by Robin on November 11, 2009
I’m doing a tiny Christmas give-away this week…at the end of this post I’ll tell you about it!
Sometimes I feel like a huge failure. Can you relate at all? It can be over small things, like what I ate for lunch. Or big things like what I’ve accomplished in my life. Either way the feeling is much the same…terrible, horrible, no good and very bad.
I heard a very successful retired pastor talk about failure once. Now, he was a pastor of one of the largest Baptist churches in the nation. He had written books and been all over the world speaking to churches and leadership groups. But he said that in the past, he often dealt with feeling like a failure. God set him free from this however. “HOW?” I asked him.
“When I realized that I wasn’t responsible for being Billy Graham.” He said rather seriously.
“I’m only responsible for using the talents God’s given me. Doing the best I can for Him is all I’m held accountable for.”
Hummm, so comparing myself with someone else can lead me into that “failure mentality”? Thoughts like: “I should be more like (whoever)”, or ” I ought to do things like.(whoever)”. Those are the types of thoughts that start me down the path of feeling like a failure.
“I’m only responsible for using the gifts God gave me. And I don’t have to measure up to anyone else”, are the thoughts that get me back on the solid ground of God’s purpose for me.
Today, in the spirit of the season, I’m thanking God for whatever gifts He’s given me and asking Him to help me use them for His glory.
How ’bout you? have you ever been trapped into failure by comparing yourself with someone else? How do you combat those thoughts?
I’m doing a little give-away this week! I want to send someone a copy of Richard Paul Evan’s new book: The Christmas List. Just leave me a comment on this post for a change to win. I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner and announce it on Monday of next week! Leave a comment every day this week for a better chance to win!
by Robin on November 10, 2009
Hang with me till the end of the post for info on my give away!
I’m changing the colors in my dinning room Christmas decorating this year. I know I’ve told you this before but I’m over the moon in love with All Things Teal!
In years past, I decorated with brilliant red and I liked it a lot but I’m moving into tranquil hues of teal, adding a splash of icy accent and some pink for that room this Christmas. 
Soooo, I’ve been looking for new stuff…cheap. I have several clear hurricanes that bore me beyond words. I saw this idea in this little jewel of a book…Creating Your Perfect Christmas…(as if!)
You need these things: *your glass, *stencil adhesive spray, *a piece of lace (really cheap if you buy just a little bitty bit!)*SPRAY PAINT! My all time favorite DIY tool, I used Satin Nickel, *And although you don’t need it, I picked up some Martha Stewart super fine glitter to sprinkle on the finished product!
Spray your glass with the Stencil Adhesive and lay the lace on carefully patting it into place.(Mine didn’t lay perfectly flat…see the gaps? That’s okay!)
Spray paint the darn thing.
Carefully lift the lace off and while it’s still wet with the paint, get your glitter on! Sprinkle till your tiny heart’s content!
I did three and they will not look this boring on my Holiday table, I can promise you that…But they have an icy effect don’t they? Just what I was going for!
And while I was at it….I spray painted and glittered my 3 glass candle holders! If I have a can of spray paint … nothing is safe!
I’m linking to some of my favorite places in blog-land :
It’s Get Your Craft On Tuesday with : Today’s Creative Blog! Creative types from all over blog-land link up to give you the best ideas!
Also, over at Kimba’s blog, A Soft Place To Land it’s DIY Tuesday! Everyone loves inspiration to Do It Yourself !
Check out Second Time Around Tuesday Blog-Party!
Also, Trash To Treasure Tuesday! Such great ideas all over blog-land today!
And Now For The Give Away!
I just read Richard Paul Evan’s new book: The Christmas List. You know Richard P., he’s the one who wrote the best sellar: The Christmas Box!? Anyhoo, this book is all about a man who gets the chance to examine the legacy he’s leaving before it’s too late, and you know how much I love the idea of intentionally living my legacy!?
In the spirit of Dickin’s, A Christmas Carol, this story is one of a life changed. And it’s all set with a backdrop of Christmas time! I want to send it out to one of you to jump start your holiday! Just leave a comment this week, and I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner Friday at midnight…okay, I’ll be sound asleep Friday at midnight, but Saturday morning at 5:00 I’ll get a winner!!!! Leave a comment every day for a better chance to win!
Love to each one of you and prayers as we live our legacy~one day at a time…
by Robin on November 9, 2009
Hang with me until the end of this post for a little give-away!
If you visit me here in this little corner of the blog-world, you know how much I adore Marshmallow Cream, or as The Husband calls it…Crack Cream.(Because it’s addictive …like crack)
Anyhoo, I thought I might start a little something fun during the holidays…Marshmallow Monday’s!
Doesn’t that sound … yumalicious, for lack of a better word.
I’m starting really slow today. This recipe is from Southern Living and has only 3 tiny marshmallows per cookie. We’re taking baby steps. I don’t want to scare anyone off.
These are Mississippi Mud Cookies…and WOW! They are just scrumptious. A thin crispy layer and an almost fuggy inside…and th
en there’s the toasted marshmallows on top! Good grief. Ya, may want to save this recipe for Christmas Eve cookies for Santa.
They are an “Editors Choice” in my Southern Living Cookbook, which means I’m not the only one singing their praises. And, Hallelujah! I AM singing their praises!
Mississippi Mud Cookies
* 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
* 1/2 cup butter, soft
* 1 cup sugar
* 2 large eggs
* 1 teaspoon vanilla
* 1 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
* 1 teaspoon baking powder
* 1/2 teaspoon salt
* 1 cup chopped pecans
* 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
* 3 mini marshmallows per cookie!
Microwave semisweet chips until smooth, stirring every 30 seconds (app. 1 minute)
Beat butter and sugar until creamy; add eggs beating after each one until blended. Beat in melted chocolate and vanilla.
Combine flour, baking powder, and salt; gradually add to chocolate mixture, beating until well blended. Stir in chopped pecans and milk chocolate chips.
Drop by heaping tablespoonfuls onto parchment paper lined baking sheets. Press 3 marshmallows into each portion of dough.
Bake at 350* for 10-12 minutes or until they are set. Remove to cool on rack. (app. 3 dozen)
You will love these cookies! Now to a tiny give away!
I just read Richard Paul Evan’s new book: The Christmas List. You know Richard P., he’s the one who wrote the best sellar: The Christmas Box!? Anyhoo, this book is all about a man who gets the chance to examine the legacy he’s leaving before it’s too late, and you know how much I love the idea of intentionally living my legacy!?
In the spirit of Dickin’s, A Christmas Carol, this story is one of a life changed. And it’s all set with a backdrop of Christmas time! I want to send it out to one of you to jump start your holiday! Just leave a comment this week, and I’ll use Random.org to choose a winner Friday at midnight…okay, I’ll be sound asleep Friday at midnight, but Saturday morning at 5:00 I’ll get a winner!!!! Leave a comment every day for a better chance to win! Love to each one of you and prayers as we live our legacy~one day at a time…
Today I’m linking to 3 GREAT foodie-blog-parties… Tasty Tuesday over at Balancing Beauty and Bedlam ~ Tempt my Tummy Tuesday over at Blessed with Grace ~ and lastly Tuesday at the Table at All The Small Stuff~ You’ll find links to a hundred recipes or more with these delightful blogs!
by Robin on November 6, 2009
I’ve helped out with a wedding and planned a funeral in the past few weeks. This has put me in a bit of a reflective mood. The wedding with two people just beginning to build their life together and the funeral with two people coming to the end of 65 years of life together. It’s no wonder my mind won’t stop.
The Husband and I have been together for 23 years. I was a fairly broken and bruised when we met and I remember with crystal clear clarity the moment I felt safe with him…
It was dusk in December when I looked at you and knew for certain that I was home.
My 3 babies played in front of the Christmas tree, multicolored lights twinkled in their eyes.
You were making dinner for us.
Spaghetti.
The red sauce was simmering.
The lighting was soft. You stirred the bubbling sauce.
Looking over at me, wooden spoon just leaving your lips, you smiled.
Just like that time stopped and my heart opened completely.
You were a safe place.
My life… which was simply me and my babies… became our life.
How can I ever thank you … for being safe? For letting me build a life with you? For being my home?
As I watch my Mom-in-law let go of her husband of a lifetime, I’m pierced by her pain and humbled by her privilege…
I’m linking this to Inspired Room’s: Beautiful Life posts.
Love and prayers to each one of you as we live our legacy … one day at a time…
