Just Because I Love Ya ~

I wanted to give all my dear friends, faithful readers, and followers a bit of a "heads up" ~ because I'm going to take  ~ a blogging break, dear friends.  You've all been so sweet to take time out of your busy days to stop in and share what's going on in my world, and leave encouraging comments, and share the joy!  So I wanted to give you a little "advance notice".  Personally I am doing great - far better than I have for years, actually!  Feeling great, getting more active, really getting out and enjoying life again - which I thank the Lord for every day after 12+ years of illness - hallelujah!!!!!!!!!!!  It's actually difficult for me now to sit still for very long!  Which is a big reason for the blogging break - at this season in my life I'd rather be out living life than sitting and writing about it - seriously.  Plus I've been steadily "blogging along" for nearly 7 years now - first on YaHoo 360, then here on Blogger, and honestly . . . am a little burned out on it.  On writing, that is.  BUT . . . I've thoroughly enjoyed getting to know each of you - you've all been such a blessing in my life!!!

Sooooo . . . . . with that in mind . . . . .

. . . for the time being I will leave my blog right here . . . and I will still pop in and visit your blogs (which I totally LOVE reading!!!)  Not sure when I will be back to blogging again . . . . .  or if I will ever return to write again . . . will just have to wait and see how the Lord leads me on this because I only want to do His precious Will!  So until we meet again somewhere in "blogland" - know that I LOVE YA'LL and may God richly bless each one of you and your families!!!

(((((((Hugs)))))))

The Anti-Inflammatory Diet ~ Or How I Got My Energy Back - WooHoo!!

Hello, dear friends!    As promised - here's some more of "what's been going on in my little patch of the prairies!"  I'm so excited to share this with you!  Some of you have been wanting to know about the new diet I'm on which has literally been a life-saver for me! As some of you may remember, I have had severe arthritis for the past 12 years (I walk with a cane) and as those of you with long-term health issues know - those things can really drain your energy! Well, about Christmas time my chiropractor told me about the "Anti-Inflammatory Diet" - and I've been on it faithfully ever since. That - combined with drinking Kangen water (which is high in anti-oxidants and is alkaline) plus lots of prayer - has literally given me back the energy I had in my 20's and 30's. No exaggeration. I'm much more flexible again, my skin is clear, and I can do far more than I have been able to in a very long time! People in our little town here in Kansas have literally been surprised at the change in my appearance and asking me how I did it! It is so simple, and so easy to do (and no, I'm not a "representative" or anything!) I have also lost 12+ pounds (and am still losing.) So here is the list of foods and supplements on the diet - plus info on the Kangen Water. I hope it blesses some of you as much as it has blessed me!

Veggies - (fresh or frozen, not canned) 

Bell Peppers 

Brocolli

Cabbage

Cauliflower

Green Beans 

Green Onions

Spinach

Sweet Potatoes

Turnip Greens

Fruits - (fresh or frozen, not canned)

Apples

Blueberries

Fresh Pineapple

Kiwi

Lemon

Lime

Oranges

Raspberries

Rhubarb

Strawberries

Tomatoes

Spices -

Basil

Cayenne/Chili Peppers

Cinnamon

Licorice

Oregano

Parsley

Nuts -

Almonds

Flaxseed

Sunflower Seeds

Walnuts

Oils -
Avocado Oil 

Extra Virgin Olive Oil

Fish/Seafood -

Cod

Halibut

Herring

Oysters

Salmon

Tuna

Chicken, Pork, and Turkey (NO Beef - except for organic, or grass fed.)

Avoid Sugar (it causes inflammation) BUT -

do use Honey, Stevia, Sucanat, Splenda, Sugar-In-The-Raw

 or any other

natural, organic sweetner.

LOTS of Green Tea! 

Supplements - 

Curcumin, Fish Oils, Frankincense, Indigo Plant, Tumeric (Curcumin),

Cat's Claw, Ginger, Vitamin E, Vitamin C, Alfalfa, Zinc.

Now here's what makes this diet sooooo super easy to follow -

all you have to do is include just ONE of these foods

with every snack or meal you eat! 

Simple!!!!!

And yes, you can have whole grain breads, pastries, and pasta.

And all the salads and healthy desserts or snacks

 of other foods that you want, too!!!!!!!

Kangen Water

has been vital to the success of this diet, too!  I have been drinking it

almost exclusively for the past 7 months - actually started losing weight when I started

drinking it (a couple months BEFORE I started on the diet).  It is water that is

highly anti-oxidant, and alkaline. 

Disease cannot live in an alkaline environment - which is how it super-benefits your body!

I drink 2 quarts daily - can't say enough wonderful things about

Kangen Water!  It is the sweetest water I've ever tasted - and if you would like more information about it - you can "Google" it, plus here is the link to the water I'm using -

Kangen Water

(by the way - I am NOT a distributor, nor am I being compensated to review it - just my honest true-to-life experience with it being expressed here!)

(Which basically means this - that's why I've been spending a whole lot more time out there

~  living real life ~

 in the past 3 weeks - WooHoo!  And a lot less time on the computer!  And I'm gonna take ya'll along with me - of course - on the new adventures!)

"All Things Bright and Beautiful"

All things bright and beautiful,

All creatures great and small,

All things wise and wonderful:

The Lord God made them all.

Each little flower that opens,

Each little bird that sings,

He made their glowing colors,

He made their tiny wings.

The rich man in his castle,

The poor man at his gate,

He made them, high or lowly,

And ordered their estate.

The purple headed mountains,

The river running by,

The sunset and the morning

That brightens up the sky.

The cold wind in the winter,

The pleasant summer sun,

The ripe fruits in the garden,

He made them every one.

The tall trees in the greenwood,

The meadows where we play,

The rushes by the water,

To gather every day.

He gave us eyes to see them,

And lips that we might tell

How great is God Almighty,

Who has made all things well.

(Cecil Frances Alexander)

Oh My - Time Sure Does Fly!

Just "buzzing" in to say I haven't forgotten you, dear friends!!  Life has just gotten so busy here on my little patch of the prairies the past 3 weeks now - so many new and wonderful things are happening around my little apartment that I am just itchin' to share with you -  but I've hardly had a moment to "come in for a landing"!  However . . .  that being said . . .  I definitely WILL be back later today with a new post!  So please stick around to see what's going on here in the heartland!

Organized = Peaceful (a FUN way to do it!)

Hello, dear friends!  Happy Tuesday! 

As promised - today I'm going to start sharing with you some of what I've been busily up to the last couple of weeks - I'm so excited!!  First off - I did something very unusual for me - and that is to start Spring Cleaning in February - while it's really still Winter around here!  (Miracles DO happen!)  I'm usually NEVER that pulled together - LOL!  The reason being that by the Grace of God He has been restoring my strength and energy - so being active has really been appealing lately!

The first thing I did was . . . well . . . quite by accident!  While strolling through "Blogland" one day, I came upon this absolute blessing of a blogger - her name is Laura - and she blogs over at "I'm an Organizing Junkie".  In 2011 she created "52 Weeks of Organizing".  I just discovered it last month - and was so inspired that I immediately got busy doing it - this year!   It is so easy - and she has so many great ideas to help us all make peace with our homes - that I thought you might enjoy seeing it, too - and maybe get inspired as well!  Here is the link to her lovely blog - (through my Pinterest boards) -

Source: orgjunkie.com via Pauline on Pinterest

To get there - simply click on the picture above - then click the larger picture (same one) that appears - and there you are!

I do hope you will check out her blog - Laura has lots of helpful ideas there!

 Happy Organizing!!!!!!!

Never Alone ~

So precious - just had to share it with you!

What a comforting truth - that God is always with us!

Hugs to your SONday dear friends!

Faith, Hope, & Love

Hello, Dear Friends!!!

I hope your week has been filled with love and blessings -

as mine has been - the blessings of busy-ness!!

Yes, being busy IS a blessing - especially when you have been

rather confined for 12 years due to health challenges -

and then received your health and energy back by the Grace of God!!

I'm so eager to share with you my testimony of how that happened -

and what I've been learning and doing these past two weeks!!

So here is a little hint - from my Pinterest boards -

just click on the pictures to read a bit more!

Source: nutrition.about.com via Pauline on Pinterest

- Some big health and lifestyle changes -

Source: christina-gleason.suite101.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Source: tryalkalinewater.com via Pauline on Pinterest

- Some fun projects with a big impact -

Source: cornerstoneconfessions.com via Pauline on Pinterest

- And lastly -

Source: orgjunkie.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Oh - and did I mention I also have lost 12 pounds - and am still losing?

And it's totally natural and easy?

Stay tuned - details coming in the next few days!

Just a Sweet Reminder, Dear Friends ~

You are loved -

By Jesus - and by me!!!

Have a blessed SONday -

(((Hugs))) from my little ol' prairie home - to yours!!!

Still Kickin' -

Hello, sweet friends!!!  I've missed you all!!!
Just a quick note to let ya'll know I haven't forgotten you, I've just had one of those 2 week periods where, well, life just "snowballs" on ya and gets in the way of whatever else you had planned!  But I hope to be back to blogging in a few days - with some new recipes, organizing tips (man, have I got some cool stuff to share with you in that department!) and hopefully some new photos as well.  Plus some other new things I'm working on, too - so stay tuned!  And simply because blog posts are so un-exciting without a picture - here is a totally random one - enjoy!

(((((Hugs))))) to you today - from my home to yours!

Jesus loves you - and so do I!

"Ploughing" ~ a country poem ~

Horse by Bobby Mikul

The little birds by God are fed

But man must earn his daily bread,

And work that he may eat;

Striving his best, as John does now,

The broad ten-acre field to plough,

Wherein to sow the wheat.

Old John, the ploughman, ne'er repines,

Whether it blows, or rains, or shines,

But happy still does seem;

And Dick, who leads the foremost horse,

Goes whistling as he walks across

The field beside the team.

Let us perform as gladly, too,

The work our Master bids us do,

And then we need not fear;

But when from earthly toil we rest,

We all shall meet among the blest

Who served Him truly here.

"One Day At A Time" - Rest & Trust in Jesus!

This video really blessed me today -

passing the blessing along to YOU!

Sometimes we get so stressed and depressed

by all that we have to do each day -

but today is SONday -

so I encourage you to just take a deep breath,

talk to your Heavenly Father -

and let Jesus wrap His loving arms around you'

as you relax in Him!

Coffee!!!!!!!

Yeppers - that's me! 

LOOOOVE me a good cuppa joe!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Can you tell???)

Any other coffee lovers out there???

Pour yourself a nice, hot steaming mug of your favorite blend -

and let's chat!

Red Box Recipes - Cocoa Ripple Ring!

Today I'd like to share with you a special, down-home recipe from my family's treasured red recipe box!
It's one my Aunt Pauline gave my Mom - probably back in the 1970's when she first got a Bundt pan!

Cocoa Ripple Ring ~

Ingredients -                                                  

Cream together:  1/2 Cup shortening
                            3/4 Cup sugar
                            2 eggs

Sift together:  1-1/2 Cups flour

                       2 teaspoons baking powder 
                       3/4 teaspoon salt

Mix all of the above together alternately with 2/3 Cup milk - beat thoroughly.

Directions ~

Spoon 1/3 of the above mixture into a Bundt pan.  Sprinkle 1/3 Cup instant sweetened cocoa powder & 1/3 chopped nuts (walnuts work well) on top.  Then spoon half the remaining dough on top of the cocoa and nuts, and sprinkle another 1/3 Cup sweetened cocoa and 1/3 Cup nuts on that.  Top with the remaining dough mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 35 minutes.

A Treasure Chest ~

Victorian Ransom by Kim Newberg

"The home should be the treasure chest of living."
(Le Corbusier)

Happy Valentine's Day, Dear Friends!

Image courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts

My sentiments exactly!!!

I love spending time with you here -

each and every day!

Wishing you - all my dear friends -

a very

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

14 Days of Love - Last Minute Food & Gifts!

Today I'd like to share with you some more delightful Valentine's Day recipes, food, and gifts from my Pinterest boards - simple gifts for last-minute giving - and easy to assemble.  Enjoy!!

Valentine's Strawberry Brownie Pizza Dessert ~
(now THAT'S a mouthful - pun intended!)

Source: iammommy.typepad.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Hershey Kisses Roses ~

Source: momontimeout.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And top it all off with these easy and adorable little Valentine Hair Bows - made with pipe cleaners!

Source: sugarbeecrafts.com via Pauline on Pinterest

To find the instructions for any of the above - simply click on the picture, then click it again - it will take you right to it!

Hello, New Followers - Welcome!

So very nice to meet you here!  I always feel that when a new follower joins us here - I've made a new friend!

14 Days of Love - What True Love Is ~

14 Days of Love - A Love Letter!

God has written everyone a love letter - have you read your copy yet?
I hope you have - it's so encouraging!  If not - you can listen to it here - you will enjoy it, I'm sure - because it was written out of His Great Loving Heart just for you and me!

Source: dailyaudiobible.com via Pauline on Pinterest

To hear it - just click on the above link - then click it again on the window that opens up - then click on "Daily Audio Bible" in the upper left hand corner.  From there you can choose what you want to listen to.  It will take you right to it!  Be blessed, dear friends!

14 Days of Love - Make Your Own Cute Cards - and a Mailbox, Too!

From my Pinterest boards - adorable & easy homemade Valentine cards - and a mailbox, too!  Just click on the pictures below - then click the pictures that appear - it will take you right to the instructions!

These adorable "Valentine People" cards are found on the Disney website -

Source: familyfun.go.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or you can print off your own "vintage" valentine cards - and "mail" them in this cute, easy to create mailbox - at "Old Road Primitives" - so pretty -

Source: google.com via Pauline on Pinterest

There's still time to mail some love to someone by Tuesday!

14 Days of Love - Treats Sweetened With Love!

Today we have some more (there's no such thing as too many!) easy-peasy sweet treats - made with love!

Scrumptious Heart Shortbread Cookies -

Source: tasteofhome.com via Pauline on Pinterest

These elevate Rice Krispy Treats to a whole new level!

Source: wantsandwishesdesign.blogspot.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And top it all off with a nice hot cuppa coffee - sweetened with love!  Or at least with these easy-to-make heart sugar cubes!

Source: skiptomylou.org via Pauline on Pinterest

(all from my Pinterest boards - just because I love ya!)

14 Days of Love - Gifts for All Ages!

Don't forget Grandma and Grandpa, aunts and uncles - on Valentines' Day!
Here is a sweet card your children could make that they would treasure! 

Source: mymontessorijourney.typepad.com via Pauline on Pinterest

This would make a great gift for your pre-schooler - their own giant crayon!  So easy to do - instructions are given here -

Source: familyfun.go.com via Pauline on Pinterest

And to "wrap it all up" - a free printable!!!  (Free is good - we like that!)

Source: thesweetestoccasion.com via Pauline on Pinterest

14 Days of Love - Getting Your Act Together!

Source: weheartit.com via Pauline on Pinterest

These two little cutie pies obviously have their act "together"!  Sweetness!  But seriously - why not organize the one spot in your home that your hubby or kids treasure/use the most - as a way of saying "I love you enough to help you out here!"  Perhaps that would be hubby's workspace in the garage, or the kids playroom?  Hubby's office area, or your daughter's closet?  As the old saying goes - "Actions speak louder than words" - they say "I love you" louder, too!

14 Days of Love - Red Velvet Treats!

I have some more dee-lish treats to share with you today - Red Velvet heaven!!  For those who are not familiar with Red Velvet - it is a type of chocolate with a rich, distinct flavor - Mmmmmm!!!  Here are links to two yummy recipes from my Pinterest boards.  Why not make these as after-school treats for your kids?

Red Velvet Milkshake ~

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or tuck some of these into hubby's lunchbox?
Red Velvet Marbled Cheesecake Brownies ~

Source: thenovicechefblog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Or maybe make them up to share with friends & neighbors?  The possibilities are endless!

14 Days of Love ~ Time Together

The best gift you can give to your family - is time spent together.  It doesn't have to be doing anything big - or expensive - or that requires a lot of advance planning.  Just taking time to do simple things together, like playing a game, praying or attending church together,  taking a walk, or doing a craft activity with them will be such a blessing!  Even just taking the time to really  listen to them will bring everyone closer to each other.

"Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth."
1 John 3:17-19

14 Days of Love - DIY Valentine Envelopes

Oh, the possibilities here are endless!!

You could fill these with candy, encouraging notes, Scripture verses, tiny little gifts . . . anything your little ol' heart desires - to bless somebody special in your life and make them feel encouraged!

Source: nestofposies-blog.com via Pauline on Pinterest

14 Days of Love - Puppy Love, That Is!

(image credit - Vintage Holiday Crafts)

Who can resist a valentine - with a cute puppy dog attached?  I mean - a REAL live, wiggly, puppy dog!  My Mom did this for me one year - and it's a memory I treasure!  On Valentine's Day morning - to awaken me - she made cute little paper valentines that said "I love you" (with each little dogs name signed on "his" heart)- and taped them on my two little doggie's heads - then sent my dogs scampering into my room to greet me!  What fun!!!!!!!  Let me tell ya - there were lots of puppy hugs and kisses that morning!

If you have pets - why not try this and let them get in on the fun, too?  After all - sometimes love comes on four paws wearing a fur coat!

14 Days of Love - Yummy Recipes!

"Nothin' says lovin' like somethin' from the oven" - as the old saying goes - or anything yummy from the kitchen (made in the oven or not!)  Here are some delicious ways to say "you're special" to your family and friends - from my Pinterest boards!


Valentine Chex Mix ~

Source: pillsbury.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Crock Pot Candy ~

Source: justapinch.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Teacup Cupcakes ~

Source: marthastewart.com via Pauline on Pinterest

Waaayyy beyond my baking abilities - but a girl can dream, can't she?
Sooooo pretty to look at anyway!!!
(These are just almost too pretty to eat!!!)

14 Days of Love!

I ran across this idea on another blog (I'm sorry, I can't remember which one - I read so many!) - and thought it was wonderful!  Sooooo . . . . . in celebration of Valentine's Day, we're going to spend the next 14 days finding ways to say "I love you, you're special, you are the apple of my eye", etc. to our families and friends!  Each day I will be sharing some creative ways you can do this - and would absolutely love to hear your ideas, too!

To start us off - here is a simple, easy idea -

a link to a printable picture you could frame and

 hang as a sweet reminder in your home -

from my Pinterest boards.  I LOVE what it says!!!

Source: eighteen25.blogspot.com via Pauline on Pinterest