40!

Here are a couple of shots from my 40th bday last week.

Baking and Couponing

I try to bake a couple of items per week here at home. I'm back to making almost all of our bread these days and piling it up in the freezer. But for today's baking I pulled out a long forgotten recipe for homemade granola bars. This is just too easy:

3 C oats
1 C Chocolate Chips
1/2 C raisins
1/2 C sunflower seeds
2t sesame seeds (I threw in some peanuts as I was out of sesame seeds)
1/3 C wheat germ

Combine dry. Add to the following blended mixture
1C brown sugar
2/3 C peanut butter
1/2 C honey
1/2 C melted butter
2t vanilla

Blend well, place in greased 9 by 13 pan. Bake 350 for 20 min. (Edges begin to golden)

Cool, cut warm and serve!



My inbox this morning had my Harris Teeter weekly flier in it. Wouldn't you know it; they are having triples this week! I threw together some coupons that match up with the ads and headed the kids over there at about 11:00 this morning. They had everything I needed in stock! Out of pocket: 33.37 Saved: 56.61! That's 1.00 per pound on GORGEOUS skinless, boneless chicken breast in the picture!

Enjoy!

Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord!-Fresh Vision

When winter decended last December in a wicked snowstorm of record breaking proportions for No. Va. it left me relieved to be snowed inside my home. Spending a winter just doing the basics of mothering and life that makes us the Coombs Family gave me a sense of peace and comfort to try and tackle our rebuilding efforts inside our home. Lit candles, bread baking, tea on Monday nights with the Cub Scout moms, piano practice, school work, snowmen, hot chocolate and long talks with John were what my heart needed to begin a strengthening process. Yes, I received every flake of snow with gratitude this winter. I must admit, I longed for more those last storms of February. Just a few more days inside, being us, snowed in before the rebirth of Spring sounded heavenly, but alas, did not come to pass.

During this last winter season I attended a Bible Study on Sunday Nights on the Psalms of the Ascent, Stepping Up. Beth Moore wrote this Study and it was just made for our family in it's rebuilding efforts. I found myself planting my family firmly on each step of the Psalms, learning and leaning more on the Lord than ever. Becoming fully committed, once again, to serving my family and bringing the burdens of sorrow to Him to be used for His Kingdom. Once the final step was reached in my Bible Study, just as the Jews did at the end of the Feast in Jerusalem, I could clearly picture Christ standing up and saying for all to hear: ALL that you've just asked of your God is completed in Me! I am the drink offering! I'll pour myself out to you if you only come to Me when you thirst! When your land is dry just as when your soul is dry. I'll provide the Living Water needed for your restoration!

The last day of the Feast, at the end, was the breaking down period, you know the one I'm talking about. The clean up crew is restoring things to order in the facility you've just used and you can't bear to tear yourself away from the heart to heart with a friend you're having or in my case, the seeking of Fresh Vision for my family. I have a clear picture of myself, seated amongst the remnant that's not started back on the road to home yet,hearing from Him, being taught by Him, shown by Him, filled by Him.

As I sit, patiently before Him, continuing to cast off layers of sorrows, burdens, cares, anxieties I'm finding myself asking one thing of the Lord: Open the Eyes of my Heart, Lord. Help me/us to see this Goliath in our lives as You see it. Help John and I to have the heart that longs after You and sees the Victory that only you can provide over such a behemoth in our land. Just as you did for David and the Israelites so long ago.

Spring is almost upon us. The weather is warming, trees are budding a smidge and John and I saw yellow crocus sprouting out of the soil yesterday. We are feeling strength blossom from the safety of a winter's rest in our home. Just as the crocus will slowly and beautifully spring forth to open its petals to reveal Your beauty, do the same in our hearts, Lord. Open the eyes of our hearts, Lord. Keep us on the Pilgrimage to Joy, found in You and You alone.

Fresh Vision. Newness, rebirth. This coming Spring is filled with your Promises, Lord!

Homeschool Moms Retreat!

The homeschool moms in my support group just blew me away on Saturday. Every winter, for the last 14 years now, they host a Moms Retreat. My interest was piqued when I discovered the planning committee consisted of 10 people. I soon began to relaize that this isn't just a day with cookies, cake, weak coffee and a simple devotional time and fellowship. Not this group of Moms! Moms from all the across the support group combine seating, dishes, coffee and tea urns, chafing dishes, creativity and hand grocery bags full of food over to a small group of homeschooled daugthers to do the cooking. Once those things are decided, a speaker from the group is decided upon, a theme, color for the day, table dressings, center pieces and on and on....oh! I can't forget the Worship Music! Totally wonderful!

I jumped in to do the programs, bookmarks and tags to decorate the large bucket of party of favors each mom left with!

Heidi opened her house for the retreat this year. She spent a week transforming the main floor of her house and basement. We had 40 women for a buffet breakfast at 8:30am followed by Worship and Speaking and a time of sharing downstairs. Then we all enjoyed a yummy lunch which featured panera sandwiches and yummy sides brought by all the moms. Back downstairs for more Worship, an afternoon devotional and another time of sharing our hearts and encouraging one another. About 3:45 we were released to enjoy tea and scones and various sweets around tables with fresh early spring tulips! At this point the Dads were sneaking in to begin claiming the chairs and couches that had been brought in for the event. Enjoy the pictures! We had a blast and I was thrilled with the way the Program Covers I made and tags turned out! How awesome to use budding crafting talent to bless so many sweet moms!