MarytheKaytheBlog

A Vera Good Birthday: In Pictures!

You KNOW it's a good birthday when it begins with a Rick's Bakery birthday cake!  Isn't this the prettiest cake you've ever seen?  I sure wish I could share some of it with you...but, sadly, it's all gone now.  I really would share if I still had some!  The frosting was just divine...

And a birthday with my mom's lasagna?  Even BETTER!  Every year my mom asks what I'd like for her to cook for my birthday meal...and every year I say, "Lasagna!"  Oh, it was dee-licious!  Sadly, it's already gone, too...

 

Check out this place setting!  Doesn't it just look HAPPY?  It sure made this birthday girl HAPPY!  *smile*  I even got the "You are special" plate!

Oh, and just so you know--that's my sister's famous sweet tea in the cup there.  Perfection!

Oopsie!  There's the "After" picture.  Not a crumb or morsel left...  Must be time for DESSERT!  Hurry up and sing--I'm ready for some CAKE!!!

 

The meal got a thumbs up from the kids!  Aren't they cutie pies?

Then, after all of that FUN family celebrating, I had a girls' night out this weekend!  We ate some yummy Mexican food (can we say chips and salsa??), giggled a LOT, and saw The Vow.  I LOVED that The Vow is loosely based on a true story.  I won't give anything away...in case you're planning on seeing it.  I will say that I give it a thumbs up!

This gift made me GIGGLE the most!!  This is a t-shirt my sister and brother gave me--isn't it GREAT?!!!  The funny part was that Rebecca REALLY DID make my breakfast (after I got to sleep late!) AND she made my lunch, too!

My birthday...week...was really great.  I felt loved the whole week long!  Thank you--for those of you who sent fun messages and e-mails.

It's kind of nice every-once-in-a-while to have a special day.

What's your favorite birthday tradition?

Favorite Things GIVEAWAY to Celebrate my 2nd Blogiversary!!

UPDATE:  Giveaway is closed.  THANK YOU for participating!  Check back tomorrow to find out the WINNER!!!

In celebration of my 2-year blog anniversary, I wanted to host another Favorite Things Giveaway!  This is my way of saying THANK YOU for taking the time to click over to my little blog, and for your words of encouragement over the last 2 years.  I appreciate you all so much--and feel honored every single day when I see that you have clicked over here to read my blog.

So, here's the loot!!

All of these fun items are some of my FAVORITE THINGS I've written about here over the last 2 years.  I'm actually kind of jealous--I want to win this stuff!!

Here are the items included in my Favorite Things Giveaway:

1.  $15 Amazon Gift Card - Because reading truly is one of my favorite things.  Click here to read about some of my recent book suggestions.

2.  $5 Sonic Gift Card - There is nothing more FUN to give than a Sonic Happy!  You don't know what a Sonic Happy is?  Well, click here to find out!  They would make WONDERFUL little treats for teachers this Valentine's Day!

3.  One Year Women's Devotional - I received this same book for Christmas, and have used it every night since.  The short daily devotionals always seem to talk about just the thing I need encouragement about.  Plus, the attached ribbon bookmark?  BONUS.

4.  Lightweight Spring Scarf from Old Navy - This nautical-inspired navy, red, and ivory gauzy scarf just drew me right in.  It took every ounce of willpower not to buy one FOR MYSELF.  I mean--the scarf IS part of my Signature Look this winter...

5.  Why Hug MarytheKay T-shirt - How could you resist this hot pink number?  Don't understand the "Why Hug" philosophy?  Click here to read all about my awkward hugging hangups.  (Note:  This t-shirt is only still available in Adult S, L, or XL.)

6.  Strawberry Watermelon MiO- I want you to enjoy my favorite way to drink water.  Mmm!  Strawberry Watermelon makes me think I'm eating a snow cone.

7.  Handy Dandy Pan Scraper - It's a simple thing, I know.  But, I use mine every single day (Well...every day that I COOK, that is...which...is not necessarily every day.)

8.  Haribo Gold-Bears - Only my ALL-TIME favorite CANDY!!!  (And...I must confess--I DID buy myself a bag of these!  I mean--it IS my birthday, right?)

9.  Bon Bons- What would a MarytheKay giveaway be without Bon Bons?  In particular, these are my favorite Ghiradelli chocolate-caramels.

And look!  I'll wrap everything up nice and pretty in a red (my favorite color!) gift sack, and ship it right to the winner's doorstep!

How to enter?

Since it's my blogiversary, I want to re-evaluate some things, so I'd LOVE your feedback!  In order to enter, I ask that you answer 3 simple questions in the Comments section: 

(1)  WHAT TIME OF DAY do you typically read my (or other) blog/s? 

(2)  WHERE do you typically read my (or other) blog/s--at home on your computer, at work on your computer, or on your smart phone? 

(3)  WHY do you read my (or other) blog/s--helpful hints, inspiration, funny stories, recipes, other reasons???

For a 2nd entry, please TWEET about this giveaway, with a link back here.  Leave a comment telling me you did this.

For a 3rd entry, please post about it on FACEBOOK, with a link back here.  Leave a comment telling me you did this.

That's it!  The giveaway ends next Thursday, February 16th at 9pm CST, and I will ANNOUNCE THE WINNER on Friday, February 17th!!  (The winner will have 72 hours to contact me with a mailing address.)

So, go forth and enter ye the giveaway!!!

 

And...thank you...really...for spending these last 2 years reading my blog.

Official Announcement (sort of)

Please be advised:

A big comfy bed has allegedly kidnapped MarytheKay until further notice...or until tomorrow--whichever comes first.  A rather large ransom has been demanded:  A big bowl of Cold Stone chocolate ice cream with chocolate shavings.  No word from the authorities yet as to whether or not they plan to comply with said ransom.

If you have any information regarding this crime, please contact the authorities at Cold Stone.

Over and out, good buddies.

That's a big 10-4.

The Soundtrack of my Youth

My friend Emily is hosting a Top 10 Tuesday: Music.  Since Emily is about to graduate from high school, I started thinking back to the soundtrack of my high school days.

Now, please let me preface this list to say I'm not a big music buff.  I never know what song is playing on the radio, nor do I know the words.  What I DO KNOW is whether or not the music part is good.  I'm a melody girl.  If it has a good melody, I like it.

Because of those things, back in high school I usually gravitated toward movie soundtracks, with some classical music mixed in.  This playlist is not your typical 1980s playlist...but it IS the 1980s ALL THE WAY.

1. Amy Grant - If you were a teenage Christian in the 1980s, then you most certainly had some Amy Grant.   A little trivia...Amy Grant's Straight Ahead Tour was my FIRST concert.  I also seem to remember a young Michael W. Smith wearing a white argyle sweater vest playing along...  Anybody else remember that concert?

 

 

2. Michael W. Smith- Also, if you were a teenager in the 80s, you DEFINITELY sang Friends are Friends Forever with your arms draped around your friends' shoulders...no less than a dozen times.   Am I right?

 

3. Beethoven- I know this is an odd selection for a teenager...but my parents had a couple of Beethoven records I really loved.  Whereas most teenagers would blare loud rock music when upset, I usually turned up the volume on either Beethoven or Rachmaninof, if I was feeling especially moody.

 

 

4. Rachmaninov- Oh, this song is so beautiful...  Again, one of my parents' records.

 

 

5. Phantom of the Opera - Oh, how I LOVED (and still do) a good Broadway soundtrack.  This one was my favorite in the 80s.

 

 

6. Beaches Soundtrack  - What teenager didn't CRY HER EYES out during this movie?  The soundtrack was beautifully moody music for a teenager back in those days.

 

 

 7. Top Gun Soundtrack - This song in particular was on my exercise mix tape.  Kids, mix tapes were serious business back in those days...

  

 

8. St. Elmo's Fire Soundtrack - The quintessential Brat Pack movie.  You kids probably don't even know what "The Brat Pack" is...   I'd forgotten all about Andrew McCarthy--he was my high school movie star crush.

 

 

9. Footloose Soundtrack- This movie made even dorky dancers like myself believe I could get foot loose...  How many of you danced in front of your mirrors to this music?  C'mon--be honest!

 

 

10. Stealing Home Soundtrack - I really loved the music from this movie.  Plus, Mark Harmon and Jodie Foster--double score.

 

 

There were lots more songs from the 1980s I loved...but these sum up that decade for me pretty well.

What about you?  What songs remind you of those glorious 1980s?

Now, go check out Emily's favorite songs...

Linked up with:

 

Inadequate

Sometimes this old world can feel overwhelming, and overpowering.  Some days I feel surrounded by people who are hurting.  And some days, I am the one hurting.  Some days I look around and see darkness and evil lurking in tragic news stories, in movies meant for entertainment, and even in the sex trafficking at the Super Bowl.

Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed and inadequate with my small light in a dark-feeling world.

I feel inadequate in raising daughters who love themselves as God does.  I don't know how to raise daughters who respond in kindness, yet are bold enough to speak up.  I don't always know how to balance grace with tough love in my parenting decisions.

Today, I feel inadequate--and frankly, worn out from loving, caring, listening, talking, encouraging, and making decisions.

Today, more than ever, I am feeling drawn to pray, and to stay plugged into the only power source that is lasting.  Actually, that's not quite saying it right...  Lately, I've felt like I'm in a swirling sea--and the only sure thing is God's amazing life buoy.  And if I don't cling to Him with all my might, I could be swept into the swirling darkness all around me.

I don't know about you, but this darkness makes me MAD.  Sometimes I want to cling to God out of pure stubbornness--just to show the devil that he cannot have me, and he cannot have my family. 

Today, I am doing battle with my inadequate feelings by praying.  Praying for my hurting friends, praying for protection for my family, and praying for the sweet daughters I don't always know how to raise.  And I am plugging into God's Word to find the energy to keep my little light shining in this dark world.

How about you?  Have you felt inadequate about anything lately?

“But you, Israel, my servant,
   Jacob, whom I have chosen,
   you descendants of Abraham my friend, 
I took you from the ends of the earth,
   from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
   I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 
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.

  “All who rage against you
   will surely be ashamed and disgraced;
those who oppose you
   will be as nothing and perish. 
Though you search for your enemies,
   you will not find them.
Those who wage war against you
   will be as nothing at all. 
For I am the LORD your God
   who takes hold of your right hand
and says to you, Do not fear;
   I will help you. 
Do not be afraid, you worm Jacob,
   little Israel, do not fear,
for I myself will help you,” declares the LORD,
   your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

                -Isaiah 41:7-14

Hello Dolly, it's been nice knowing ya, and goodbye

 Well, I just don't know what I'm going to do with my time anymore.  For the last weeks and months, Rebecca has been busy with practices and performances in the community theater musical Hello Dolly.  This was Rebecca's 2nd experience with our community theater--last year she was in Oliver!  Both years have been great experiences.  However, our family is exhausted.  We loved the experience, but we're happy it's done, too.  It's time to have a few evenings at home, and it's time to get a little REST.

Here are just a few peeks from the past 2 weekends of performances...

Getting ready backstage...being a girl means MAKE-UP and HAIR CURLING!!!  Oh yeah!

My friend Jenn was our resident make-up expert.  She's got the skills, and the tools of the trade.

(You may remember...Jenn is my friend who is the dessert table specialist!  Also, she's the one who taught me how to make the famous Dr. Pepper ice cream!!)

Oh look!  There's my pretty Rebecca!  Sweet girl, please don't wear this much make-up...until you're about 35.  You look TOO GROWN UP. 

Do ya'll remember me telling you that I am talented with a curling iron?  Please don't ask me to flat iron something...but, a curling iron?  I can do some serious ringlets.

Here are some of the kids from the cast.  I wish I had a picture of all of them...  But, aren't they a GREAT-looking group of kids?  Really really sweet kids, too.  Getting to know some of their mamas, and getting to hang out with them nightly was a treat, too!

Act 1, Scene 1..."Extra, extra--read all about it!"

 

I love this picture of the girls' sashes, bows, and big hairbows!  Their costumes looked so bright and colorful on stage.

And there she is!  Dolly herself!  Oh, hello, Dolly!  It's so nice to have you back where you belong...  Oh, and just so ya know...you look swell, too.

 

Sorry, I really am a camera flunkie.  I wish I had taken more pictures, and more candid shots on stage.  We couldn't take pictures during the actual performances--and most of the ones I took during Dress Rehearsal didn't turn out.

Hello Dolly is what has been consuming our family for the last several weeks.  Also, those are the tunes that get stuck in my head, as I'm lying in bed trying to go to sleep...

When the parade passes by
Listen and hear that brass harmony growing
When the parade passes by
Pardon me if my old spirit is showing
All of those lights over there
Seem to be telling me where I'm going

What's been consuming you / your family lately?

A 70th Birthday Celebration: In Pictures!

Hello, dearest readers. I'm still here. It's been quite a BUSY week, which is why I've been a little quiet. You'll see from the pictures below just what our family has been up to!

Dave's mom turned 70 this week, and we wanted to surprise her with a big celebration! It's wasn't easy planning a surprise party--and executing it from over 600 miles away, but I have to say it was WORTH IT to plan something special from one of the most giving, and serving people I know. My mother-in-law is always doing for others. She's usually the one planning special events for others, the one behind the counter quietly serving and cleaning for others. So, it was fun to do something totally for HER for a change. We did laugh a little during the party--because she didn't quite know what to do with herself when it was time to clean up. We absolutely would not let her help!

Here are a few peeks from her party. I have to say--the spring colors sure fit in with the gorgeous weather that day!

We asked friends and family to send special greetings, old pictures, or words of encouragement of what Betty has meant to them through the years. I'll write more about this scrapbook soon... But, it turned out great, and was such a fun gift to give Betty at the party.

We held the party at Dave's parent's church.  We kept things simple with the long tables and folding chairs, using blue and yellow to brighten things up a bit. Rebecca and Sara Beth helped place some pretty silk daisies and pink cherry blossoms down the tables. We didn't even use vases--we pulled the flowers from their stems, and scattered the flower heads in little groups.

Mmm, my favorite part of every good party--the cake table!  We decided to have a selection of cakes.  There was a chocolate birthday cake with buttercream frosting, a very yummy coconut cream, and the most popular choice of the night, a carrot cake.
Look at these amazing sugar gum paste flowers on the birthday cake.  Can you imagine someone hand-making these?  Beautiful, beautiful.  (Psst!  Wanna know a secret?  These delightful cakes are all from a Sam's Bakery, oh yes they are!)

The cake table gets a thumbs up from the granddaughters!  One (little) granddaughter in particular visited the table more than once...  She has a sweet tooth like her mama, I'm afraid.

There she is!  There's the birthday girl!!!  The one with the pretty corsage, of course!  With her sisters-in-law, who were all a part of the super secret surprise conspiracy! (Try to say that 3 times in a row)

The party was truly a family effort.  We all pitched in to pull it off.  I know parties like this are always a lot of work--but it sure is FUN working together!

Even the granddaughters pitched in!  They helped clear away the dishes, and offered more cake.

 

This may be my favorite picture of the night.  THIS is what a birthday party is all about--dear friends and family sharing in a happy celebration.

Also?  I love this picture because the ladies are at the center chatting...and the men are looking on.  That's my Uncle Bob way in the background checking things out--from a safe distance.  That Uncle Bob--he makes me laugh EVERY single time I'm around him.  He's a keeper, for sure!

You know a party is successful when the people sit and sit and don't want to leave.  That's what happened at this party.  Finally, we had to start cleaning up around them.  And like dear friends and family do--they continued chatting and laughing and helping us carry stuff out...all the way to our cars...before they said goodnight.

It was a good night.  A night to celebrate 70 years of living well.