Happy 18th Birthday, Michele!

Happy Birthday to my Daughter, Michele. 

As I Watch You Grow

Do you know how much you mean to me?
As you grow into what you will be.
You came from within, from just beneath my heart
it's there you'll always be though your own life will now start.
You're growing so fast it sends me awhirl,
With misty eyes I ask, Where's my little girl?
I know sometimes to you I seem harsh and so unfair,
But one day you will see, I taught you well because I care.
The next few years will so quickly fly,
With laughter and joy, mixed with a few tears to cry.
As you begin your growth to womanhood, this fact you must know,
You'll always be my source of pride, no matter where you go.
You must stand up tall and proud, within you feel no fear,
For all you dreams and goals, sit before you very near.
With god's love in your heart and the world by its tail,
You'll always be my winner, and victory will prevail.
For you this poem was written, with help from above,
To tell you in a rhythm of your Mother's heartfelt Love!

                                                                                             © Kay Theese

Love Ya Shell-Bell!
MOM

After Christmas Deals

Today I was surfing Amazon.com to see what kind of deals I could find. I received a gift card for Christmas and was just checking our my options when I came across this:

Steam Juicer
Reg. Price $189.99  I got it for $24.86 + shipping

Can you believe it! This is such an Awesome Deal!

These are so neat. They allow you to just put in whole fruits. You don't have to cut, core, or peel. Just wash and add to the basket. Then allow the steam to extract the juice of the fruits to make a clear juice for canning; juice, jellies, marinara sauces, etc. Plus, you can use to steam veggies or as a standard stock pot. Multiple uses from one item. That is what I like; items that I can use in many different functions.

I can't wait to get this here, so that I can CAN up lots of wonderful things.

I then was looking at other the canning supplies and considered getting bulk pectin, clear jel, jar flats, or several different books (I love books), but then I came across this:

Steam Canner

Price: $39.98 + FREE shipping

This is something that I have wanted for some time now.  Since, I do so much canning all year round these use only a 1/4 to a 1/3 of the water that doing a Boil Water Bath does. The steam reaches a temperature of greater that 212 degrees, which is what boiling water is, in only a couple of minutes. Versus using more water and more time and longer processing; which is what I am doing now. This is going to be such a time and energy saver.

Hurry up and get here! I can't wait to use you!

So there you have it. I spent my gift card and got two wonderful new items that I hope to get years and years of enjoyment, functionality and use out of.  Have you found any deals? Did you get anything for Christmas that you are totally excited about? Or that you have had on your wish list? Share, please!

If I can CAN then you can CAN!
 

Reflecting on Christmas 2010

This Christmas season has come and gone. The anticipation of lots of food, fun, gifts and family gatherings has been swept away in what seemed like only a fleeting moment in time. What remains though are the wonderful memories made, family relationships renewed and strengthened, and the love shown to one another. These are are the things that really matter. The time spent with family and friends and the love given freely to others. Just as God did when he sent His son, Jesus, to be born on earth as a man. The One to whom we celebrate during the Christmas season.

In the eyes of the world around us, our family's Christmas was slim, to say the least. There were not loads of presents under our tree for everyone. Some of the gifts were even Thrift Store or Tag Sale finds. But you know what? That didn't matter. There was so much laughter, joy, fun and love that was shown and shared that my children didn't mind.

They have learned over the years that it is not what you get, but the manner it which it is given. LOVE. That is the important thing. I am so thankful that my children have learned this lesson early, for they will be able to carry it with them into their adulthood. They will someday be able to share this with their own children.

God has been so good to us this year. He has blessed us in so many ways. He has brought my family through some tough times, but He has always been faithful to provide our needs. Not necessarily our wants, but our needs.

As I reflect over the past year, there have been struggles (financially) and heart-ache (loved ones who died) but, these things do not compare to the Blessings that have been bestowed upon us. We have a roof over our heads. We (Bill and I) have wonderful jobs. We have food on our table. We have our health. We have wonderful children and grandchildren. We have family and friends around us.

Therefore, Our Christmas was one of great Joy. We are able to look back on this year and with grateful hearts know that we have been Blessed. Looking forward to the New Year, we have lots of dreams and plans. Who knows if they all will come to past? Only God knows. But we will leave that up to him.

"For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope." Jeremiah 29:11

I do hope and pray that you had a wonderful and joyous Christmas and may you be Blessed during this coming year.

Jesus is the Reason for the Season!

May God's Richest Blessings Be Upon You Today!