Put a Shrimp on the Barby...

UPDATE: WE WON!!!!!!!! GREAT WAY TO START THE YEAR!!!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!

It's bowl time!!! Tomorrow is the BIG day for our VOLS and even though you may not care or be a VOLS fan, cheer for them in honor of me!!! Usually I serve hot wings, subs, chips and dip, chili, cheesy potatoes BUT the game is at 10:00 a.m. and I guess it will be muffins and sausage balls for this game and the appetizers the rest of the day!!!! GO VOLS!!!!!!! Just think you won't have to endure another football post until next Fall , unless the Cowboys go to the Super Bowl in which case all bets are off!!! :o)

Final thoughts on 2007

I cannot believe 2007 is almost over. I think when you get older time does fly by so fast and if you have children, time goes by even faster. This year was hard, very hard. It was also very good at times. I guess that is the way life goes. This year was full of many changes. Our father dealing with cancer and numerous visits to the hospital , friends who suffered through seasons with their children making horrible choices that could have brought death, challenges at church , in February I started this blog in honor of my then Sunday school class and who would have thought that 9 months later I would have to leave the class and move back to the area where I lived for over 10 years. Also, during this time and through blogging I was reconnected to two friends , truly a move from God. I faced challenges with my health and yet God was right there with me offering me peace in the midst of the storm. In September I had the honor of meeting a few blogging siestas and that was a blast to say the least. There are changes coming in the new year and one that may prove to be life changing but we will wait on God and place our trust in Him. How comforting to know that nothing touches us that doesn't go through God's hands first.

As we know God is a God of second chances and do-overs that can blow our minds . I saw a commercial today where an actress had lost all her weight and she was excited to enjoy the new year without having to make new year resolutions. I don't make new years resolutions , no reason other than I don't make them. I reflect on the year that is ending and I focus on the new year. Here I am in a new home, a new place and I know that God takes us into new beginnings and we don't need to have a fear of new things because God equips us with all that we need for each season He orders for us.

To single moms : This is weighing heavy on my heart , I must include single women along with single moms, many years ago I went through a time of needing(so I thought) to be remarried, and that was my focus. God changed that one night over 10 years ago. He laid on my heart to seek Him. I did and let me tell you it has been the best pursuit of my life. I look to God as my husband (Is 54:5) and no one on this earth can meet your needs like HE can. Don't fall into a pit of needing a man. Focus on Him, cling to Him, He will not disappoint and you will never be ashamed if you seek after Him. I have "dates" with Jesus and have for many years. Enjoying a sunset, sunrise, breakfast, walks on the beach etc..... I ask Him to romance me and please take to heart that God, our Creator will not disappoint you here, He knows what thrills you, what delights you and He will show up in a way that will make you jump up and down and I think that makes Him smile. I know women, single women who want to be married because they want their children to have a complete family, I thought that way, or they don't want to be alone when the children leave home, and I have been there but take to heart that God has a perfect plan for your life and a plan that is His very best filled with all kinds of challenges but so worth the adventure. It may include getting married or it may not. God says we are not alone because He never leaves us or forsakes us. (Hebrews 13:5) I pray that God will bless you in the new year with every provision you need, excellent health, abundance of joy, strength and peace, supportive friends and family and a new passion for Him and His Word and prayer. I know this is long but I feel very strongly to exhort you to chase Him, not a man. He will give you a future spouse in His time. Just know God is right beside you to help you in all the ways you need. I know this because for those who don't know, I am a single mom and have been for 10 years. Remember: God makes all things new.. He is our Redeemer and He will redeem the things in your life that have been lost or stolen etc... just rest in Him and let God work. Also, God may not want you to marry at all or remarry, we are to be content in the place God has for us.

To the rest of you: thank you to those who come by and visit and leave comments and a BIG thanks to those who stop by and encourage me with your sweet words and friendship. You truly live out this verse: And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. (Hebrews 10:24).

For those who need divine intervention, a healing, financial breakthroughs or relationship breakthroughs, a job, marital help, the list could go on, to those who are tired of this thing called life, take this to heart : See, the former things have taken place, and new things I declare; before they spring into being I announce them to you. (Is. 42:9)

He has sent me to bind up the broken hearted , to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn , and provide for those who grieve in Zion-to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. (Is 61:1-3 )

This is my prayer for you in the New Year. May God give you a new beginning, a fresh start and may 2008 find you drenched in God's favor so much that people will look at you and know that you are a people blessed by God!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!! I HOPE YOU HAVE A WONDERFUL AND BLESSED CHRISTMAS!

LOVE,

PATTY

Shopping Madness and Such....

I am going to take a blogging break for a few days because I have a lot of cooking and wrapping and baking to do and I have a lot of house cleaning to do before my mom and dad get here Sunday but I wanted to share a few things from my day and brag on our God who means it when He says, ALL things are possible with Him. Hang with my randomness again and maybe in 2008 when I hit the big year blog-O-versary I will resolve to not be so random and I am going to try and keep my U.T. Vols posts down to 5 a year. Okay, now where was I?

Oh yes, a few of you have been praying with me concerning the ex and God has truly answered our prayers and I think it appropriate to pause for a moment of applause because I am all about Jesus coming back for an encore!

I started my shopping today and I must say after 12 hours of shopping I am almost done. I prayed and Cecelia prayed that God would lead me to great deals etc... and HE did. First of all I believe I am Best Buys new bff and they are happy and I left happy with something I set out to get my son back in the summer when he asked for it. \o/ Praise God for that!

Barnes and Noble did good for me and this had to be the funniest thing that happened and I am telling you all that God does have a sense of humor. As I was walking into Shoe Carnival today an employee was standing in their booth where they like to give prizes away and he said, "I have a sports question for you: I started laughing because I had a feeling what was coming next, he went on to say, The University of Tennessee is playing in the Outback Bowl, who is their opponent? OH MY!!! Are you kidding me? One of the biggest fans ever and I yelled out the answer and of course I was right and I got to spin the wheel for a prize!!! I am still laughing about this. \O/ Praise God!!!!

I had to go to Sears and look at digital cameras for my other son. The one I was looking at was on sale for 99.oo but they were sold out. I asked if I could buy the display(it was in perfect condition) and he said that he had to go see if they could order more but if not then he couldn't do that. He came back and said he couldn't order more BUT he decided he would sell it to me and give me 10% off on the camera plus the sale price and I had a 20 dollar gift card I won on Black Friday. SO, it cost me 69 plus tax. \O/ Praise God!!!!

May He give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God, May the Lord grant all your requests. Now I know that the Lord saves his anointed; he answers from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand. (Psalm 20:4-6)

I hope those verses encourage you this Christmas season. We all have desires in our hearts that only God knows about and I am rejoicing with you in advance because I believe that God will take the above verses and bring them to fruition in your lives!

Praise the Lord!!!

It's Beginning to look a lot like Christmas.....

Look what I got in the mail today! They mailed it to my previous address and it took prayer to get my tickets to me! Siestas, stay tuned for fun details for this event. Kim and I are planning some fun things for all of us to do and it will include eating and Starbucks and a lot of fun!!! :o)

Since moving I have not had time to do Thankful Thursday but I am making time today. I love this time of year. I love decorating and baking and going to candlelight services and Christmas concerts at church but more than that I love Jesus! I love the fact that God Almighty sent his only begotten son to this earth for us! So, for this thankful list I am thankful that:

He Is:

Good

Powerful

Great

Excellent

Love

Holy

Merciful

Righteous

Worthy

Faithful

Truth

the Son of God

the Light of the World

the Lord of Lords

the King of Kings

Sovereign

our Shield

our Reward

Comforter

Deliverer

our Peace

our Healer

our Delight

God is our Everything. He gave the very best gift of all, Jesus!! I praise Him today. I exalt Him! He alone is Worthy of all praise!!

Blessed be the God and father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you. 1 Peter 1:3-4

Have a wonderful Thursday and may God grant you the desires of your heart!

Christmas Tour of Homes

Welcome to our home! I am glad you are here by way of BooMama's Christmas Tour of Homes. Please make yourself at home. I hope you enjoy the Christmas music playing and please help yourself to the homemade chocolate chip cookies, haystacks, peanut butter balls, and homemade Chex Mix. As a matter of fact, I think I will give each of you a goody bag of all the treats . I have coffee and sweet tea, cocoa and if you show up in the morning hours I will gladly treat you to a southern favorite breakfast around here: homemade biscuits, gravy, bacon, eggs, and hashbrowns. I hope you have enjoyed your visit and please come and see me again! May your family have a wonderful Christmas and a blessed New Year filled with new beginnings, divine intervention(if needed) financial prosperity and excellent health and all sorts of delights along the way!

The wreath I made. I know it isn't fancy but it was hard work for a non-crafty person such as myself to stick berries and pine cones on a wreath.

walking up to the door My nativity sits in the foyer. The tree all lit up!

This is our main tree. It's a 9 ft artificial tree. I love real trees but I don't like sweeping up the needles so I put up artificial trees. I am lazy like that. I have had the reindeer and the santas that sit on my coffee table every year, for 23 years. I look forward to putting the reindeer out every Christmas and they are one of the last things I put up.Our stockings hung by the fireplace. This one of our favorite things to do, stuff the stockings so full you can't stick your hand in there to get anything out. My boys look forward to this. A tree in the kitchenDecorations sit above my cabinetsI love the Santa Pitcher on my kitchen bar.

One of two wreaths in my kitchen.

A few snowmen in the hallway.

Ho Ho Ho!!! I love this big , fat Santa. It sits beside my bed.

This is part of my bedroom. I have this tree and then I have a few decorations on my dresser and nightstand. Ignore any dust bunnies you might see. Even my bathroom has decorations! Actually, my house looks like it threw up Christmas everywhere but it's done tastefully.

MY TREE and OTHER ORANGE DECORATIONS

Ta Da!!!! I told you that you would see why this is my tree. This wouldn't be in Better Homes and Gardens , maybe Sports Illustrated but it's my pride and joy as far as trees go and as usual pictures don't do this justice. Ya'll just need to come over for a visit. Today would be a great day, it's cold outside and I am making my Chex Mix and sausage balls today and homemade cookies! I hope you all have a great weekend and thank you to all who are praying for my situation(please keep doing so) and I will have the rest of the pictures for you on Monday!! I'm dreaming of a white and orange Christmas. :o)~

A U.T. VOLS santa hat sits on top of my tree. I have orange and white lights on this tree. I have been collecting ornaments for this tree for over 20 years. I enjoy putting up this tree every year, except when the football team stunk up the place a few years ago and didn't go to a bowl game but that is another story and personally I like to forget it!

When I worked in a doctor's office one of the patients made this tree skirt for me! I love it!! She also made me placemats.

This santa was given to me by one of my former youth.

I bought this at Kohls last year! My son also bought me U.T. soldiers and a lady made me orange and white stockings that look great on this tree.

I gave this to myself. Kohls has the best sports ornaments and great prices!

My sister Donna gave this to me last Christmas.

A sweet lady named Dorothy made this angel for me 6 years ago at the young age of 85. She recently lost her husband Vernon and they were married for 60 plus years. I think of her when I look at this angel.

This lamp was a Christmas present last year from my "daughter" Georgia!

IT"S BEGINNING TO LOOK A LOT LIKE ...SUMMER

That is why I am posting this chili....and I do realize it doesn't go with the title of my post...oh well...

I am not kidding. The weather in the Nashville area has been so warm and rainy. People above us are dealing with ice and snow and yet we are getting this warm weather. Tomorrow it is suppose to be 74 degrees. Normally I would like this but at this time of year I like it colder and I would heart snow on Christmas morning! I have been sick for two weeks as some of my other blogging friends have and I just pray we all get better this week. This sinus infection is horrible and for me to lay around and do nothing is not like me. I did make a pot of chili that was out of the world.(as Paula Deen would say) How could people not love this woman. She speaks the love language of butter and sour cream. Anyway, do yourself a favor and make this chili. It will minister to you, I am sure of it.

On a serious note, please pray for me and my boys. I am not giving details other than to say at this time of year we deal with their father , my ex and suffice it to say it is major stuff. I thank you for your prayers.

A Christmas Meme

I found this Meme at Susanne's blog and it looked like fun and I thought I would do it. I am leaving this open for anyone who wants to participate in this meme. Let me know if you do because I would love to visit your blog and read your answers.

GETTING TO KNOW YOU: CHRISTMAS VERSION

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags? I hate to gift wrap and I love bags and tissue paper and I think bags are so beautiful and cute and it really is a blessing to me and would be a blessing to you if you got a gift from me because I do not have mad wrapping skillz!!

2. Real tree or artificial? artificial. I love real trees and the smell of a real tree is awesome but I love putting my tree up before Thanksgiving and I stick with the artificial. I have a 9 ft tree this year and I wish I could have a party and invite you all over to eat and see my tree!!!

3. When do you put up the tree? A week before Thanksgiving.

4. When do you take the tree down? Usually the day after Christmas but this year it is staying up through New Years Day.

5. Do you like eggnog? Uh, NO!!!

6. Favorite gift received as a child? a kitchen. I am talking old school here. Not Little Tikes. It was a full kitchen and it was brown , a stove, frig, sink, I even got a kitchen floor. Linoleum(Sp?) I was all girl. :o)

7. Do you have a nativity scene? Yes. My brother-in-law bought me one for Christmas a few years ago and I love it. It is in my foyer this year.

8. Hardest person to buy for? My brother. He has all the best of any electronics you can buy and that is what he is in to and I know of nothing else to buy him and it is hard every year except that I know what I am getting him this year and I am happy to say he will love it.

9. Easiest person to buy for? My mother. She loves purses and movies. My children , too. They print me off a list and I take it with me and buy what is on their list. My youngest son is the most expensive. He usually gets what he wants.

10. Worst Christmas gift you ever received? appliances by my ex husband

.11. Mail or email Christmas cards? Mail

12. Favorite Christmas Movie? I love Santa Claus is coming to Town and all the Santa Claus movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas? Black Friday or the day after Thanksgiving.

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present? no

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas? Peanut Butter Balls and sausage balls

16. Clear lights or colored on the tree? Colored lights on the big tree. This one is for the boys. I prefer white lights but I gave in to them and put colored lights on their tree. I have orange and white lights on my U.T. VOLS tree. White lights are outside.

17. Favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home? Stay home. I love being at home. When we were little we had to travel every Christmas and we had to rush through opening presents and I didn't like it at all. I love being at home and cooking and relaxing.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? Yes, I can.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?a bow. A big bow and I put hmmmm hard to explain, twigs with red berries on each side of the bow and behind the top of the bow. You can see pictures when I post them at Boo Mamas Christmas Home Tour.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?I love Christmas morning but the boys like Christmas Eve. This year it will be Christmas Day. We have a candlelight service at 11:00 p.m. on Christmas Eve and I want us to do that this year and open them on Christmas Day!

22. Most annoying thing about this time of year? This would be a toss up. Standing in long lines and also dealing with rude salespeople.

23. What I most love about Christmas.I love it all. I love decorating and seeing everyone else's lights and I love baking and eating. Visiting friends and family and parties and one of my favorite things to do is to go to the candlelight ceremony on Christmas Eve and take the Lord's Supper and sing and praise God. Ending with lighting our candles and singing Silent Night.

Okay, you all do the meme and let me know you did so I can visit your place and read your answers.!!!

Merry Christmas,

Patty

SOUPS ON....

This is for BooMama's Souptacular.

15 Bean Soup

Buy a bag of 15 bean soup.

Boil the beans for 2 minutes with enough water to cover the beans. Turn stove off and cover beans and let them sit for an hour.

Add salt and pepper to your taste

Fill pot with water and add a can of green chiles and a can of diced tomatoes and cut up smoked sausage in to bite sized pieces and place in soup.

This is easy and so good!!!! I usually make a pan of cornbread to serve with the soup.

Jamie's Chili

1 pound mixed ground beef and sausage, browned and drained

1 medium onion diced

1 green bell pepper diced

2 cups chopped celery

2 (28 ounce) cans diced tomatoes

1(28 ounce) whole peeled tomatoes

ground cumin(how much? whatever you like)

chili powder(same: whatever you like)

1 (14 1/2 -ounce) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

1 (14 1/2 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 ( 14 1/2 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 pkg. chili seasoning mix

Shredded cheddar, sour cream, chopped green onions for garnish

In a skillet brown ground beef and sausage, drain and set aside

Spray large pot with non-stick cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Add the onion, green pepper, and celery and saute briefly. Stir in the diced and whole tomatoes, add cumin and chili powder, to taste, and cook for about 8 minutes or until vegetables are tender. Add beans, browned meat and chili seasoning. partially cover and let simmer for 4 hours.

Serve with Cheddar cheese, sour cream, and green onions

I am making this recipe this weekend. I wanted to share this because I printed it out from Paula Deen's website and this is her son Jamie's recipe and it seems like a lot of beans and other ingredients at first but once it cooks for the 4 hours it is beyond smack yo momma good!!!

*UPDATE* I made this chili yesterday and it was the best chili I have ever had. The only thing I did different from the recipe was add an extra can of tomato sauce. It will seem to thick to you but trust me it is fine . My family loved the chili and it makes your house smell so good.

JESUS..... NO SWEETER NAME

Hi Siestas! I have been thinking of what I might blog about today but my mind is kind of blank right now. Hard to believe but true nonetheless. We went to Christ Church again. I haven't visited another church yet. When I think I am going to visit this church closer to us I am always drawn back to Christ church. I am not saying that is where we will end up but I love the people and the choir and the pastors. My sons love the church. I am still praying. It isn't a Baptist church and that is okay but you kind of get used to a certain way I guess and it takes adjustment. The messages have been right on. They are taking turns preaching on the 10 Commandments. The series ends this Sunday. I am looking forward to going to the Candlelight service on Christmas Eve at 11:00 p.m. the children get to come in their jammies and I suppose if I showed up in my jammies it wouldn't be pretty.

It is hard being in a place of looking for a church home when it is the Holidays. I find myself adjusting to a lot and more than anything trying to find my way in this thing we call life. I have been searching for years knowing God has placed this longing in my heart for many things that will stay between God and myself. He has been preparing my heart for years for His calling on my life. Unfortunately I took a few detours but through His mercy and unfailing love He directs me back to His path for my life and that is where I want and need to be.

A lot of things don't make sense and a lot of people think I have lost my mind . Following God doesn't have to make sense to anyone and even myself. Sometimes God calls us to do something that in human understanding doesn't make sense. That is why we call it a great adventure with God. He is full of surprises. Would we have it any other way?

In our blog sphere I have read about young adults dying in car accidents and it breaks my heart. A friend's husband lost his job. Many things going on this holiday season. A time when you want to keep Christ first and planning a time of shopping and celebrating with each other. It breaks my heart for these families facing such difficulties. We are facing our own battle but the thing is, it may take us all by surprise but it didn't catch God off guard. He knows everything we are going to face and has already provided everything we will need on this earth.

He is amazing. He is Faithful. He is our Deliverer. He is our Savior. The Lifter of our Heads.

I am doing Beth Moore's Jesus, 90 Days with the One and Only. I am having such fun with God doing this devotional book. It is really special to be doing this at Christmas time.

Beth asked this question on Day One in the book: What other names come to mind when you hear or speak the name of Jesus? What hopes does He stir up in your spirit?

How would you answer this question? I look forward to reading your responses.

Have a blessed week and remember: with God ALL things are possible!

FIRST THINGS FIRST........

DANG!!!!! We lost!!!!! Congrats to my LSU friends.
Okay, now moving on.......

I didn't get to see the end of the game because I was at a Christmas concert. It was GREAT!!! We got there late because we were watching the game as long as we could. I am proud of my team. They played a great game and we are going to a bowl game this year and it's all good. So, we get to the concert and there are no seats to be found. We made our way to the balcony. Not good for me because I like the front. So, we are sitting in seats where we can't see anything but God had a plan. I sent Georgia off to the reserved section in the balcony on the other side to where we were and God opened up two spots for us. Problem....there is 4 of us. The kind man next to me decided to make room for all of us. It was crowded at first but praise God for the little girls who were with this man because little girls like to go to the bathroom , a lot and we could spread out!! I had been kidding all week that Faith Hill and Tim McGraw would be there and who do you think sat in front of me? YES, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw. I know that some of you could care less but I thought it was funny. I love Faith Hill and it was fun sitting behind them during the concert. They are down to earth and that is what I like. After the concert I met up with Denise and her husband and a friend of hers. During talking with her friend she offered me a job with Dave Ramsey. Not kidding. I said no but I think I am going to pray about this!! She told me what a BIG VOL fan Dave is and we debated if he or I was the bigger fan. I am sorry Dave but I win. She kept saying but Dave has orange crocs and I said, so do I but I have so much more. Does Dave have an orange and white concrete pig? I think not. I win!!! LOL!!!!

What a night!!!!

Have a great Sunday!!!!

Love,

Patty