There's No Denying...

who has

his heart.

Bowling Beauty

Sydney bowled 2 games today.

She made:

3 strikes

4 spares

3 gutter balls

But no matter how good or bad she did..

She clapped for herself every single time.

And she won a prize for the being the youngest bowler in the alley.

..and the cutest...

God Knows

He really does know what I need.

This week, he made sure James Dobson replayed his series on the "Strong Willed Child" on his Family Talk program for me to hear.

I REALLY needed to hear those broadcasts. It made me feel better. Especially the part about the mama that dealt with her 2 year old getting up in the middle of the night, leaving the room, and going to the kitchen to play with the knives.

My kid is not all that tough, compared to that jewel.

This week, I also heard the words of Joyce Meyer as she reminded me:

1. God's people should wash each others' feet.
2. God's people are so intent on "being spiritual" that they can't see a need right in front of their face.
3. God's people are supposed to meet needs....not pray that God meet them.

I got the point, Lord. Thanks for the reminders.

Yo Yo, I Be Chillin...a Rap

In honor of my mama's 300th blog post, Sydmeister is here to rock da house and give ya the 411 on whassup!

That's right! S to the Y to the D...SYDNEY

I be chilling wit my madre all summah long,

We be dancin', and drawin', and singin cool songs!

I done been to da waterpark and jumped on trampolines,

Eatin' lots of popsicles, and chocolate chip dreams,

Pesterin' the house cat, every chance I get

Breakin' mama's stuff till she almost has a fit!

I been hangin' at da crib and cruisin in my benz

But I feel da need to go to school and hang wit my frenz...

I gots lots of learnin', and playin', and colorin' to do

And visitin' with Elmo and my boy Winnie da Pooh

So, mama, gotta tell ya...and please don't pout,

I need summah to be over, girl, 

Peace out!

Syd

AKA

"Early Risin' Dream Shakin Rappin' Extraordinaire"

Think Fall

As we endure one of the hottest and most humid summers on record, take a moment to visualize pleasant days ahead. Close your eyes and think about fall...one of my favorite times of year.

...a brisk wind blowing..chilly but not so chilly you need a fur-lined parka...
...the ever so slight smell of wood-burning fireplaces curling in your nose...
...the sound of leaves crunching underfoot and blowing in the breeze...
...warm bowls of stew, soup, and chowder waiting on you at dinner time...

Well, while we are the subject of chowder, I must share with you my all-time favorite and super easy chowder recipe. I am making it today. Yes, I realize it is 102 degrees outside with a heat index of 129 degrees and 99% humidity. That is all well and good, but this chowder is soooo good that you'll want to crank the AC down to 59, put on a sweater, and bundle up on the couch with a warm bowl between your knees, baby. And if you just can't wrap your mind around a toasty vessel of chowder right now, print the recipe out for cooler days.

It even has a fancy name: "Seafood Bisque"

I love the word bisque and it's unique spelling and elegant connotation.

or you could call it  "Frozen Shrimp Dump Soup" but I prefer the prior.

To this day my husband thinks I slave all day to make this chowder and he dreams about it with a capital D... so here's hoping he doesn't read this blog post and discover my deception.

You will need:
2 cans of cream style corn
2 cans of potato soup
1 can of cream of celery
1 block of cream cheese
1 stick of butter (da real stuff)
1 package of frozen seafood (I use frozen shrimp, but crawdad tails or crab meat will do nicely)
1 pint of half & half (Lawd a mercy!)
cayenne pepper for seasoning
a crockpot
a large spoon for stirring
a small spoon for sampling...often

Directions:
1. Melt the cream cheese block and stick 'o butter on high in the crockpot. Stir.
2. Add everything else, stir. Sample and decide how much "fire" you want and add cayenne pepper accordingly.
3. Cook for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low or however long you want to cook it, suits me just fine.

When you get done, it looks like this:

But don't eat this everyday in the fall, or you will look like this:

Best wishes and pass the gravy,

Nesha

Finances

I have been thinking about something lately and I am wondering if anyone has thought the same thing.

I think we can all agree that the economy is pretty crummy right now. People are being RIFed and downsized and let go everywhere. The cost of gas is high. The cost of some of my favorite Wally World items has gone up. It's just yucky all the way around.

I hear people mentioning:
"It's tight right now."
"I sure could use a raise."
"Please pray that God bless me financially."
"I need a breakthrough with my finances."
"How can I use 389 coupons and walk away paying only $5.93?"

As I have reflected on these comments that I have heard from a variety of people, I can't help but wonder if people are being good stewards of their money. Are they living within their means? Are they enslaved to credit cards? Are they buying stuff they cannot pay for and paying tons of interest?

So, with love, I say these words: "Yes, I will pray that God bless you financially, if:

1. you turn off your EXPENSIVE smart phone and media package plan and get a pre-paid cheapo that simply makes and receives calls
2. trade in your gas guzzling late year model SUV that is costing you a FORTUNE each month for a good dependable used car
3. turn off your DISH network or Direct TV and watch old movies if you have to watch TV or rent one from Red Box for $1.00
4. quit eating out EVERY other night and make sandwiches at home
5. stop buying new outfits, earrings, shoes every weekend and wear something twice for a change
6. pay off your high interest credit cards and SWEAR that you will NOT finance anything unless it is a major purchase such as a car or home...nothing else is worth going into debt over. If the money is not in the bank, DON'T buy it. This goes for buying boats, four wheelers, and other unnecessary entertainment items.

Well, that's my list. If you can afford all of the above, more power to you. But if you can't afford all of the above and you are whining about your finances, get on your knees and ask God to give you the strength to make the necessary changes in your life and handle your money responsibly.

That's my sermon for today.

Now, where is the offering plate?

Road Trip - Part 3 "Great Aunt Ellen Had a Farm"

My mom's mother has a sister.

Her name is Ellen. Which would make her my mom's Aunt Ellen. And my Great Aunt Ellen...and Sydney's Great Great Aunt Ellen.

Which is entirely appropriate 'cause she is REALLY great.

Ellen is married to Pete. They have a farm and live out in the country. Their farm is scaled down from what it used to be, but still, it is a gorgeous piece of country that you would see in a magazine.

Gorgeous, eh?

While we were visiting my grandma and the shoe store in Missouri, we went out to visit Aunt Ellen. And it inspired me to write a song about our visit. It is to the tune of Old MacDonald Had a Farm, so feel free to hum as you read.

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm.

E-I-E-I-Oh!

And on that farm she had some horses, E-I-E-I-Oh!

There were 3 little horses

And Sydney really liked 'em

They had really cool names,

But can't remember what they were...

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm,

E-I-E-I-Oh!

And on that farm, she had some cows.

E-I-E-I-Oh!

With a moo, moo here..

And a mad lookin' cow there

Big black cows that

looked kinda scary

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm, E-I-E-I-Oh!

And on that farm, she had a swing, E-I-E-I-Oh!

And the little girl swang, and she swang, and she swang

She swang in the breeze and talked about the trees

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm, E-I-E-I-Oh!

And on that farm, she had cats and dogs, E-I-E-I-Oh!

With a Kitty Mew Mew here

And a doberman named Joy there

Who played with a coffee can,

And was really crazy,

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm, E-I-E-I-Oh!  

And on that farm, she had a beautiful stocked pond, E-I-E-I-Oh!

And a paddle boat too,

In which Gigi tried to fish

With water spiders everywhere

And a kid without a care

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm, E-I-E-I-Oh!

And on that farm, Gigi actually caught a fish, E-I-E-I-Oh!

Which Syd had to kiss



which flipped it's fin in her face

Which made her laugh at loud





Which entertained the entire crowd

Great Aunt Ellen had a farm,

E-I-E-I-Oh!