Elle Belle Designs

UPDATE: Jenny sent a note asking me to add that anyone placing an order from her Etsy Shop OR Elle Belle Designs website AND you mention that you saw this post on my blog, she will give you 10% off of your total order!  I don't know about you, but I just love getting something for less than full price! Click on over to one or both and see what you can get for your little one or a gift to give!
Our daughter, Jenny, has begun a home based business. Elle Belle Designs came about when Miss Elle was born and Jenny discovered the joys of sewing for little girls and the items that go along with little ones in general. Bibs, purses for mothers, burp pads, and of course little jumpers, and cute outfits.
This one piece was for Elle's first birthday,
ties at the shoulder and can be worn with a tee.
Visit Elle Belle's Designs. Click over to her blog!
I know she'd love have you as a follower!
This way, you'll find out when something new is posted!
Jenny also has an Etsy shop and is slowly getting items in.
Here lately, she's been taking custom orders so be patient.
Or get in touch with her, the email address is listed. And until then
have a wondrous, safe week. Four more to Christmas!

Yummy Stuff!

Scoot on over to Kevin and Amanda's page to find an easy recipe for this yummy chocolate dessert! I plan to make it for our celebration at Christmas and have some homemade tastin' vanilla ice cream on hand for those of us that love chocolate and ice cream together! Is this not to delish looking?!

The Church Across the Street


I've been listening to this song lately and it rips at my heart and soul each time. Sung by Timothy Mark, this is not a video by his company.  It is one that used his song and photos to illustrate the lyrics. Thinking back to a congregation we worshiped with downtown, I felt guilty knowing I never visited anyone in the homes on that block nor the apartments we parked behind.  Never. Not once did I try to share His word or invite them to come worship with us. I intend not to be that way anymore. Our time on this earth is brief, too brief. I can reach out to the woman in the line with me and I can stop long enough to the one stocking the shelves. Seeing weary eyes can give me the opening to stop and talk and minister to an overworked and tired soul.  Slumping shoulders gives me the opportunity to do what I can to make sure they go off a bit more straightened and the head held higher. I have neighbors I can visit and invite to worship.

It doesn't have to be about abortion, it is about paying attention to those around you, the ones you meet, the ones you pass, the ones you can help. This song has made a difference in my heart and I pray it touches yours.

34 “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ 40 “The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’

and one of my favorites ~

Hebrews 13:2 "Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels unaware."

And if you didn't understand the message in the first one, you should with this one.

Today is Your Day, Noah!

Today is your day, sweet Noah,
and what joys you have brought to our family.
You are silly, curious, always hungry,
and you adore your family.
In no rhyme or reason (and only because it's too
hard to arrange pics anymore on Blogger!)
here's some favorites of you of mine.
(PS-I've saved the silly ones, the goofy ones
for your rehearsal dinner one day)
Just some FYI ~ we celebrated your birthday
here yesterday after worship! You love Moe's.
Happy Birthday, sweet Noah.
May life bring you the special sweetness
you bring to the lives of those that love you.

Thanksgiving

being a child of the King, my Father and Lord
having the heart of a man that loves his Savour and me
the joy of having Christian daughters with families they adore
soft beds, hot showers, and a shelter from the rain
enough food to satisfy, enough drink to avoid thirst
friends that are loyal, trustworthy, and giving
a country where we worship freely and openly
the ability to learn new things and utilize it
medical help and advancement of the field
education, knowledge, and shooting stars
being given a glimpse of His Garden and knowing
that He is a more forgiving, a more loving God
than I was raised to believe. Death has no sting.
the joys, the tears, the laughters and fears of life
 for this and so many other blessings I am,
and will always be, eternally grateful.
I am a blessed individual. We are a blessed country.
And for all this, and more, I am forever thankful, El Shaddai. 

Some Favorites of Mine This Week

"Please Don't Call Them An Accident" struck near and dear to my heart. I encourage you to visit Amanda's blog and leave words of encouragement. And I pray agreements. You can click on her title to be whisked away through the airwaves to read her article and plea. 
I love easy ideas that have friends and family saying "you're so talented!" Yeah, right, I just read blogs and deocrating magazines and steal (borrow!) ideas. And this one is too easy! You can find directions and more ideas at On the V Side!
I taught and fell in love with these sweet adults when they were in second grade. They have three adorable sons and Nicole writes of the problems, anxieties, and wonder of being a busy mother, wife, college girl, and everything else we women have to be. I think you'll find her blog thoughtful, enlightening, and I know you'll be able to visit and leave comments, thoughts, and ideas of your own. Or just to say "I know what you're talking about."  Don't you just love the header?! Visit her at Rocky Pastures.
Sweet Something Design said the colors reminded her of a Charlie Brown scene. I love the colors! and yes, it reminds me of Charlie's shirt.  If you have a camp blanket, try layering the colors on it this holiday!
Recently, a friend and I were talking of upside down Christmas trees.  She said, "Can you imagine?! Ugh."  I smiled and didn't say anything because the idea appeals to me.  Not for the larger one in our family room but in the Master bathroom over one corner of the huge tub or in the guest room where floor space is tight. I have thought they were neat ever since reading about them years ago. Beth has done a great job of gathering pics from all different sites on this subject. Check out her "Ho, Ho, Ho, or No, No, No". Then come back and tell me what you think.  We'll take a vote!
It's almost upon us, the eating, the gatherings, the food and laughter. I pray that you and yours have a most wonderful holiday season ~ check back and see how we're celebrating here with our family!

Just to Make You Giggle. Or Laugh Out Loud!


All in fun, all in fun, don't throw the tomatoes!
Read on a status today, that the FBI are now trying to connect Tony Parker to Milton McGregor and money being exchanged there.  Auburn, you deserve to be SEC Champs and I hope you make South Carolina wish they'd stayed home. You've fought a hard fight and you've played like winners. However, when John played this song for me, I just had, I mean it really pulled at me, to put this out there for some laughter. Enjoy!

Lots & Lots of Pictures!

 Rather than try and put these in order and have to battle with the new way Blogger has of moving photos around, you're just going to have to view them the way they loaded.  I'm tired and I want an apple with peanut butter. Right now. So, without much further ado and description, here are the pics from our recent trip to Gatlinburg and yes, there was snow in the mountains!!! Not in town, not yet {grin font}.
We traveled with my brother and his wife.  Nelson and his wife, and John rode motorcycles each day we were there and loved it. {I do NOT ride motorcycles. I do NOT have any inclination to do so. And NO I will not entertain the idea, so save it.} This is a shot of Nelson after one of their rides when he was still in his leather. I think he could have stayed by that creek, a creek, any creek all day long and just watched it.
We drove through an area that we've not seen before (and we've been going to G'burg for over 27 years!) but there was a misting of snow and this solitary cabin. No name, no landmark sign, just this old cabin. John slowed down so I could stare at it, get a picture of it, and realize that I am very, very thankful that we don't have to live that way. I just don't think those were ever "the good old days".
Guess what? We stopped at the creeks. Alot!
But I love them, too, and would love living near one.
Just to hear the water.
Then we hit snow! And if we look goofy in these, it's because as we went into the snow for us to get our photos taken first, John slipped and fell down. Face forward. I almost wet my pants. C'mon, women, you know what I'm talking about, especially if you're 55 and have had several Diet Dr. Peppers! Nelson took a couple of pics of us (that were too goofy and deleted quickly), and then we switched places. That's when Nelson slipped! And he fell hard. It was funnier than when John slipped. Lots funnier. Ladies, you have no idea how hard I was holding those thighs together. I can't remember laughing so hard. Cars were driving by, slowing down, honking, waving, shouting out their windows.
And no bathroom in sight.
 The pictures I call 'the golden ones' were taken not far from town.
Hence, no snow. The weather was so crisp. So beautiful.
It was one of the best vacations I think we've ever had.
So ultra relaxing. So much laughing. Such natural beauty.
BEFORE he slipped and fell {laughing out loud font!}
Yes, that's the one I will not ride.
But he's okay with that, so we're both happy.
 Nelson's bike ~ did you know you have to wear lots and lots of leather when you ride a motorcycle? And I've been seeing bikers on TV and they wear jeans and wife-beater shirts. Sheez. Not my men. They are dressed to the eye teeth in leather. All in the name of safety. I believe it and endorse it {wink font}.
 Have I mentioned that I love this man?
Probably, but just in case, let me tell you
I am so in love with this man.
And no my hands are not fisted. I'm holding his belt loops.
 Look!!!! and it only got deeper the higher we went!
 Now they are getting silly.
 and sillier. But I adore them both.
And love that they are best friends.
 The ones with this background were taken at the cabin.
Oh, the cabin! I have got to write a post on the cabin.
I'll do that tomorrow.
Still haven't had my apple and peanut butter 
 I always think of the Neil Diamond song 'Solitary Man' when I see this photo. I'm telling you, we could have
driven off and yelled out the windows "goodbye" at the top of our voices, and he would have waved back toward at us absentmindedly. He loves the creeks. John loves the mountains. They compliment each other rather well. That and the fact that one is a rabid Auburn fan, and the other is just as rabid for the Tide.
 If I weren't 1) in such a hurry to get that apple, and 2) hated fooling with Blogger since they changed the way they allow you to add photos and move them around, I'd have put the ones together with the way we'd dressed for the day. Forget it, though, it's just not worth it. {smiling!}
 I don't like helmet hair. She solved it with wearing a baseball cap. I don't like those either. To each his own. While they rode the miles, I went shopping and/or camped out on the back deck that had a large swing that I loaded up with blankets and pillows AND a gas log fireplace. YES, on the deck. It was heavenly.
I can't wait to go back. John, if you read this, you know you have some extra time around Christmas this year. And I promise not to pack so much. Or drink so many cokes when there are no bathrooms around. I'll even drive. As long as it's interstate. And you know Aunt Mahalia's Candy Store said they needed business. Truly, y'all, tourism is DOWN in Gatlinburg. The economy is hitting everywhere. I say we help them out!