Happy Father’s Day Exclusive Recipe!

Hello friends!

Today we celebrate the men in our lives; our own fathers, our husband’s, uncles, anyone who stood in as the father figure.

I like to recall the great times I was blessed to have with my father, my Uncle Jim, celebrating my hubby with my kids. Now, two of my sons are fathers, and it’s an honor to see them grow into their roles and raising my amazing grandies.

My hubby is a wonderful father, my best friend and we’ve been blessed with 41-derful years.

He’s not much for sweets, usually. I decided to snazzy up a favorite, and I’m happy to share the recipe with you!

Coconut and Chocolate Chip Rice Krispie Treats

1 stick butter

1 bag mini marshmallows

1 cup semi sweet chocolate chips

1 cup coconut flakes

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 box of Rice Krispies, less 2 cups

Melt the butter, then add marshmallows, stirring till almost liquid. Remove from heat and add vanilla, mixing in well. Add coconut, mix in, then add the cereal. Stir, stir, stir till combined, them add the chocolate chips. Mix well. Pour into a 9 in x 13 in baking dish lined with wax paper or parchment paper. Using another piece of wax/parchment paper, press it down and even out. Place in fridge at least an hour before serving. Cut into squares or rectangles. Enjoy!!

Most of my family, 2024; my Dad and I, circa 1963

I know these man made holidays can be painful. Many did not have a father they could rely on, for many reasons. There has been a lot of trauma in my life as well. But, as the Bible says, I try to keep my focus on whatever is true, lovely, noble, honorable. I hope you know that your Heavenly Father will never let you down. He is always watching, always listening, always merciful when we come humbly before Him.

Have a wonderful day, whomever you are celebrating 🧡

Till next time, God Bless

In the Word Wednesday #11: Using Stamps in Your Faith Journal and Planner

Happy Wednesday, friends! I’m so glad you came for a visit. Pour some tea or coffee, pull out your faith journal/planner and some supplies and let’s get creative!

Wait a second…what does stamping have to do with worship?

We worship the CREATOR of the universe; the sun, moon and stars, mountains, valleys, birds, butterflies, rivers, lakes, oceans, you get the picture. Why not incorporate creativity into your journaling?

I don’t always “feel” like it; sometimes I just want to write, write, write. But there are times when some pretty stamps or washi tape (and let’s not forget stickers…but that’s a whole different rabbit hole!) inspire some praise, or worship can inspire the decor!

You don’t need to run out and buy anything; chances are if you read this blog, you already have stamps, ink and paper. 😀 Why not use them for more than card making?

I wanted something a bit different this year for my planner, and I decided to once again try out a disc-bound system. My friend Kristi of LifeinLine123 creates really nice, functional pages that you can print and use in your planners or journal. All her info is in the link, she’s passionate about incorporating faith into planning, wellness, and all of life! Here are a few shots of my February spread and weekly pages. Nothing too fancy, just reminders to trust God as I make plans, write appointments, etc.I also have a spiral notebook that I use for worship and prayer.

Who doesn’t love Washi tape? I’m pretty low on it, but I’m NOT low on ink and stamps!

I used the Easter Lilies and Courage and Faith stamp sets on the February monthly spread. 🠞

I love me a good Bible verse set! Encouraging words for the month are always good to review. I love the background stamps, too, to add just a bit of interest to the pages. If you use Kristi’s or any printable pages, you don’t have to disc-bind your journals. You can 3 hole punch, put them in plastic sleeves, the sky is the limit! If you have a comb-binder, you can do that, too. I may splurge on some better quality printer paper as I go forward.

🠜Here I’ll use the tiny heart from the Sending Love set to mark off my daily goal boxes..SO CUTE!!! 💛 I think that tiny heart is my very favorite stamp. Do you have a favorite stamp or set? Break it out and use it for more than cards!

I’ll share my March spread at the end of February…it’s birthday month 🎆and I’ll try adding some fun papers to my monthly and weekly spreads, as well as some hand made dividers using a retired color card stock and some overstock of Sale-A-Bration DSP.

I hope this inspires you to get out some ink and stamps (and, maybe some washi 😉 ) and do a little creative stamping in your journals or planners.

Till next week, stay creative and prayerful!
Blessings

Barbara 🌻

In the Word Wednesday #10 Names of God by Ann Spangler

Good morning friends!

I know last week I said I was going to go back to a different devotional, but…this one popped off my bookshelf instead. I started it a while back, and didn’t finish (well, I selectively went through it, haha).

This features 26 weeks of study of names of God in the Bible. There’s an introduction, then 4 days of further questions and prayer. I might go through it twice or, maybe take 2 weeks to really soak in the text.

Do you have some devotionals on your bookshelf that you haven’t finished or maybe used years ago? Revisit your own books! They want to be read 😀

I did start reading Proverbs again. I’m reading it in the King James Version, the version I used when I first began my journey. I’m very glad that I have this classic foundation. The KJV is so beautiful with the poetic books (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and Song of Solomon). It took some years for me to switch over to another version for regular reading and study, but I like to go back to the KJV for these books. What’s your go-to Bible version? Let me know, and please keep it polite. I know it can be a controversial topic, and that’s not what we’re about here.

Whatever you choose, I pray that it brings you refreshment and joy as you grow closer to God this year!

Till next week, be blessed!

Barbara

Crafty Thursday #11 The Rock and Roll Suite Sneak Preview!

Good morning, crafty friends!

Today’s cards feature a preview of the Rock and Roll Suite, and man, oh, man! This is a fun group of products! This suite will be available for purchase January 4th – April 30th, 2024 from the new Mini Catalog. The December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G *

Just take a look at all those fun things! The 12×12 Designer Series papers are all black and white themed, so you can use them for many different occasions, not just Rock and Roll birthday greetings! The stamp set is red rubber, and there are coordinating dies with a few extras thrown in. I love the big guitar pick, and with the right DSP, it looks perfect!

What suite would be complete without some embellishments? The stars and lightning bolts really complete your cards. On a few of the samples I also used the Gold Faceted Sequins, since the larger ones looked like guitar picks.

To make my sample cards, I used a simple layout that shows both sides of the DSP. I will put the measurements at the end of the post. I created one simple card that you can create with minimal supplies, then I made a few stepped up versions with die cuts and embossing folders. You do not need a lot of tools to make beautiful cards…but they are fun to use!

For the simpler card, I used a 2 3/8 in circle punch for the focal point, stamped in black on white card stock. The decorate strip on the left side of the card is a coordinating piece of DSP. All of these patterns work well together as they are all black and white.

The only embellishments on the front are a few of the Gold Faceted Sequins. Inside I used the “Thanks for Being an Icon” stamp from the set, that sentiment just makes me smile! Nothing fancy, just some black ink and white inside, on a black card base. I wanted to emphasize “simplicity” with the layout and supplies

For the stepped up versions, I used some colored card stock, embossing folders and dies. The strips on the left have been embossed, and the focal points all use different die cuts, some that are in the matching set, and others are from the Nested Essentials and Stylish Shapes die sets. Some of the cards have a few points of color using the handy sponge daubers to create highlighted areas on the DSP or the inside sentiment. A few of the focal points have been heat embossed. I used Wink of Stella on some of the cards to highlights the records on the DSP for a bit of shine!

Today (Dec 28) is my brother’s birthday, and his card has ALL the fun stuff on it, and was also a jumbo sized card.

I used a similar layout as the featured cards, as well as the matching die cuts, and some markers to color the guitar to match his. You can also see the lightning bolt and star embellishments, as well as a few of the star die cuts that are extras in the set. The banner is from the Nested Essentials die set. Inside was more or the same, I added the large die cut guitar pick and microphone, more lightning bolts…It was a pretty full card! He said it was “the best birthday card ever,” and that makes me a very happy card making sister! 😁

Schnibby, if you read this, Happy, Happy!

Here are the measurements for the featured cards, which fit in a regular, A2 envelope.

Card base: 5 1/2 in x 6 in, scored at 4 1/4 in

DSP front: 3 in x 5 1/2 in

Decorative strip on front: 1 in x 5 1/4

Inside blank: 4 in x 5 1/4 in

I’d love to know if you made this card or used this template with other colors and Designer Series paper.

You can read about singing a new song to the Lord at this gotquestions link.

Thanks for taking some time to spend with me today. Have a wonderful and blessed New Year and I’ll see you again in 2024!

Blessings,
Barb

*My December 2023-January 2024 Host Code is M6C34D2G. Thank you for using it when you order. If your order is over $150 in product, don’t use my code, you will be able to enjoy your own rewards benefits! If you order $50 or more in product, you will receive a thank you gift from me personally.

In the Word Wednesday #8: When You're Tired

There are times in this life when you are just plain tired.

The holiday season, a group of family birthdays, work responsibilities, care giving stressors, the list can go on and on. Maybe you’re facing a health issue, loss of income, family tensions. Let’s face it, life isn’t always kittens and rainbows.

But, here is where a perspective check may be in order; were we promised “easy”? Have you read through the book of Psalms? Lamentations? Ecclesiastes?

Those are perhaps my favorite portions of Scripture. The authors are real, raw and oh, so very in need…

~ in need of God’s comfort

~ in need of God’s hand to move on their behalf

~ in need of GOD

And, you know? GOD always shows up.

I won’t lie; I was tired today. I woke up later than I usually do. I had plans to do XYZ, and those went by the wayside. We had to get to the grocery store. Hubby isn’t feeling great. And, I had blog posts to catch up on, I still need to practice with my tripod to start making video tutorials, dishes were in the sink, you get the point. All I wanted to do was go back to bed.

But…I put on worship music.

But…I took out my prayer journals.

But…I took a breath, opened my Bible and read His word.

Yes. I am still a bit tired; but I filled my tank and moved on.

I encourage you, right now, to put the phone down, get off the devices, put on some praise music and open your Bible. You don’t need to carve out 2 hours. If you can only read 2 verses, DO. God is waiting for you. He meets you where you are, and will lift your spirit.

I think this is especially important when you feel tired, when you feel like life is not being fair. Spend some time in the Word. God does not disappoint. 💛

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. Matthew 11:28-30

The word of the Lord. Blessed be His Name.

I hope you all have fabulous holidays. I will be taking a break next week, and will be back on December 27 for In the Word Wednesday.

Blessings, Barb

Image from YouVersion Bible App

In the Word Wednesday 7.5: Beautiful Feet

I’m so very sorry that I did not get a post up last week. Life caught up, and, well..

In my Advent scripture writing today, this was the beginning of the passage to copy. It’s a beautiful passage, full of hope and promise.

Hope: that Messiah is coming. That He brings peace and happiness. That God reigns.

Promise: those who publish this Good News are beautiful in the sight of God.

I got to thinking on this. Who do I publish this Good News to in my life? Yes, I write a lot of social media posts about the things God is doing in my life, Bible verses, etc. But, in that face-to-face time…at the store, on a walk with my hubby, do I reach out and tell others?

I confess, I am not as faithfully bold in living color as I am online. I’m more prone to blabbing about weather, getting sucked into uncomfortable conversations about how terrible other people’s kids have turned out, the latest NASCAR drama or, quite possibly a Harry Potter reference will pop up. Yeah. That’s probably what you get up close.

I love Jesus. God saved me out of the mirey muck I had made of my youth and restored my soul. THAT isn’t even the Good News! The Good News is that HE WILL DO IT FOR YOU, TOO!

I prayed this morning to be more faithfully bold. And, I pray I am obedient to the prompting of the Holy Spirit when He whispers the words, “Tell others.” in my ear.

Have a wonderful and blessed day 💚

Barbara

In the Word Wednesday, Thanksgiving Eve

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!

I am so grateful that you spend some of your precious time here reading my posts.

Every few days, I incorporate Martin Luther’s prayer “formula,” for lack of a better phrase. His barber, Peter, asked Luther how he should pray, and after prayer and thought, he came back with a 40 page document on personal prayer! Whoa!

Don’t be alarmed! I am only giving you the highlights!

The acronym is ITCP: Instruction, Thanksgiving, Confession, Praise. It has been a good way of keeping my mind focused on what I am doing. If you’re anything like me, your mind can wander even at the most sacred of times. I cannot numerate the amount of times, in church, my brain begins to think about what I’m making for dinner rather than what the pastor is speaking about. Sad, but true.

So, as you prepare for the holiday, no matter if you are hosting, traveling, going out to dinner or staying home quiet, spend some of your time in prayer, asking Gid what He is showing you (Instruction), thanking Him for insights (Thanksgiving), repenting and keeping a short account with God and seek what He is showing you (Confession), and praise Him for everything, even the stuff that’s not so much fun (Praise).

I hope everyone who reads this has a wonderful and blessed holiday weekend.

Doxology

Give Thanks, by Don Moen

In the Word Wednesday #5: Thankful for Restoration

Happy Wednesday, my friends!

I love reflecting on all to be thankful for, and it’s a wonderful practice all year long, not just in November. There are many verses in Scripture that tell us to be thankful always, in all circumstances.

I’d like to share with you a recent restoration that I am most thankful for. The restoration of my creativity.

Last week I shared what the last 5 years have been like for our family. It has been a season of amazing growth in my faith. Something, however, had gone missing.

Since childhood, I’ve been telling stories (no, not lying, lol). To my toys, friends, in school…I’ve always loved to read and tell stories. I’ve been known to stay up all night long reading books or writing. About 12 years ago I was able to fulfill a dream and publish my first book. See, I even have an Amazon author page! My only classes in high school that I aced were writing and art. (I was a solid low B in all my others except math, but this post is not about my math deficiencies.) Creating, be it in writing or other forms, has been with me my whole life.

When our daughter stepped into eternity, the gift of writing left. I have tried, over the past 5 years, to reclaim that somehow. I forced myself to finish the fifth book in my Lakeville series, and couldn’t do the work of formatting it for print, so that one is only available on Kindle. I lost my passion for sitting, creating, doing the work to get it done.

I was dry.

I was still journaling, but nothing creative; lots of “Help me, Lord” and lists. I tried coloring books, and other things. I was working as a teacher’s assistant and that gave me some creativity is working on bulletin boards and classroom decor.

I found You Tube videos about book binding, and from there, card making. That really caught my attention, and strangely enough, rubber stamping has never been one of the artsy things I’ve ever done, outside of the required making rubber stamps from erasers in school. In His graciousness, He restored creativity in my life. I am so very thankful.

What are you thankful that the Lord has restored in your life? I would love to hear about it.

Thank you for stopping by,

In His Wonderful Grace,

Barbara

In the Word Wednesday, #4 Thankfulness in November

Good day to all!

I hope you’re week was full of small and great moments in which you were thankful. As usual, my week was up and down, yet we are called to be thankful in all things (…give thanks in all circumstances; this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 4:18 ).

I have learned to be thankful in all. I like to think that I always have been, and I’m sure I have, but maybe not in the harder things.

In the last 5 years, we have lost an adult child, had a cancer diagnosis, been through a bone marrow transplant, moved, and had a hip replacement. Goodness, I’m exhausted typing all of that; there’s enough there for anyone to say, “What? Really? Listen, God, I’m not sure this is anything to be thankful for.”

Yes, there is.

I am thankful that I have a God, the GOD of all creation, Who cares about me. Who listens when I cry out. Not only listens, He answers.

God walked with me through the darkest valley of my life. Only in Him, was I able to put one foot in front of the other and get on with life. Two and a half years after my daughter stepped into eternity, my husband had a cancer diagnosis. That was 18 months of radiation, chemo and a bone marrow transplant. We had to move from the house we’d lived in for almost 10 years soon after and just this past August, I had a hip replacement.

I share all of that to share that God never left me. I always had something, big or small, to be thankful for in those times. Just a quick text from a friend, a good night of sleep, a hot bath. One of my kids bringing home dinner, or vacuuming. The immense generosity of my husband’s former co-workers bringing meals, offers to drive us to appointments, financial gifts. My job allowed me to take family leave time, and held my position for me, and allowed me to return just a few hours daily until my hubby was in a better state. The prayers of friends, the “you’ve got to get out” friends who whisked me away to walk, get a pedicure or just go have coffee.

I am incredibly thankful for the honor of going through a deep and difficult time. I have been able to praise God in all circumstances…really and truly praise Him. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Please share with me times when you were thankful in the dark days.

Thank you for coming by. May your day be filled with thankful moments.

Blessings,

Barb

Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart, by Don Moen

In the Word Wednesday, #3

Good morning!

The Thanksgiving season is upon us! Of course, the stores are chock full of Christmas decor, and discount Halloween candy, but we know better! The most wonderful time is Thanksgiving! With all our planning full of meals, family gatherings, treats, and who gets the wishbone, we need to recall the REASON we are thankful.

A quick search of your Bible’s concordance, or an online resources like Blue Letter Bible, will pull up many references to thanksgiving, thanks, thankfulness, etc. We are to have grateful hearts for the provisions of our gracious and merciful God. There are many, many places in scripture where we’re told to give thanks.

There are many places online where you can find gratitude lists for the month, featuring 30 verses to pray, for your journaling time, read and meditate on or you can make a list of your own. Becky at the So Very Blessed blog has a 30 day gratitude challenge you can access here.

No matter how you do it, find a way to be thankful each and every day. It changes your heart and perspective. Transformation is what Jesus is all about; transforming your hearts and minds to be more like Him.

The thankful theme will continue this month, so let me know how you are being thankful this month!

Thank you for coming by!

Be blessed, and #createandblessothers,

Barbara

*The graphic is from Family Radio, a wonderful station if you are looking for uplifting and encouraging music and teachings. You can find your local station at this link.