your daily quote

I am not interested in money. I just want to be wonderful.Marilyn Monroe




These are my new words to live by people. Drink it in.

self control

Today I went shopping at TJMaxx. I had one thing on my list and one thing only. It was a necessity. Let's just say it was an unmentionable. OK, so now you see how uneventful this trip should've been. BUT it's TJMaxx, which is one of my fave stores ever. And it's after Christmas. And they are hosting their "winter clearance mark down". Come on people, my heart started pounding just as I was walking through the door. So first I forced myself to go try on the old boring necessity. OK, good now that's over with and now the dressing room lady knows my bra size (great) and yes, I'm pretty sure she snickered...grrr. Then I walked directly to the shoes. Thank God they mostly had shoes I wouldn't touch with a 39 and a 1/2 foot pole...but there were these beautiful glittery Steve Maddens...I picked them up, looked at the price tag (hey, it's a habit), and promptly put them down. My mental conversation went something like this "you don't need these, you already have a million pairs of high heels, but they're so pretty and so...glittery, it's time to grow up you don't have to own everything that has glitter on it, but...but...but, but you're a nanny now and there is no way in the world that these shoes are practical for the job...or any job for that matter, but...but...but...glitter, put them down and walk away". Done and done. Now walking to the home clearance section. Like I need anything there. Luckily there wasn't anything begging me to buy it. Candles that make me want to throw up (Godiva now has a candle that is chocolate and rose smell...let me save you the gag...it smells some kinda nasty) that still cost $10 on clearance! OK, the rest of the trip goes like this: Christmas clearance, regular priced stationary, regular priced home goods, clearance dresses, knick knacks at the check out. It was like a mental tug of war championship. And I still only walked out with my necessary bra. Now that is what I call self control people!

your daily quote

Don't worry about the world coming to an end today. It's already tomorrow in Australia.

Charles Schulz

psalm 91

So this was read in church today and was the premise of the message. As you know, I'm not a fan of "kicking off a new year" but this passage made me feel fearless, like I can take on 2011! I know that it's quite long, but if you have the patience (and attention span) to read it then I hope you are inspired by it as well.

Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust."

Surely he will save you
from the fowler's snare
and from the deadly pestilence.
He will cover you with his feathers,
and under his wings you will find refuge;
his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.
You will not fear the terror of night,
nor the arrow that flies by day,
nor the pestilence that stalks in the darkness,
nor the plague that destroys at midday.
A thousand may fall at your side,
ten thousand at your right hand,
but it will not come near you.
You will only observe with your eyes
and see the punishment of the wicked.

If you say, "The LORD is my refuge,"
and you make the Most High your dwelling,
no harm will overtake you,
no disaster will come near your tent.
For he will command his angels concerning you
to guard you in all your ways;
they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.
You will tread on the lion and the cobra;
you will trample the great lion and serpent.

"Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him;
I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.
He will call on me, and I will answer him;
I will be with him in trouble,
I will deliver him and honor him.
With long life I will satisfy him
and show him my salvation."

Psalm 91

PS- Our pastor commented that "You will tread on the lion and the cobra; you will trample the great lion and serpent" would make a BA tattoo. It made me laugh and I totally agree...if I was a guy I would most definitely get it, asap. Although, I don't think it would look that great on my petite frame.

easy peasy cornbread

I love this stuff, it's so easy and so delicious!

1 1/2 cups of cornmeal
1/2 cup all purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 cup shortening (or bacon fat or cooking oil)
1 1/2 cups buttermilk
2 eggs

Heat oven to 450 degrees. Mix all ingredients, beat vigorously for 30 seconds. Pour into greased round cast iron skillet (or 8x8x2 in. square pan) and bake until golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes. Enjoy!

Side note: If you don't have buttermilk on hand (I never do) you can substitute with 1 cup of regular milk mixed with 1 tbsp. of vinegar or lemon juice. Use this accordingly...i.e. for this particular recipe still use 1 1/2 cups of milk and about 1 1/2 tbsp. vinegar.

your daily quote

Listen to the mustnt'ts child. Listen to the don'ts. Listen to the shouldn'ts, the impossibles, the won'ts. Listen to the never haves, then listen close to me...Anything can happen child, anything can be.

Shel Silverstein

your new year's quote

"...but then I think about what a new year is - another year to make decisions, another year of good times and unfortunately some sad times, another year that after it is over with we will not have it again except in our memories. So, my quote would be to make those memories good ones and take comfort that no matter what happens this year that Hebrews 13:8 (Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever) applies to both Family and God."

-my wise father in law

Thanks for sending that to me Gary!