family · kids · Random Thoughts · Travel

My Baby Girl’s Senior Year

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I wanted to do something special with Carmen for her High School Graduating year.  She didn’t care for the traditional school class rings, nor did I, only wearing mine for my Senior year in High School.  I considered it a waste of money, and not something to carry with you forever.  She did agree with me, but wanted to have something to symbolize her high school years.

I love Tiffany & Co. (what girl doesn’t?)!  We looked online (their site is really wonderful), and had chosen this one but in pink sapphire instead.

We traveled to Atlanta this past weekend, just Carmen and I, for a whirlwind trip.  I thought that it would be special for her to have time with me (and selfishly – me too), and for her to “shop” at Tiffany. 

We went into Tiffany & Co, and went to the counter where her “ring” should be. Tried on several, and then discovered that they didn’t have the pink sapphire in stock.  They could order it for us, and ship it, but that isn’t why we traveled all the way to Atlanta.  (Yes, I know that it isn’t that far of a drive, but driving longer than 2 hours for me is difficult and terribly tiring.)  Carmen really did want to be wearing her ring that very day.  It was disappointing, until I pointed out that her high school color was green, and they had that in stock.

  Yep! 
The box and the bag.
I truly think that Carmen would have been just as happy with just these two items.

Opening (excuse the quality of the photo – in a restaurant)!

Love her expression.

Do something special, and out of the ordinary for your children.  It doesn’t have to be all the time, just once in a while. (oh, and it was actually cheaper than the traditional class ring.) It really speaks volumes for communication, and love.
Blessings.
Jerry Ann
Memory Verse

Memory Verse #7

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“Your heart’s been in the right place all along…You’ve got what it takes to finish it up, so go to it. 2 Corinthians 8:10-11 The Message

Too tired today to post more…attending the Priscilla Shirer Going Beyond Simulcast…and it has been a long day, but a fruitful one….and more tomorrow.

Happy April….
Love,
Jerry Ann

children · college · family · Random Thoughts

Our road to college…

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Carmen has decided to look in the State of Florida for colleges to attend.  And, if I may add, thank you God.  Money alone is enough justification, but add travel costs, especially now with gas prices, helps in finding one that is right for her and us.

I will say, I thought I was ready for this transition in our lives. I have been encouraging Carmen to look at lots of different schools, in and out of state. She has applied and has been accepted at LSU, Auburn, FSU, and Spring Hill.  All are absolutely wonderful schools, and well worth every penny just not our pennies.  FSU still may play in her decision, but right now, she isn’t feeling it.  Feeling it?  Really? 

She is 18.  An adult, I suppose, legally anyway.  But, if she continues to not be able to locate a place in her home town, how is she supposed to locate things at a university?  I want to let go, and let her find her way.  How do parents do this?

How do we do this?  Train them up – right?  Let them go?  They are not ours, but God’s – and for His purpose.  I know this.  I trust in Him to guide her path, and ours.  He has done an incredible job with Carmen so far.  I can’t wait to see what her future holds. 

College…her new adventure…and it continues…

Random Stuff · Random Thoughts · share

My heart is heavy.

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My heart is heavy is a comment made by a coworker on Wednesday after a particularly difficult afternoon.

Prayer.  Pray without ceasing.

A story was repeated to me yesterday, and I would like to share a snippet.

Satan is speaking with an observer about his tools.  He has many tools that he uses to cause harm, and to keep us from God.  This one is famine, and this is disaster, but this one is the best one of all.  He points to the one he uses on Christians, it is the tool of discouragement.  This one makes them fail.  It is a simple tool, and many people, even other Christians help me use it on their own.

Discouragement.

I am praying for discernment on the path chosen.  I have been through difficult passages before, some more difficult this one.  But…I have never felt bombarded like I do today.  Spears, arrows, bullets are flying at me with such force.  I have no time to breathe and defend one of them, let alone, all of them.

Each difficulty that we are given is for God’s glory to be shown.  It shows that He sustains us through all.  I am praying for strength and an answer to this path.  Change is difficult for all, but we must adapt, bend, comply. 

Moses asked God to “show him His Glory” in Exodus.  I am doing the same today.  Sustain me, Lord.

How we feel led to share God’s love is a path God given. It maybe to a homeless drunk needing food or a kind word, to a leader of a childrens program in a hurry to complete a project, to listening to a coworker who is needing a hug and affirmation, to a spouse that has had a difficult day, to a child that may only have one good meal a week, to a youth needing guidance, to you, and to me.

How do you share God’s love?  Are you discouraged?

“Sometimes we are told to quietly lean on our Savior and rest. At other times God calls us to actively wait.  But we are always to stay close to our Redeemer.” – Kelly Minter

“Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us.” – Ephesians 3:20 NIV

“You will not have to fight this battle.  Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverence the Lord will give you, Judah and Jerusalem.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.  Go out to face them tomorrow, and the Lord will be with you.” – 2 Chronicles 20:17 NIV

Blessings.

guidance · Hurdles · Memory Verse · ministry · Prayer

Memory Verse #5

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Hurdles are difficult, especially in ministry.  We all have them, hurdles, I mean.  I feel led one way, you feel led another.  Why can’t they be the same thing?  Are they the same thing?  If we are praying for guidance and discernment, and they are, why is the path different?  Because I want to approach it from left field, but it has been done this way for years, why is left field wrong? Is the way that has been done wrong? No.  Just different.  Different gifts, different approaches. Hurdles. 

I believe that God leads those that are willing to listen.  A vision, path, road is given, and I have been given one. I can see it.  Along the road there are hurdles.  They are in the distance, and small in height.  The closer I get to the hurdles the higher each one becomes.  I have short, stubby legs.  They are difficult to climb over large hurdles.  God places the hurdles at heights reachable for me, if I continue to rely on Him.  The race/path/road is long.  I am approaching a storm, and lots of hurdles.

“Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good.  His love endures forever.” Psalm136:1 NIV

For those that pray, please pray for guidance in my words and actions.  Thank you.

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

Potato Pancakes · Recipes

Potato Pancakes

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My mom used to make these a lot, especially when we had leftover mashed potatoes.  I didn’t have any potatoes this time, but was craving them.

David helped me shred about 8 Yukon gold potatoes. We rinsed them in cold water.  It is important to drain the potatoes before adding any of the other ingredients.  The drier the shredded potato,. the crispier it gets.
You will need:
Potatoes
onion
Flour
Salt
Pepper
2 eggs
oil

Shred the potatoes (as many as you like), and shred the onion.
It is the same texture, and same size as the potatoes so 
the cooking time remains the same ratio.
Soak in cold water to prevent the potatoes from turning grey or brown.
Patted dry.
Use a clean dish towel to squeeze the water from the potatoes, and onions.
I didn’t have any mashed potatoes (it is the best binding agent), so I used flour.
Regular flour (I started with about 1/4 cup, and then added more),
two eggs, salt and pepper.
Mix.  If it appears watery, add more flour.
Drop by spoonfuls into a hot pan with oil.
Test the oil first, by adding a shred or two and it simmers.
Spread out into an even flat layer.
Flip (they should hold together), and brown the other side.
Don’t crowd the pan, it decreases the heat of the oil.
Remove from the pan, and rest on paper towels to absorb the excess oil.
You can keep them warm in a 250 degree oven,
on a cooling rack on a sheet pan until ready to serve.
Serve warm.
Mom used to serve them with some applesauce, 
but they are good as is,
or with gravy, or ketchup.
Enjoy!
Goals · organization · Resolutions · scrapbook · Stampin' Up

Office Area

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One part of my New Year’s goals was to reorganize my space in our office.  
It is coming along, but it still has a long way to go, 
but I wanted to show you something I have accomplished.
Plus it is an incentive for me to get busy and finish!  

Please excuse the glare from the lamp (bad photos).
I added this wonderful measuring tape from Stampin’ Up to my desk.
It’s official name is “Finial Ruler” from their Decor Elements.
It rocks!!
I applied both lines (the bottom one is used for matching – 
but David and I liked the way it looked) plus I think it adds depth.
I applied the 1 inch to the 36 inch sections, 
and added the adjoining images for some applique bling.
I love it.
I can use it for sewing (my goal is to pick up sewing again), 
and for scrapping and stamping.
YES!
If you need a consultant for your craftiness…
 call Julie – she rocks.
I will post pictures of the before (I still can’t believe that it got that bad), 
and some of the after pictures soon.
Love, 
and blessings,
Jerry Ann
Beef Brisket · Recipes

Anne Burrell’s Beef Brisket

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Saturday afternoon, David and I are sitting around (I was resting from the week) watching the Food Network.  I could watch this channel12 hours a day.  Anne Burrell’s show came on, and we watched her make this incredible looking brisket.

Well, I didn’t have to convince David to go to the store to purchase the ingredients.  He got home, and we got busy.

You can find Anne’s recipe here:

Anne Burrell Braised Beef Brisket

We did our best, but substituted some of the ingredients.

David got the only brisket he could find.
We seared both sides of it.
Added the 2 onions chopped, 4 ribs of celery chopped, and 4 slices of bacon chunked.
Then added 4 cloves of garlic, minced, and the mushrooms.  
We used white button, and baby portabellas sliced.
Stir, and let cook about 5 minutes longer.
Then add the chicken stock (I used the entire box), and balsamic vinegar (1 cup).
We didn’t have enough of the balsamic so I had about a cup and a half of red wine.
Placed the brisket back into the pan, in the middle of the sauce.
Added 4 bay leaves, and salt and pepper.
Then cover with foil, and cook for a hour at 375 degrees.
Turn the brisket over after 1 hour.
Cook for an additional 1 and 1/2 hours.
Once it is done, take the brisket from the pan, and let rest for 15 minutes covered.
Reduce the sauce by half (we really should have let it reduce more, but this turned out nicely).
Serve with potatoes, rice, or noodles.
We served with rice, and a nice apple salad.
It was really good (if I do say so myself —David loved it). 
Enjoy!
Memory Verse

Memory Verse #4

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Oh, I know I am so behind.  It has been a difficult couple of weeks.  I have a ton of pictures to post, and just haven’t had the “get up and do it” energy that I so need.  Too many things to do, and not near enough time to do them in.

And, so this verse sings to me this week.

“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”  Matthew 11:28, NIV

The comfort I receive with this verse is just amazing. 

Blessings,
Jerry Ann

anniversary · Mom · Mother

Anniversary

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Today marks the fifth anniversary of my Mother’s passing.  In so many ways, it seems like forever ago.

I sit here and think about all of the things she could help with, or be here for, and end up making myself more upset than normal.  Stephen registered for his high school classes last night.  Carmen has her Senior Cotillion in March, then graduating high school in May. Reconnecting with family in Texas.  Big stuff.  And then there are the things that she cooked or how she would do something.

Having lost her so early (she was 69 – me 39)–hurts, today especially.  I would really love to hug her one more time, or have her play with my hair again.  Yell at me or the kids for silly things.  Even with it being difficult when I was young, she was a remarkable woman.  I can say that now.  I didn’t appreciate all that she did when she was here.  Regret.  Especially with things that she did and never spoke about.  Things that I had no idea about.

Death is hardest on those it leaves behind.

She believed in a Savior that gives us eternal life.  I believe in a Savior that gives me eternal life.  I know where she is, and that she is no longer suffering.  There are days that I just miss her.  Today I miss her.