Feeling the love!

Wow!

Since sharing the fun news about The Inspired Window, my custom antique window shop, the tidal wave of encouraging words and affirmation have been rolling in. Thank you!

Nothing spurs my vision more than knowing others are excited with me. Already, 5 windows have sold, while a handful of others cheer Reserved, as clients ponder the perfect quote to add to their window pane. Yay!

Thank you for believing in The Inspired Window! Already, I've loved hearing the stories about why you chose a specific quote, and how your window will be displayed.

A bible verse reminding parents of God's promise will proudly watch over a little boy sleeping in his nursery.

Celebratory words will adorn a cabin's walls, that's rooms, no doubt, protect daily ministry.

What story will your window share?

I'm eager to be a part of it!

While my new website is in the creating stage {both blog and shop}, feel free to stop by the Facebook Shop:

http://www.facebook.com/TheInspiredWindow

And, thank you again! I'm feeling the love!

Celebrating America's Birthday!

As we all know, yesterday was America's Birthday, and what better way to celebrate than with patriotically appropriate food and family adventures!

Starting with Americana Breakfast:

Then soaking up a non-hurried, loungy morning of coffee-sipping and game-playing, where my youngest schooled me at Memory :)

A neighborhood bike-ride transported our family to the 'good ol' days' when block parties welcomed all neighbors, checkered tablecloths held heaps of homemade food, stars and stripes danced on lawns, flags furled, and door decorations cheered on the 4th of July!

It truly was the 'good ol' days', today!
 
Strangers smiled as we rode past. Young and old sat on their front lawns, icy drinks in hand, talking in comfortable conversation while kids played, their faces painted in colors of America.

Our hearts were full and thankful, grateful to celebrate America's birthday, all the nation adorned in red, white, and blue.
A Norman Rockwell moment, if there ever were one!

The day continued to expand, making room for backyard bbq's and families gathered around food ~ an off season Thanksgiving!

Naturally, I opted to bring a dessert, and thus, the Freedom Trifle was created, a patriotic take on my mom-in-laws Chocolate Trifle. The night before, Bryan helped me bake, whip, and sprinkle berries in our dimly-lit kitchen.

It was a hit, and will absolutely be my 4th of July standard!

Layers of homemade white cake, cream cheese vanilla pudding mixture, whipped creme, berries... a refreshing fruit meets sweet treat!

 

Yummmmmm!!

After dessert, a family photo...

Take 1

 

 Take 2...

 {that'll do}

Then, a photo opportunity to capture all the cute kiddos 

{what you are not seeing, are us crazy parents attempting to get even one child to look at the camera!}

Then, out to the front, where the driveway served as our stage for "sparkler" magic.

Happy Birthday America! 

Thank you for the freedom you give us, and your reminder to re-live Norman Rockwell moments with family, block parties, and Freedom Trifle.

Freedom Trifle Recipe

1 box White Cake Mix
1/2 cup of water
1 {3 oz.} package creme cheese
2 cups whipping creme, whipped
10-15 strawberries, cut in small pieces, washed and dried
1 small package of fresh blueberries, washed and dried
1 {3.9 oz.} package instant vanilla pudding mix
1 {14 oz.} can sweetened condensed milk

Prepare white cake mix according to box directions {in 9x13pan} and cool completely. Cut into 1 inch squares. In a large bowl, combine pudding mix, water and sweetened condensed milk. Mix until smooth, add softened creme cheese, then fold in 1 cup whipped creme until no streaks remain.

In a trifle bowl or glass serving dish, place half of the cake cubes, half of the pudding mixture, and half of the remaining whipped creme. Add a layer of strawberry pieces and blueberries. Repeat layers. Refrigerate for 8 hours before serving.

Happy 4th of July to your tastebuds!

Oh Happy Day!

Taking a Strengthsfinder pause to celebrate two very special occasions today.

First off, it's my Dad's birthday.

And my dad is simply THE BEST!

On a free day, you'll find him at the beach, possibly perusing an old car show, green ice tea in hand {unsweetened please}, and stopping to eat at El Ranchito or In-N-Out.

With my dad, what you see is what you get. He doesn't play games; he's a straight-shooter. His objectivity and discernment gift him in professional and personal settings.  His ear for piano-playing and passion for music have pleasantly rubbed off on my two boys, who, when with their Papa, request "Sweet Baby James" {aka James Taylor}.

The older I get, the more I desire to emulate my dad. I admire his calm demeanor, and steadfast faith. His loyalty to my mom and our family is unwavering. He's consistent. When I close my eyes, I play the Dad reel and see him chuckling, shoulders rising and falling, taking off his glasses to wipe away the laugh tears. Oh, his laugh!

And his wisdom. When he speaks, my inner ears perk forward to catch each word, even those unsaid. To this day, I can recount his take on the following topics...
on failures... don't look back, move forward.
on family roadtrips... we'll be there in 15 minutes!
on dessert... it has to have chocolate either in, or on it!
on people that are hard to love... just love them!
on life... love God, love your family, and do your best!

So it's no wonder, he used his noggin' and got married on his birthday, thus celebrating today's second celebration... my Mom and Dad's Anniversary!
41 years to be exact!

41 amazing years of  joy, commitment, serving God together, modeling love and friendship, and exercising compromise!
I'm amazed after all these years, how much they enjoy spending time together. Because they do it often. Like every day! Get up together, drive to work together, work at the same Middle School together, and encourage the same group of teachers together. Every Tuesday night their home is open to their Church Care Group, praying for others and soaking in life with old and new friends.

Beyond the fact that they are still married after all these years, the kicker for me, is how much they stinkin' love one another. After four decades, they've coursed through career changes and simultaneous jobs, miscarriages, and room additions. They've shared sorrows in burying one or both parents, while rejoicing at the birth of their grandsons and grand-daughter. Legacy-builders is what they are. And they do it with class!

Oh, Happy Day, Dad {Pops}! and Happy Anniversary to you and Mom! Today, I gift you with a Prayer of Blessing. A blessing is what you both are, and may these words ring in your hearts as a reminder:

Father, bless Mom and Dad today. Bring boundless episodes of shoulder-raising laughter. Renew in them a sense of their calling, both individually and as a team~ a calling not of doing, but of being. Whisper peace to their hearts regarding the concerns they don't voice, and surround them with people that are life-giving and encouraging. May you multiply their years ahead, and continue to open opportunities for them to share You with their neighbors. Remind them they are loved. They are valuable. They are priceless~ to us, and You. Bless them today Lord, and every day that follows.