prepping. Whew!

I have found some helpful sites for camping. I'm a list person, so the perfect list(s) is my best friend when packing. Here are two I enjoyed:

http://www.keepandshare.com/doc/149881/camping-supply-list

http://www.pier55.com/travel-vacations/camping/how-to-prepare-for-a-camping-trip/

http://www.vacation-lists.com/rv-packing-list.html

We also enjoyed watching the movie "RV" before the trip. Let's just hope that our trip does not even come close to resembling the movie. Blog Signature.PNG

2010-08-03T15:17:00.000-07:00

What is better than a beautiful relaxing day at the beach?

Ending a day at the beach with "Smores"!

I found these monstrous marshmallows at Walmart. I've also seen them at Winco. They were so fun and just oozing out of the graham crackers. You can actually get two smores out of one because they are so big. But that's not as fun. One big messy smore is the best!

My kids absolutely loved them! But you better be ready with wet cloths and a big appetite.

Have fun getting messy!

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Sizzlin' Summer

2010-07-29T19:26:00.000-07:00

My Little Cooker

So we've made it through our 117 degree days! Yuck! And, hopefully we'll miss the next round by being in a cooler place. Hot days aside, I love summer!

I love it that:

My kids are home

We play cards

See family

Relax

Experience new things

Sleep in

Family & Friends visiting

Cook

Swim

Read

Quality Time

Too soon summer will be over. For now, we'll savor every day!

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Catch-Up

2010-05-06T14:06:00.000-07:00

Okay, so it's been awhile since my last entry. I may have my Christmas stuff organized but I have not figured out how to organize my ciber life without it being all-consuming.

Here's a little something. We just celebrated Court's birthday. So fun! The time has flown by -- I can't believe I'm saying that. So, here's to celebrating and enjoying every precious moment with our babies, no matter how old they are.

Until my next blog, which I hope won't be in 3 months, have a beautiful, wonderful day! And, go kiss those kids of yours. :)

Loves,

Deb

(How'd I do, Deb L.? hee hee)

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Good-bye Christmas, Hello New Year

2010-01-13T11:36:00.000-08:00

Christmas to me is a fabulous time of year and I always hate to see it go. But it is time. I usually leave up most of my decor until the 1st or 2nd week of January. Why let something go so quickly when it takes so much time and effort to prepare. There is just something about the lights and festivities that relax me and bring a smile to my face. But all things must, and do, come to an end. So, as I box up the last of the Christmas decor, there are a few things I do to plan for the next year in order to simplify the preparations.

One of my favorite things to do is to take a photo of the holiday gift wrap "look" I want to use next year. I print a copy and put it in our Christmas wrap bin to remember my ideas. I always by all gift wrap and cards at the "after", "after" Christmas sales when you can purchase items at 75%, sometimes 80% off. I actually caught a sale yesterday at several stores with items at 90% off. Heck, it's almost free!All Christmas bins are now labeled which has made packing so much easier. I make sure to take a picture of the Christmas Tree for our Family Album and update our Christmas card list.

A friend gave me a Christmas photo album which I use to store family and friend Christmas card photos for each year. It is so fun to pull this out each year and see past Christmas photos.

Finally, I check my Christmas Binder. Fill it with new forms and fill out all missing info. for the next year. I started using a Christmas Binder last year. It keeps me organized and holds everything relating to Christmas. Such as:
Gift List
Budget
Gifts to Make
Decor
Wish Lists
Baking
Party Organizers
etc.

You can make your own binder by logging on to OrganizedHome.com
http://organizedhome.com/household-notebook/create-christmas-holiday-planner

So, here's to the new year! Hallelujah it's 2010!
Happy New Year & Blessings,
Debbi

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My Husband

2009-09-25T10:52:00.000-07:00

Here's to my husband who I RESPECT with all my heart:

For all you do
and all you say.

For each day spent
being such a "gent".

For all you provide
and working through rough tides.

To "tickle time" and laughter
and the time together thereafter.

You are appreciated and loved, admired and respected.
Good job in doing all that's expected
From God, your family, friends and elected.

We love you, respect you,
And write this to thank you!

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Cooking Trials

2009-09-18T16:20:00.001-07:00

Okay, so this week I've been trying some new recipes that are family friendly and easy to make. We call them our "Red Star Meals". It's a challenge to cook 3 meals a day for a family of five with different tastes. Here's what I've come up with, and so far, everyone's happy (except for my 6 year old self-proclaimed vegetarian -- she's somewhat happy) :)

Breakfast:

McMuffins:
scrambled eggs
sausage rounds
american cheese slices
english muffins

Lemon, Blueberry Muffins:
from "Deceptively Delicious" recipe book
I've come to really like this cookbook. If you haven't heard of it, the idea is to add pureed veggies to the recipes using health conscious ingredients. It takes some time to prep the pureed veggies but they can be prepared in advanced and frozen. Worth it in my book.

Applesauce Muffins (mix)

Buttermilk Pancakes:
Served once in the week since it's not on the healthy list. :) If you are interested in this amazing recipe Greg found online, shoot me an email and I'll send it to you. Mmmm goood!

Lunch:

Hard Boiled Eggs:
(for my little vegetarian)
Plain
Deviled
Egg Sandwiches

PB & J rounds:
Stamped with Pampered Chef's sandwich stamper (love this tool!)

Turkey on whole wheat:
nothing new, the kids just like it

Snacks:
Trader Joe's veggie chips
Trader Joe's pretzel slims
Fruits
Snap peas
Carrots
Salad
Trail Mix

Dinner:

Baked Bean Chili w/Cornbread:
This is so easy. I've tweeked a couple of recipes to come up with one my whole family likes. I put it all in the crockpot and let simmer all day on low.
1 1/2 lb. ground beef or ground turkey (brown before adding to crockpot)
2 cans Bush baked beans
1 onion (I cut it into quarters so my kids can take them out yet not miss out on the flavoring)
1 can crushed tomatoes or 1 tomato, diced
3 cloves garlic -- Here's a time saving tip: use store bought crushed garlic
1 can tomato soup
Add to taste: salt, pepper, hot pepper sauce, chili powder

Balsamic Marinated Peppers (red, yellow & orange):
Sprinkle over peppers: olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper & crushed dry basil
Cook at 350 degrees for 1/2 hour
DEELISH!

Italian Sausage Sandwiches:
French rolls
Italian sausage links
Carmelized Onion
Swiss or Provolone slices

Enchiladas:
Corn tortillas
Beef, chicken or cheese
Mexican mix cheese
Enchilada Sauce
*This was my mom's recipe when we were kids. I used to love it when she would make this and I still love it! Simple and quick too.

If you want more detailed info. on some of these recipes I'd be happy to forward it to you.
Here's to happy cooking!

Loves,
Deb

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Women of Faith

2009-09-13T21:50:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to attend the Women of Faith conference for the 9th year and each year am blown away by God's ability to reach me in my weaknesses. I am so thankful for the many women I have been blessed to know and their transparency. Their faith and hope in Jesus is amazing to watch and learn from and I am so thankful that the Lord heals and restores relationships. Each year the Lord has one specific reason for me to be there and this year it was for me to see an old friend. I am so glad the Lord loves us in spite of our failures and disappointments. It was such a good weekend. And each year it is so refreshing to catch up with Deb Loomis. 30+ years of friendship lends itself to transparent conversation. Love it!

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls for he has no one to help him up.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 NKJ

³⁸For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,
³⁹neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:38 & 39

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Thankful

2009-09-11T10:16:00.000-07:00

Another summer, come and gone!
I wasn't ready for the school year to begin this year. I was so enjoying my time with the family. I feel like I am grasping on to every little moment with my kids as I have totally realized that time is passing us by quickly. With Cait starting middle school I find myself in a state of unbelief each time I look at her. And now that Court's in school full days, what's one to do. They are thoroughly enjoying their schools, teachers and friends which gives me such peace. And, I am loving it that I have the chance to work on myself in my time with the Lord and prepare myself for when the kids & my awesome hubby come home.
What a life!
Thank you Lord for my job and the blessings you are allowing me to enjoy.
Who knew I would be in this place ten years ago?
You did, Lord!

Something New

2009-04-28T22:25:00.000-07:00

Today seemed fitting to begin something new. We celebrated my youngest's 6th birthday today. It was a wonderful day and I loved watching her enjoy every moment. I loved watching her eyes light up with every new surprise or celebration. I can't believe it's been 6 since years since her birth. A birth that is truly a miracle along with her brother! Wow! Thank you Lord! Who would have know that 10 years after cancer we would be blessed with 3 beautiful, healthy, wonderful children! God is truly amazing! So, it is with that thought in mind that I attempt to remember the wonderful moments through this blog that God gives us. The good, the bad and the ugly. Here's to life!