R&R at a B&B...

We're heading out...

Source

  ...to the lovely Savannah, GA.

Did I mention we're staying in a barn?  
And that My Love planned the whole thing?

oh my - stay tuned for prettiness!

To Be Rich...

 It is tax time here in the States... the time when we

 count our money and give 'to Caesar' that which is due.  

As I have been working on our taxes and looking over our finances - I am sobered.

  We are one of the 'the rich' in this world - no doubt.

  (Perhaps not by American standards - but by world standards!) 
   

How would God have me be more generous - more ready to share? 
Are they any changes I should be making? 
 

I want to hold all that I have with an open hand. 

I do not want my treasures to be in this world...

Baked Oatmeal - No Eggs or Oil...

Special diets can be a challenge.  I already eat gluten free 

(which has been an amazing 'cure' for an aggressive skin rash) - 

and now I'm avoiding meat, oils, dairy and eggs.  All this is my choice.  

I plan to return to just gluten free in a few weeks - but will probably do only

 chicken and fish for meat and try to really limit the oils.  

For now though - I need breakfast options.

 Baked oatmeal - with GF oats of course - has been a  gluten free favorite of mine... 

but alas - it has eggs, oil and milk! 

Today - I tried to make it without these 'no-no's' - and it worked!  

I made a small batch (recipe below) but I think the recipe could be doubled just fine.

No Egg, Oil or Dairy Baked Oatmeal

1 1/2 c. oatmeal (gluten free if needed)

1/2 c. brown sugar (scant!)

1 t. baking powder

1/2 c. almond milk (or other)

1/2 t. cinnamon

1/4 c. raisins (generous)

1/2 c. applesauce

Mix and place in small casserole dish.  If glass - bake at 325 degrees for approx. 30 min. till golden brown. (try 350 for metal pan)

Etsy Things....

I have a few Etsy shops to share with you today and a treasury inclusion.  

But first - take a peek at some of my new Easter themed listings...

White Rabbit Friction Toy 

 5 Easter Postcard Booklets

6+ Yards Pink Roses on White & Yellow Fabric

4" Blown Glass Egg & Box

 Now let's visit these sweet shops...

A Perfect Peace makes precious faith based mustard seed jewelry...

Holmes & Watson sells beautiful fine art prints.  
This is my favorite from their current listings...

Jenni from this team recently put together a sweet Treasury - 

"A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Takes'.   Is it not beautiful?

She was kind enough to include my 2 Green Poetry Books

 

Ahhh - I just love Etsy.  Thanks for allowing me this indulgence.  
Hope you saw some pretty things!

Testing Produces Patience...

My brethren, count it all JOY when you fall into various trials, 

 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience.  

James 1:2-3

Taken in Ireland

Joy! - that word is catching my attention this year.

And according to this verse - there is an up side to trials.  Our dear Savior is able to use the difficult things and persecutions of this life to help bring about a true faith - one that is perfect and complete.  Is that not something to be joyful about?   

The next verse reads:

  But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

 I like the sound of that! What can you trust Jesus with today?

 

 

Kitchen Countertop Pantry...

Tupperware?  Plastic?  I'm discovering it's not the best for long term 

pantry storage.  That plastic smell leaks into the food after a while.  

I've decided glass will be the wave of the future for me.  

Trouble is - right now I've no good cupboard or pantry area 

that can handle the weight of all the glass.  

  I like easy access - and this little corner is my food prep area 

'cause its the only area close to the stove.  This is the 'before'...

 And after today's efforts....

bummer - this one got blurry!

 I picked up 4 canister jars at Target (under $6 each!) and used 

Mason & miscellaneous other jars to help corral my ingredients.

 Yep, right there on the kitchen counter...

This stretch of counter needed a bit of rearrange too.

  Believe it or not - this is the 'after'.  Looks a bit cluttered I know...

 I grouped in small vignettes to help calm the chaos a bit. 

Some things are 'out' because I want to remember to use them soon.

 I'm hoping some of these jars can eventually be in a  lazy susan pantry

of sorts that we'll have to create - but for now - a countertop pantry it is!

 And talk about awesome!   Don't even attempt to clean a kitchen 

area without some orange cleaner.  I think I bought this at Dollar Tree.  

The spray trigger doesn't even work right it's so cheap.  

I simply dumped some onto my wet rag to use it. 

Does it ever do a number on grease!
Linking to Saturday Night Special @ Funky Junk

Thrifty Thursday...

Taking a day trip - ending with dinner out with My Love today.  

My comfy & modest travelling outfit (yeah I know - I never do this - today's a first)...

 It's all 'old as the hills' - but then I'm in good company :)

silk beige under sweater - thrifted

cream St. John's Bay sweater - thrifted

black Tommy Hilfiger skirt - thrifted

scarf - thrifted or yard sale

black boots - Payless

Happy Valentine's Day to  you!!
Linking to Modest Monday

Homemade Valentines....

Since my family doesn't really peruse my blog - I think 

its safe to show you what I've been up to.  I'll admit -

 usually I'm lazy and buy the cards that I give to My Love.  

But this year I thought I'd exert a little energy and make one.

  ...Ditto for my dear daughter...

 These were done very quickly with minimal supplies
 that I had with me at a ladies' crafting morning.
  They do not open - they are more like oversized postcards.  

There's plenty of room to write a sentiment on the back of each one.  

And of course - I'll add a candy or cookie treat.  

So what about you?  Do you buy or make your Valentine cards?
Linking to Transformation Thursday

Of Light...

Photo taken on a walk thru my neighborhood.

It's a beautiful life-giving thing to brought into the Light.   

May my walk show a clear difference from the

 darkness that once enveloped me.

How thankful I am that I do not walk alone!  ~Joyce
linking to Bible Buddies at Knick of time Sonday.

Random Decor & Project ideas....

I'm sharing random ideas with you today that are not from 

Pinterest or (gasp) - another blog.  These were all spotted 

in the antique mall where I sell.

This unfinished piece of old needlepoint was hand stitched 

and finished with a watch chain for a handle.  

An old necklace would work too.  Cute huh?

 Don't have a photo for that cute photo frame you found?  

Scrapbook papers make neat 'pictures'.  These are 

all sporting a handwritten or script paper.

 Fill anything w/ natural or primitive potpourri for instant charm.

 You can fill anything with greens too - Sweet Annie

 in the case of this clothespin bag.

 And I'm loving the applied cheesecloth 'ribbon' and

 paper bag label to this jar candle.  Tie it up with

 string and it's the perfect 'for anything' gift.

 Thanks for stopping by!!

In Weakness...

And he said unto me, 'My grace is sufficient for thee:

 for my strength is made perfect in weakness.'

II Corinthians 12:9a

I found this 'baby' tree on a walk thru my neighborhood.  

The sun brought out such color - even though it's a brown time in nature.  

It's a tree that is still weak - and needs a stick to give it support to stand 

as it grows.  Many times I feel just like this tree.  But this is not a 

 bad place to be.  That's when we can allow Jesus to be our strength.

  There's no better time to run to Him.  And that's what He wants!

The rest of the verse reads...

...Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, 

that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

God bless you today!  And if I can pray for you - please contact me!
Click on 'view my complete profile'.
 Linking to Bible Buddies Link Party