Photo of the Day

This cupcake just makes me smile. Everyone who ate one was smiling too.

Yep, I Had Another Birthday

I believe I said last year, possibly on this very blog, that I was not going to have another birthday. As we all know, that's not really an option, so here I go again...

Celebrating started early with Jeff and Rebecca making me these delicious carrot cupcakes and giving me a gift of a cupcake charm for my James Avery bracelet. Isn't it adorable? And so me? You've got to admire family members willing to jump in and make cupcakes for someone who makes cupcakes all the time. They were really delicious, too!

Since Rebecca was going to be out of town, we ate at Mimi's Cafe on Sunday night after church. 

Bright and early Monday morning I had breakfast with this kid.

Midmorning saw me working on my Bible Study and drinking my healthy shake AFTER I exercised. Yes, I am proud of myself for exercising on my birthday. Seriously...if you know me, you know that I despise exercise of every kind.

And then I got this in the mail from my mother, who gives the best presents.

And a bit later I got this! Melissa gives the best presents, too.

And then, I made these delish strawberry cupcakes with butter frosting and a chocolate flower. I delivered them to the staff at church and they said they are happy to celebrate my birthday anytime, even if it's not my birthday...hmmm....

And even though I spilled an entire bottle of nonpareils in the making of these cupcakes, I decided that into every life a few (ha, ha) sprinkles must fall...

AND...there will be no crying over spilled powdered sugar, for these are the things that make our days a little sweeter.

Thanks to all of you who made my birthday special. I guess we can do it again next year.

What Were They Thinking? Edition: Cartoon Shoes

It's been awhile since I posted an edition of "What Were They Thinking?," my commentary on all things regarding shoe fashion. I was stunned by these beauties today at Kohl's. Not only are the heels getting higher, but some of the designs are starting to look like cartoon character shoes.

CASE IN POINT: Cruella deVille

And they are adding what looks like little spikes all over them

This shoe disturbed me on many levels. It's like a shoe "teeter-totter," which is probably what you would be doing if you were to try and walk on these babies.

Possibly Minnie Mouse or Daisy Duck?

Got to be a queen's shoe?

 And my story would not be complete without the wicked stepmother's shoe.

And in heels this high, there may not be many happily ever afters...what do you think?

Square Foot Gardening

Jeff and I are venturing into the world of square foot gardening this year. I realize from this picture it looks like there's not much going on, and that's actually true.  We've only planted 3 sections of onions and the bottom four squares contain 2 sections each of spinach and lettuce seeds. We are basing our planting schedule on the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension website, so I hope they know North Texas. 

At the end of March and throughout April and June we will be adding potatoes, tomatoes, jalepenos and possibly some squash and okra. I really don't know what to expect so here's to a big harvest!

What I'm Reading

I'm always reading something, usually fiction I admit, but am never without a book near me. A couple of these books were really popular last year and I just never got around to reading them.

One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp

Seven by Jen Hatmaker

Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle

Are there any good books you would recommend? Keep in mind all three of these are non-fiction and that might just be meeting my non-fiction reading limit for 2013.

As I finish reading them I'll post thoughts about them and if I would recommend them to you.

Happy Valentine's Day

I enjoy Valentine's Day. It's a great opportunity for me to dress up the table a bit for dinner and show my family how much I love them. We had a delicious steak dinner and none of the wait that people who ate at restaurants had to endure. 

I picked up these adorable cloth napkins at Tuesday Morning yesterday. They were the inspiration for my table. Love, love, love the colors!

I forgot to take any photos with people in them, but here's a great before eating shot of the table.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another. John 13: 34-35

Hope you felt loved today!  

Photos Have A Story to Tell...But What Is It?

I'm going through the photos on my phone and deleting them. Why? I don't know. Because I never do? And, at some point won't my phone rebel and say "I'm full!" Probably not, because megabytes and all that stuff. The surprising factor for me was how many pictures were on my phone that I had never seen or had not taken. Hmmm...let's look, shall we?

Gee Abigail, are you trying to scare the living daylights out of me?

This photo has a story and it says, "Squirrel!"

Which dress do you like better, Katherine, red or blue?

Phones are so handy for these shopping decisions. 

Is this the mousse you want, Abigail?

Again, what are my kids trying to say with my phone?

Which of these shoes should I get? (By the way, I bought the leopard and now wish I had gotten both!)

Strangely enough, I took this picture and have no idea why or where.

I could only afford to take a picture. I didn't dare walk in the door.

Most importantly...this is what my scrapbook glue looks like. Get me 10 of them!

What's on your phone?