Who Are You?- A Meme

I was tagged by Marsha to play a “Who Are You?” Meme.

- The rules of the game get posted at the beginning.
- Each player answers the questions about themselves.
- At the end of the post, the player then tags 5 people, posts their names, and then leaves a comment on their blogs, letting them know they've been tagged.


What was I doing 10 years ago?
~ 10 years ago, I was in my junior year of college, and living in my first apartment with my best friend.
~ Performing! Staring in Puccini’s Suor Angelica, Singing/Acting in 3 ensembles on campus, drama w/ the BSU, singing and traveling w/ the Wesley praise band, singing and assistant directing a community all girls choir, preparing for N.A.T.S. competition, singing and helping our university host honor choir and the regional Metropolitan Opera auditions.- Did I mention singing?
~ Hugh and I had been dating for three years and we were praying about marriage and God’s plan for us!
~ Trying to balance 21 hours a semester with my first “real” job at K.C.’s Restaurant. I say “real job” as in 40 hours a week. There is no “part time” at K.C.’s; mainly due to the fact that they are the only nationally rated 4 star restaurant in Mississippi. You spend a lot of time in training, before they trust you out on the floor alone. So, they don’t waste their time training someone for “part time” work. It was quite a challenge, but as I look back on it now, I’m very grateful to have had the experience to work there. I learned the value of hard work, which in turn instilled in me a strong work ethic. I learned a lot about food, wine, and service, fine dinning and entertaining. And I got the opportunity to meet a lot of famous chefs and famous people.

Five Things on my to-do list today.
~ Complete this Meme!
~ Tidy up the house.
~ Send off a few special packages to friends and family.
~ Cook a hot meal for Hugh and the children.
~ Chi and spend at least 30 minutes on my elliptical.

Five Snacks I enjoy.
~ 100 calorie Oreo snack crisps w/ a diet Pepsi
~ A slice of pepper jack cheese w/ Snyder’s pretzel sticks and a Snapple nectarine white tea
~ Taste of Gourmet’s Garlic Herb Dip w/ carrots or cherry tomatoes and a Coca-Cola Zero
~ Honey Maid cinnamon sticks and strawberries with Taste of Gourmet’s Cinn-ful Dip and a diet Sierra Mist
~ A cup of Tazo Chai Tea or coffee and a slice of toast w/ peanut butter and honey.

Five Things I would do if I were a billionaire.
~ I would always give God an offering instead of a tithe.
~ I would make sure our family was well taken care of and could enjoy life debt-free.
~ Travel- A LOT!
~ Support several charities that are dear to my heart.
~ Bless those I come across in need, but in secret.

Five bad habits.
~ My blogging addiction.
~ Staying up way too late- just to have “me” time.
~ Emotional eating/fasting.
~ Over analyzing everything! My sister, Demetria says it’s my secret psychiatrist alter-ego coming out. (hee-hee.)
~ Interrupting when others are talking. I get so excited when I have something in common w/ someone- it’s like me too, me too! or I know exactly what you mean…-and then I have to stop myself- I’m sorry- you were saying…(I’m trying very hard to correct this. I want to be a better listener.)

Five places I have lived.
~ Mississippi
~ Louisiana
~ Missouri
~ Ohio
~ Illinois

Five Jobs I've had.
~ I’ve worked in retail at Harrolds
~ I’ve worked in fine dining as a hostess/wait staff.
~ I’ve been a Teacher- in Music education, Gifted education, and Early Childhood education.
~ Child care/Daycare.
~ Administration-employee training and staff development.
~ I’ve had work as a singer. I also used to do hair and make up for weddings, formals, recitals, opera/theater, and pageants.

Five people I want to know more about (a nice way of saying TAG):
1) Dawn
2) Connie
3) Christy
4) Melissa
5) Ashley I.

I could so tag more than 5 of you. I enjoy getting to know new people. I think you can tell by the list of blogs that I enjoy reading. If you would like to participate - please feel free and leave a comment letting me know that you played. Even if I didn’t tag you- I promise I’ll come by to read- if you decide to play along! Toodles!

March-Taste of Gourmet Winner!

Congratulations to.... Denise @ Shorty Bears Place. She is this month's Taste of Gourmet winner. -Thanks to Trey, who picked our winner this month. There is a winner every month. So, keep playing- YOU could be next! Remember, we are supporting a great cause and eating good too! If you would like to order any of our other products, you can go to our Taste of Gourmet website. Enjoy the Sweet Potato Muffins, Denise! Blessings to all!

Bloggy Give Away!

It's time again for my monthly Taste of Gourmet bloggy give away! Our product of the month for March is Sweet Potato Muffins. "What is the product of the month?" It is a fund raising project Taste of Gourmet started to benefit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, in Memphis, TN. The Hospital is devoted to research and treatment toward eliminating chronic childhood diseases like leukemia and is the only childhood cancer research center designated by the National Cancer Institute.
The Sweet Potato Muffins with Crunchy Sugar Topping are my personal favorite Taste of Gourmet product! The muffins are moist and delicious - perfect for breakfast or for dinner! They are a great healthy snack for kids too! My daughter Anna Grace loves them.
If you would like a chance to win this delicious give away- leave me a comment and tell me about your family's favorite snack and/or meal. What is a staple that must be on hand at all times for your family? The winner will be chosen on Sunday! Good luck to everyone and invite your friends to join in the fun. Everyone is welcome! Blessings on your day!

Moments from Holy Week and Resurrection Sunday

I came across this at an estate sale about seven or eight years ago, and fell in love. I am not familiar with the artist-Chris Lancaster, but I found out a few interesting things when I took this piece to be re-framed. The picture itself, was done through a type of "screening" process. It is on a very old and very delicate material, so I opted to have it put under special glass to protect it from sun damage. It was originally matted in white, but as soon as I saw it I knew I was going to re-matte it in crimson. I was going to pick out a new frame as well, but the lady helping me told me I couldn't possibly get rid of this frame. She said you have no idea what you have here. She went on to explain that the original frame is very expensive and very rare. It was done using an old technique of under water gold leafing. She ended up finding information to give to me on the whole process. I've always thought about taking it to the Antique Roadshow, if they were ever filming near me.
I love the way the picture includes different aspects of Holy Week, such as the palm branches, and the bread and wine from the last supper.
I love this movie, portraying the life of Christ! Daddy, momma and I used to watch it every year. Hugh bought it for me this year for Easter. We watched it together over several evenings after putting the children to bed.
I did this passage of scripture to set out in front of our door for the week.
This was my arrangement for my door. I thought it was bright and festive and set the tone as you entered our home.
This was a treat Datha brought over for the children. As you can see, Trey went straight for the bunnies.
Oh, the fate of a poor peep bunny! Hee-Hee!

Our beautiful children in their Easter outfits after church. It was an unbelievably wonderful holiday for me this year. Praise God, for He has risen. Jesus has risen from the dead and He is Lord! Hallelujah!

What Holiday Are You?

You Are Easter

You are an optimistic, hopeful, and genuinely sweet person. Sensitive and affectionate, you are easily touched. You love nature, animals, and anything cute or cuddly. For you, every day is a new chance - no matter what happened yesterday. What makes you celebrate: Almost anything. You love most holidays and celebrations. At holiday get togethers, you do best as: The peacemaker. You can prevent any squabbles that might break out. On a holiday, you're the one most likely to: Remember to include everyone

What Holiday Are You?

Rejoicing in Holy Week!

Isaiah 55:12
You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Luke 19:28-40
After Jesus had said this, he went on ahead, going up to Jerusalem.
As he approached Bethphage and Bethany at the hill called the Mount of Olives, he sent two of his disciples, saying to them,
“Go to the village ahead of you, and as you enter it, you will find a colt tied there, which no one has ever ridden. Untie it and bring it here.
If anyone asks you, ‘Why are you untying it?’ tell him, ‘The Lord needs it.’ ”
Those who were sent ahead went and found it just as he had told them.
As they were untying the colt, its owners asked them, “Why are you untying the colt?”
They replied, “The Lord needs it.”
They brought it to Jesus, threw their cloaks on the colt and put Jesus on it.
As he went along, people spread their cloaks on the road.
When he came near the place where the road goes down the Mount of Olives, the whole crowd of disciples began joyfully to praise God in loud voices for all the miracles they had seen:

“Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!”

“Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!”

Some of the Pharisees in the crowd said to Jesus, “Teacher, rebuke your disciples!”
“I tell you,” he replied, “if they keep quiet, the stones will cry out.”

Matthew 16:18
And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.

I have been quietly reflecting on what this week means to me as a Christian. I have been feeling, for a while now, a sort of stirring within, and I needed to take a little time away to refresh my spirit. How sweet and gentle it is in the presence of God, and yet how powerful and moving. I feel like our relationship has just blossomed. And I feel closer to Him than I've allowed myself to be in a long time. I long for Him, and I'm excited about our time together. I can't say that it has always been that way. I mean I love Him because He is God, and I'm so grateful to have Him in my life. I am in awe of His acceptance, forgiveness, and His great love for me. That in itself makes me want to serve Him- to honor and reverence Him. But it's been a long time since I've been caught up in who He is.
I've been praying about sharing my testimony. I don't have a dramatic conversion story. I think my testimony lies in all that the Lord has done in my life- and brought me through. I could have been like the seed scattered among the thorny weeds- and let life strangle my faith right out of me. Instead, I chose to cling more tightly to Him. If my circumstances have taught me anything, it is that Jesus is the only unchangeable, unmovable thing in my life. I don't just know about Him- I Know Him! and that has made all the difference in my faith.He has changed my life and captured my heart.
I hope that everyone is having a blessed holiday.

Forever Friends

Have you ever had a friend who touched your life in such a way that you were never the same again? -someone who meant so much to you they felt more like family than a friend....I have. We've all had friends that we connect and share the same interests with, or that we enjoy spending time with because we enjoy their company. But, I'm talking about the kind of friend that challenges you to grow, nurtures your spirit, weathers the storms of life with you, holds you up or even carries you when you feel beaten down and trampled upon- until you can stand on your own again, and celebrates the joys and success in your life. We are lucky if through out our life, we find one true friend. I have been blessed with more than a handful, and I know it's a rare thing. They are the ones who remind me of how real, how powerful and how tender God's love is for me.
Last month, Dawn @ Southern Girly-Girl Raising Three Boys, wrote this beautiful post about her friends. I couldn't help smiling when I read it. It touched my heart and reminded me of how many friends I have to be thankful for. So, I have decided to write a series of posts celebrating the different friendships that have blessed and enriched my life. I am still working on my first post in this series, but it will be up soon. Blessings to all!

Fun little test I found at Christy's

You Are a Semi-Colon

You are elegant, understated, and subtle in your communication. You're very smart (and you know it), but you don't often showcase your brilliance. Instead, you carefully construct your arguments, ideas, and theories until they are bulletproof. You see your words as an expression of yourself, and you are careful not to waste them. Your friends see you as enlightened, logical, and shrewd. (But what you're saying often goes right over their heads.) You excel in: The Arts You get along best with: The Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

Beautiful as a Butterfly!

Like a butterfly becomes beautiful,
by living a quiet life, hidden for a season,
while beauty develops on the inside.
That same butterfly has to go through a season of struggle
before it is Free to Fly!
Once it IS Free to Fly,
that butterfly NOW has a beauty we all are blessed to see.
Everywhere the butterfly goes,
it spreads pollen and makes it possible for flowers to bloom
and fruit to be developed.
You could say it leaves a trail of life in its wake!
What a beautiful thought!
Butterflies don't go around trying to be beautiful.
They don't say "hey, look at me".
They just ARE, they just DO, they just LIVE.
All that time spent hidden in a cocoon,
was not wasted.
The time and effort spent struggling to get out of the cocoon
made the butterfly strong and ABLE to fly!
The women this award was created for have an
ability to focus on the things that REALLY matter,
and to allow the struggles of life to strengthen them,
leaves everyone they come in contact with a deposit of "pollen".
A little dose of the grace that is unique to them,
which adds wisdom, humor, truth
and just a little whiff
of the fragrance of Christ that is unique to them!


This is a description of why Maria @ In Christ We Are Free to Fly created this blessing. It is with admiration that I pass this on to women who have blessed me with their unique beauty.

Christy, Ashley, Demetria, Kimberly, Marsha, Jessica, Sharon, Leslie, Sharon, Denise, Connie, Dawn, Alana, Melissa, Monica, Emma, Ann, and Gina,. I would also like to extend this to two non- bloggy friends who I know read this, and are two beautiful sisters to me in Christ... Emily and Amy Winegar! Blessings to all!