Well…THEY ARE AWESOME!  So addicting.  Really healthy for you, full of vitamins and minerals.  Great alternative to chips. 

You need a bunch of kale, olive oil, sea salt, pepper and lemon juice.  Wash your kale and tear it from the core into bite size pieces.  I used my salad spinner to get it dry but you can pat it with paper towels.  Place in large bowl and drizzle mixing it with your hand. 

Now place it on a cookie sheet and put into preheated 350 degree oven for 12-20 minutes.  Be careful and watch it…it tends to burn easily.   Store in an airtight bag. 

It is so good!  I had to walk away or I would have eaten the entire batch.  It is definitely gonna be a snack I make often for our family.  YUMMO.  If you make it let me know how it goes.

Trying new things is going to be something I do this summer.  I love to cook and a healthy lifestyle is very important, so why not step out of the norm.  It is going to be an adventure.  I am always up for one.  What about you?

Hill of Calvary

A theme has been in my path for a few weeks now.  Carrying my cross and denying self.  It’s a deep one, a tough one.   One that I have been pondering and praying about.  What does “dying to self”  mean?  How do we live the crucified life for Christ? 

I want to share a wonderful opportunity for some girlfriend time, which we all need and want!   I have been following a blog called (in)courage for a while now.  It has so many contributors and topics, really it’s for any women, check them out.   They have decided to host a conference.  This is not just any conference.  Check out the details here.  This is such a great way to get a bunch of gals from your neighborhood/community together, not having  the expense of travel and lodging.  It looks like they have a ton of fun planned for that weekend.  The (in)RealLife conference is trying to get us to actually fellowship with other women and bring them into our homes to attend the conference together.  Life get’s busy so this is a great way to refill our tanks and get rejuvenated.

(In)RealLife is on April 27-28.  It’s $10 to register, which is totally cheap.  You can register here.  Got questions?  Go here.

It’s gonna be tons of fun!!

Wouldn’t you agree that it’s very easy now to stay connected?   Between blogs, facebook, twitter, and email we can know a bunch of information in a short amount of time.   With this quick finger approach I feel we are losing an oldie and goodie…sending a card.  I love going to a card shop, seeing all the rows of cards.  Some funny, romantic, some with words of encouragement, there’s thinking of you, thank you and congratulations!   I enjoy reading through the words, pondering what they say, sometimes laughing my head off and praying over who needs to read and  hear them.  Who could could use some encouragement or just a smile through a card? I purchase the ones I feel led to get and take them home.  I always know of someone who could use the blessing of a card.  We all have something going on in our lives whether it’s a marvelous moment or a trial.  Words of love written in a card can speak volumes to someone’s heart and soul!

Once home I get a blue ink pen (that’s another post, I am addicted to blue ink pens and yellow highlighters), sit with my choice of warm drink and start writing.  I love to feel the joy in my heart thinking that I could brighten and bless someone’s day.  I have sent many, many cards and feel it is sorta a ministry.  I would rather send a card then an email.  It’s more personal.  There is a novelty in it.

I admit I enjoy sending a card because I really enjoy getting a card.  To know that someone took time out of their day to write me a note is so thoughtful.  To know you are thought of, brighten’s your day!

There have been many times in my life when a card is just what I needed.  In tough times when I was in despair…a card in the mailbox from a friend or family member telling me I will get through it.  Joyous times, our wedding, the birth of one of our girls…a card congratulating us on our treasure.   Birthdays…a card from someone celebrating with me  the day God delivered me to earth.  Then there are those cards that are the “just because” cards.  LOVE them…no reason for one, but someone cared enough to send one.

Dayspring has beautiful cards.  Their cards come in many varieties and I love that they have  scripture inside of them.  To give someone God’s truth is such a gift.  I was recently asked to review the “SIMPLY MARVELOUS” card pack.  I want to disclose Dayspring gave them to me free to review and that all opinions stated are my own. Take a peek…can I just say that these are fun and pretty!

This assorted pack of cards features messages of encouragement, friendship, and birthday greetings.   I can’t wait to sit and go through each one of them, pondering over who I want to send one too.  So friends, be looking in your mailbox, your day could be brightened!

Here is an email that’s been making the rounds. How does it strike you?

 Ever wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phone?

What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?

What if we flipped through it several times a day?

What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?

What if we used it to receive messages from the text?

What if we treated it like we couldn’t live without it?

What if we gave it to kids as gifts?

What if we used it when we traveled?

What if we used it in case of emergency?

This is something to make you go….hmm…where is my Bible?

Oh, and one more thing.

Unlike our cell phone, we don’t have to worry about our Bible being
disconnected, because Jesus already paid the bill.

Makes you stop and think ‘where are my priorities’?

And no dropped calls!

Something to think about as we head into a new year!

Jesus is our gift, come let us adore HIM. Let us be like the wise men, continually seeking and worshiping HIM.  Like the shepherd’s, rejoicing with gladness, God came in human flesh.. because he loves US!

Thanksgiving 2011

Phoebe and Madison

 

Phoebe and Eliza

Jerry and Raelynn, Lifegroup Christmas Party 2011

 

Matt picking his gift

 

Birthday cake for Jesus with Lifegroup

Parker and Phoebe

 

 

Krohn Conservatory Trains