What do you do on a snowy day?

If you are a feather creature, you look for food and are pleased to know the humans remembered to fill the bird feeder for you! :0)

If you are a wonderful husband, you find yourself outside with a shovel, clearing a way for the cars to exit the garage. :0)

If you are a mother and daughter and enjoy each other's company,

you spend the day creating.

From this.....

To this....

Isn't she beautiful!

Thank you for spending the day with me.

I love you!

XOXO

Theresa

Happy Birthday Sis!

Today is my sister's birthday! I (think) remember the day she was born.

I was 7. I think it was on a Sunday - if not, I remember being at my grandmother's waiting for my Dad to come and pick up my middle sister and myself.

It was cold.

Over the course of the next few years, we taught her to spell, P-E-S-T.

Which when she said, 'I'm a P-E-S-T" upon prompts from us, was quiet hilarious. :0)

We were wonderful big sisters,

we would sneak off to play Barbie and build barricades to keep her out of our toys. We also made a rhyme with her name, I won't mention that one- but suffice it to say, it was something only older sisters could do. I remember the Sunday morning the offering plate came around and she didn't have any money to place in it, so she took her chewing gum from her mouth and sweetly placed it in the plate. While we thought it was extremely funny, looking back on it, I can't help but think of the widow's mite, how she gave all she had.

Due to work schedules, and locations, we are only able to be together about twice a year. This I regret, but with modern technology, I am able to communicate with her frequently. We were both on msn. messenger this afternoon and I was able to wish her a happy birthday. I am proud of her and how she is a positive influence on those around her. She manages a retail store in IN and is doing so very successfully. Her store has grown with leaps and bounds, considering the current economy, this is no small feat! Her leadership skills and her Faith are examples for others.

I Love you, Sis!

I wish I was there, but know I am asking God to bless you in a special way this day.

Dear Heavenly Father,

Bless my sister in a very special way this day and week. Give her strength and courage to keep walking the faith and making a difference to those around her.

In Jesus Name,

Amen

XOXO

Theresa

Stuffed Mushrooms & Snow Day # 10

If you need a quick, easy and tasty appetizer, give this recipe a try!

YUM!

Stuffed Mushrooms

1 large pkg. fresh mushrooms (button)

1/4 cup Butter

4 oz. pkg. herb seasoned stuffing mix

1/2 lb. sausage

1/2 chopped onion ( I use sweet)

mayonnaise

Wash and remove stems from mushrooms (I have discovered, if you wipe them individually with a wet paper towel, they don't become water, absorbed sponges), save stems.

Brown and drain sausage.

Saute chopped onion and mushroom stems in butter.

Mix sausage, onion mixture and stuffing mix in large bowl. Add enough mayonnaise to moisten. You decide how moist you want the mixture.

Spoon into mushroom caps.

Bake at 350 degrees for 10 minutes.

Serve and enjoy! :)

Snow Day # 10 - Yesterday was our tenth snow day. It was unexpected but enjoyable.

If the weather forecast is accurate, one of the largest snow storms in a few years is expected to descend on the mountains beginning tomorrow. I am making preparations for a quiet, stay indoors weekend.

I pray you are enjoying these winter days, January is almost gone.

How quickly time flies!

XOXO

Theresa

Snow Day 9

Snow Day #9: Thank you, Lord, for snow day #9, it was the most enjoyable yet! :) Honestly, Lord, I am beginning to enjoy this leisurely time and am afraid I will find it difficult to get back into the swing of "school" schedule. I so enjoyed my time with my middle child today. He and I had the opportunity to go out for lunch and discuss his plans for his future. Thank you God, for calling him into Your service. My heart is blessed when he shares his dreams and ideas for his calling.

Thank you!

Alas, all good things must come to an end. I appreciate your honoring my request to return to school on Friday. Going in two hours late is an added blessing. Please be with the students and teachers as we prepare to return to an academic routine. I almost went shopping for a "back to school" outfit, but realized it's been so long since I've worn professional clothes, they will all seem like new. :0)

Thanks again for loving me.

Amen

On snow day #8 I found myself in the Goodwill Store. While there I discovered a few treasures. For over a year now, I have been wanting a soup tureen. I really wanted a cream/white one, but the one that goes with my dishes is well over $100. I wasn't willing to fork out that much for something I would only use a few times a year.
Look what I found on the back wall! It was $9.99 and not a chip one on it! It is perfect! Sitting next to it was the sweet silver sugar and creamer set, $3.99. I am always on the look out for "special" serving pieces that I can use here at home and take to school for the students to use when planning their events. For $4 I couldn't beat it! The pretty pink candlestick was $1.99. Less than $15.00 total! Am I a bargain shopper or what?

OK, don't answer that!

Seriously, say a prayer for all of us in the education field; students, teachers, administrators and support personnel. It's been a while since we've all been together and we may need a little encouragement.

XOXO

Theresa

And the snow kept on falling

Day 1 : Thank you God for this beautiful snow day, you know I haven't recovered from my trip to KY and I need to take the Christmas decorations down, and I need to get all of those papers graded.

Day 2: Thank you God for snow day #2, I really meant to take the Christmas decorations down yesterday Lord, but once I realized how cold it was, I knew the snow wasn't going to melt and I would have another day. I know Lord, those papers are calling my name, I can't grade until the decorations are all put away.

Day 3: Thank you God for snow day #3, I managed to take down and put away all of those Christmas decorations. I feel so much better. Yes, Lord, I realize the "teacher crate" is still calling my name, but getting all of those decorations put away was all I could manage today.

Day 4 & 5: Thank you God for snow day #4 and #5. This cold weather was too much for the snow and it will not leave. Thank you for a school system that announced on snow day #3, that school would be closed for days 4 & 5. I now have the weekend to grade those papers, besides, the grade portal has been closed and I use the system for my grade book. Thank you for providing great Hallmark movies to keep me entertained. Don't worry Lord, I found out that I have an extra day to work on those papers.

Day 6: Thank you God for snow day #6. The beautiful white stuff that is falling from the sky is giving me much needed rest, I know when I go back I will need this extra sleep. Yes, those papers are still in the "crate" but, truthfully Lord, I just can't seem to find the motivation. I am so enjoying, resting and watching movies. Thank you for this restful time.

Day 7: Thank you God for snow day #7. I enjoyed spending time with my beautiful daughter, it looks like she may go back to college before I go back to school. I will say, I am beginning to worry about how this weather is going to affect the rest of my school year, especially the end - you remember I have a wedding to attend that last week? I trust you know best, and leave this beautiful white ground covering and all it brings in your care. P.S. Yes, those papers are still in the crate, I did move them into the living room to remind me of their importance.

Day 8: Thank you God for snow day #8. I know you are in control and you know best, but I thought it would help me if I reminded you I only have 13 snow days, and we are in Jan. Thank you for a media system that was able to text me about this snow day just after noon on Day #7. I realize you have given me the opportunity to stay focused on my family, and plenty of time to grade those papers. I am regretting that I was not wise with my time from snow days 1 - 7 and instead of relaxing with creative projects, I must get to that crate! I do appreciate the sweet movies and electricity. I do have one favor to ask, would it be possible for us to go back to school on Friday? As much as I've enjoyed my time, I do have several projects that need attention and I need to be at school in order to make that happen. Thank You.

XOXO

Theresa

New Year began in KY

Happy New Year!

I hope the beginning of 2010 has been a blessing to you and yours. I've had my first snow day (today) and the second will be tomorrow. So far so good! We made a trip to KY to visit with family. We had a wonderful time!

We have the "Ugly Christmas Wrapping Paper" Contest.

This is no easy contest. It takes the discerning eye to discover the ugliest wrapping paper amongst a season of beauty and enticing decorations. The trophy left our house and will stay in KY for the upcoming year.

Super snuggie's! Wonderful gifts for freezing weather!

We celebrated our anniversary while we were there.

XOXO

Theresa