The Misplaced Midwesterner

ANNOUNCEMENT!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 25 Feb 2012 03:40:00 +0000

Wow...has it been that long since I last wrote anything on here? Well I guess so.

I do have an WONDERFUL announcement.

After searching for a full time job for 4 years and seriously perusing one of them for the past year I have finally been offered a full time job! And the best part????? They will be grooming me to be one of their trainers.

So...you think there might be better news? Why, yes. Yes there is! When I become one of their trainers I'll be salaried and have a company car.

Can you say....WOO HOO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Of course, this is all pending my pre-employment drug test that I had done today. But I know that it will come back completely clean. I will start in one more week.

Doing More Cooking From Scratch ~ Bisquick Mix

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 20:19:00 +0000

Last year I did some items in the kitchen from scratch and I have to say that I really enjoyed doing them. I now find that they are easy to do, better for us and cost so much less than buying the pre-made items at the store. One that I do often is homemade Bisquick. I don't remember where I found the recipe so I can't give credit to the right person. I did try to search for it again but couldn't find it. But through my research to find it I came upon a FANTASTIC site! It's Simple Bites. Their post Eat Well, Spend Less: Homemade Substitutes for Grocery Staples has me jumping for joy. I can't wait to get started on making some more staples for my kitchen/pantry. They do have one very good word of advice. Don't try to do it all at once. Start with a few and once you have those down start adding to what you do.

Here's the recipe that I've been using. Sorry there are no pictures to share with you of the delicious foods that I've made with this mix...but by the time I remember everything has been eaten. They taste so much better! It's amazing how taking out all those preservatives can make such a HUGE difference.

Homemade Bisquick Mix

Ingredients:

6 cups all-purpose flour, sifted
3 tablespoons baking powder
1 tablespoon salt
1/2 cup cold butter

Directions:

Measure the sifted flour, baking powder and salt into a large bowl. Use a wire whisk to blend thoroughly.
Cut in cold butter using a pastry cutter until thoroughly incorporated.

Store refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 4 months or freezer for up to 6 months.

Stop SOPA and PIPA!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:08:00 +0000

From Google:

(please visit the website, click link above, and sign the petition!)

"Millions of Americans oppose SOPA and PIPA because these bills would censor the Internet and slow economic growth in the U.S.
Two bills before Congress, known as the Protect IP Act (PIPA) in the Senate and the Stop Online Piracy Act (SOPA) in the House, would censor the Web and impose harmful regulations on American business. Millions of Internet users and entrepreneurs already oppose SOPA and PIPA. The Senate will begin voting on January 24th. Please let them know how you feel. Sign this petition urging Congress to vote NO on PIPA and SOPA before it is too late."

To learn more go to HERE or HERE

What's really sad is that a blog like mine could even be in violation. My Wordless Wednesday post, for instance, uses a linking tool and linking would be a dangerous activity. If you link to “infringing” content – even unknowingly – you are a FELON. I'd have to also take away your right to comment on my posts because allowing you to speak your mind on my site puts me at risk.

I don't even want to know what it would do to my sons online Public School! Or my husband getting his Masters Degree online.

Watch the videos...take a STAND! I have.

Here are what Wikipedia and Google look like today. Imagine what it would be like...

Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ Cold Nose

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 22:29:00 +0000

I feel like these guys this afternoon. The wind was quite blustery and I wish I had a wing to put my nose under.

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

Tasty Tuesday ~ Pumpkin Pound Cake

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:15:00 +0000

It's Tuesday and time to share some recipes over at Tasty Tuesday! Just click on the button above and enjoy all the amazing recipes!

Thought I'd share with you a recipe that I tried awhile back and shared it with my Sunday School class. They all loved it!

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Pumpkin Pound Cake

Ingredients:

Cake:

Cooking Spray
1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
1 (15-ounce) can pumpkin
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3/4 cup packed dark brown sugar (I used light brown sugar and it was just fine)
1/2 cup butter, softened
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
3 cups all-purpose flour (about 13 1/2 ounces)
1 1/2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
3/4 cup fat-free buttermilk

Glaze:

1/3 cup fat-free buttermilk
1/4 cup granulated sugar
2 tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1/8 teaspoon baking soda

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
To Prepare the cake, lightly coat a 10-inch tube pan with cooking spray; dust with 1 tablespoon flour. Spread pumpkin over 2 layers of paper towels; cover with 2 additional layers of paper towels. Let stand about 10 minutes. Scrape drained pumpkin into a bowl.
Place 3/4 cup granulated sugar, brown sugar and 1/2 cup butter in a large bowl; beat with a mixer at medium speed for 3 minutes or until well blended. Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in pumpkin and vanilla. Lightly spoon 3 cups flour into dry measuring cups, and level with a knife. Combine flour and next 4 ingredients (through salt) in a bowl, stirring well with a whisk. Add flour mixture and 3/4 cup buttermilk alternately to sugar mixture, beginning and ending with flour mixture.
Spoon batter into prepared pan. Bake at 350 degrees F for 55 minutes or until a wooden pick insterted into the center comes out clean. Cool in pan 10 minutes on a wire rack. Remove from pan, and cool completely on wire rack.
To prepare glaze, combine 1/3 cup buttermilk and remaining ingredients in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Cook 1 minute or until thick, stirring constantly; remove from heat. Drizzle cake with glaze.

Wordless & Wordful Wednesday ~ Cousins

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 01:00:00 +0000

A decision has been made. With the help of some dear friends of mine I have decided to suspend my 100 Joys as I fell so far behind this year in getting them all done and up. I'll still share them with you but this time they'll be more memories.

Out of this, however, has sprung an idea. Why not find a Joy every week? So coming next week I'll start "52 Joys". Yes, I know that I'm already behind. I'll share a few with you just to get it all started. I'd love to have some others out there participate along. I may even a theme or two for us to find.

For now I'm sharing with you a picture that I took of Sam and his cousin while we visited the Ft Worth Zoo. I also had fun editing this photo on Picnik (I used the 1960s effects tool) and thought I'd share with you the before and after photos.

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

100 Joys ~ #43 - #45

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 01:41:00 +0000

Joys #43 - #45

It's now Jan 5th and I had wanted to have my 100 Joys finished by Epiphany. When is that you ask? This year it falls on Jan 6th. Most churches in the USA it will be celebrated on the 8th. The question that I have been asking myself is can I finish them before then? I have so many other things that I want to write about but I feel like I need to finish sharing these Joys with you all that do read my blog.

So without further ado...

Joy #43 is seeing a tree with it's fall colors once winter finally got here. We had such a rough summer that we really didn't have fall at all. I quickly snapped a picture of this small but beautiful tree.

Joy #44 is Sam with his cousins. This time around I had a hard time getting all three of them with smiles on their faces. Sam has gotten into "gestures". Giving me the "thumbs up" every time I bring out the camera. ARGH! Oh well.

Joy #45...every time that we've gone to the Ft Worth Zoo we make sure we go to feed the birds. Sam has always tried to get one to land on his feeding stick but has never been able to do that...until now. The photo doesn't do his joy justice.

Come back tomorrow and I'll have more Joys up. Promise!

100 Joys ~ #42~ Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ My Boy

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 00:34:00 +0000

Joy #42

Sam and I taking a break at the Ft Worth Zoo for a quick photo. Had to tickle him to get him to smile but it's worth it! Love my boy and he's growing like a weed right now. I can't seem to keep him in clothes. I purchase him ones that fit and then a couple of weeks later he's outgrowing them again. Need to find a big brick to put on his head!

I'm getting closer to the half way point of my 100 Joys! Only a few more days to get them all up. If you'd like to take a look back just click HERE.

I've finally made myself a WW button to share with you. I will probably tweek it here and there as I'm not completely happy with it but it's a start. :)

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

100 Joys ~ #34 - #41 ~ Christmas Day

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 20:22:00 +0000

Joy #34 - #41

For my next Joys I'd like to share with you Sam on Christmas morning.

Joy #34 is Sam getting a Sock Monkey out of his stocking. He's been asking for one for a long time now, including this year, and they are not the easiest to find without spending a fortune. This one was a mini one and only cost a few dollars!

Joy #35 The other item that Sam started asking for this year is a Pooping Reindeer. Yes, you read that correctly, a Pooping Reindeer. Found one!

Joy #36 & #37 is finally seeing Sam get some St. Louis Cardinals swag. Since we live down here in TX Rangers territory it's really hard to get any Cardinal items. And since we've become a TX Ranger family we had to ask our Missouri family to get Sam some. So for Christmas his Grandparents got him a shirt and calendar. He was thrilled!

Joy #38 is a present that I received from Andy. It's a frame with butterflies and the words Love, Live, Laugh on them with a quote on glass in the middle. It's now proudly hanging in my kitchen where I can see it every day. Here is the quote:

Joy #39 is spending a quite Christmas day with my family. Just resting and being together. It was WONDERFUL!

Joy #40 is going to sound kind of weird to some...but I was able to finish cleaning up the house before my parents and nieces arrived to spend last week with us. It's a great feeling having a clean house. Now I just need to maintain. sigh

Joy #41 is a great one...my parents and nieces were able to spend most of last week with us. I think that was the best Christmas present I could have asked for.

Come back tomorrow to see my other Joys!

100 Joys ~ #33 ~ Tasty Tuesday ~ Another Cookie!

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 02:20:00 +0000

Joy # 33

I made quite a bit of cookies this year and I tried quite a few new recipes. I think one of them has stood out above all the others though. Luckily it's a cookie you can make year round! Woo Hoo! This is a recipe from Betty Crocker and it uses one of their cookie mix pouches. I know, I know, I know...I normally do not use mixes...but I'm telling you now....YOU NEED TO TRY THIS ONE! To see more wonderful recipes just click on the Tasty Tuesday button above and start exploring.

Cranberry Cream Cheese Snickerdoodles

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Ingredients:

1 pouch Betty Crocker® snickerdoodle cookie mix

4 oz (half of 8-oz package) cream cheese, softened

1/4 cup butter, margarine or spread, softened

1 tablespoon water

1 egg

1 cup sweetened dried cranberries

Directions:

Mix cream cheese and butter in bowl untl smooth. Open cookie mix; remove cinnamon sugar packet; set aside. Add water, egg and cookie mix to cream cheese mixture until soft dough forms. Stir in cranberries. Cover; refrigerate 30 minutes.

Drop dough by rounded teaspoonfuls into bowl with cinnamon sugar packet; roll to coat. Place 2 inches apart on ungreased cookie sheets.

Bake at 375°F for 8 to 9 minutes or until edges are set. Cool 1 minute; remove from cookie sheets to cooling rack. Cool completely.

100 Joys ~ #27 - #32 ~ Christmas Eve Eve To Christmas Morning

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 02:12:00 +0000

Joy # 27 - #32

Where has this past week gone? I have a week to get the rest of my 100 Joys up here. Will I get it done? Who knows. For right now I'll start with Christmas Eve Eve, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

#27 is the joy of singing in my church choir for Christmas Eve Eve service. Yes, you read that correctly. Our church has a Christmas Eve Eve service for those that travel or have family gatherings and still want to go to a Christmas Eve service.

#28 would of course be singing on Christmas Eve.

#29 is playing in the Christmas Eve Bell Choir at the 10:00 service on Christmas Eve. I love playing the hand bells and playing them on Christmas Eve is always a joy.

#30 is finding our cat, Spanky, on Santa's hat acting as though this is exactly what he should be doing.

#31 is seeing that Santa still visits our house even if Sam doesn't believe anymore.

#32...even if he doesn't believe it's great to see the Joy on his face when he sees his stocking.

Come back tomorrow for more of my Joys.

100 Joys ~ #18 - #26 ~Unexpected Kindness to Amazing Musical Leadership

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 22:35:00 +0000

Joy # 18 - #26

Found my 18th Joy this past Wednesday. Andy, Sam and I ran out to grab a quick bite to eat this past Wednesday before bell and choir practice. We were all running our separate ways and I hadn't gotten dinner ready at home and time was running out. We quickly ran out of the house and went to Zaxby's. We ordered our dinners and when it was time to pay Andy reached for his wallet and realized that in his rush to change clothes that he had left his wallet on his night stand. I had a bag full of things to take to church and I had grabbed it and not my purse. We told the lady that Andy would run home and grab his wallet and would be right back. She said that this was an early Christmas present and bought our dinner. Granted she was the Assistant Manager but it was something that she didn't need to do. We thanked her and enjoyed one of the best dinners. There really are nice people out there.

Today is Christmas Eve and Joy #19 is the fact that God sent his only son to be born. Can't get more joyful than that.

Joy #20 is a bittersweet joy. As most of you know one of my best friends passed away this year. This is the first Christmas without her. I missed her terribly every day. But today it is hitting me really hard. But I'm joyful that I had the time that I did have to be her friend.

Joy #21 is seeing my son love his cat unconditionally.

Joy #22 is decorating my house for Christmas. I love snowmen and use them around the house. Here are a few:

Joy #23....Santa is coming and the stocking is already stuffed for me to put up later tonight and the presents are wrapped.

Joy #24....FRIENDS!

Joy #25 is this sign....LOVE IT!

Joy #26...Is the Music Ministry staff. They are an amazing group of people and I'm blest that they are in our lives.

iCaughtSanta.com ~ Catch Santa At Your House

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:09:00 +0000

If Sam was younger and still believed in Santa I would do this in a heartbeat! But, alas, this year he announced that he knows it is us. But for those of you that have children that still believe in Santa, you know that I personally do, here is a great deal! Check it out!

You can only imagine the look of wonder and surprise when a child receives a photo of Santa caught in the act in his or her very own home. iCaughtSanta.com is a unique website that helps visitors create those memorable keepsake photos.

In three simple steps anyone can upload your own holiday photo, add Santa Claus and print it as proof… or share it via Facebook and Twitter. Last-minute shoppers can purchase Gift Cards and eGift Certificates for loved ones with children, making iCaughtSanta.com a great gift idea even if you don't have kids yourself.

Need more enticing? Here's a 50% off code for you! Just enter: SANTA50 and get your entire order for 1/2 price!

Merry Christmas!

100 Joys ~ #17 ~ Wordless and Wordful Wednesday ~ After the Storm

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 23:33:00 +0000

Joy # 17

Yesterday I went out grocery shopping with Andy. We really did try to beat the storms that were headed our way. But it didn't work. I even complained a little bit on Facebook. Here's what I wrote, "Cold and wet. Tried to do the grocery shopping before the squall line of rain/storms hit. Didn't make it. But it's done!" Let me tell you...we really were soaked! But after the complaining, drying ourselves off, getting dinner started, Sam yelled downstairs...do you see the sunset? Well, I really hadn't looked. I thought it was still pouring rain. It had stopped and what we saw afterwards was just breathtaking! This is my 17th Joy of the season.

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

Don't forget to enter the book giveaway! I draw the winner tomorrow and I only have a few entries.

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

100 Joys ~ #16 ~ Tasty Tuesday ~ Chicken Noodle Casserole

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 22:25:00 +0000

Joy # 16

My 16th Joy comes weekly. I don't participate as much as I'd like to and I hope that will change. But life comes first. I love to cook and bake for my family and seeing them enjoy what I make gives me great joy.

It's Tuesday and time to jump on the Tasty Tuesday Blog Hop. If you've never participated before it's a lot of fun. Just head on over to 33 Shades of Green to see what it's all about. You can link up there, here or on anyone that has the blog hop on their post! It's a great way to find new recipes!

I've shared this one before but it's going into the oven tonight! For this time of year it's not only a great main dish but also a fantastic side dish as well. Thinking that I might make it again next week when my family is in town.

Here are the ingredients in the pan before the soup and milk were added and after. The third picture was one taken the last time we had it. Delicious!

Chicken Noodle Casserole

INGREDIENTS:

2 cups chicken (or turkey), cooked and cubed
2 cups elbow macaroni, not cooked
2 cups milk
2 cans condensed cream of celery soup
1 cup cubed processed cheese
2 cups onions, chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. In a 9x13 baking dish combine the chicken, macaroni, milk, soup, cheese, and onions. Mix all together, cover the dish and let it sit over night in the refrigerator. If not overnight at least 6 hours.

2. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.

3. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees F.

MY NOTES:

Mix the soup and milk together before adding it to the rest of the ingredients. This may be a basic and simple recipe but don't let that deceive you. It's AMAZING! Feel free to change the meat, add veggies or change things up a bit. But the main key to this recipe is letting it all sit together for at least 6 hours. If you make this one I implore you to make it as it appears here first before you change it up. ENJOY!

100 Joys ~ #15 ~ Flash Mob

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 01:52:00 +0000

Joy # 15

Found my 15th Joy this evening after a long day up at church and attending our Hand Bell Christmas Party. Came home, sat down to my computer and found this front and center on Facebook. It's nice to see this being shared around. Be sure to watch it all the way through and have some tissues. Watch the crowd and see their Joyful reactions. Who has brought you Joy?

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

100 Joys ~ #11- #14 ~ Friends, Inspiration, Crafts and Cats

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 22:59:00 +0000

Joys # 11-#14

My 11th has been in the works for over a year. One of my best friends, Beth, is teaching Sam the piano and in return I'm teaching her how to sew, knit and crochet. Last year I taught her sewing and this year I'm teaching her how to crochet. The joy in her eyes and face as soon as she finished her first scarf was priceless. Today I taught her how to make a Granny Square.

My 12th Joy isn't one that I can take a picture of...at least not yet. Since this past March I've slowly lost weight. Not as much as I would have wished, only 20 pounds, but it's a start. Beth and my sister, Amy, have lost quite a bit of weight and have really made themselves healthier. They have become my inspiration to continue this journey to lose my weight and to have a healthier lifestyle.

My 13th Joy is crafting in general. I make a few things for myself but everything else is for others. Because the joy of making and giving is an amazing feeling.

My 14th Joy is one of our cats. Yesterday evening, when the sun was starting to set, he was sitting by our Christmas tree and watching the birds out the window. It took me several tries to get his attention but he finally turned around so that I could take his picture. This cat has no shame. No matter who comes into this house he'll be all over them. Giving them his unconditional love, no matter what. That's how we all should be.

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

Sign the Linky below so we all can share in the Joy of this Season!

100 Joys ~ #10~ Unexpected Gifts

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 22:37:00 +0000

Joy # 10

My tenth joy arrived yesterday afternoon. As most of you know I am a Crossing Guard. There is a Grandmother that picks up her Granddaughter every day. We wave to each other and wish each other well. Yesterday she pulled up, rolled down her window, we both wished each other a Merry Christmas and then she help up two beautifully wrapped Christmas presents. It was a wonderful Joy as it was a very cold and rainy day. I even loved who she addressed it to. So sweet and unexpected. Who has brought you Joy?

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

100 Joys ~ #9~ Children's Team (plus video)

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 22:10:00 +0000

Joy #9

My ninth joy arrived in my inbox this afternoon. I immediately sat Sam down (as per instructed in the email) and watched the below video from the Children's Team at our church, First United Methodist Church, Mansfield, TX. Watch it and have a little giggle and know that this amazing team has helped my son grow up to be the wonderful Christian that he is. Thanks Team! This is definitely a joy!

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

First Place Kids Team Christmas Card from First Methodist Mansfield on Vimeo.

Night of the Living Dead Christian ~ Book Review & Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 16:07:00 +0000

Now is your chance to win an AWESOME book! Read all about it below, watch the author speak about it in his video, and then enter a comment for a chance to win....easy peasy! I'll announce a winner on Dec 22nd.

I've had the awesome pleasure of reading and reviewing Night of the Living Dead Christian: One Man's Ferociously Funny Quest to Discover What it Means to be Truly Transformed by Matt Mikalatos. I found myself laughing out loud many times as I was reading. It was a book that was hard to put down. Even the cover art is comical.

From the back cover:

In his follow-up to the critically acclaimed Imaginary Jesus, Matt Mikalatos tackles this question in an entertaining and thought-provoking way—with MONSTERS!!! While Christians claim to experience Christ’s resurrection power, we sometimes act like werewolves who can’t control our base desires. Or zombies, experiencing a resurrection that is 90 percent shambling death and 10 percent life. Or vampires, satiating ourselves at the expense of others. But through it all we long to stop being monsters and become truly human—the way Christ intended. We just can’t seem to figure out how.

Night of the Living Dead Christian is the story of Luther, a werewolf on the run, whose inner beast has driven him dangerously close to losing everything that matters. Desperate to conquer his dark side, Luther joins forces with Matt to find someone who can help. Yet their time is running out. A powerful and mysterious man is on their trail, determined to kill the wolf at all costs . . .

By turns hilarious and heartbreaking, Night of the Living Dead Christian is a spiritual allegory that boldly explores the monstrous underpinnings of our nature and tackles head-on the question of how we can ever hope to become truly transformed.

My Review:

Matt Mikalatos is an author that uses monsters to look at our reality of our sin nature and the things we wrestle with in our own world. This story follows Matt and his neighbor Luther, a werewolf. They work with an interesting band of monsters that are trying to figure out how to be real people. Mikalatos uses vampires, zombies, a mad scientist, an android and a monster hunter to teach truth. You do, however, need to know that this is not a scary book or a horror novel.

Night of the Living Dead Christian creatively, and often hysterically, written. Mikalatos speaks what many of us think. Each of us can identify with at least one of the monsters in this book...maybe not every aspect of the monster but at least some. The zombies are the undead just agreeing with every theological utterance that comes out of the preacher's mouth but they are mindless. Vampires are the opposite of what Christ is all about. They take blood from people to gain eternal life instead living for others. Serious issues all addressed in a humorous and real way. The reality is we are all monsters who can only be transformed through faith in Christ.

I love that this book even includes discussion questions in the back along with A Layman's Self-Diagnosis Guide to Common Monstrosities and an Interview with the Author.

Follow Matt Mikalatos on Twitter, Facebook and his Blog. I am!

Tyndale House Publishers provided a complimentary copy of this book for review purposes. All opinions of this book are my own.

100 Joys ~ #7 & #8 ~ Cards and Shows

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 01:46:00 +0000

Joy # 7 & 8

Joy #7...I love sending out Christmas Cards but I haven't been able to the past few years. This year I blogged for my cards. How cool is that! They arrived the other day after I pondered over the hundreds of choices for our card. I started addressing them the other night and then realized that I could hand deliver a big bunch of them.

Joy #8...Watching the older Christmas shows always brings back great memories. And watching them with my son year after year is creating even more memories. I hope that one year he'll be able to sit down with his children and watch these shows and remember when we used to do so ourselves.

And what is best part of Joys #7 & #8 ? The fact that I did them on the same evening. Addressing Christmas Cards and watching Christmas specials with my son...priceless!

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

Wordless & Wordful Wednesday ~ 100 Joys ~ #6

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:50:00 +0000

Joy #6 of this holiday season is more of a smell than it is a visual. But it's kind of hard to put a smell on this blog. So instead here is a picture of this particular smell. Peppermint! What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

To see more Wordless and Wordful photos head on over to Wordless Wednesday and J. Leigh Designz.

Please take a moment to link up and don't forget to leave a comment.

100 Joys ~ #5~ New Ornaments

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 00:44:00 +0000

Joy #5

I love to create new ornaments every year. But there have been some years where I just haven't gotten around to it. This year, however, was not one of them. I have made some Salt Dough Ornaments this year. They are super easy to make and you can decorate them in so many ways. This is definitely a recipe that the kids can help mix together, cut out and decorate. And trust me...they will bring you lots of joy!

I found the recipe here: BHG. They have great ideas if you ever need them. All you need is 1/2 cup Salt, 1 cup Flour and 1/2 cup Water. Mix these ingredients until sticky. Roll until it's about 1/4 inch thick and cut out snowflake shapes with cookie cutters Or another other cookie cutter shape that you want. You can even freehand them as well. Don't forget to use a skewer to press a hole for hanging. Bake for 4 hours in a 200 degree oven. When cool, draw hearts, squiggles, and dots with a marking pen. I'll take pictures later with the others that I've decorated.

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up!

100 Joys ~ #4 ~ Bunko Babes

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 02:58:00 +0000

Joy #4

What are your 100 Joys this Season? What joy is God putting in front of you to see? Blog about your 100 Joys and come back here every Sunday to link up! Sign the linky below and then go visit each other!

A huge joy in my life is a wonderful group of ladies that get together once a month to play Bunko. Friday night it was so much fun not only to get together, eat, play Bunko but we also had a Christmas Present Exchange. We had so much fun and I couldn't imagine my life without these women!

100 Joys ~ #3 ~KLTY Christmas Wish

noreply@blogger.com (Kim) — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 15:20:00 +0000

Joy #3 of the Season is HERE!

First off... I'd love to have you join in with me sharing our Joys of the Season! Click on the button above to learn more about it and then come back here on Sunday to link up!

It is a huge joy that I listen to a local Christian Radio Station, KLTY 94.9. It's an even bigger joy that during the Christmas season they have a program called the KLTY Christmas Wish. People can nominate others, or themselves, that have come across hard times. Some just need a meal, a bill paid, or need to get caught up and want to give their kids a Christmas that they deserve. Others need so much more! If you want to get involved, and I highly suggest you do, just head on over to the KLTY website to find out more information. You can go to one of their live broadcasts and pick out a family to bless or just give a donation. If you can't make it to one of their live broadcasts you can also send in your donation.

Sam and I had the privilege of going to one of these broadcasts (which are at local Chick-Fil-A's) last Friday morning. I can't begin to tell you how wonderful it was to see table after table of families looking through the binders trying to find a family to bless. All of the nominations that have been sent in are put into binders by categories and you can look through them until you find the one that touches your heart. Here is a picture I took (sorry about the bad quality) of Frank Reed during the broadcast that Sam and I went to.

Below are a few of the Christmas Wishes that have been granted this year and in years past. I'm telling you now....get some tissues as they will touch your heart. Once you've watched them think about helping out another family this year; even if it's not through this program.

Struggling Family Granted a Christmas Wish: MyFoxDFW.com