Freedom

1 Peter 2: 16
" Live as people who are free, not using freedom as a cover-up for evil, but living as servants of God. "


I really like the ESV translation of this verse, although I generally use the NIV translation (that's the one I'm used too).  I think this verse sums up my feelings about living in America today. Isn't it amazing that something written thousands of years ago, is still so current and relevant.  We are a nation of free people, we have free will, we are free to make as many mistakes as we want (as long as they are legal), believe me, I've made quite a few.  Freedom doesn't mean we should live only for ourselves in our "if it feels good, just do it", society. We are free. We are free to follow God, and as Christians we are called to worship Him and serve Him. We are His slaves, His servants. However, He is a compassionate and benevolent Master.  He loves us unconditionally, He cares for us in our times of sorrow and sadness, He comforts us.  He feeds us when we are hungry and quenches our thirst when we are thirsty.  He is always with us, we are never alone. Thank you, Lord, that I am free.

I've been in summer mode since Memorial Day.  In the days preceding Memorial Day weekend, I pull out all of my patriotic accoutrements (say it with a French accent, it's sounds fancy!). Here are some things that I hope will inspire you to celebrate the red, white and blue, this Independence Day and throughout the summer season.

How simple is this? Flowers provide instant color and charm. 

 

Don't forget accessories. Jewelry and even cute fingernails can help complete any look.

These nails wraps are from Jamberry, in "Nautical" and "Mad Mod"

This is what we wore when we saw the Blue Angels air show in May. 

These nautical inspired outfits are appropriate all summer long, from Memorial Day to Labor Day or anyday!

I pray you have a fun and safe 4th of July. Let freedom ring!

The sea

Genesis 1:9
"And God said,  'Let the water and the sky be gathered in one place, and let dry ground appear. And so it was.' "

Thank you God for the oceans and the beaches. I love the beach! It wouldn't be summer without a trip to the beach. We are fortunate to live in a coastal state, so driving a few hours east takes us right there.  Sometimes that's not even close enough. If I could pick up tomorrow and move to the beach, I would. We try to spend at least a few days at the beach every summer, sometimes, we even drive down for the day. The children love it, too. There is no other place (for me) that shows the beauty and power and awesomeness of God than the beach. You are a powerful and mighty God, that you took such care to create such beauty is inconceivable. Thank you, Lord, for the beauty and grandeur of the world around me. Amen.

Last weekend we were in St. Michaels.  It's a beautiful historic town on the eastern shore of Maryland. We go there every year for the Antique and Classic Boat Show at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum. What  a wonderful place for a family to visit on a beautiful summer day. Here are some of my favorite pics from our recent visit.

Here we are on the "Winnie Estelle".  She's a real 1920 Chesapeake Bay Buyboat.

This is a great activity we do every year. The children get to make their own sailboats and then try them out in the pool.

Here's my "Baby" and my husband enjoying a sail.

Here's one of my beautiful girls sailing her vessel. What a great day!

Hopefully the next time I write about my family, you'll see lots of pictures on the surf and sand. 

Have a blessed day!

Fitness Update

Philippians 4: 13
" I can do all this through him who gives me strength. "


I believe this. I truly do. Do not look to me as an example of this where fitness is concerned at least.  I have been doing fairly well with the running. Although, I have to admit I've only run about 2 miles in the last 2 weeks. I also have really cut down on the amount of sugar I use.  However, I have not been doing any additional conditioning exercises.  My abs are so flabby right now, I'm sure I look like I'm expecting my next baby (don't worry Mom, I'm not!).  Thank goodness God is looking at the condition of my heart and not my thighs. Lol!  Thank you, Lord for my health. Thank you that I have a healthy appetite, and that I am still physically able to chase after my beautiful family. And, thank you that my husband likes a girl with a little meat on her bones. I am truly blessed.

I wanted to update you on my fitness for accountability's sake and so that you wouldn't consider me a hypocrite. I have shared with you some easy exercises for you to try and some of the circuits that I have used in the past. Heck, I even started a circuit and kept it up for several weeks, things just got a little hectic and most evenings we were out and about. Now that summer vacation has begun, I should have a few extra days to get back into the swing of things.  Here are some circuits that I want to try that I can even share with the children.

Going to the $1 store today to get some hula hoops. This one sounds fun!
Click on this link penandkeyboard

Here's a super simple workout, but don't let it fool you, it is challenging.
Click on this link fitbottomedgirls.com

I found both of these workouts on Pinterest (what a great tool).  There were many other workouts to try, so check them out and see if there are some better ones to suit your family. There might even be something that you are currently doing, I'd love to hear about it. Comment below and share your favorite workout. Remember, even if you don't complete a circuit, just getting up and moving with the kids is certainly a step in the right direction. Have fun!

I pray you have a blessed day!

Nation under God

Psalm 33: 12
" Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance. "


Don't worry, I won't get all political on you today (I could, but I won't).  This verse reminds me of times when I went to church on Independence Day and sang "God Bless America" or another patriotic tune. It always brings a lump to my throat to think about how blessed I am to live in this country.  Thank you, God, that I live in this great country, and that I live in Your abundance.  Help me to share and serve with all that I have to those that are suffering and lost. Amen.

I like to change things up in my home depending on the season. As you would decorate for Christmas, I try to add a few things here and there to celebrate the seasons. I don't go overboard, though. This time of year a beautiful hurricane or bell jar with seashells in it or switching out a few throw pillows and some kitchen towels, seem to freshen things up. Here are some things I found on Pinterest that I really want to try in my own home.

I love this website!  Here is a wonderful example of  summer decor. So simple and so elegant.
(pic found on Pinterest via Stone Gable)

I love the simplicity of the burlap table runner. It's great for any time of the year.
Just by putting out some red, white and blue dinnerware and napkins. You've got a table set for the 4th of July!
(pic found on Pinterest via Stone Gable) 

Another beautiful room setting from Stone Gable. I really like the croquet set on the fireplace and the nautical knots on the coffee table. They are simple ways to add a little bit of summertime to a room. 

I hope you've been as inspired by these beautiful pictures as I have. Go try a few of these wonderful ideas, I know I am. Have a blessed and beautiful Tuesday!

See food?

Leviticus 11: 9 (and a little bit of 10)
" ' Of all the creatures living in the waters of the seas and streams you may eat any that have fins and scales. But...' "


Uh oh!  We are about to see in verse 10 if you read on, we are not to eat anything without fins and scales.  Thank you, Lord, that I'm a New Testament kind of girl! I live in Maryland and we eat CRABS!  We'll pretty much eat them anyway they come, too. We eat crab pretzels, crab cakes, steamed crabs, crab salad, crab balls, crab dip, softshelled crabs, crab soup, crabs, crabs, crabs.  This weekend we went to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum in St. Michaels. They have an annual Antique and Classic Boat Show.  It's our family tradition to go each year to celebrate Father's Day.  The museum is located right next to one of the best crab houses in Maryland, "The Crab Claw".  The wonderful smells that came out of that building....mmmmm. We, however, had the 4 youngest with us, so sitting down in a restaurant and spending a lot of money on crab was out of the question.  We usually do our crab thing at home.  It's messy, and time consuming to eat steamed crabs (and expensive), so in this season of our lives it just makes more sense. I also make my own crab cakes and soups from time to time.  That's the best part of eating at home, you get to use some of the crab to make other delicious things.

I have a great recipe for crab and corn chowder, that I got years ago from an older woman at church. At the time we lived near the water  (on the western shore) where corn and crab are abundant.

This is the iconic Hooper Strait Lighthouse in St. Michaels, Maryland
(image found on Google Images)

Crab and Corn Chowder

Ingredients:

4 Tbls Butter
2  Onions
1 small sweet Green Pepper
3 cups to a quart of Milk (whole or 2%)
2 large Potatoes (russets are fine)
3 cups of Corn (about 6 ears)
Salt and Pepper- to taste
Old Bay Seasoning to taste
1 Tbl Parsley flakes
1 lb of Crab (backfin is preferable)

Directions:

Saute first 3 ingredients until onions are translucent.  Add milk, potatoes and corn salt and pepper. Cook until potatoes are tender, then add crab spice to taste (I personally like a lot!). Add crab meat before serving.

Delicious. Serve with a  nice crusty bread and a fresh salad. Dinner is served!

I pray you have a blessed Monday!

Last Day!

John 6: 40
" For my Father's will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day. "


Well, here it is (finally!), the last day of school.  Due to the amount of snow we had over the winter, the children had their school calendar extended an entire week. I know the children are overjoyed. I'm looking forward to sleeping in a little bit later, too.  Jesus isn't talking about the last day of school, though. He's talking about the end days of man on earth. It's pretty simple really, " everyone who looks to the Son and believes in him will have eternal life ". BELIEVE.

Here are some cute pics of my children and the neighbors at the bus stop. The first and last day of school this 2014-2015 year.

First day of 3rd grade.

Last day of 3rd grade!!

Enjoy your summer. Live every day like it's your last!

Goodnight

Matthew 11:28
" Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. "


Rest, sleep. I am all for it. I love a good nights rest. And, I'm planning on doing that one night really soon. God wants us to rest, too. We are no good to Him if we are up all night with worry and sleeplessness. We are His hands and we need to be able to function for Him.  Lord, thank you for rest (no matter how elusive it seems at times), refresh me so I can walk in Your ways and serve Your children. Amen.

Here are just a few tips for a restful bedroom.

• Keep work out of your bedroom. No uniforms, no reports, no (work) computers or cellphones. Make your bedroom a sanctuary for rest and relaxation.



These are Jennifer Lopez 600- thread count sheets from Kohl's.
They are currently on sale.

• Buy the highest thread count sheets you can afford ( an absolute minimum of 200). Nothing is more comfortable than nice soft, clean, fresh cotton sheets.
• Add some white noise. My husband and I have an air purifier in our room. It serves 2 purposes: it keeps the air clean of dust and allergens and, it makes a just the right amount of white noise. I have actually woken up when my room was too quiet after one of the children turned it off to hear the television better.  A fan also works well.     



Here are some great oils to try from doTerra.

• Get a diffuser with a great scent. Lavender oil is a great one to start with, but you can also find some great restful oil blends as well.  



These are Supreme Blackout Grommet Top curtains from Country Curtains. 

• Hang some room darkening curtains or shades. There's nothing more restful than a dark room. 
• Clean your room! Clutter stresses me out. I can't stand to walk in my room and see a stack of laundry or the childrens toys.  Sometimes it's even my books or magazines. Clean it up.
• Add flowers. Sounds crazy, but some fresh flowers by my bed make me happy. And, (bonus!) they are beautiful.

This beautiful arrangement is from Blush Floral Design Studio, a local floral designer.

I hope these tips help you get a good nights rest. Have a blessed and restful Thursday!