Verse of the day...

~ “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” ~ Isaiah 41:10



Friday, January 31, 2014

Freebie Friday.......



ONE HOUR CINNAMON ROLLS

This recipe will yield 24 regular size rolls or around 12 HUGE rolls. I like mine huge, lol! Cut recipe in half for l...ess.

~3 1/2 cups of warm water
~3/4 sugar
~1/2 cup of oil (vegetable is fine)
~6 tablespoons of quick rise yeast
~1 tablespoon of salt
~3 eggs
~10 1/2 cups of all-purpose flour (yes, that's right, lol)

CINNAMON SUGAR
~1 cup of sugar
~1 Tablespoon of cinnamon

FROSTING
~1/2 cup of butter
~2 dashes of salt
~2 teaspoons of vanilla extract
~6 cups of powdered sugar
~milk (as needed)
**An additional 1/2 cup of butter is needed (separated in half for each half of dough) for spreading on dough with cinnamon sugar.
**Make a double batch of frosting if you like a lot of it.

1.) Mix first 4 ingredients together (water, sugar, oil, yeast) and let sit for 15 minutes.

2.) Then add the salt, eggs and flour. Mix together for 10 minutes, then let sit for 10 minutes.

3.) Oil counter or cutting board and dump out dough. Divide dough in half.

4.) Roll out one half into rectangle. Spread with 1/4 cup melted butter and then half of cinnamon sugar mixture.

5.) Roll up tight, but not too tight.

6.) Divide into 12 rolls and place on greased cookie sheet. Let rise on cookie sheet for 10 minutes. Cut dough in half, cut halves in half, etc.

7.) Repeat with other half of dough.

8.) Bake for 12-15 minutes at 400 degrees.

Enjoy!

Wednesday, January 29, 2014

Happy Birthday.....

.....to my dear sweet friend Vicki!
She is a Bronco's fan... can you tell by the things I bought and made for her...LOL

Homemade cookies on a Bronco plate.
Bronco Duct Tape
Ruffle scarf and Infinity scarf in Bronco colors!



hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Tuesday, January 28, 2014

Today I'm Thankful for,.....

.:: Coffee!!!
.:: my mom giving up her mechanic appointment so I could have it for an emergency fix on my Jeep!
.:: our mechanic being the best ever in the world! Thank you for fixing my Jeep! ( Blaha Service in Bellevue)
.:: spending the day with my mom!
.:: my space heater!
.:: more coffee!
.:: filling my Jeep for $2.85 a gallon!
.:: strawberry yogurt!...
.:: getting 3 miles in today!
.:: the car wash at our new Hy Vee!
.:: and more coffee!
.:: yarn!
.:: the neighboring school Weeping Water putting on a Memorial Pink Out game tonight at the girls basketball game!
.:: Gods word.......
So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace. For the sinful nature is always hostile to God. It never did obey God’s laws, and it never will. That’s why those who are still under the control of their sinful nature can never please God. (Romans 8:6-8)

God loves you all and so do I!


hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Monday, January 27, 2014

Offer sacrifices to the Lord and trust....

~*~“Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD.” Psalm 4:5
~*~Have you ever wanted something so badly your heart ached with each thought of it? It seems like life would be so much better if you had that one thing.
~*~There would be more happiness.
~*~More contentment.
~*~More fulfillment.
~*~More satisfaction.
~*~More peace.
~*~You can envision yourself with this thing, this person,... this opportunity. And all things are better. So, why doesn’t God give you this longing of your heart? This longing of my heart?
~*~Could it be because He wants us to willingly let it go?
Ouch.
~*~That’s not the answer I want. Why would God let the aching desire linger and not make things happen? He could. He’s certainly able. But when He doesn’t, it seems unfair. Not good. Confusing.
~*~It’s easy to get down when we’re constantly let down. We hope this thing will happen … we’ll meet this right person … we’ll get this job … we’ll finally be healed … we’ll get that chance … we’ll see that family member turn his or her life around. Time and again it doesn’t happen. That’s when it’s easy to slip.
~*~That’s where trust steps in and reminds us we can’t ever learn how to live real faith if we never need real faith.
~*~As an offering of trust, we must give up that which could so easily bring us down.
~*~Not give up as in discouraged surrender. But give up as in placing this desire in the hand of God and saying, “Either way, I will see Your answer as the good answer and walk in trust.”
~*~Psalm 4:5 tells us: “Offer sacrifices in the right spirit, and trust the LORD.”
~*~Lord, I sacrifice chasing this so I might more fully and with more focus chase You. I release this grip of desire. I praise You for who You are, what only You can bring, and how You will fill whatever gap this release might leave.
~*~Yes, I still struggle with unmet desires.
~*~But not as much today as I did yesterday.
~*~And that is good. Not easy. But good.
Dear Lord, I want to offer You sacrifices with a willing heart. Cultivate in me an attitude of obedience as I choose to trust Your plans above my desires. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.


hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Friday, January 24, 2014

Continue to be Thankful for..........

> the most awesome red sky this morning as the sun came up! Nebraska sunrise.... country livin'.... yep... Good life!
> my Keurig! Fresh cup every time! Fast!
> my glasses! Helps my eyes not have to work so hard on headache days like this!
> texting! NOT while driving! Helps this mommy feel better when her babies let her know they made it to their destination!
> my ice... machine! Sure is nicer than filling trays! Thank you Jessica!
> a fresh cup of coffee!
> my new printer! We can print from our phones and iPads now too!
> getting my dear friend Vicki's birthday presents done! Oops..wait..I have one more thing to make!
> spending the day with my mom again today! It's nice having stress free days with her!
> a fresh cup of French vanilla coffee!
> getting another 2 miles in today!
> a cup of peach yogurt! That was yummy!
> Gods love!!! Wow!!!
My dear children, I am writing this to you so that you will not sin. But if anyone does sin, we have an advocate who pleads our case before the Father. He is Jesus Christ, the one who is truly righteous. He himself is the sacrifice that atones for our sins—and not only our sins but the sins of all the world. (1 John 2:1, 2)

Love you all!!! Have a fantastic weekend!!!
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Wednesday, January 22, 2014

~ So Thankful for......

.:: coffee!!!
.:: propane in our tank!!!
.:: a day with my mom!
.:: finding the perfect things to make for my dear... sweet... awesome friend Vicki for her birthday! Love you honey!
.:: my Keurig!
.:: getting lots more crocheting done!
.:: finding better stitch holders for this knitted scarf I'm making my other dear sweet friend Jean.
.:: coffee!!!...
.:: two of Patricks "hunting buddies" staying for dinner tonight! It's always fun to listen to them talk and have fun!
.:: yogurt! Head hurts so bad my tummy is upset! Yogurt helped a bit!
.:: hand lotion and chap stick! These windy days are doing a number on my skin!
.:: Gods word! It's the truth! Whether we like it or not!!
~Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Live a life filled with love, following the example of Christ. He loved us and offered himself as a sacrifice for us, a pleasing aroma to God. Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. (Ephesians 5:1-4)~
.:: prayer!!!

Hugs... Love... & Blessings!
 
.::Tam::.

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

~*~ Thankful for ......


- coffee!
- extra strength excedrin migraine
- pretty decent weather today
- washer playing nice today so I can get laundry done!
- steaks for dinner!
- coffee!
- getting a lot of crocheting done today!
- my boys helping with some chores!...
- Patricks girl buying milk for us today on her way over so the boys wouldn't "DIE"
- the boys server running well today and having some kids playing on it!
- coffee!
- being toasty warm in my sitting room today while I crocheted!
- having my iPad read my Bible to me today so I didn't have to strain my eyes with this headache!
- today's Bible verse......
“Love your enemies! Do good to them. Lend to them without expecting to be repaid. Then your reward from heaven will be very great, and you will truly be acting as children of the Most High, for he is kind to those who are unthankful and wicked. You must be compassionate, just as your Father is compassionate. (Luke 6:35, 36)

Love you all!!!
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Monday, January 20, 2014

Show & Share.....

Just a few things I have been working on lately!   Always busy making something for someone.

 This is the second Comfort'ghan I was making for one of the families who lost their daughter before Christmas in a car accident.

This is just a simple dishcloth set.. was in the mood to play with some cotton yarn.


This an iPad tote I made for myself.  I really like it!

And this is just silly.. but works quite well... I put a dark brown ball of yarn I had wound on my winder in a coffee cup and my hooks stand right up in the yarn so nicely.

hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Sunday, January 19, 2014

My busy boys.........

My boys have been working really hard to set up their own on line gaming server. They finally have it ready for the public to play on.
If you or someone you know is into Minecraft.... Please check out their
FB page (The Uprising - Minecraft server)...
Their server ip is (mc.theuprising-craft.com ).
and their website is (www.theuprising-craft.enjin.com )
Thanks so much!


hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Friday, January 17, 2014

~Thankful for...........


- my Keurig!
- another day with my mom!
- an awesome show of support last night for the girls with the *Pink Out* game!
- David Friedli....enough said!
- visiting with my dear sweet friends last night! Miss you Vicki! You look great Ruth..so proud of you!
- 2 miles in yesterday! Aiming for another 2 today!
- coffee!
- getting crochet projects done!...
- being able to hold on to memories of the ones I miss so much!
- Not tipping over in the wind yesterday while driving!
- another cup of coffee!
- my neighbor Jeff for all the love...support and hard work he does for and with our community!
- my beautiful children! (Melvin... Christopher... Jamie... Patrick... Michael... & David) Mommy loves you all so so so much!
- God loving me like He does!!!
**We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. (1 John 4:16, 17)

-hugs...love...& blessings
 
.::Tam::.

Thursday, January 16, 2014

Amazing kids.....


Showing their love and support for the two girls our school / community lost right before Christmas in a car accident.  Our Love and Prayers go out to the families!!!

Jr Class ....

Sr Class.....
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

~Thankful for........



.:: Coffee!!!
.:: my mom!!!
.:: exercising and eating smart today!
.:: my ice maker!
.:: my sweet family!
.:: awesome friends!
.:: living in a great community!
.:: coffee!...
.:: my yarn supply
.:: low calorie snacks
.:: subway sandwiches!
.:: white out
.:: great weather
.:: God's word.....
If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? (1 John 4:20)

.:: love you all!
 
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Monday, January 13, 2014

Belated Christmas at Grandmas.....

I love my family!!!

hmmmm?

David and Samantha...

Michae and Samantha.....

Michael showing his nephews and niece something cool on his iPad.....

umm.....I'm not sure where to even go with this one..... hahahaaaa  Patrick and Christopher are nerds

5 of my 6 babies........

awww....they love their sissy.......

Crazy Cousins................

4 Generations...............

hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Sunday, January 12, 2014

Your Life has a Purpose.... always

.....Read this this morning....
A 93 year old man was asked the secret to aging ...well he said this, "Don't worry about it. It only happens one day at a time."
His words echoed in my mind and heart. And I realized there are two kinds of people: Those who see life as a process of getting "over the hill" and then going into a decline.
Then the second, like this man, se...e life as a continual climb with heaven at the pinnacle.
"Blessed are those whose strength is in You, whose hearts are set on pilgrimage...They go from strength to strength, till each appears before God in Zion." (Ps 84:5-7)

If you belong to Jesus, you are never over the hill. You are created to go from strength to strength. And, yes, your body will weaken and ultimately fail. But the core of who you are does not have to. "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by
day" (2 Cor 4:16).
 
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Saturday, January 11, 2014

** Happy Birthday **

Happy Birthday to my sweet Michael!!
I can't believe you are 15 years old today! Where did the time go? One minute you were my little glow bug...the next...you're learning to drive! . *sigh
Mommy loves you Michael! Happy Birthday baby!
Birthday Brownies I made for my guy!

Out to dinner for his birthday......... Granite City

Oh how fun!!!   Michaels birthday cookie after dinner!


·                    ♫♪[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you,
         ♫♪ [̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you,
          [̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* God Bless You
         ♫♪[̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅P̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅] [̲̅̅B̲̅][̲̅̅I̲̅][̲̅̅R̲̅][̲̅̅T̲̅][̲̅̅H̲̅][̲̅̅D̲̅][̲̅̅A̲̅][̲̅̅Y̲̅]♫♪♪♫•* to you
 
        Mommy Loves you! 

Friday, January 10, 2014

Show & Share ....

Bright Infinity Scarf..........
I love this pattern!!!

hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Wednesday, January 8, 2014

~Thankful for ......

} coffee!
} my warm house....thank you Sheri for getting fuel to our place!
} my sweet Megan for taking care of our animals while we were gone! Love you!
} coffee!
} my yarn!
} friends!!!
} family!!
} my keurig that makes coffee! ...
} God! Who loves me despite my flaws and mistakes!
} being able to see my Uncle on our way home from Christmas break!
} my boys being so thoughtful when I have a raging headache!
} selling more of my crochet items!
} coffee!
} a New Year. My resolution being..... Mind my own business!

Hugs ... Love ... & Blessings!
 
.::Tam::.

Monday, January 6, 2014

** Home safe and sound.......

~Whew......What a trip!
We had a lovely drive to Florida...a beautiful house to spend our vacation in! Lots of swimming in our pool...and relaxing in the warm weather that was very much needed!
Drive home was pretty sad!
But...... I'm still very thankful for....
- the time I spent with my Uncle Lou hugging and kissing on him!
- the time spent with my cousin and her family! Man how I miss t...hem!
- safe travels to and from Florida!
- crochet projects!
- my new Keurig
- towing a trailer with all our stuff so we had plenty of room!
- God being exactly who He says He is!!

Hugs.... Love.... & Blessings!
 
.::Tam::.

Sunday, January 5, 2014

Praying ... Praying....

......Praying for my Uncle! I love you Uncle Lou!!
Please Lord....let him sleep well tonight! Let him get some very much needed rest! Father God... Please put your healing hands on my Uncle! I love him so much!!
In Jesus name ~ Amen
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Saturday, January 4, 2014

Staying busy......

.....on the car ride home from our Christmas Vacaion!

hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Thursday, January 2, 2014

~Good Afternoon all.........

Hope you're having a fabulous New Year so far!
Tonight will be our last night here in Florida ....we will be heading home tomorrow afternoon! As wonderful as it has been to be here ... I'm ready to go home - even if it is cold there
I'm busy finishing up this Comfort'ghan right now ... But when I get home I need to play in some cotton yarn... My mom has an "order" in fo...r some new dishcloths.....hehee
I'm so thankful for.....
> this peaceful trip! It has given me the time I needed to make decisions and plans!
> Michaels levels showing 'normal' today! Need two more days of that and he's back on track to remission!
> my new Keurig!
> a basket full of yarn!
> fun new foods!
> my Uncle hanging in there! You better fight Uncle Lou ... We're stopping in to see you on our way home....I need to see your smile!
> all of the love and prayers that come our way from all my beautiful family and friends!
> Nebraska winning the 'Bowl Game' yesterday. (Sorry Sean.... But that gave me a great day of memories about my daddy!)

Well.....off to get a fresh cup of coffee and crochet
 
hugs... love... & blessings...
.::Tam::.

Wednesday, January 1, 2014