Men!

I just love Men! Well, let me clarify, I just love MY man and I love how God created men! We got ALL our Christmas decorations put away today and it was Bill's idea! When the task is set, he is determined to complete it and complete it we did!

Now to decide where to go for Bill's birthday dinner! I started to get ready and realized my hair had been humidified by the Houston rain and sea level weather and I didn't have time to completely wash and redo it! Yikes! But then I had an aha moment... Ladies, you know what! Men, your man, REALLY means it when he says "your hair looks great just like it is" and he REALLY is being sincere when he says "You look amazing"! Whether you think your hair looks good or not and even if you have no hair at all (for my sisters in christ who are going through Chemo). IF you are simply giving him lots of affection and admiration! It is so simple! Praise God for how he created MAN! Particularly my man! Who needs an expenive stylist or salon treatment! Simply love and admire your man and you TRULY are the most beautiful woman in the room to him and he really will have eyes only for you!

I love the book, "Wild at Heart" by John Eldredge. It helped me understand how and why God created men to want to be the "hero" and to exhibit strength and and wildness! To be the hunter and protector is what men desire! That is their God formed shape to quote Rick Warren.

In the companion book, "Captivating" by Stasi Eldredge and John they confirmed my suspicions that God CREATED me to want to be a princess, to be captivating, feminine and alive! To find my hero and to praise and admire and love him!

It really is that simple!

Now off to dinner with my hero! Practice admiring your man and giving him affection and see how magical it is! You can start small, say thank you for little things he does, praise his efforts at everything, have a fit of excitement when he arrives home, yes, just like the dog does! It's magical, just try it! Be sincere but keep it up! You'll be amazed and soon you will be being treated like the captivating woman God created you to be! With our without redoing your hair! He really will see you as the most beautiful woman, his woman, in the room!

Proverbs 5:18 "let your fountain be blessed and rejoice in the wife of your youth" (feel free to look this up and read verse 19! I didn't think I'd risk blogging that verse but God smiles when couples rejoice and enjoy his creation!)

This eve of 2011....

As I think about the New Year coming I ponder turning a year older. My 52nd birthday is near and I am glad to still be here! Yes, I was born on New Year's Day in Iowa City, Iowa where my father was finishing his medical training. My mother said it was 17 degrees below zero when I was born! She just remembers how cold it was even in the delivery room and how my dad would come in occasionally and pat her on the foot. He was a busy resident so he couldn't stay, he had to come and go. She says they were thrilled to finally have a little girl to complete the family! I am thankful for wonderful parents and two great big brothers who have both become good friends to me.
As many of us prepare to celebrate the beginning of another year, many think about New Year resolutions. Do you write down new ones each year? I do! I keep them in my daily prayer notebook and I like to date when I achieve each one. I know, I'm weird but I actually enjoy this annual tradition! I also make everyone at my house eat some black eyed peas for good luck and prosperity for the coming year! My mom always did this so I do too!
I asked Bill to give me an appropriate scripture to bring focus to this time of year and here is what he suggested. Philippians 3: 13 &14 "...Forgetting what is behind, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
I like that! Forget and let go of what is past. This could suggest for you to forgive others, forgive yourself, and move forward. Let go of past hurts, failures,and disappointments. Start anew and press on toward the things God lays on your heart and mind as you seek His face in your daily prayer time and Bible reading. You can't go wrong if you press on toward what God calls you to do.

Write out what you hear God lay on your heart each day as you pray, read, and seek His face. It just takes a few minutes!

Well, let God's word imply what areas you may need to change....

Thinking about January 2011 makes me also think of February 2011! I ordered this cute Valentine apron for February! I want to let it inspire me to do something special for the ones I love! How can you show your loved ones you treasure them?

I am going to use my Pampered Chef cookie press to make these for friends and family for February 14th! Take a treat to someone you know who may be lonely or shut in on Valentines!

I wish you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Happy New Year, almost! I leave you with Philippians 4:8 "...whatever is true, whatever is Noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things."

Dixie's Fudge and Spritz cookie recipes!

Every Christmas my mom, Dixie Ann, made Million Dollar Fudge and Spritz cookies! It just isn't Christmas to me without these two treats! I am carrying on her tradition! Here are her recipes!

Million Dollar Fudge

Combine:
4 1/2 Cups of Sugar
1/2 tsp. Salt
1 large can of Evaporated Milk
3/4 stick of marjarine

Cook:
Bring the above ingredients to a boil and stir continuously while gently boiling for a full 7 minutes

Pour over:
1 pound of chopped pecans
1 jar of Marshmellow cream
3 - 12 ounce packages of chocolate chips

Blend well and drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper to harden. Keep in air tight container.

Dixie Ann's Spritz Cookies

Preheat oven to 375 degrees

Measure out the following dry ingredients and sift together and then set aside:

2 & 1/4 cups of flour

3/4 Cup Sugar

1/4 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. salt

Beat in mixer until creamy:

1 Cup marjarine
1 egg

1 tsp. vanilla

Gradually add dry flour mixture to creamy mixture with mixer running on low until all is mixed well and dough forms and holds together.

Load dough into cookie press of your choice. The Pampered Chef one is my all time favorite! You can sprinkle with sprinkles before baking if desired.

Bake 10 to 12 minutes until the edges just start to get golden.

You can also add food coloring to your dough and mix well if desired. Depending on the shape you choose on your cookie press you can do these for other Holidays as well! I do pink in heart shapes for Valentines and green color in a shamrock shape for St. Patricks! For Christmas I like the Christmas tree shape, the wreath, and the Ornament ball. You can also use no color and no sprinkles and it makes a great tea cookie! If your dough is refusing to stick to your cookie sheet, just refrigerate it a bit and try again. Good luck and enjoy!

I always cook some just plain too! Bill likes the plain ones the best!

This cookie press by "Pampered Chef" is my absolute favorite and I have gone through a lot of cookie presses! The ones from Dillard's and Macy's always end up breaking but this one has been faithfuland has continued to function year after year!

Things I'm Loving Thursday!

Here is my "Things I'm loving Thursday, posted in Wednesday! I am loving these "Softest Socks" from Bath & Body Works! These are a must have for every ladies stocking this year! So soft and comfy on a chilly night!
My friend Michelle told me about this special! I did it and I am loving my new iiphone 4!
Radio Shack is running a special trade in offer that ends this Saturday! You can trade in your phone there and upgrade for just $50.00! I traded in my 3gs and got this sweet new iphone 4 and I am loving it! The camera on it is truly amazing and it even has flash! I got it all updated and synced and yesterday got it working with the Bluetooth in my car! What a fun luxury and extravagance that I am enjoying! Thank you Lord that I have a job I love and that I live in a free country where I can splurge occasionally and experience joy on earth! I cannot imagine what our joys will be like in heaven one day, that will surpass any joy we have experienced here on earth!

Chick fil a unsweet tea by the gallon! I am loving it! My family is loving it too! I sweeten mine with a packet or two of Stevia and it is wonderful!

The Glade Apple Cinnamon candle makes my home smell like Christmas! I love to burn this one year round!

Starbucks Passion tea, unsweet, then I add my own packet of Stevia and it is so refreshing and zero calories/ zero caffiene! Mmmmm.....!!

I have just discovered Pandora radio and I am loving it! (Thanks Stephanie for the enlightenment on this!!) So soothing!

Lola perfume by Marc Jacobs! If you want to give a really nice gift to any female in your life, here it is! My sister in law, Sue, told me about this and I treated myself to a bottle! I am loving it! I get asked everyday what fragrance I am wearing! It is lovely! Thank you Lord for lovely, refreshing, soothing things you give us to enjoy!

These are some things I am loving, actually, this Wednesday! What are you loving?