Faith, Family and Friends: June 2015

Tuesday, June 30, 2015

Ten Tuesday Thoughts

1. Living in a busy neighborhood is NOT for me. The folks I Nannie for live in a town home community and the traffic, construction and random workers milling around keeps me on edge. I'll take my quiet street any time!

2. Vacation is in T minus 5 days. I. Am. So. Ready.

3. Hair cut and color is in 2 days. I. Am. Even. More. Ready

4. Leftover squash fritters are NOT yummy. Just a greasy, yucky, not so good part of my lunch.

5. The squash recipe I posted about yesterday was "ok" but I doubt I would make it again. The squash was on the mushy side and I think it needed more in the way of spices.

6. Tuesday is the day. The Easter eggs are coming down. What's that you say? It's almost July 4th. Indeed it is. Crazy how time flies when you're busy and haven't had houseguests in a while to motivate me to get it done! I have an unexpected day off from my Nannie job and it WILL get done!

7. Have you heard of the Sprinkles Cupcake ATM??? How have I not!?!? I read about them over with Lori at http://boutellefamily.blogspot.com/ and I had to research them....what a neat idea! Sadly there are no locations near me, but maybe one day!

8. Anyone else need a break from the Facebook, news, Twitter, etc. drama over gay marriage, confederate flags and whatever other political drama is going on. *sigh* Take a deep breath folks. Think before you type.

9. I want to download this book I heard about on Candace Bure's Instagram page - and there are a couple more by Darlene Schacht that look interesting as well. I'll report back what I think of them.

10. I just ordered this border set for my scrapbook to use on the pages introducing my flock of chickens and I can't wait to use it! How cute is this!?! If you're a scrapbooker and on Facebook, I started a page last year to make/sell/swap scrapbook borders and page decorations - if you search for Borders, Tags, Cards and More you'll find it (request to join and I'll add you!)

I hope you have a great day!

Stephanie

Monday, June 29, 2015

Monday Memos

It's Monday again - how in the world did it get here so fast? This weekend was a blur for me, I don't know about y'all, but shew! The countdown is on for vacation this Friday...sixteen days of sitting my fanny in my beach chair or on my campsite, and I am so ready.

We finally had rain Saturday...and a bit of a break from the crazy high temperatures of the last few weeks and I'm SO thankful for both. The ground was so hard and dry from no rain at all that it had a hard time soaking it all in and we had standing water everywhere! This is a peek out my back door at the rain, the garden and my chicken coop - and I was so excited to see the whole yard get a little wet! Speaking of garden - look at these lovelies that I finally got to pick in addition to 4 cucumbers - this girl is super happy!

The girls weren't crazy about the rain and spent a lot of time in the coop on Saturday, but they did manage to get a little dust bath pit dug out for themselves - this picture was taken at bedtime - Gracie Lou showed her booty and said NO to a picture and is turned around backwards...and the rest are probably thinking "mom, what the heck is that bright flash? Let us go to bed already!"

I was able to play groupie to my favorite bass player on Sunday when he was asked to help out a band in my hometown for the day. I got to hug a bunch of necks of folks I haven't seen in years and it was pretty awesome to see them. It's funny how years, age and just forgetful minds can make it seem like no time has passed at all. Many of them I went to church with growing up and due to a church split (which I don't wish on my worst enemy) I haven't spent much time with them in over 10 years. Their pastor spoke on several current events and the things that stuck with me after service was the analogy of laying down in front of those far from God, clinging to their knees and trying to share His love and mercy with them. We don't have to agree with everyone, but we are called to share the good news with those who haven't heard. Hell is real and our God is bigger. It's not too late because He hasn't come back yet! Be bold and courageous in YOUR community!

My meatless Monday meal includes this Pinterest find and you can check the recipe out here. I'll let you know how it turns out! I have been hankering a buttermilk pie, so I think that's on tap for this week as well...

Recipe: Baked Summer Squash — Recipes from The Kitchn

Monday's music includes some oldie goldie praise songs like "Mighty to Save" taken from Zephaniah 3:17 - we sang that at the church my husband played at Sunday and it's been stuck in my head since...and I still like it. Another rolling around in my head is Gungor's "Beautiful Things", I just love that one too! Here it is if you haven't heard it before...

Our worship team cracked the mold a bit yesterday and did this song - it's a David Crowder song, and a bit off our norm, but kinda cool... Enjoy!

Time for some Not Me thoughts for the week...

I certainly didn't make a trip to the only Walmart in town ON A SATURDAY to get a watermelon for my chickens, nope, Not me...that's insanity right there!

I didn't have my husband take me back to Target to buy the bathing suit top I didn't get on my last trip because it has a crochet decoration on the front that I love, though I am almost certain it won't wash well...but it's super cute and I really liked it...here it is in case you are a plus size gal like me and in the market for a bathing suit top - not that I would encourage impulse shopping or anthing, not me!

I certainly didn't upgrade my phone at the Verizon store Friday night and end up with a $700 phone, paying $30 a month on their new Edge plan - because NO sane person pays that much for a phone, do they, I think NOT! But I got the Galaxy Note 4, which will be outdated in October, but I sure do like it. But $700...sheesh?!?! I liken cell phone stores to used car lots....yuck!

That's all for today folks! Join me tomorrow for Ten Tuesday thoughts...Have a great day!

Stephanie

Friday, June 26, 2015

Confessional Friday

I have decided to link up with the fabulous Leslie from A Blonde Ambition this morning for some Friday confessions...I admit it - it's been a while since my last confessions )

I confess that I've spent more money than I'm willing to calculate on watermelon, blueberries and mealworms for my six precious chicken children recently...it's been SO hot here already and in the attempt to keep them cooled off - I've begun spoiling them SO much! Here's a sweet video of my girls enjoying a blueberry treat with their breakfast. Shelby Lynn is the one who hopped on my knee and decided she was ready for her closeup.

I confess that in the above video I am wearing and old romper of my mom's that I would not want anyone to wander up in the yard and see me in. Chicken farming is not clean business and I have to set aside clothes that I don't mind chicken poop on because every single time somebody jumps on my lap, shoulder or arm - they ALWAY have chicken poop on their feet. Always. I have also found that they like to peck at freckles, age spots and veins in my legs. So there's that.

I confess that we leave for the beach one week from today and I haven't even made a to - do list, much less started packing for it. Which means next week will be a frenzy of two days of my Nannie job, one day of shopping/picking up supplies and one day to pack - yeah, I'll need a vacation from that for sure!

I confess that I really want this bathing suit top from Target. I tried it on at a local store, but was too worried about the crocheted fringe looking wonky after basking in the sun for a while. But when I tried it on - it really is super cute! I also confess that I'll be close to the aforementioned Target tonight having supper with my inlaws and I may already be planning a driveby to try it on again.

I confess that this picture pretty much sums up my life lately - taking care of the garden and the chickens - and I couldn't be happier - the cucumbers, zucchini and squash are coming in and the chickens are getting ever so close to laying eggs and I can't wait!

I confess that I took a perfectly healthy squash and made these squash fritters for supper last night and they were delish! The recipe is super simple and other than the pain of frying during the heat of summer and stinking up the house - I would totally make them again. This recipe calls for 2 cups finely chopped squash, 1 cup finely chopped onion, 1 beaten egg, 1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp Bisquick and 1 tsp each salt and pepper (I also lightly salted them after frying) - Fry in medium high oil for a few minutes on both sides until golden brown. I used a cookie scoop to portion them and they ended up being kind of the size of fluffy squash hushpuppies. We loved them.

I confess that this video of Candace Cameron Bure (DJ Tanner from Full House if you don't recognize the name) that I saw via a friend's Facebook post - makes me happy. Not only because it's the way I think, feel and understand the Biblical idea of submission in a marriage should be, but also because she isn't afraid to speak truth even when it's unpopular. The word submission seems to bring the mental picture of a wife bowing down to her husband, being weak, controlled and without an opportunity to be herself. But that couldn't be further from the truth. God has called our men to lead in our homes, to be strong and courageous, bold and fearless. He also calls us, as wives, to stand beside them, encouraging our husbands, LETTING them lead. Yes, I can make decisions for myself, I am a smart, strong, independent woman. I CHOOSE to let RC lead. He is called to do it. He doesn't always get it right, but I love him and encourage him anyway. Our marriage is a blessing and I know that my submission is part of that and I don't apologize for it or try and explain it to someone who opposes it. It's your decision how to live your life and this is how I choose to live mine.

I hope that all of you who passed by here today will have a wonderful weekend!

Stephanie

Thursday, June 25, 2015

Thinking Out Loud Thursday

For today's Thinking Out Thursday post with Vanessa and Penny, I teamed up with my sister on her blog Much Ado About Jenny for a fun series of questions about me! Head on over there and check it out! I hope you enjoy it!

Stephanie

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Random Wednesday

I didn't prepare a post for today, because I've been crazy busy this week and working on a link up post for Thursday with my sister over at Much Ado About Jenny - be sure to stop by tomorrow to check it out! My chickens have been devouring watermelon and blueberries in an attempt to help keep them cooled off during this ridiculously hot weather we have been having. My husband has been asking "can" he have some of their watermelon every time I cut one up - and of course, he can - it is people food for heaven's sake! This picture makes me laugh because it reminds me of an container that my momma wrote "do not eat from this container" on the top of because my dad would eat cantaloupe right out of it and it drove her crazy. Just a happy random memory that made me smile! See y'all tomorrow!

Tuesday, June 23, 2015

Ten Tuesday Thoughts

I found this paper in some of my dad's stuff last week and I love the little bio it had on him - its from 1976. Love that smile :)
I have recently started watching The Americans on Amazon Prime - it's been on for three seasons already, but as a Felicity fan, I love seeing Keri Russell. I like it so far, but I think there's a unnecessary amount of nudity, sex scenes and the like. Maybe it's my age/morals/personal preference, but I just think the storyline would be interesting without all of that.
My beach vacation is coming up in two weeks, and I haven't even started a to-do list, and that is SO unlike me. I must fix this. Pronto.
The kids I am watching this summer a couple days a week watch the craziest shows on Cartoon Network. One is the Amazing World of Gumball - which is just weird and the other I can't remember the name of the other one, but I miss old school cartoons. One episode on Monday referenced the "We are the World" fundraiser for Africa - completely made over for their plea for a new video game...ummm - are the kids today even aware that there was such a thing and at the time it was pretty serious? I don't get it?!?! Just sayin'
This cute little fella belongs to the family that I Nannie for - he is in the throes of potty training, and boy do I NOT miss those days with my own dogs - accidents here, accidents there, accidents everywhere!
If you read my post yesterday, you saw the recipe I linked to for the squash and zucchini bake - I made it Monday night and it was delish! I used Colby jack cheese because that's what I had, but we really liked it!
This is probably the worst picture I've ever posted willingly, but even with that said, it makes my heart happy - this sweet girl is my easter egger hen named Shelby Lynn and she loves for me to hold her in the evenings before bedtime...she will fuss at me if I'm not sitting down and then hop up on my lap and lay her head on my arm or in the crook of my elbow for me to stroke her back...makes me a happy chicken mama!
I had the chance yesterday to bring out an oldie but goodie Nannie toy. This is one of the models still sold, but if you find them anywhere and in condition, it's worth the money...they fold down to minimize space and all ages of kids enjoy them. The littlest guy in my charge asked me to bring this one today - and I'm happy to oblige! I love timeless toys that I have gotten way more than my money's worth out of over the years. I recently saw this model of the house, I would have LOVED to have had the appliances - how neat would that be?

Monday, June 22, 2015

Monday Memos

Happy Monday to you! I am typing this on Monday morning if that gives you any indication of how crazy my weekend was! We celebrated Father's Day on Friday with my father in law at a local favorite because it worked out better for the rest of the family's schedule this week. Here's my precious RC with his mom and dad. My inlaws can be a colorful bunch, but I am thankful that my husband has a great relationship with his parents and that they are still with us, they are a blessing to all of us.

My brother in law gave my father in law these goggle/magnifying glasses for Father's Day, we laughed so hard at him trying them on! They are called Zoomies and he loved them! And as you can see by his shirt - he sure does love his glasses :)

My daddy has been gone since 1996, but I think of him often and really wish I could have spent the day celebrating him as well, but that's just not the plan God had for our family. Here's a picture of my parents, one of the last of them together, with my godparents, and another of my daddy being silly while my mom looks off from the camera, which was often the case when her picture was being made. I miss them both terribly and took a sabbatical from social media on Mother's and Father's Days, not because I don't want to see others post about their parents, but just as a little bit of self preservation - it's just hard.

Saturday, we celebrated my sweet daycare child Lane and her high school graduation with a cookout to honor her. I made her a scrapbook of her years at my house for her gift - what sweet memories came with each picture that I adhered in her book - gosh, they grow up fast!!!

On to Sunday and celebrating my dearest friend's not so little, little girl, Samantha, who turned 10 with a Maleficent themed movie night with pizza, snacks and of course yummy cake and ice cream! My friend Julie, Samantha's aunt, made the super cute cake and it was DELISH! How adorable are the popcorn cupcakes! They had a little popcorn popper and candy for movie time - so fun!

We are not having a meatless Monday meal today, however, I have some squash and zucchini to use up, so I'm going to make this...it looks delicious! I have a bag of Colby jack shredded cheese, so I'll be using that - can't wait to see how it turns out!

I don't have any new music this week - I'm still hanging onto last week's finds - so if you'd like to see those again (or for the first time) you can find them here

Last, but not least a couple of Not Me Mondays for ya:

I have neglected my master bedroom so bad for a couple of weeks, not hanging my clothes up, shoes everywhere, just being busy and lazy....I certainly did not take a few pictures before cleaning it up yesterday so I could blog about it, nope, not me! Good news is, my dresser was not dusty - because the dust couldn't get to it...LOL! And I finally put away my beach bag from Memorial Day - I mean who does that? Not me, of course!

I certainly haven't been stalking my garden every day, waiting for signs of anything actually growing, thinking - I am wasting all this water for nothing, but FINALLY I see a few things growing YAY! Who takes pictures of their vegetables, not me of course, no way!

I certainly haven't been picturing this meme in my mind for a couple of weeks since I have been so busy, so tired, so whiny, so fussy, etc...I have some big panties, I tell ya - and this has been true, even if I don't like it to be. I go on vacation in 2 weeks for 2 weeks, surely I'm not complaining about my spoiled first world life, no way, not me!

Have a great Monday y'all - it's a hot one here in the Carolinas - I'll be enjoying it from the A/C thank you very much!

Stephanie

Friday, June 19, 2015

Friday Favorites - SmallTownGirlDesign Edition

Good Morning Everyone! Happy Friday! I am linking up for Friday Favorites with Andrea, Erika and Narci again this week, so be sure to check out their favorites of the week too! I decided to share some of my favorite things to make, gift and sell!

I started my Etsy shop SmallTownGirlDesign officially last fall, but I've been making handmade items for as long as I can remember to give as gifts, sell at vendor fairs and every once in a while or make for a friend to pass on as a gift. I have my favorites that I love to make and thankfully they have been some of my best sellers! Lucky me!

I discovered bedspring creations via Pinterest and decided I can do that! I think they are funky, fun and a bit nostalgic, rustic and shabby chic"ish". I love to use toddler mattress because the spring size suits the projects I like to make. I had a few left over from my home daycare days and have picked up a few via Craigslist, local Facebook sales sites, and even from friends who are looking out for me when they see them. You strip 'em down, cutting the plastic, padding and coverings off and you are left with lots of springs to get crafty with! These creation range in price from $15 to $35 and are my favorites to make! Visit my shop to check them out!

Pallet signs are everywhere, and my husband has been gracious enough to keep me in supply of blank boards to create with. I use my Cricut diecutting machine to make the templates and then paint them based on the wishes of the purchaser. I am in love with the ones pictured here and they've been some of my favorites to make and popular items in my shop! All of these are $20.00 and I can customize any team or state desired!

Last but certainly not least are the creations that started it all - party supplies. I have made many items for my sister, close friends and customers alike for baby showers, birthday parties, personalized invitation sets, you name it, I've probably made it. Here are a few banners and cupcake pick sets I've made, and I have more paper and letter color and combinations than you can shake a stick at, so personalization is super easy!

These top 3 favorites are fun to make, great sellers and so flexible for gift giving or party throwing. To celebrate Friday Favorites I am offering 10% off any order placed before the end of June. Enter code FRIDAYFAVORITES. Head on over to SmallTownGirlDesign to use it! I would love to create something special just for you and your family, so if you have a special request, please don't hesitate to convo me on Etsy on email me at cmcstephaniecope@gmail.com.

Thanks for stopping by my blog today and I hope you have a fabulous weekend!

Until Monday,

Stephanie

Thursday, June 18, 2015

Thinking Out Loud Thursday

Is it REALLY Thursday again? This week has been super busy and the weekend is going to be as well! I am linking up again today with Penny and Vanessa - please be sure to check out who has linked up with us!

Today's post is a bit of a hodge podge, but that about sums up my week, so we're gonna roll with it.

My heart is a bit heavy this week due to a close friend suffering from some health and family issues, another couple whose daughter has made some questionable decisions that will likely lead to consequences she hasn't even thought about yet and a bit of a pity party for myself, which is likely fueled by PMS and stress, but nonetheless it's there. These things are in my daily prayers and something my husband said this week stuck with me...even as much as I love my friend, as much as the daughter's parents love her and even as much as I want to take a day and wallow in my overwhelmedness (yes, I just made that word up)....God loves us all more. More than the love of a friend, a parent, a husband, a wife. He just does. The relationship we have with Him "should" far exceed that to our spouse, our child, our friends...and even on the days we mix it up, He still loves us. God loved US enough that He gave up His child as a sacrifice. That brings tears to my eyes just typing it. That's a big kind of love. Romans 5:8 addresses this a bit - we don't deserve it, we didn't earn it, we spend a good bit of our lives acting as if it isn't true, but even in our biggest, weakest, darkest place, He loves us more than we even can fathom. We can trust God to take care of the people in our lives. Our obedience in taking it to Him in prayer is our responsibility. Not fixing the situation, rescuing those who need to bear consequences or even huddling in a corner trying to hide from life.

On a lighter note...It's a fact that I live in a rural SC town with a yard backing up to a cow pasture on a street that is mostly wooded in a area surrounded by untouched land. It's to be expected that we have critters among us. In my time here in town, IN my yard, I've seen cows (yes, cows) deer, rabbits, squirrels, hawks, possums, dogs, frogs, lizards wolf spiders, palmetto bugs (which is "sweet Southern" way of renaming a cockroach - some that might able to be ridden on a saddle (thankfully that's an exaggeration, but still) a large male peacock (yep, you read that right) and multiple snakes that I can recall, though there are probably more. Well this week's snake watch is alarming. My husband killed this copperhead at the beginning of the week, as you can see, it lost it's head in the ordeal, but with 2 dogs (sometimes 4 if I am watching my sister's dogs) and 6 chickens - we just can't have poisonous snakes running around. Fast forward to Thursday morning, my husband goes out to take the trash out and I see him go grab the shovel and think, oh crap, what now? So I ask and he calmly replies "a snake skin" - I look out the side door a little further and see this - SERIOUSLY?!?!?! That skin stretches across the whole hood of my Suburban and when I held it up was taller than me (I'm 5'5"). I don't care if it's a non-poisonous snake (I don't know what kind and seriously don't care) - that's a big dang snake....ACK!

I am soooooo over the whole green acres everyone living happily in harmony...and I need to know where the snake that shed this skin is living at in my yard! I know these animals live all over the place, even in cities, but I swear this year they are all in my yard!!! However, if I didn't live where I do, I wouldn't have the green garden, the chicken coop and be able to go outside looking like this in my gardening/chicken farming boots covered in polka dotted duct tape because of the cracks - so I guess there has to be a balance, right...because THIS picture does make me happy!