Life is Sweet.

Sweet iced tea.
Sweet scenery.
Sweet cupcake.
Sweet new Country Living magazine.



My life is sweet.

*****
Tell me how you like your tea. Sweet? Unsweet? Fruity? Hot? Not at all?

Memorial Day

I never mentioned it on the blog, but last year when we went to New York to see Martha, we also went to Arlington Cemetery in Washington DC.

(we also visited the White House... maybe some day I'll blog that.)

Arlington is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.
There was a flag covered casket being brought in by horses while we were there.
It's a great reminder of the service these men and women have given to our country.





I love how there are shapes of crosses in the photo above.

To all veterans, men & women currently serving, and military families: THANK YOU!

S'mores Week!! - Day 5

This has been such a fun series! For me. And my taste buds.
Hopefully is has for you too.

Day 5 - Oatmeal cookies, dark chocolate, toasted marshmallow.

Oh good gravy. This might have been my favorite.
But I think I said that every day.
This was just the right balance of flavors, not too sweet.
Perfection.



I hope you get a long relaxing Memorial Day weekend!
And I hope you try a new s'more.
And I hope you come back and tell me what you put in it.

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please sign in only if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.
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These are just some simple flowers on my porch.
But I can help noticing how intricate they are. The innocent color, the crisp details.
And if God put this much thought into a simple flower, how much more thought went into creating you?

Happy Friday!

S'mores Week!! - Day 4

This is been such a yummy week so far!
I've definitely had to squeeze in a few extra workouts. Oh the sacrifices I make for my blog readers...

Day 4 S'more - graham cracker, marshmallow cream, and Ghirardelli Dark with Orange filling.
Oh.Emmm.Geee.
I'm a huge lover of anything citrus and I think this has been my favorite so far this week!



The idea here is to use a different chocolate in your s'more.
Another twist, and the thing that started this series, was this s'more I made a few years ago - with a Reese's Peanut Butter cup in it.



Today's a two-fer! Two new s'more ideas!

*****
Have you tried any new s'mores this week? What's your favorite way to have them?

S'mores Week!! - Day 3

Today's s'more is the least messy, and most portable one of all.
You can even make them without a campfire.

A s'more on a stick!
The Girl made these to sell at the Barn Sale.
We use huge marshmallows. Have you seen these?
They're like the size of my hand. Massive.
And because I'm a chocolate snob, I dip them in melted dark Ghirardelli chips mixed with a bit of almond bark. (the almond bark just helps it hold up better.)
Then sprinkle them with crushed graham crackers.





*****
My kids get out of school tomorrow and I'm so excited!!
It's one of my favorite times of year. I love being with them, getting crafty, having playdates, hanging out in the sun...
Can't wait for summer!!

S'mores Week!! - Day 2

Every day this week, I'll be featuring a new type of s'more.
Think of what you can add... how you can change it up.

Day 2 - Just a slight twist on the classic. Graham crackers, toasted marshmallow, chocolate bar, but we also added in sliced strawberries.
I'm pretty sure having fresh fruit in there makes this a health food.

Oh sweet mama.


******
p.s. In case you missed it yesterday, 20% of our sales from TheRustedChain this week will be donated to Salvation Army to help Joplin! If you're thinking of shopping, now's a good time.

S'mores week!! - Day 1

Because it's starting to feel a lot like summer...
And because my kids are about to be out of school...
And because we're using the grill a lot...
And just because...
We decided to do S'mores week!

Every day this week I'll show you a new type of s'more we've come up with.
Can you outs'more me? I dare ya.

Day 1 -
Coconut macaroon cookies, homemade peach apricot jam, and marshmallow cream.
This was ah-mazing!
Insanely rich, like a decatant dessert.


Can't wait to show you tomorrow's S'more!

*******

On a totally different note, please pray for the people of Joplin, MO.
Many of you know that Southwest Missouri is my hometown area and we drive through Joplin every few months.
I'm just heartbroken for the loss and devastation there.

Pig Steak.

This week The Baby has been so funny.


A few of the things he's said to me:
"Mom, we need to plant some jell-o in our garden!"


"Sunshine and water makes my hair grow really long."


"Hey mom! I went fishing and caught 2 basset hounds!" (basset hounds = bass)


"Goodnight, and big balls." (Thank you Wipeout.)

And what we grilled for dinner, some people call pork ribs.
To The Baby, it's "pig steak."


Four is such a great age!

Be sure to check the blog every day next week for a super fun series!
I think you'll love it.

Fingerprint Friday

There is a song by Steven Curtis Chapman that says:
I can see the fingerprints of God
When I look at you
I can see the fingerprints of God
And I know its true
You're a masterpiece
That all creation quietly applauds
And you're covered with the fingerprints of God
So look around you and see where YOU can see God's fingerprints. Is it in nature? Kids? Animals? Where do you see them? Here's how to join:

1. Blog with your interpretation of God's fingerprints. Be sure to link back here so others can find the entire list of participants.
2. After you've posted your blog, sign the Linky below. Have fun exploring the other links as well! Please sign in only if you're participating. Hopefully this will make us look at things through fresh eyes throughout the week.
-------------------

Last week blogger crashed.
This morning we had thunder and lightning all around us so I couldn't be on the computer.
Sorry for the late start, but we're back on track now!

This was our sunset a few nights ago.


“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” - Romans 15:5-6

Daddy, Mom's, and a giveaway winner.

Because Father's Day is just around the corner, we thought we'd do a few new things for Dads.

Daddy Keychain

Rock Star Dad


Truth. Justice. Forever. (a little nod to a Superdad)


And a new necklace for Mom's who love to take pictures.
Mom's Gonna Snap


The winner of the $25 gift certificate and my BFF Candace Cameron Bure's book is Kristy. Congrats!! Please email therustedchaininfo AT yahoo.com

*****
Random question: What is your favorite room in your house?

Ewwww. And Eeeeek too.

I'm pretty sure it was the 7 foot cotton headed rattle moccasin, the rarest, meanest, and most venomous snake in all of Kansas.

What you need...

... is sunshine. And coffee.

... is friends and strangers around you who are kind enough to try to help you save a barn.

... is a husband who makes you laugh.

... is lots of comfy yoga pants.

... is at least one space in your home that makes you smile.

... is to find out when your kids are out of school for the summer. (oh wait, that's me. I really should figure out their last day of school so I don't keep sending them out to a bus that isn't coming.)

... is a basset hound. (no?)

... is a housekeeper. (I see you nodding.)

... is a glass of sweet iced tea, a stack of magazines, and an afternoon with nothing else to do.

... is a bundle of fresh flowers, even if you pick them from your yard or buy the $5 bunch at the market.

... is a tan from a bottle and some bright toenails.

... is lots and lots of marshmallows in your cereal.



Happy Happy Monday to you! I hope your week is starting great!
And I pray you get exactly what you need this week.

Weekend....

First, the other day blogger.com crashed. If you have a blog hosted on it, you probably know this.
We lost almost 300 comments on the giveaway post below this one.
So if you entered early, you might need to do it again.
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A few days ago we hit 100 degrees and had to turn on the air conditioner.
Tonight will be in the 30's and we'll need to turn on the heat.
Wacky!!!
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This is the first weekend for as long as I can remember that we've had no plans.
Nothing.
Not a single thing on the schedule. And it is soooooo nice.
I'm recovering from a cold, but that gives me an excuse to take a nap.
It's cold outside and that gives me an excuse to have extra coffee.
The kids are playing nicely (for now), planning parties, playing dress up, and that gives me an excuse to play on the computer.
Last night's dishes are still in the sink, and I have no excuse for that.
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This was the view from my office window a few nights ago.
The rainbow was so big I couldn't fit it all into an 18mm lens.
If you look in the bottom left, you can see a house. It's a good sized 2 story house.
Crazy.
Our God is so big.




****Random Saturday Question: When was the last time you had an ice cream cone?

Candace Cameron and jewelry {Giveaway!}

Okay y'all. This was posted yesterday and our blog host crashed.
D-E-A-D.
It came back today (not in time for Fingerprint Friday, sorry!) but... all comments were lost.
So we're starting over.
Huge apologies if you've already entered, but it's a clean slate now, so do it again. :)
***************

{New jewelry}
Love Grows Here.


Mandy earrings (named after my, and Candace's other BFF, Mandy Young...the three of us now sport these earrings. That was unintentional. I just loved them after I made them for the other two ladies, so I made some for myself.)



Some of you know that a few weeks ago I met with my BFF Candace Cameron Bure.
Kirk's sister.
And I was reminded that they also have two other lovely and amazing sisters, Melissa and Bridget. (Bridget, you got a shout out!!) :)

Anyhoo.... As Candace and I were discussing jewelry and our deep and meaningful friendship, I asked her to sign a copy of her book.

For you!

Her wonderful co-author is Darlene Schacht and these ladies made it to the New York Times Best seller list with this book, Reshaping It All!

I'm currently reading it for a second time.
I never read a book more than once.

So we want to give away a $25 gift certificate to TheRustedChain.com and an autographed copy of Reshaping It All!






To enter: Answer this simple question... Do you have summer vacation plans?

For additional entries:
Leave another comment somewhere else on this blog.
Blog it.
Facebook it.
Tweet it. (please leave seperate comments here for each thing you do.)

We'll draw a random winner in a week or so.

Never enough Basset...

Never enough stinky fur.


Never enough droopy eyes.


Never enough energy.


Never enough thinking she's Queen of the Mountain.


Never enough big muddy paws.


Never enough floppyness.


Never enough Lilo. Never enough basset hound.

That's not what Kitty thinks, however...


There's no purpose to this.
I just thought you needed more basset in your day.
Some people think you need more cowbell.
I think you need more basset hound.
There's never enough.

Barn Sale Time!!

Over the weekend was the Spring Barn Sale.
So.Much.Work.
And So.Much.Fun.!!

We hoped and prayed for good weather and we got it. 80 degrees and sunny.
As before, we were so impressed and humbled at the support from the community.
Shoppers came from all around and we heard loads of great feedback.

My friend/go-fer/favorite assistant, Erica, took most of the photos because I was tied to my table talking to guests all day.
She kept grabbing my camera and running off, which was so appreciated because otherwise I'd have no photos!






People rode in on horses! Love it.




Amy and Amy and me.





The part of the day where this mama's heart burst into a million mushy pieces:
Someone came to me and said that The Baby had set up his own "booth"... a wagon.
He was selling things he found in the kitchen: a strawberry, a few apples, pieces of Cookie Crisp cereal.
Seriously, y'all. I can't even handle the sweetness.



It was such a great day. The vendors were amazing.
People are already asking about the Fall sale.
I'm sunburned, exhausted, and still recovering from the weekend.
But it's good. Really good.