FREE Pancakes!!

It's "Mardi Gras" time!!!

Today is often referred today as FAT TUESDAY! Fat Tuesday is the day before Ash Wednesday, the Christian season of Lent. Today was originally called Shrove Tuesday? The word shrove is the past tense of the English verb shrive, which means to obtain absolution for one's sins by way of confession and doing penance. Shrove Tuesday and Fat Tuesday essentially mean the same thing: eating special foods before the fasting season of Lent. Fat Tuesday marks the end of "Mardi Gras!" Today is widely associated with the eating of foods such as pancakes (yum!), and often known simply as PANCAKE DAY - originally because ingredients such as fat and eggs had to be used up since they were traditionally restricted during the Lent season.

Are you asking why did you need to know all that? Well, because it was just a little history lesson for you and it explains WHY today is known as National Pancake Day (according to IHOP).

I don't know about you...but I LOVE pancakes! And I especially LOVE IHOP buttermilk pancakes! Today, IHOP is offering FREE PANCAKES (a short stack!) when you make a small donation to Children's Miracle Network. YUM!!! I do believe Allen and I will be celebrating National Pancake Day...I hope you do too! :)

Who needs to diet anyway...right?!

One door closes

I recently received this in an email from Momma B. It really is a reminder of who is in charge of us. Especially as Allen and I await for an answer regarding our future. I thought it was worth passing on, just in case you or someone you know might need a few words of encouragement. I hope everyone has a great week!


Revelations 3:8

When God leads you to the edge of the cliff,
trust Him fully and let go.

Only 1 of 2 things will happen.

Either...
He'll catch you when you fall,

or He'll teach you how to fly!

The power of one sentence!

God 's going to shift things around for you
today and let things work in your favor.

God closes doors no man can open &
God opens doors no man can close.

Have a blessed day and remember to

Be A Blessing....

Pi-zza Cake

Is it pizza or is it cake? Or a piece of cake...or is it PIZZA CAKE?!?! One of the teachers I work with made this oh so cute pizza cake...and it tasted delicious too, once we decided it was okay to cut! (no one wanted to cut it) I had to get a picture of it because I thought it was just too cute & fun! Great idea for cooking/baking with kids.

It was a spice cake (pizza dough) with vanilla icing colored with red food coloring (pizza sauce), grated white chocolate (the cheese), and lastly fruit roll-ups rolled out and cut into the shape of pepperoni...simple, delicious, and fun!

Gig 'em Aggies!!

Thumbs UP Ags!

Whoop! :)

Today Allen and I attended our very first Texas Aggie women's basketball game! One of my very special students, Skylett raised $100 for Jump Rope for Heart and received 2 FREE tickets to the basketball game...Texas Aggies vs. Texas Longhorns. I was able to get 2 more tickets so Skylett's brother, DeMarcus and Allen (Mr. Beyer) joined us! I picked up Skylett & DeMarcus up around 10:45 this morning, we went to the game then took them to Double Dave's for a buffet pizza lunch. Afterward, they did NOT want to go home so I spent the day w/ them...we went to the mall to see the puppies in The Puppy Store, got Skylett some play make-up at Clarie's, went to Wendy's for a frosty (yum!), then to Pet Co to look at the animals and get DeMarcus a collar & leash for his dog. We then stopped by the house very quickly so they could see Reno and finally around 6 this evening I dropped them off...WOW!! It was very long day for and who knew that a 9 year-old and 10 year-old could be so exhausting! Skylett & DeMarcus have a very interesting story...they live with their adoptive 70 year-old parents (who are not related to them in anyway, they took these 2 children in after they were dropped off on their front porch w/ simply just the clothes they had on). They do the best they can...which is not much since the mother & father solely live off their social security checks. Those 2 children have endured MORE in the small 9 & 10 years they have lived...then we could ever imagine! While today was very tiring, it is a very small price for me to pay to help make a difference in their lives! You will see more of Skylett since she is starting her very first season of SOFTBALL! I plan on going to most of her games, so I'll be sure & post photos of her in action. :)
I thought I would share a few photos of our day out together...and WHOOP the Aggies did btho t.u.!

DeMarcus excited...but was rooting for the "other" team!

Miss Skylett looking very cute in her Aggie shirt!

Mrs. Beyer & Skylett :)

Whoop for Mr. Beyer being so kind and buying us lunch! :)

WHOOP for an Aggie win!!

Something to think about...

Don't give up on us...

This video really touches my heart! The part where he says, "in some cases, you're all we got...you're the ones who feed us, who wipe our tears, or hug us when we need it...and love us when it feels like no one else does..." tugs at my heart because it is so very true and yet so very sad! I have a few students I meet with on a weekly basis for self-esteem building and leadership activities. I am going to show them this video and have a mini lesson about it, then I will ask them to write their own speech. I think they are going to be so inspired by it!

"If you love your job, you never will work a day in your life!"

I spy...PINK

Our very close friends, Britt & Brooke are expecting their first baby in June...and it's a GIRL!! We are so excited for them and can't wait to meet their precious baby girl! I'm sure she will be the new celebrity of our blog once she makes her big debut!

The proud parents to be! :)

Proverbs 16:9

"A man's heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps."
Proverbs 16:9 NKJV

"We plan the way we want to live, but only God makes us able to live it."
Proverbs 16:9 The Message

I saw this verse today and wow it hit me like a TON of bricks! It was like one of those "Ohhh, I think I get it..." moments. I have seen this verse many times before but never like I did today. This morning on my way to work, I was doing my usual morning prayer while listening to KSBJ and lately my prayers have been mostly about THE FUTURE! Since Allen and I really have no idea what is in store for our future come May, and it has been actually very overwhelming for me and why I'm really not sure. I mean of course I know everything happens for a reason, things will work, etc - you know the normal things you tell yourself for assurance! BUT nothing reassured me the way Proverbs 16:9 did. When I say "it hit me like a ton of bricks!" - I mean it was like ton of peace came over me and I think I'm finally starting to understand...

You see...our future is NOT up to what Allen and I want but more of what God wants for us! Of course, we have a perfect picture in our hearts/minds of what we WANT it to look like but that does not mean that is what it will actually be. My prayer should not be for a certain job in a certain city/location BUT instead my prayer should be: Lord, lead us in the direction/place/job that YOU want us to go! It is so easy to get caught up in what we want, when really life is about fulfilling our duties here on earth according to God's will and the plan He has for us! I know think to myself...how foolish and selfish have I been in regards to the future! I truly believe when we finally allow God to be in control, things will simply fall into place. And probably even better than we thought :) See because the Lord does not want us to have the "average" things in life but the BEST things in life! But as humans (including myself) we often make this process so painful due to our lack of "letting go and letting God!"
Thank you Lord for opening my heart & eyes to what YOU have in store for us...a future that I'm sure is beyond anything I could ever imagine!

New

I love the weekends! Allows me time to actually get some stuff done - like sewing! :) Yesterday I had the chance to get some sewing done...take a look at some of my NEW creations!

Fairytale pillowcase dress

Chocolate Hearts boutique bottoms (6-12 months)

Cupcake Galore pillowcase dress

The simple things...

Allen took these beautiful photos of my tulips today - as they were sitting in the window sill. It was beautiful outside today! I opened up all the windows, put all the blinds up, and sewed to the sound of birds chirping. It was so peaceful! My tulips were loving all the sunshine!

Beautiful!!!

We have a stray kitty that we feed...just breaks my heart to know an animal is hungry! And he or she is getting a little more brave all the time OR just very hungry and is not bothered by us humans. I normally put food out at night and by morning most of it or all of it is gone but lately I have been forgetting so I put some out there this morning when I opened up all the windows. This afternoon I was sewing while Allen went to the movies, it was very quiet (no TV on, no music, just the sound of birds chirping and kids playing at the pool - yeah it was nice today but NOT pool going weather) and I noticed Reno looking out the blinds onto the patio - he also very quiet! So I decided to see what had caught his eye...it was our stray kitty! Just eating away...so I grabbed the camera and started snapping pictures of him/her. Kitty didn't not even move, just continued to eat. I have a very special in my heart for animals and it just warmed my heart to know that kitty was not going to go hungry today or tomorrow...
Reno & I just sat and watched him/her for about 10 minutes, Reno never even barked, growled, nothing...he just sat and admired the kitty with me! :) The kitty looked at both of us a few times and it was as if he/she was saying "thank you for taking care of me even though you don't even know me or own me." May sound silly but it totally makes me think....God takes care of each and every one of us regardless of where we've been, where we might be headed, whether we live in a alley (like my little alley cat) or a nice home - none of those things really matter! The other thing too is that I buy the cheapest cat food possible (simply because we can't afford much more) but that kitty has never seemed to mind and that also makes me think. Geez, do we really have to live our lives with all the nicest, finest of things...don't get me wrong, I love nice things & designer things (when I can afford them) but just think if we lived as that kitty does - simply happy just to have a full belly, regardless of the brand of cat food I serve him. That's the wonderful thing about animals, God's creatures...they are so very simple and so thankful for the simple things. Think if we humans lived our lives like this, just simply thankful for the simple things in life...needing no more or less.


Simple days are so few & far between with our busy lives but today I had just a simple day! It was so nice to notice the simple things and small things that life has to offer - like my beautiful tulips, our little alley cat, the warm sunshine, birds chirping, sewing, and children laughing & playing.


How much more compassionate and accepting would we be...not just towards man kind but to all kind, if we took time to notice God's beauty...His true beauty that is all around us!

"The Lord is gracious and full of compassion...the Lord is good to all, and His tender mercies (compassion are over all His works."
Psalm 145: 8-9

#28

Allen turned 28 on Thursday, February 12th.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY LOVE!!!
I just love birthdays and making them extra special is so very important!! (or at least I think so...) Allen's birthday started out LAST weekend by his parents (Danny & Momma B.) coming to town Friday night. We had a nice dinner at Excel Steakhouse and then Saturday - Eric, Cadee, and Joe made the trip to College Station! Saturday night we went to dinner at Atami Steak & Sushi for a hibachi style dinner. It was our very first time to go, and it was sooo good! Joe definitely enjoyed it - he was mesmerized by the cook & all the fire. After dinner, we came back to have birthday cake...
In my family, store bought cakes were never an option! Every birthday mom would ask us what kind of cake/dessert we wanted for our birthday. I normally picked red velvet OR carrot cake topped w/ the oh so fabulous cream cheese icing! Allen is more of a cheesecake kind of person BUT this year he asked for chocolate peanut butter brownies OR something of the sort. I LOVE looking for new recipes so the search started...
Allen is not much of a sweet eater BUT I thought would surprise him with a new recipe I found online. Saturday I made Allen a birthday cake from a recipe I found online at smittenkitchen.com. Great website w/ to die for recipes - I'm sure I'll be trying more her recipes soon! It literally took me most of the day!!! (thankfully, we had a lazy Saturday and just hung out at our apartment) It was not complicated to make - just lots of steps! The final product was UNBELIEVABLE! Take a look for yourself...

HAPPY Birthday CaKE!

THE sinful birthday cake - triple layer chocolate cake w/ peanut butter icing topped w/ chocolate peanut butter gauche

Can you say...OH MY!?!? Good heavens...it was so delicious and VERY rich! A glass milk of is a must with this cake!

Thursday on Allen's actual BIRTHday:
Before I left for work, I made Allen his favorite breakfast: breakfast tacos! Topped w/ candles followed by the Happy Birthday song...I honestly don't think it could get much better than that for a birthday breakfast :)


He requested I cook him dinner instead of going out to dinner. Allen's birthday dinner menu:

-Chicken fried steak
-Mashed potatoes
-Homemade cream gravy
-Cheesy Velveeta macaroni & cheese
-Heart-shaped creme brulee (made by the wonderful folks at HEB)
-Ice tea

*All made from scratch except the dessert! Yes, even the gravy!! I made plenty so he would have left-overs for the next day :) He says, "and this is why I'll never be skinny again because of your good cookin'!" I do what I can...
:)

BUT his birthday celebration did not end there...little did he know what else I had planned. A surprise birthday dinner - 2nd one in what 3 years I think...I LOVE SURPRISES!!!
Friday night I planned a SURPRISE birthday dinner at Los Cucos with his close friends. He had NO idea! Sadly, the camera I ALWAYS carry in my purse, I accidentally left it at home b/c I had uploaded pics earlier in the day- so I was sooo sad not to get any photos of the night :( I wanted to come back home & get it but Allen said "we don't need the camera!!" I ALWAYS need my camera :) My mom, dad, and sister also came to join in on the birthday celebration. They were going to come the weekend Allen's family was here but mom came down w/ the flu :( Britt & Brooke also joined us, as well as Allen's wonderful grad. school friends. Afterwards, we went to The Tap to continue the celebration. It was a great time and I hope Allen had a birthday to remember!

Here's to another year of joy, laughter, and health - year 28!
I love you and hope you had a wonderful birthday!

Yay for Scrubs & birthday presents!

Sunday Trip

Last Sunday, Allen and I took a day trip to Belton to see my dear friend Shanna for her birthday! While we don't get to see each other as often as I'd liked, it's always such a joy to see her and it's like we always pick up right where we were the last time we saw each other...something I think which makes my friendship with Shanna so special!!

Make a Wish!

Shanna is expecting her 2nd baby in April...a baby boy - SAM! Sadie is already practicing being a sweet big sister with their dog, Spike! :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SHANNA! XoXo

Let's bake Nonni

I have these awesome inspiring Williams-Sonoma spatulas that Kara, Madyson, & Maddox gave me for my birthday :)

When I'm not working, cleaning, cooking, OR sewing, I am more than likely baking...PIES, that is! There is something about pies that makes you feel comforted, loved, and happy! While cakes & cookies are just as wonderful - to me a pie is just a delight! Also, not very many people even know how to make pies these days so I'm hoping to start a tradition with my family and that is a PIE tradition! I bet most people (younger kids/adults) don't even know what meringue is. Just like Grandma used to make - isn't that the old saying? And I believe the tradition has already started because now during the holidays, everyone in my family just expects a homemade pie from me. The only problem is I can never decide WHICH kind I want to make...I just want to make them all! My very first pie I ever made (this past summer actually) was a traditional buttermilk pie. Warm right out of the oven- buttermilk is probably my absolute favorite! Tuesday at work we had a birthday party for 2 of my co-workers and I was asked to bring THE PIE! I made old fashioned chocolate pie with homemade whipped cream (instead of meringue) and coconut cream pie also with homemade whipped cream. I tried a new recipe this time for both and the coconut cream pie was delicious!! The chocolate was also good but not as good as the one I made at Christmas. Being the unorganized baker I am...somewhere in the mix of the holidays I lost the recipe I used during Christmas- but I will keep trying until I find it or another that is just as good! I can't wait for the day to have a huge, fancy kitchen where I can bake pies, cakes, cupcakes, and cookies...nothing like a piece of homemade pie...it's like a slice of heaven!

Old Fashioned Chocolate

Coconut Cream w/ whipped cream

“When you die, if you get a choice between going to regular heaven or pie heaven, choose pie heaven. It might be a trick, but if it's not, mmmmmmmm, boy.” -Jack Handy

God's Child

Shaylee Casey Meador was baptized today!
While Allen and I were not there in person, we were there in spirit. What a precious blessing from above to know, that we are given the gracious gift of salvation. And while we are very sad and sorry, we weren't able to be there today...this is our prayer for you!

Miss Shaylee, your Aunt Nancy & Uncle Allen pray that God's light will always shine on you and in you! We pray that He will show you His grace, His mercy, and His everlasting love as you grow from a baby girl to a young lady. We promise to be here for you, to help you through this journey called life. We are so thankful for the price that Jesus paid for us and for the blessing you received today!
We love you dearly and thank Jesus for you and for the gift of life, everlasting life!
Love,
Aunt Nancy & Uncle Allen

"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." Matthew 28:19 NIV

Hey, Cupcake!

A little Gerber onesies I put together in just a few short minutes...isn't it adorable?! Who doesn't love a cupcake topped with PINK fluffy icing?!?!

Two of my favorite hobbies & passions: SEWING & BAKING!
What a sweet life I live!

My inspiration: these cupcakes I made for Madyson's 4th Pink-a-licious Birthday Party!
YUM!!!!

My 1st pillowcase dress!

Today, I completed my first pillowcase dress! Yippee!! I am so proud of myself! I think I might be actually getting good at sewing, woohoo :) I did not use an actual pillowcase (pillowcases just aren't that cute), I found this fabric on clearance for $3/yard. I kind of created my own pattern based on some other patterns I had seen online. For my very first one, I think it turned out pretty good! :) This was also my first very time to use extra wide, double fold, bias tape (gosh, that's a long word!) and I found a blog with awesome instructions & photos, I'm totally a visual learner - I love when I get stuck then find a solution so quickly! Thank goodness for the internet :) For the next one, I hope to add some embellishments along the bottom, like some ric-rac, ribbon, pom poms, or even a sweet ruffle! The possibilities are endless...which is why I love sewing!

Now I just need one of my precious nieces to model for me! :) Back to the sewing machine to complete another project!

Dog or Child?

Reno, dog or child?

We have a precious three and half year old Pomeranian, Reno! I had never owned a dog until I brought Reno in the spring of 2006. Reno is the second pet I have ever had in my life and I'm 26 years old. December of 2004, Lucy my cat of 23 years passed away of old age. She went through my childhood with me, my teenage years, and also my college years...she was the absolute BEST cat on this earth! But knowing I couldn't replace her with another cat, I opted to get a dog instead. Reno was a steal of a deal and it was definitely the best $100 I've ever spent! He brings me and Allen so much joy! Who knew a black fur-ball could bring someone so much love, joy, & happiness...I happened to be going through some old photos on the computer and came across these. Reno is definitely a momma's boy and while Allen can't wait to have a REAL baby one day- we have really enjoyed having Reno as our first baby (fur-baby, of course!) But I do believe Reno would consider himself our child...and not our dog!

Having a lil' vino w/ momma

Father & son bonding, I think they're in deep conversation

Kisses for momma

Ready for game day!

Reno says, Mom, I'll just sit here...

Reno & Mallard (his security blanket) this means "I'm ready for bed!!"

I now truly understand the statement: "A dog is a man's (woman's) best friend!"

"Yesterday I was a dog. Today I'm a dog. Tomorrow I'll probably still be a dog. Sigh! There's so little hope for advancement." -Snoppy