Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Strawberry Patch Faith

It amazes me that this...

...turns into this! Kind of like how we are as followers of Jesus...we bud, bloom and hopefully
bear fruit. This big strawberry had reached its full potential...(well almost:)))

...which is what we hope and daily pray for these little buds as they bloom and bear fruit in thier lives.

My littlest nephew, could not stop eating strawberries, he was mesmorized by them
(which his momma was reminded of later that day:)

What I love about fruit is...it is so great all on its own-but the possiblities are endless once it is ripe! Humm...


Lots of fruit together...makes a big difference...



...and a sweet ending!

During this Holy week I am reminded not to stay in the budding-blooming stage, but to ask
Jesus to help me see where and how I can continually bear fruit for His Kingdom! It is so easy for me to stay a pretty little bloom, and not go through all that it takes to bear fruit. The truth is it is not me doing the fruit bearing anyway...uhh if I could only remember that truth-there would be a whole lot more fruit! Life with Jesus simply is a whole lot sweeter!
...."Remain in me and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me. Yes I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them will produce much fruit.
FOR APART FROM ME YOU CAN DO NOTHING." John 15:4-5 (NLT)

Love and Strawberries, Tracey

p.s. Bisquick strawberry shortcake recipie on the side of the box...is the best ever.
People are always asking me for the "recipe"...we just add vanilla ice cream and real whipped cream.
It is a great dessert for Easter...nice and fresh and light!


 



Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Cloud shapes and giggles!


The cousins were in town this weekend. Caught this one while the kids were checking out the cloud shapes!
The very simplest things are fun as long as they are together.
 Our children LOVE their
cousins and their cousins LOVE our children...so sweet, so simple, so refreshing!
Take a second to look at the clouds today and giggle with someone you love!
I am linked up today (and this is my very first link...so lets pray it works)
with
for her Sweet Shot Tuesday


Love and Giggles...Tracey

Monday, March 29, 2010

"Clean Living"...pure white "living" rooms.


As followers of Jesus, this week means so much. It is a time for us to reflect on
how we are living-in the shadow of the cross.


So what does that have to do with pretty amazing all white "living" rooms?


I just imagine what life would be like in my house with white couches. Believe you me-I would love them! I think about them, plan for them and WILL get them someday. However...with two really dirty kids (and I mean "dirty" in the most loving way possible). They bathe every night-don't get me wrong...they both just find their way to dirt, and they love collecting stuff...dirty stuff...stuff that can't coexist with...beautiful white couches. Let me add to our children...two pets...a cat that only started to shed when we added the dog (the vet says its because of  "stress"...huh...why am I not shedding!)...a dog who loves to roll in dirt...the same dirt the children play in! So...you get the idea...white couches...not a good idea.
What I love about this Holy week is the huge reminder that even with all of our dirt and stains we serve a God who cleaned it all for us! The dirt did not scare Him off...he takes our "slipcovers" and washes them...every stain, over and over again. Girls...my heavnly "mansion" has white couches...but for now I will stick with my brown couches, my dirty sweet little children, "stressed out" shedding cat...smelly muddy dog.....and my KING Jesus-who gets the pure white, no stains thing...and washes me (what feels like a daily necessity...sometimes hourly.) clean by His love and grace!


So enjoy these pictures of these beautiful rooms...


and at the same time be ever grateful for the "dirt" in your life...


and for the KING who washes it all clean...grace...grace...Gods grace.



"As for me and my house...



...we will serve the Lord" Joshua 24:15

By His grace and with His love...Tracey



Sunday, March 28, 2010

Preparing the Way!


"If they (the crowed) kept quiet the stones along the road would burst into cheers" Luke 19:40

Preparing the way  for Jesus...the King...today...with our Palms and prayers!
Good Friday is coming...but Easter is soon to follow!

Happy Sunday...You are loved by the King!

Thursday, March 25, 2010

Sweet Dreams and Cupcakes!


I LOVE cupcakes...
especially cocnut cream cupcakes...with a sweet little surprise on top!

 

I love daisies...my wedding flowers were white and yellow daisies...


I love birds...especially blue birds, and nests with blue birds in them!



You guessed it...I love butterflies too!


I love sprinkles...one of the little girls in my daughters class nick named my daughter "sprinkles".
I had a few nicknames in elementary school that were not so sweet! Sprinkles suits her perfect!


My favorite kind of cupcake is a bitesized one...or maybe more than one!



I would love one of each please... sitting next to you with some
coffee ( french vanilla creamer and 3 sugars...I know why add the coffee...well I just started drinking it one month ago...I am trying to stay awake during the day...:)

I love that so many of the things I love can be put on top of a cupcake...so sweet!
I hope you have sweet dreams...and a cupcake!
Love-Tracey

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

My gym...


I keep saying I am going to join the gym...but I think I might miss...this "gym"!
I took this on one of our morning walks through the nature preserve.
This place and its paths have become the
place where my husband and I walk and..."work out" not only our hearts but our hearts.
I don't have to pay a monthly fee...smell anything other than the crisp air...hear anything but the morning birds, and the voice of my favorite person in the world!
I think I just talked myself out of joining the gym again...but will let you know!
Hope you excersise your heart today!!
Love-Tracey

Saturday, March 20, 2010

2 Ingredients = Cool Mom!


To be "cool" start with these chocolate graham crackers!


lay out the grahams...spread some "cool" on them...


The kids love spreading the cool whip...they sneak some tastes (I turn away on purpose...they think
they are so sneaky...I love to hear their conspiracy giggles).



Wrap in snack bags, and put them in the freezer for at least an hour.



Then they are ready to eat...


Sweets for sweets!


It's amazing that it only took 2 ingredients to be a "cool" mom for the day.


Simple, sweet and really cool. These are the fun times I cherish...hope you have a really "cool" day today!
Kiss your kiddos, eat some chocolate and chill for the weekend.
Love-Tracey...a cool mom (for the moment).

Friday, March 19, 2010

The heART of the festival...Winter Park


Today was the first day of the 51st Winter Park Festival!
I am going to share some of my favorites with you. Above is on my "to buy" list.
This artist: Doug Bloodworth is amazing...This painting of cherry pie...was my favorite. Please check out
his site: http://www.dougbloodworth.com/ . This art will be the focal point of any home! My husband is planning on getting one of Doug's great cartoon pieces...truly amazing!
He was choosen to be judged at the festival...hope he wins!


Maryann Schmidt is an artist from upstate NY. Her work is so realistic, the lighting in the work was so impressive. See how you can look through the glass bottles...spectacular work. She was a joy to talk to. Check out her work...www.maschmidt.com. Can't you just see one of these painintgs over your couch!
I can!



This painting by Randy Eckard caught my eye... I "reminded" my husband that our anniversary is not far off.
Mr. Eckard overheard and kindly handed his card to my husband...I saw my husband put the card in his
wallet...fingers crossed! It is even more beautiful in person! So real...go enjoy all of his work at...www.randyeckardpaintings.com




Something a little different...I wanted to take this dog home with me (and quite honestly trade it for the real one living with us...shhh). Great imagination and use of old stuff! Love it...check out all of the unique pieces



I wish you could get the full effect of this art work, it was stunning...I'm crossing my fingers for one of these as well! Bruce is actually selling his prints on ETSY...so worth it! For those of us who may never live on a farm...we can sure dream of it by looking at one of these! The originals are long...like 3ft by several inches...absolutley love! He was a sweet man..with tons o talent! Find him at www.etsy.com/shop/brucepeeso

There were so many more...I will have to do another post on these amazing artists. I decided today, while
walking through the exhibit...my goal in the next 2 years is to be one of the artists showing there. As I am growing ever so close to ...40...ugh...I am really going to focus in on my heART.

Oh...thought you might want to see some of the food we consumed...any good artist loves to eat..

Rasberry Brie Stuffed French toast...ya as good as it looks.


So sweet cherry and apple tarts...and look at this for real lady who makes them...


She calls these her..."little Angels"...ummmm

I would love to be your "tour guide" at the 52 Winter Park Festival....just let me know!
Maybe I will even be one of the Artists...
Enjoy your weekend...headed to yardsales in the morning...will let you know what I found!
Full and satisfied....Tracey

Thursday, March 18, 2010

White pitchers and true collectables!


White plates...tea cups...bowls and WHITE PITCHERS...I love them all... as much as Leigh @ Brabourne Farms loves cuboards (check out her amazing blog, and great post on cuboards).




Source: theletteredcottage

Layla @ The Lettered Cottage totally understands what I am about to share with you confess. Look at this springtime mantel post of hers...sure to cause a springtime smile.


Source: PB

I collect them, dream about them and search weekly for them...




My husband thinks I am "thirsty"...



...he is a pastor... so I said...yes...thirsty for Jesus...and all the
creamy white pitchers I can get my hands on!




I search every Monday at TJMaxx...and on my way I am hoping...and yes if I am to be honest...pray...
that there will be one...two...o.k. praying for three new white pitchers! I don't care if they are big or small.


I love beauty in the simple...the simpler the better.
I love people who are real, reflect the light of Jesus, clear and simple in the way they live and love. I love people who are funny and see the humor in the ordinary and mundane, humble...not cause they are trying to hard to be- but are because they understand who thier creator is and in light of that...simple humility is the only response. Somehow a white pitcher...believe it or not represnts those things to me...go figure. O.K. so maybe I am just trying to justify my obsession...but the rest is still simply pure and true!

Feeling grateful for the many pitchers in my life...and the few people who are true collectables!
Happy pouring...Tracey
p.s. Will show you my collection soon...

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

It's not green but it's a vegetable!


I know it's not green...but...I LOVE eggplant...I know its a little weird-but this purple vegetable has been my very favorite ever since I was in pigtales.


It all started because of one dish my mom mastered...


Fried eggplant parmesan...It starts with slicing the eggplant really thin, then dipping them in
a beaten egg and milk, and then into a mixture of flour,salt, pepper and parmesan cheese. Then fry it in olive oil on medium high heat. Lightly salt them when they come out and let dry on a cookie rack lined with paper towels! Yummmm...I can hardly keep enough
to make the parmesan! Great memories of childhood and my
moms amazing cooking (lots of her recipies to come).


Make one layer of eggplant on a cookie sheet (one layer will keep the eggplant crispy).
Cover with your favorite sauce (we only use RAGU chunky-tomatoes, onion and garlic-in this house)
Then cover with mozzerella...fresh is best..but shredded will do. Bake at 375 for 45 minutes or untill golden and ohh so bubbly.


One large eggplant feeds our family of four (thats with a few sneaks right out of the frying pan).
I have the BEST mom, who also happens to be the best cook...ask anyone who graced the table they will agree! I am so blessed to have had the opportunity to stand over her shoulder for so many years to watch, listen and learn. I am convinced that after my husbands first meal at my moms house...I had him...he was under the "spell".... I will bring you many more of her simple and not so simple recipies...worth every minute making them!
    So...a not so green dish for this St. P's day...but still a veggie! Much Love....and cooking...Tracey

p.s. The kids love it too...they will eat any vegetable covered in cheese and sauce!