My Prayer
~
Speak to my heart, precious Jesus
Speak to my heart today.
Don't let me go without hearing-
Your precious voice I pray.
Speak to my heart, loving Saviour
Speak to my heart I pray.
Open Thy rivers of mercy-
Oh, how I need Thee today.
Speak to my heart, guiding Shepherd
Let me so clearly know,
Your loving plan for my life
Direct my steps as I go.
Speak to my heart, God Almighty
Visions of holiness see.
Keep my eyes always turned upward
Awaiting Your likeness to be.
-Martie Spurgeon
I trust you are walking in His will - receiving strength from His hand - and finding yourself conformed more and more to His likeness. Thanks for stopping by. I am glad you did!
Blessings,
~Martie
I only use this book for recipes that I have tried and the family loved - or that I will make again and again. (So I guess I could call it my frequently used recipes). Once the recipes passes the "everyone loves it and wants me to make it again" test - I will tape it into the correct section of the book. I am also able to place notes to myself on the side of the recipe. For example, if it is a dish that I need to double - I can note that there. Or perhaps, I can keep track of how much this meal cost per serving; so when money is tight and I need to watch our grocery spending - I can choose low cost meals that everyone loves. I also record the points per serving following the Weight Watchers Points system. 
I love it too because it has folders in the front and back of the book. So recipes that I have not yet tried, are placed there - not sitting on my desk getting lost in the great paper abyss.
This has really helped me keep better track of the recipes that I use frequently. I just found with an index box - I could not find a convenient place to store it. This way, I can just set "MY" cook book on the shelves along with the other cookbooks and have everything in one place.
Thanks for stopping by for Kitchen Tip Tuesday. For more tips go to 
Well, I love it when he brings me flowers that I am able to arrange in a vase. I love to work with flowers and arrangements - so I got these flowers all situated into their vase and placed them on the center of the kitchen table. Last night, while Rob was gone on a music trip with Rachel, the house was quiet and I was trying to get some much needed laundry done. Well, I brought up a load of clothes to fold - and while I was folding I thought of how unique it looked. Flowers in the middle of the table with folded clothes all surrounding them.
Kind of like married life - you are so in love - and enjoy being with each other - but the romance and love come in living life - through the duties and responsibilities that fill our days. I can find that my husband going to work - or being busy with household remodels is just as romantic as a candlelight dinner - if I so choose. For in his efforts and work - he is loving me and caring for me.
I am so glad that you stopped by. Oh, I thought I would ask: "Do you ever get tired of flowers?
I think I have a budding chef on my hands. In a year or so I will be out of a job in the family kitchen - not to worry though, that has been the main objective since they were little. Train them to do what I do - so when they get older - they will know how to manage a home.
Some of my fondest memories with you are sitting in cars that were on the rack - while you worked under the hood. I can not tell you what the smell of a mechanic's garage does to me - so many memories!
I remember when you took me out on a date for my thirteenth birthday. I was so nervous - but had such a magical night with you. I loved holding your hand - I felt so safe - and proud to have you as my Dad.
I remember you dropping me off at college. I think it was harder on you and Mom than it was for me - although I did shed quite a few tears- when the homesick heart was breaking.
I remember coming home for your birthday and surprising you by my visit. (I think that this is one of my fondest memories - and I have played it over and over in my head - just to relive it one more time). It was so neat to be there with you on your birthday - even though it was unexpected for you. Remember how I was playing the piano when you got home from work?
Now, I am all grown up - and the older I get the more I appreciate you. Thank for everything you have done for me through the years. Your sacrifices, your love and concern - have helped to mold me. I am so glad that God gave you to me - What a wonderful gift He gave me - when He gave me a Dad like you. 
Stepping into Ron's is like stepping back in time. Where the floor is tiled - the ornaments on the wall are fish - probably caught before Dad was even born - and the magazine rack has been around since newspapers were still reporting on the JFK assassination. How much history is held within these four walls! A lot has been talked about as customers, through the years, have waited their turns in the chairs that line the side of the room. From politics and weather, to religion and local gossip - - no conversation is taboo here. 
In the outside world - much has changed. There are four way stop lights, convenience stores, and a local library - - right out side the window of this historic business - but inside - - it is still the same. The prices look like something you would see in the background of an old "Leave it to Beaver" episode - and well - - Ron could have very well been around when that show's first season was running new on prime time television.
When a boy steps into the chair he is sitting down in a piece of nostalgic Wisconsin history. Many a lad has sat in the very same spot. Ron's a little older now - and you have to talk a bit louder - but when you are in the chair you are back it time. A time our children will never know - and one, for that matter, that Dad barely remembers - - but ask the old guys sitting in the chairs talking about the Packers upcoming game - they remember - they've been there a while
Young and old alike come there. He has room for them all. Many 'new' salons and beauty shops do not have people employed that even know how to cut flat tops - - but Ron does! He was cutting them when they were still in style. His buzzing clippers still know their way around a boy's head.
Time could only tell how many red necked little boys in blue jeans and sneakers have turned the dial to the gumball machine following their haircut. A gumball - the known reward for sitting still and letting Ron cut your hair. You won't see a little boy leaving the shop with a still mouth - no, his gums are chomping away on the treat his good behaviour earned him.
Well, that's the new room in our house. I did not tell you about the $70.00 shower head that my husband was able to pick up for $12.00 - but unmistakably - this is a bathroom that was put together with a lot of sweat, a lot of good bargains, and gifts from friends. I think I like it that way. After waiting so long to get it done - I think I am enjoying it more than I would have had we hired it done - and had it finished in 48 hours!
For the giveaway I wanted to include some things that I have shared with you - or showed you in previous posts. I have included a link over to the post where these items were talked about - all of the giveaway items are duplicates of the previous items talked about - as they were all purchased especially for the giveaway. 
Ah, tea! And one of my favorites - 
The most "
This is unique and new to the giveaway - I just loved this framed print.
Homemade granola stored in a 
Well, that's it - a basket of goodies for one of my readers. I can't wait to see who wins.
I would love to hear from all of you - as well as any of your friends. If you have a blog - and would post about my giveaway on your blog, as well as link over to my site - let me know and I will put your name in twice for the drawing. ( Feel free to download the picture on my side bar if you post about the giveaway.) Please make sure I have access to your email address - so I will know how to contact you and get your mailing address if you win. (If your email is on your blog - I will be able to find it there.)