Grateful For Our Many Blessings

Jan9

I am very grateful to be able to begin a New Year with so many blessings of my wonderful family; Steve, our sons, daughters-in-law, and our precious grandchildren!  There are many wonderful things going on in our lives and in my business.

 

 

Some days are hard still feeling my fibromyalgia pain, so I look to the Lord on these days…And yes it is there: 
God is so amazing!  Here are a few words which calm my soul…
"When ye pray, believe"  (Mark 11:24).  When there is a matter that requires definite prayer,
Pray till you believe God, until with unfeigned lips you can thank Him for the answer.
"For we which have believed do enter into rest" (Heb. 4:3).  
The beginning of anxiety is the end of faith, and the beginning of true faith is the end of anxiety.  Meuller  
Faith is not a sense, nor sight, nor reason, but a taking God at His word.   Evans   

 

 


You will never learn faith in comfortable surroundings.  God gives us the promises in a quiet hour;  God seals our covenants with great and gracious words, then He steps back and wants to see how much we believe; then He lets the tempter come, and the test seems to contradict all that He has spoken.  It is then that faith wins its crown.  That is the time to look up through the storm, and among the trembling, frightened seamen cry, "I believe God that is shall be even as it was told me."  


This new year brings so many things that I am also very grateful for.   Matt and Sara sold the house they moved out of in September, moving into a newly purchased house right before Ava was born.  They rushed the move so they would not have to bring home a new baby and then have to go to the trouble of showing a house, and move afterward.  Well, this was right before the economy took a more severe turn for the worse, leaving this young family having to pay two house payments for the last five months. 


So, Thank You Lord, that their house has sold, and they can begin to get finances in order again (which, of course they will – I only wish we were as smart with our money in our twenties and early thirties). I am also grateful that Stephanie, Andy's wife, is now doing fine since she was robbed at the bank where she is head teller.  This was a terrifying experience for her, but she handled it just like she was trained to do.No one knew they were being robbed until after the robber left.  This crazy man went on to rob three other banks in the area, but I saw on the news tonight where he was caught. 


Thank you Lord! I am very grateful that "Nana", my husband's Mother is back at home and recovering from dislocating both shoulders.  This has been a hard journey for her.  She is such a strong woman of faith and of body. I only hope I can be half as strong as she when I am 85 years old. I am grateful that we can begin the new year with bright eyed anticipation looking forward to all that God has in store for us.  I just know that there are amazing blessings in our horizon.

 


I am also grateful that I went on my "fibro" diet when I did almost three years ago.  I truly believe that had I not taken matters into my own hands and studied and followed my Doctor's suggestions that I would probably be in a wheel chair by now.  My fibromyalgia was so severe that I could hardly function – as a matter of fact, I couldn't!  Now, I can run my own eBay store and website, and am an Internet Marketing Consultant!  Yes, I know – a big title – but that just means I can set up websites, blogs, and mailing list tracking, and adwords to help other businesses with their dreams!  God is so Good! 

 

As a matter of fact, last week while my sweet husband was out for the Holidays, I set up a blog site for him.   He has been a poet for years, and of course, I think has done a wonderful job with each and every poem.  He now has a site where he can post and share them.  He writes about real-life situations which involve our friends and family.  Each and every one is touching, and humorous.  Hop on over and read some,   http://www.silverfoxprose.com   I'm sure you'll enjoy them too!

The Christmas Tree Lucas Made

Dec11

Yesterday was a VERY special day in my life that I want to share with you. This day is about "Mimi" (me), and my grandson, Lucas. Lucas just turned three years old in August. This child has been the apple of my eye, and Poppy's eye, since he was born. We are amazed as we watch his mind and his body develop as he learns and grows so fast! And now we have our first little grand-daughter, Ava Grace who is soooooo sweet!


But yesterday was about me and Lucas, so back to this special day. But first, I guess I need to back up a little and explain to you why each thing that Lucas does and says fills me with so much awe. I just cannot remember each one of these special things that our own boys did. You see, I was 23 and 24 years old when our sons Matt, and Andy were born. They are so precious and we love them so much, and they have grown up to be loving Christian men! Oh my, we are so very blessed!


I was a young, 23 year old when we had to move from our hometown. Matt was 10 months old, and I was pregnant with Andy. My Mother and Steve's Mother had been helping me so much to adjust to a new baby and being sick with a new one, and all of the sudden we were moving. We were moving three hours away to a town where I knew no one. This move was not our choice – my husband was being transferred, and we had to move or loose his job, which we could not afford to do. It was a good job, and a nice raise, but I would have gladly stayed home with the family and friends I loved and needed so much. I think that even though we doted on our children, and loved them dearly, those years were very hard for me, especially.


My Loving, doting husband was tied down with a new job with lots of responsibility, and I was just starting to not feel quite like myself anymore. Stress was starting to show its ugly head in my life. (It was just a few years later, at 28 yrs old that fibromyalgia and chronic fatigue hit). But these younger years were filled with a young baby who had colic so badly that I had to get up 5 to 8 times every night with him, and a pregnancy where i was sick – very sick – for the nine months. I feel robbed, I feel as though those years were taken away from me because I just cannot remember all of the special things that our little boys learned as they grew up.


When I look back to these years and try to remember each special milestone in our boys lives, the memories are just not there like I want them to be, so Lucas is filling that need in my life as I watch each and every step he takes toward growing into a little boy. These are wonderful, joyful steps to watch. And I'm sure any grandmother will probably tell you the exact

same thing.  Ok, now back to yesterday. I picked up Lucas (or Gucas – as he calls himself sometimes) at play school at noon. I had special plans for us after his most favorite lunch which is a peanut butter sandwich, potato chips, and an apple. Oh, and I guess I must confess, he didn't get his apple, he wanted two reeses cups instead, and Mimi gave in. So, as soon as lunch was over, I told L we had a

special project in my shop that he could make for Mommy and Daddy for Christmas.  We, or Lucas, made them a table Christmas tree. In the picture above, you'll see L "fluffin" the stem with colored berries, and fake candy. (Look at the cute Christmas Tree stamp on his hand.) Lucas loved the special "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" which was chosen to be at the top and center of his special Christmas

Tree.  Making this tree with Lucas was so much fun. He knew exactly what he wanted to use in this creation. And he also knew exactly where he wanted everything to go. He was very particular about this. It had to have the stuffed Rudolph, stems of candy and berries, candy canes, candy striped balls, and ribbons. But to top it all off – and this was totally Lucas' idea, we had to have a frog, three birds, five

ladybugs, and three bumblebees. I feel like I am calling out the words to a "Partridge in a Pear Tree" here! lol  Lucas is SO proud of this tree and immediately upon his Mom's arrival, brought her into the kitchen with a "Ta-Da" and a wave of his arm, as if he was introducing something marvelous. (And he really was!)

 Here "Mommy" and Ava are beside the beautiful Christmas tree. And Sara was so very impressed that her young son had done this for her! Oh, by the way, Sara has a wonderful blog.  She is really an exceptional writer!  If you would like to check it out, here is the address:  http://www.alexanderbaby.blogspot.com .      


You can read more about Matt and Sara, and lots more about Lucas and Ava.  You'll see many, very sweet pictures as well!. I look forward to enjoying many more years of watching and cherishing Ava and Lucas grow, and learn. I hope I won't forget each of these special memories. I pray that they will stay with me for the rest of my years. So, when I say to people on my website, and on my blog, and on the phone that with my videos, anyone can learn to make an arrangement in two hours, they certainly can. If my three-year old grandson (although especially exceptional) can make this wonderful tree, then I know you can design anything you set your mind to! Smiles…. "Mimi"   

Nana

Dec10

I have been meaning to write for a long time about Nana.  And, well today just seems like the right time.

Nana is my husband's Mother. and I consider her to be the matriarch of our family.  You know, the one everyone wants to be like, the one we look up to, and the one we admire so very much.  Our Nana is 85 years young.  And when I say young, I mean it.  Nana has more strength – mentally, and physically that I can only hope and pray to possess. 

 

Since I married her son 36 years ago, my goal has been to become the same type of mother-in-law to my son's wives as she has been to me.  I'm sure I'm not measuring up to her, but it's nice to have such a loving, sweet Christian woman with such a giving heart to strive to be like.

 

 

This is Nana in the picture above meeting her very first Granddaughter, Ava.  So very precious!

Nana just happens to be the best cook EVER!! 

Her hometown is Iva, South Carolina, and in this small town, everyone knows
"Nana" will be there with food whenever they need it. 
When they have bake sales at her hometown church, all of her goodies such as cakes,
cookies, banana breads, etc. are reserved and sold before she even arrives with them.

So… I have decided it would be nice to start posting Nana's recipes from time to time on my blog. 
These are just too wonderful not share them with the rest of the world.

The first recipe I want to share with you is:

Nana's "First Place, Award Winning – SWEET POTATO SURPRISE CAKE !"

 

 

This Sweet Potato Cake was the Grand Prize Winner at "Depot Days" in Iva, SC in 2007. 

Nana always has entries in these festivals which come in First Place, or at least Second Place. 
She was not able to enter this year because of a serious fall. 
She was walking on her treadmill and fell off dislocating both shoulders. 
That was four months ago,  and she is back at home, but needs your prayers to fully recover. 
This has been very traumatic for a woman who is as involved as she is in her church, and her hometown.
So… Please… Won't you Pray for our "Nana"!

BELOW, YOU'LL SEE A PICTURE OF NANA WITH HER BLUE RIBBON!  SHE WAS SO PROUD!

 

 

OK, I know you're waiting on pins and needles for this wonderful recipe so here it is:

 

Sweet Potato Surprise Cake:

1 1/2 cups vegetable oil 2 cups sugar 4 eggs – separated 4 Tablespoons hot water 2 1/2 cups cake flour – sifted 3 teaspoons baking powder 1/4 teaspoon salt 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg 1 1/2 cups grated raw sweet potatoes 1 cup chopped nuts 1 teaspoon vanilla

Combine cooking oil, sugar and beat well.  Add egg yolks and blend well.  Add hot water then the dry ingredients which have been sifted together.  Stir in grated potatoes, nuts, and vanilla and beat well.  Beat the egg whites until stiff and fold into mixture.  Bake in 3 greased 8" layer pans (she puts down a wax paper liner), and bake at 350  D. for 25 – 30 minutes.  Let layers cool good before frosting.

 

Frosting:

1 lg. and 1 sm. can of evaporated milk 1 teaspoon vanilla 1 1/2 cups sugar 1 1/2 sticks margarine 3 egg yolks 1 3/4 cups coconut

Combine milk, sugar, margarine, egg yolks and vanilla in a sauce pan.  Cook over medium heat about 10 or 12 minutes, stirring constantly until mixture thickens.  Remove from heat and add coconut.  Beat and let it get almost cold and it will spread better.

The ironic part is that, since I have Celiac disease, and am allergic to wheat, I have never been able to taste this cake.  But I can tell you that it smells absolutely scrumptious, and everyone wants more and more – one piece of this cake is NEVER enough!

 

Thank you Nana for loving me and welcoming me with such love into your family when I married you son!

I love you Deeply!       Nancy 

Christmas Spirit

Nov12

I have the Christmas Spirit!  I know, I know, you say but it’s not even Thanksgiving yet….. And you’re right.

But you don’t understand, I have to have the Christmas spirit, and do you know why?  It is because I am going to make another video on Saturday.  Yes, you guessed it…. we are going to film decorating my home.  And we’re going to cover everything from decorating the tree, putting garlands around my door and up my outside steps, to decorating my chandelier, to positioning cute little elves climbing up my kitchen island lights.

Oh, and that’s now all!  We are going to brave the elements and decorate Christmas trees outside in my “Pergola” (a pergola is actually an outside room).  I’m going to make outside arrangements out of fresh greens, show you how to add fresh greens to an artificial wreath, wrap packages, and much, much more!

So, that is why I absolutely HAVE to find my Christmas spirit really fast!  Oh, don’t worry, I can do it, 🙂  When I owned my brick and mortar business, I actually turned my entire shop over to Christmas in June or July every year.  Now that sounds crazy, doesn’t it?  Yes, I thought so too.  But customers would start coming in around the middle of June looking for glittering, whimsical Christmas goodies.  So, I would give in, and put it out.  Thank Goodness, I don’t have to do that any more!!

My friend, and employee Shirley will be here is just a few minutes.  Today she is bringing some help with her.  We’ll have her son Max, and daughter Elizabeth.  They both have helped me before – actually Elizabeth helps me every week.  My Christmas tree is already up so Elizabeth will begin the “fluffin” process.  And Max, well, we will use his strong, muscular body to have him running up and down the stairs bring down my many, many boxes of Christmas finery.

One advantage to owning my shop for so many years is that I always purchased something very special for myself each year.  And… then what do you think we did with all of those Christmas items which never sold? lol…. Well, I took them home, they are here at my house, and I thoroughly enjoy putting them up every year.

It is now 8 am, and Shirley has just arrived waiting for me to tell her where we’ll start first.  So, I must get busy, and get decorations organized, and separated.  It will take quite a while to get things in order so that we can film on Saturday without any delays.

I’ll post some pictures here later today.  I have pictures of my decorated home when when we were on the tour of homes in ’06.

Maybe I have you thinking about Christmas today.  If you decide to start pulling out Christmas decorations, I just know you’ll have as much fun as we are going to have!

Smiles…. Nancy

I’ve Got Poppy’s Chair

Oct24

I’ve Got Poppy’s Chair! As my Husband, Steve and I are sitting in our den relaxing after a long day’s work, I see that Steve has been writing as hard as he can.  I also noticed the same thing last night, but I just thought he had brought work home, which isn’t unusual.  But when I asked, he said he had just finished writing a poem about a little game he and our grandson, Lucas play everytime Lucas visits with his Mom, Dad, and baby sister, Ava.

You see, Steve is a phenominal writer, everyone wants a poem for their birthday, special occasion, or just no occasion as all.  But he is really good.  It would be nice if he could retire from his Engineering job, and delve into this as a second career – I think that would be so exciting for him.

Reading this poem brought tears to my eyes, and my hubby’s also.  I just though you might like to hear it.

I’VE GOT POPPY’S CHAIR!

The door barely opens and he’s in on the run,

Before the first greetings have even begun.

He’s wearing a big grin as he quickly zips by,

Barely slowing, he turns to catch his Poppy’s eye.

The game is on and they both are aware

That for the next few moments, the prize is…a chair.

Not just any chair, mind you, it has to be Poppy’s

Later he’ll be intrigued with sports and jalopies.

But today, at this time, make no mistake,

Lucas is competing, my seat to take.

He races to gain the first advantage

With another chair, Poppy will have to manage.

For a few moments, these two simply have no cares,

As the game evolves into musical chairs.

Lucas scores first, diving into my recliner,

Now it’s time to switch places…to swap our behinders.

Laughing, giggling, all the while through

(that’s me – but I see he’s enjoying this, too!)

Perhaps he’ll eventually wind up in my lap

Where not too long ago, I held his pap.

But today, it’s just us two running around.

Him taking what’s mine; me, pretending to frown.

One day this game will give way to other pursuits

Like bicycles, skateboards or books by Dr. Seuss.

But the “Poppy’s Chair” game will always remain,

Indelibly, lovingly, imprinted on my brain.

Played often, it’s fun and quite a cardio workout.

It pays “divi-grins” and helps keep me stout.

It strengthens the bond of grandfather-grandson

To see that boy smile has become my “job one”.

When “I’ve got Poppy’s chair!” resounds in my ear,

It means something much more than a game around here.

Lucas may never know that from the very start,

He could have had my chair…’cause he already had my heart.

Steve “Poppy” Alexander (Copywright, 2008)

October 23, 2008