His Heart, My Desire

Loving Llfe while striving for a Heart Like His

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40 Days To Fabulous!

Hi Friends! I’ve been taking a summer break from blogging…but, I had to let you know about 40 Days To Fabulous!  I’m excited that 40 Days To Fabulous is continuing  with their third season on August 20th! You will want to sign up today! Okay, maybe you don’t get as excited as I do….you can wait….but, not too long. Registration will cut off soon!

I have loved being a member of 40 Days To Fabulous. Shari Braendel who is an author, speaker, fashionista and of course an amazing Fashion Stylist. Shari has made it her mission to share faith along with fashion. I love her message and her heart for women and I know you will too!

Today is the first day to sign up for the new season and I so hope you will join me. I’m already signed up and can’t wait for the first class.

This year is packed with some great speakers! Shari will also be sharing the latest trends in fashion and how to develop your own style. I heard that we will be making our own personal style notebook. I can’t wait to hear more about that!

If that isn’t enough! When you register, your name goes in a drawing for a $500.00 gift bag filled with books, jewelry and clothing and more.

Here’s what you get:

6 Faith Speakers with 6 life-changing lessons to lead you
closer to Jesus

1 Fashion Speaker to lead you toward confident style and beauty
this fall season

40 days of faith and fashion study guides 

6 weekly LIVE video training sessions (50 minutes each)…sessions
recorded in case you can’t join us LIVE

Guidance on how to build a personal resource titled “My Fabulous
Fashion Notebook” 

6 Weeks of becoming your very best YOU!

Energizing and encouraging private FB community like none other
Less frazzle, more freedom!

Up close and personal with well known Christian authors and
speakers to ask them questions and have community with them

If that’s not enough… EARLY BIRD BONUSES! 
Register in the next 3 days and you’ll be entered 15 TIMES to win the amazing Grab Bag Bonus Gift Pack valued at $500!!! Included are signed books from the authors, a $100 clothing piece from Natalie Attired, Jewelry and MORE more, more!!!!!….in fact, there are a total of 15 things in the Bonus pack!!!! In addition, EVERYONE who enters in the next 3 days is invited to a POWER PACKED goal setting workshop in October called Ready, Set, Shine! led by two AMAZING Military spouse leaders! 

The cost is $40.00!

Click here and register today!

I hope you will join me as we are encouraged to walk with Christ as we learn all about fashion.

My two favorite things…….Jesus and…..fashion!

What fun it will be to do this together!


Wednesday Medley – May Day

I had so much fun participating in the Wednesday Medley that is hosted by Terri from the blog, Your Friend in Florida, last week, that I wanted to participate again. I’ll attempt to answer the questions but first here is an explanation of what May Day is all about. She said the description is taken from the National Day Calendar.

Hope you enjoy….I wonder what the questions are…..I’m a bit nervous. I so don’t want to bore you. 😉

MAY DAY

May Day is observed annually on May 1.  In many ancient calendars, May 1 was the first day of summer.  This was a cause for celebration.  One of the more popular rituals was harvesting flowers and giving them to neighbors and strangers in cone-shaped baskets. These “May Baskets” become more commonly known as “May Day Baskets”.  The current tradition is observed by hanging a cone-shaped basket full of flowers or other gifts on the outside doorknob, then knocking or ringing the doorbell and run away.May Day has been a traditional day of celebration for centuries, with some of the earliest appearings in pre-Christian times.  In English tradition, May Day is celebrated by crowning a May Queen and dancing around a maypole.  The Finnish tradition is a carnival-type celebration in the streets that includes a special type of lemonade that is made with lemons, brown sugar and yeast.  In France, it is correct to give people either dogwood or lily of the valley to celebrate May Day.  In Italy, a seasonal feast is held to celebrate the arrival of spring.While different countries have different ways to celebrate May Day, it is truly a celebration of spring.

HOW TO OBSERVE –Use #MayDay when posting on Social Media.  Participate in the May Day tradition of hanging baskets of flowers on doors.

1.  Ahhh… May Day!!  Happy May!  Did you celebrate this when you were a child by dancing around a Maypole or leaving flowers on someone’s porch? Will you be celebrating a special occasion in May?(There are so many other things being celebrated today that I think we need to give them some attention, too!)

I remember one time in elementary school doing a Maypole. All I remember is a tall pole on the playground and we all took a ribbon that was attached to the pole and we went around the pole in a circle. That is all I remember. When my daughter was young she wanted to put flowers on someones door. She made a paper cone and put some wildflowers in it and we put it on a neighbors door.

I never hear much about May Day these days. I have a feeling it’s a dying holiday.

There are a few birthdays happening in the month of May and one of them happens to be mine! It’s going to be the big one!

2.  National Mother Goose Day was founded in 1987.  Can you name a nursery rhyme that would fit your life as it was in 1987?    HERE is a list of nursery rhymes.

Oh my….where was I in 1987?

I was a busy pastor’s wife in a small west Texas town with a 4 year old little girl and a 1 year old baby boy.

As far as a nursery rhyme that would fit my life, I’m going to go with, Rock a Bye Baby. My cute little red headed baby boy wouldn’t sleep. I would rock him until he was sound asleep and the second I put him in his bed, he would wake up crying. So, I held him a lot so he could sleep and I would nod off myself. Our sweet little toddler girl was busy as a bee and was such a sweet big sister. She was too busy to rest herself. I just got tired all of the sudden remembering those days.

This picture was taken at a later date than what I was sharing , but, it gives an idea of our little family. Naps eventually became a regular part of our day.


3.  National Chocolate Parfait Day is also honored on this day. Parfait means perfect in French. Tell us about a perfect day, in your mind, and would/could it end with a chocolate parfait?

I haven’t had a chocolate parfait in forever. I’m thinking that would be a great way to end the day.

A perfect day? Whew, that is a hard one. I’m going to have to say that any day is a perfect day when everyone is happy and healthy and I feel loved and accepted by those that I love. Throw in spending a morning in my quiet time with the Lord without being rushed. For the rest of the day; doing exactly what I want to do for the rest of the day! Is that too much to ask? -wink


4.  National School Principal’s Day was founded to celebrate these school administrators who support and guide quality teachers and staff to provide productive learning environments for our children.  Did you have a good Principal when you were in school? Do you remember his/her name?

Oh my…..If I told you how many schools I was in as a child, you would be scratching your head wondering how I’m even here. I don’t remember names except for one in Jr. High. His name was Mr. Monroe. I was bullied in jr. high and he watched me get beat up across the street from the school. When I got in my classroom after the terrible incident, he called over the speaker to send me to the office. I went in to his office and he shut the door and began brushing the dirt off of me. I was basically in shock. I began to cry as he told me he saw the whole thing and wanted to know what the story was. I asked him why he didn’t come and stop the fight. He said, “because you were off of school property.” That’s all I remember. It was extremely traumatic!

I just remembered one more incident with this same principal. I was sitting in homemaking class one day and our teacher left the room for a few minutes. As soon as she left the room everyone went nuts. Kids were running around throwing things, screaming etc. I was sitting at my desk and I had my hair in a long pony tail that day. This one girl that was running around the room like a crazy girl…..grabbed my pony tail as she ran behind me. She pulled me out of my chair and drug me on the ground. I was in shock. I got back up and sat in my chair. Remember, I was extremely shy. When the teacher came back in the room everyone was sitting all nice and straight in their chairs. Then the teacher called me up to the desk along with the girl that grabbed me by the hair and told us that someone saw what happened and she sent both of us to the principal. I had to walk with this girl all the way to his office and then stand in his office with her staring at me as he asked me what happened. I explained and he scolded the girl and sent us back to our class. I went all through high school with this girl and I dodged her every chance I got as she would try to pick fights with me. It wasn’t fun!

So now you know why I didn’t like school and especially jr. high. Those were the worst two years of my life. Let’s move on to a different subject.

This is proof that I did graduate and all in one piece! 🙂 But, by the grace of God! Trust me!


5. And perhaps the most important one is Silver Star Service Banner Day which honors the sacrifices of the combat wounded, ill, and dying service members from all branches of the military.  Do you have family members who have served this country in uniform? Tell us about them, if you will.

My husband served in the US Navy. I met him when he got out of the Navy. He served on a Nuclear Power Submarine. I’m thankful for his service and I love to hear his stories of where he was and what all he did while serving in the military!

My brother served in the US Marine Corp during Desert Storm. He has some amazing stories. It was a very memorable time as it was a very scary time. He is a strong and proud Marine!

My father and grandfather both served in the US Navy.

This is my dad’s Navy picture. I should have cropped it better!


6.  It’s Hump Day! How is your week going so far?

My week is going great! Hair appointment, dinner with our kiddos, two concerts coming up with Celtic Woman and Piano Guys, an art exhibit of a friend and then a play as well as my regular duties that I do each day. Life is good!

Thanks so much for reading along.

Until next time,

Beverly’s Favorite Things

How are you doing? Can you believe that April is just about over? I can’t! Time is clicking along, isn’t it? I do hope you have had a wonderful 4 months of 2019. We have so much to be thankful for….even when things don’t go smoothly. A good example is my moms recent accident. I wrote about it on my last post. I thank the Lord everyday that it wasn’t as bad as it could have been. She had seven stitches above her eye after a bad fall. But….no broken bones, no skull fractures, no pain! You read that right…no pain! The doctor ordered her a couple of medications and she didn’t even get them filled. She has some strong bones and a strong head. -wink

I thought it would be fun to do a quick little post of some of the latest things that I have purchased or ordered online and fallen in love with.

I love purses….but, it is so hard to find a really good purse that feels good as you carry it and doesn’t weigh too much on my arm. Plus, it has to look really cute.

I purchased this bag when we were in Hilton Head, SC a few weeks ago. I made my first visit to a store called Spartina! Yes, I fell in love with their bags and jewelry. I even bought a scarf that has pictures of Texas landmarks on it, not to mention a few pieces of jewelry. I’l share those another time. Click here to go to their site.

As I was walking through Dillards in Austin last weekend, I spotted a purse on the sale table. I couldn’t leave the store without it and I’ve really loved carrying it. It is lightweight and holds everything I need and the size is just right….as in baby bear’s comment in Goldilocks. Anyway…here is a link to the purse. I’m not able to copy and paste the picture from the site, so you will have to go check it out. Sorry about that! I got it in hot pink! 🙂

I am not a huge fan of salads. But….when I do eat a salad, I like it to be chopped as much as possible. I found this fun little gadget on Amazon. It works really good. You put all of your lettuce and veggies in the bowl and then just cut through all the little slits and voila….you have a chopped salad. Easy and no mess!

Also from Amazon, I purchased a digital scale. I’m ALWAYS working on weight loss issues it seems and when I read about this scale, I thought…this might help me stay motivated with all the bells and whistles. I used it first thing this morning. You set up your bluetooth and you will have all kinds of charts and graphs of things I have never even knew about. Let’s just say that after I weighed this morning…my eyes were opened to a couple of things that made me think…..I need to be more intentional and serious about this little project of mine. Or should I say, hobby. Does anyone get so tired of having weight issues hanging over your head? I sure do! The scale readings made me think more of health than actually losing weight to look better. Okay enough of that…we can talk weight issues later. Here is a link to the scale I purchased.

I’m always buying books. I read them and if I really loved them, I keep them and if I’m ready to say goodbye, I put the read books in a large basket designated for just books. I usually take them to the library and donate them and I recently was told that I should take them to a used bookstore and sell them. I may try that next time my basket gets full. Here is the last book I purchased. I haven’t read it yet, but I can’t wait to go through it. Click here to check it out on Amazon. I love organizing and I’m always attracted to organizing books!

I’m also a fan of beauty treatments. I know, you can’t really tell, but, I am! I’m always trying the latest when it comes to skin care, hair care and make-up. This is the last thing I purchased. Still trying it out. I’ve noticed that the older we get, our neck looks different. Or is it just me? Anyway, I purchased a neck serum off of QVC forever ago and my neck looks the same and I keep thinking, “when is this stuff going to run out?” I gave up and purchased this item. Click here to read about it. We will see how my neck looks when the jar is empty. -wink

A couple of years ago, I ordered a few things from this company. I was excited to hear that one of my favorite speakers in women’s ministry, Debbie Stuart, is doing an online Bible study with one of this company’s products. I ordered the book from Daily Grace Company and I look forward to doing the study.

Thanks for following along with me and reading about my latest purchases! I only share the things that I like. I don’t give negative reviews….if I don’t like something, I do away with it and never mention it again. Except for the never ending neck serum. It smells good and feels good….I just haven’t seen a difference. Maybe I’m not using enough and that is why it’s lasting FOREVER!

Until next time,

Fabulous Living in the Empty Nest Years

I have the honor of having new friends and lifelong friends who are my age or older. I thought it would be fun to share some of the amazing people that I know who haven’t let the empty nest years slow them down. Some have reinvented themselves after all the cuties have flown the nest and some have just kept on keepin’ on doing what they have always done.

I know that some people enter this season of life without a thought or care and then there are some like me who think….”Oh my, now what do I do?” “What’s my purpose?” “Does anything I do make a difference?” “People aren’t interested in what a 50 plus woman thinks or does.” “So much for 20 year goals…I may not even be here.” Sounds like a pity party, doesn’t it? Well, I refuse to have a pity party. I want to embrace this season of life with all that God designed for me with all that I have…. and I know you do, too!

My husband and I are enjoying our season of empty nest as much as possible. We have been traveling and seeing things that I only dreamed of. We enjoy our kids and grandkids and love being around them. I don’t take anything for granted and I know where my blessings come from and because of God’s amazing grace am I able to do the things that we are able to partake in.

I know I have some young moms and even singles that are readers of my blog. That makes me happy. I want to encourage you that someday, you will enjoy life after you have raised your children. I always struggled with that thought as I couldn’t imagine living without my children close by. Yes, I’m one of those. I love being a mom. Now I have the joy of being a Mimi and watching my children in their marriages and as parents. My heart smiles when I think of my children as adults and I will hold the memories of them as little ones that depended on me for everything in my heart forever. Seasons of life are sometimes hard to get used to, but, if we are prepared, it will make it easier. Personally, I wasn’t prepared. I’m still learning.

All that to say….I really hope these articles of introducing you to some amazing ladies will only inspire and encourage you for the future. Also, for those like me….it’s never too late to be inspired and make any changes that need to be made. Are you ready to meet my first inspirational friend?

I met Rhodema 4 years ago. She and her husband were moving to our area from East Texas and the leader of a writer’s group that she was a member of, gave her my email address to see if there were any writer’s groups in her new city. Rhodema is a writer. She has been published in a few magazines and is working on a historical fiction book.

When I received her email and answered her questions, I also told her to contact me when she made the move and we would go to lunch. Once she got moved and all settled, she contacted me and we attended a writer’s group and also went to lunch and became instant friends. We were the same age and had a lot in common.

Rhodema had recently lost her father whom she loved very much. She has four grown children and 4 grandchildren who are basically all around the world. Rhodema homeschooled her children through graduation. Her oldest is married and has 4 adorable children and she and her husband are medical missionaries in a far away country. Another daughter is a nurse at a hospital in another city. Another daughter is a Moody Bible Institute graduate and is in the process of moving to another country as well. Her youngest is an aspiring actor in Hollywood and has been in several television shows and movies.

Rhodema is also the wife (38 years) of a busy doctor who has his own practice. So, you can see she has a busy and full life. Once she moved to her new city and oh, so far away from family, friends and church, she found herself in the throws of the empty nest world. She loves writing and she loves gardening and that kept her pretty busy, but, she felt something was still missing. The quietness was still hard to get used to. So one day, she picked up a paint brush and gave it a whirl. She loved it! She enrolled in some painting classes and joined a painters club.

Long story short…..

This very week, she is a featured artist with over 40 pieces of her work on display and for sale at a local venue. She is now known as a local artist of our city.

If all of that isn’t enough, she is also a tutor for some college age students and she volunteers for a mission in our city.

I hope you have enjoyed getting to know my friend, Rhodema! If you would like to follow her on some of her social media, here are her links:

Website

Instagram

Pinterest

A couple of years ago, I shared in a post, a friend of mine in Oklahoma who is also an artist. She is another one who picked up a paint brush one day and is now a well known artist. Click here to read about my friend, Karin and follow her work. She is amazing!

Yes, I picked up a brush and tried to paint. It didn’t work. I just don’t have it, evidently! I know many artists and it seems everyone has their own style and what fun it is to watch them in all of their creativity. I can do a stick figure and that is about it.

Thanks for being a reader of my blog and I hope you will subscribe and receive updates in your inbox each time I make a new post. I’m trying to build my reader list. If that isn’t your thing, that is okay. I do hope you will come back and visit again. My desire is that you will be inspired and encouraged by something you read.

Until next time….

Wednesday Medley – Pigs In a Blanket

I have a dear friend who I met at a blogger/writer’s conference a few years ago. I always enjoy reading her blog, CiCi’s Corner. She participates in “Wednesday Medley.” Each Wednesday she and other bloggers receive the same questions and what fun it is to read the answers. I have so much in common with my blogger friend that I’m always thinking…”we have to be sisters!”

I decided to give it a whirl. I made today the day I would begin Wednesday Medly and the questions are about Pigs in a Blanket. I then thought, maybe this is a mistake, this isn’t for me. But, I said, “Beverly, get out of your box and answer these easy questions about…. Pigs in a Blanket!” So, here we go…..hang with me!

1.  Typically served as an hors d’oeuvre, have you ever made or had a Pig-in-a-Blanket?  Do you like Pigs-in-a-Blanket?

I have for sure had Pigs in a Blanket! I think they are a staple at parties….at least in Texas they are!

I have also made them several times. When my kids were young, we would get a can of crescent rolls and put a Lil Smokie in them and bake. Sometimes, I would put an actual hot dog in the crescent roll with a piece of cheese. Pretty good and kid friendly!

2.  Pigs-in-a-blanket are also known as devils on horseback, kilted sausages, and wiener winks. (Seriously.)  Please make up another name for this fun little appetizer!

I’m thinking…….

Well, I can’t think of a thing! I’ve called them Pigs in a Blanket forever, so I feel bad renaming them!


3.  In the UK, pigs-in-blankets are small sausages, or chipolatas wrapped up in bacon.  Which country’s version is most appealing to your taste buds?

Image result for sausages wrapped in bacon

I think they sound fairly good. They don’t look as appetizing to me as the crescent rolls though.

 4.  The first written record of pigs-in-a-blanket occurs in Betty Crocker’s Cooking for Kids in 1957.  In this digital world, do you still have a favorite cookbook you use most of the time?  Is there a recipe you can share with us from that cookbook?

I LOVE cookbooks of all kinds. Matter of fact, I collect them! I know, you think I’m an amazing cook, right? Well, I collect cookbooks, but, I don’t like to cook! I read cookbooks and dream of cooking, but, then when it comes right down to it….I don’t want to! Secretly, I picture myself getting back into the cooking routine and baking some amazing pies, cookies and cakes. We will see what happens. I’ll let you know if the cooking bug hits me soon!

I adore reading through the old Betty Crocker Cookbook. I have memories of my aunt making recipes out of it and she had notes all over the pages. When she passed away not too long ago, the first thing I thought of was her cookbook. How I’d love to read through that again and see her hand writing on her favorite recipes.

I have made the potato salad that is in the Betty Crocker cookbook several times and it is delicious! I would share the recipe, but, I’m out of town and I don’t have it with me! But, trust me, it’s a good one!


 5.  What is your favorite cooking show on TV?

I enjoy watching the Pioneer Woman. She amazes me! She seems down to earth and cooks normal things all while smiling the entire time. I’ve bought some of her cookware and dishes hoping that would inspire me to get to cooking…..hasn’t worked yet. She has a fairly new magazine and it is so much fun to read! I also have all of her cookbooks! I’m even thinking I would love to have decals on my kitchen aid mixer like she has on some of hers. Maybe that’s the answer to getting in the kitchen to cook….decals on my red mixer!

https://thepioneerwoman.com

6.  Tell us something random about your week, please!

Well, we came to the Texas Hill Country to our get-a-way home. Our grandchildren live around the corner, so it is alway a treat to see the family. We enjoyed Easter services together and a brunch at the country club. A couple of evenings ago we were watching the two young ones while the rest the family went to dinner. We had the evening filled with a shopping trip to Target for Lego’s and burgers and a movie. I then got a call that my mom had fallen at the movie theater. She had taken her granddaughter to a movie. My niece and her friend had ran on and my mom was walking up the hall alone and she tripped and fell. She fell into the wall and hit her head on a door jam. It happened so fast, she said she remembers thinking to herself, “this is going to be bad!” She was bleeding horribly and couldn’t get up as her knee hurt awfully bad! She yelled for help and some people came to her rescue. They found my niece and she called her dad. (my brother) Long story short….an ambulance, 7 stitches and blood everywhere, I was a nervous wreck! I was 300 miles away and couldn’t do anything but pray! Our sweet little grandsons prayed with my husband and I and were very concerned. Needless to say, I wasn’t much fun for the little boys that night, but my husband took over as I was on the phone most of the night. So thankful for my two brothers that beat the ambulance and were there for her and took care of her. My niece was so sweet to help out in anyway she could. I’m sure she was scared to death! I received pictures of everything. If you know me, I am a very queasy person and I can’t take the site of blood, stitches or anything, but, I was able to handle this….it’s my mom! Bless her little heart! She is a strong lady in so many ways and obviously very strong when it comes to a horrible fall. She didn’t break anything and all was clear with her head as we feared something worse than a horrible cut on her forehead! It’s a miracle…. that’s all I can say. If you saw her face, you would be amazed. But, there is no way I’m going to share those pictures. My pet peeve is when people post pictures of horrible accidents on social media. I’m not doing that! I can’t wait to get home to see her and take care of her.

One more thing about this week. Yesterday, we drove a couple of hours to see my aunt and uncle. I haven’t seen them in quiet some time. My uncle is 91 and he and my aunt are amazing! We took them to lunch and visited for a few hours. I have so many memories of them as a little girl. We lived around them for a couple of years when I was about 6 and 7 years old and I loved being around them. I wish you could meet them….they are precious. I’m sure I’ll be sharing things every now and then about some of my memories about them. I have a feeling my aunt probably made pigs in a blanket when I was at her house. She was always making fun little things like that!

Now this has definitely been an eventful week! I’m also wondering what next Wednesday’s questions will be about!

Until next time….