SWHS Musical

Tomorrow night is opening night for Beauty and the Beast at SWHS!!!

Every year I look forward to the musicals but this year it's gonna be different because Courtney is going to be up on stage and I am soooo excited for her.  She has practiced so hard and this week the whole cast has put in some very long hours but I know that it is going to be a show worth seeing. 

Courtney has two parts, she plays the role of a villager and also a feather duster.  I can't wait to see her.  Auditions were back in November, if that tells you anything about how long they have been working on this.

Good Luck, Baby Girl!!!

Blessings to all~

Carla



A Few of My Scrapbook Pages

I thought that I would share a few of my scrapbook pages from the retreat.  They're still lacking the journaling, I save that until I get home.  All four layouts are pretty simple and I didn't realize until now how many layouts I did on the white page itself, which makes for a lighter book.

These spreads are from our 2010 Western Caribbean Cruise.  I started this album in 2010, sad, I know but now I am finish with the album after I journal.

I love this spread.....15  (4x3) pictures, what a way to summarize a trip!

 This spread is another favorite (I think it has something to do with the colors) take one large circle and cut it in half then add a rectangle across the two pages with ribbon. 

I will pour out my thoughts to you,

I will make known to you My teachings.

Proverbs 1:23

Blessings to all~
Carla

Scrapbook Retreat

We were all surprised to wake up on Saturday morning to this.  Yes, to our surprise it had snowed during the night and everything was covered with snow Saturday morning.

The snow made for some gorgeous pictures, something wonderful to scrapbook of course.

Alicia and I out in the snow.  I love this girl and yes, we have our pajama bottoms on. (I did change out of them for the group picture before lunch)

 This is the only time in four days that I left the lodge.  This year our group stayed in

the basement so we had no reason to leave the lodge especially with the weather being soooo cold.

Alicia, me (Carla), and Megan warming up in front of the fireplace after being outside for our group picture

Early morning view from the lodge.

Our group, most of which have been attending since we started the retreat 8 years ago.

The snow on the ground had started to melt by this time but it was still snowing and the trees were still covered.

Friday night was Pajama night, along with ice cream....YUM!!

I had to get a picture of this mother, daughter pair....Alicia and Brenda in their matching PJ's





This little guy hung out on the dumpster behind the lodge all Thursday night. I guess he was waiting for some garbage. Everyone kept and eye on him and I am sure that he kept an eye on all of us.  He never moved but was gone by morning.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend!!!! This was our 8th year and by far the BEST yet.  I accomplished everything that I wanted to, which was a first, meet new friends, visited with old friends and ate way too much food!!!

 Keep asking, and it will be given to you. Keep searching, and you will find. Keep knocking, and the door will be opened for you.

Matthew 7:7

Blessing to all ~

Carla

Weekend Happenings

This weekend was kinda my weekend at the house.  Jonah and Courtney went to Gatlinburg with the youth group for CYC and Phillip worked.  So with the scrapbook retreat just around the corner and my scrapbook room in a disarray, sorta.  I devoted my weekend to preparing for the retreat.  I sorted through alot of stuff and pulled out over two boxes of items to sell at the consignment table. 

Then I started power sorting an album for the retreat and that's what led to this mess and an aching back!!  I do apologize for the mess, but trying to pack for a retreat is a crazy process that involves lots of bags, as you can see they were everywhere.

As I was on a hunt for the right paper, I decided that it was time to sort through my patterned paper which I keep stored and sorted by colors in paper trays on this book case.  By the way, ignore the shadeless lamp on top of the book case, it's my Goodwill find that I need to buy a shade for.

I must have sat on the floor for a good hour (therefore the aching back) sorting through and getting rid of paper, most of which were already sorted by colors but a couple of the trays at the top are speciality (seasonal, holiday, speciality, etc) those trays took the longest, since I wanted to sort them back out.



Sad thing is this is the after picture and you can barely tell that I removed any paper, but I do have proof (see next picture).

This stack of printed paper, is going on the consignment table in hopes of not making it's way back to my scrapbook room and instead into the heart of someone who could use A LOT of printed paper.  It's close to 4 inches and yes, that is my pile of stuff to sell in the background.

If you are wondering where I keep my solids, here you go.... 

 I used to have all my paper in trays but I found that I liked to having my solids where I could pack them up and take them to a crop if need be.  It's still tight when I'm looking for a certain color but I'm hoping that after this scrapbook retreat I'll use some of it and it won't be as tight.  There is always someone needing a certain color so maybe I can thin out some of my solids.

By the way, I did take a break to go see the movie, Safe Haven with Phillip.  It was just as good as the book, a must see!  As for Jonah and Courtney, they had a wonderful time in Gatlinburg with their youth group and arrived home safely Sunday afternoon.  The stories they told made me wish that I had went.

Commit everything you do to the LORD. Trust Him, and He will help you.

Psalm 37:5

Blessings to all ~

Carla

My Baby turns 17!!!

It's hard to believe that last week, Jonah turned 17.  Wow, where does the time go???  It seems like just yesterday I was enjoying the 18 hours of labor that he was putting me through, 

then I had to have a c-section....ha!  

For Jonah's birthday every year he goes snow skiing, which this year him and his dad went to Winterplace in West Virginia.  I not a big skier so I spent the day visiting with my sister in near by Charlestown, WV. 

It's a tradition to either eat out for your birthday or I cook birthday supper, usually the later is what everyone chooses and as always, Jonah asked for a cookie cake.

Jonah taking a picture of his game to send to a friend and then he was off to play his game for the evening.  Talk about a quite evening but it was what he wanted to do.  Oh and by the way, the Sonic drink is from him and his sister stopping by there after practice and NO, they didn't bring one.

Seventeen things about my baby boy:

1. loves to run
2. he's 5'11"
3. wants to be either a engineer or an architect
4. plans on attending Western Kentucky University
5. enjoys playing video games
6. loves to be the center of attention, always has been
7. is very energetic 
8. can make the best of any situation
9. is a responsible driver
10. has strong beliefs
11. is very creative
12. has a wild imagination
13. has a sharp memory
14. has only 2 merit badges and his Eagle Scout project and he will be an Eagle Scout
15. his hair was not always as curly as it is now
16. loves to be outdoors
17. enjoys long distance bike riding, like 10 miles or more

All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the peace of your children.

Isaiah 54:13

Blessings to all ~

Carla

White Chicken Chili

I have been looking for a good White Chicken Chili and I think I've found the one for our family.   It's easy, a little spicy and oh so yummy!!!

Source: Jenna Blogs

2 chicken breasts, boiled and shredded
½ cup low sodium chicken broth
12 oz reduced fat cream cheese (a block and a half)
1 can of kidney beans, rinsed
1 can of black beans, rinsed
1 can of white northern beans, rinsed
1 undrained can of mild rotel
1 undrained can of sweet corn kernels
1 minced clove of garlic
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon pepper
2 teaspoons onion powder
1 teaspoons cumin
1 tablespoon hot Mexican chili powder

Boil raw chicken breasts in water until cooked, about 30-40 minutes. Shred.

In a dutch oven, mix all ingredients, including chicken, together over medium heat. Cook until everything is hot and well mixed, about 10-15 minutes.

In Him all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

Colossians 2:3

Blessings to all ~
Carla

Shrimp Scampi

This has got to be one of the easiest Shrimp Scampi Recipe that there is and yes, I found it on Pinterest.  What would I ever do with out it??!!??

• 4-5 dozen shrimp (I purchased a 24 oz bag of frozen shrimp)
• stick of butter
• one lemon
• package of dry zesty Italian salad dressing

Melt a stick of butter in the pan. Slice one lemon and layer it on top of the butter.

Put down fresh or thawed shrimp, then sprinkle one pack of dried Italian seasoning. Put in the oven and bake at 350 for 15 min. Best Shrimp you will EVER taste:)

Sorry, between the three of us, Courtney doesn't like seafood, there weren't any leftovers.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you

 may know the hope to which

He has called you...

Ephesians 1:18

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Valentine's Decor

This post will mostly be pictures.  Just a few weeks after the New Year I put my Valentine's Decor out so don't ask me why the day before Vday I'm posting pictures.  I know it doesn't make sense, well nothing makes sense to me here lately. 

Of course, there is always some type of plate on my plate stand.  This one comes in second place to the Halloween plate that I made.



Dining Room

Kinda cheesy but for the holiday, I like it :)

Letters came from Hobby Lobby and then I added the

red polka dots.

The table runner came from Pottery Barn, years ago.

Kitchen Wall

I am so sorry that I can not find the link for the red Valentine print. 
It's a couple years old now.

The gray and white striped print can be found here.

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped.

Psalm 28:7

Blessings to all ~

Carla

What I'm Loving Wednesday

Happy Wednesday!!!!  Today is what I'm Loving wednesday!

I'm Loving... that the movie Safe Haven comes out tomorrow.  I'm a BIG fan of Nicholas Sparks, I've read the book and I hope that I'm not too disappointed by the movie.  The book was awesome, read it in 2 days.

I'm Loving... that even though my kids are 26 months apart in age and separate genders, they are best friends.  I took this picture the other day of them working on planning their schedules for next year.  I love that they get along so well.  I have truly been blessed!!!

I'm Loving... how well Jonah performed last night at the Mason Dixon qualifier for track.  He ran a 10:33 PR in the 2 mile.  He looked amazing!!! I snapped this picture of him and Rascal on the couch asleep after we had supper last night.  Since I was working the gate and it was dark when he ran, I didn't take any pictures at the track.  I know I have to get better, at one time I was, in fact I think I took too many.

I'm Loving... that tomorrow is Valentine's.  Hubby and I don't do anything elaborate but I do fix a nice dinner for the family always eating in the dinning room with the china, yes this possibly the third time during the year that we use the china.  We started this tradition when the kids were little and it was easier to stay at home then find a sitter and fight the crowed restaurants.  Here's a little sneak peak of my dinning room table decor. 

What are you Loving on this Wednesday????

  

...the mind-set of the Spirit is life and peace.

Romans 8:6

Blessings to all ~

Carla

Rainy Sunday

Have you ever had one of those productive days?

 Well yesterday, was mine.  I woke up earlier then normal to get ready for church since Courtney had a friend spend the night with her Saturday night.  Made waffles for the crew and had the kitchen clean before church, now I will admit that I got busy talking to some people after church and I forgot about a meeting that I was suppose to attend after Sunday school.....oops.

However, the afternoon just continued being productive.  The guys were able to wash my van before the afternoon rain showers came.  ALL the laundry got done even the towels that the guys used to dry the van  inside the garage when it started raining.  Rascal got a bath, coupons got clipped (I can't tell you the last time I clipped my coupons on a Sunday).  I cleaned out my purse, YIKES!!!

Phillip and I even sat down and made out a menu for the week and went grocery shopping in the rain.  Somebody pinch me PLEASE!!!!!  For once I do not have to make multiple trips to the grocery store this week to pick up items for supper, lunch, or breakfast. 

Okay.....I have decided every Sunday it needs to be a Rainy Sunday, plain and simple.  If only I would have had a nap it would have been perfect!!!!

But let him ask in faith, with no doubting...

James 1:6

Blessings to all ~

Carla

What I'm Loving Wednesday!

Happy Wednesday!!! Today is what I'm Loving wednesday!

I'm Loving...   a good trip to Home Goods, unfortunate for me, the closest one is about an hour and a half, not very convenient.  So a couple weeks ago while visiting my sister in W.V. I made it a point to stop at Home Goods.  That's where I found this adorable owl tea towel and picked up a couple white plates for my dining room wall.  I also bought this clear apothecary jar for my cotton balls since Phillip broke the lid to ours back last summer and I found this white porcelain jar on clearance (gotta love that).

I'm Loving... that I don't drink carbonated drinks but I love sweet tea (decaffeinated) and now I am hooked on cranberry juice and cranberry grape juice, trying to buy the kind with the least amount of sugar.

I'm Loving... this Jade plant that I recently bought, I'm so ready for SPRING!!! 

I'm Loving... this lantern that I bought at Hobby Lobby with the gift card that my MIL gave me for Christmas.  I've been eyeing them since last summer but couldn't bring myself to spend the money on it, so when I received a gift card to Hobby Lobby at Christmas, I knew exactly what I was going to buy.

I'm Loving... Rascal....of course!!!!  Everyday when I come home from work he wants to play ball.  He'll bring you his ball until you cave and play with him. 

What are you LOVING this Wednesday???  Hope you have a great day.

Let all that I am wait quietly before God, for my hope is in Him.

Psalm 62:5

Blessings to all ~

Carla