My Top Blogs of 2010

We're spending New Year's Eve with my parents and my sister. My mom had a fall almost 2 weeks ago and hurt her leg. She started having some complications and had to go to the ER today to check for a blood clot. Praise God there was no clot! She does have the beginnings of cellulitis and was given strict orders to stay off of her feet and keep her leg elevated above her heart! Hmm.. seems like someone has told her that already!??! ;) Please keep her in your prayers that she will completely heal!!

So, I thought that as we all sit around and watch the ball drop I'd share my top favorite blogs! I can promise that reading these blogs will be a good use of your time on the internet! So, in no particular order:

1. Women Living Well by Courtney. Courtney writes great posts on family and marriage. She also post some great video blogs! Her friendliness and sincerity comes through in her posts! I have been so encouraged by her!

2. Grace is For Sinners by Serena Woods. Serena is a must read. She shares honestly and beautifully God's message of grace for sinners through her own story. Her words to Christians on giving grace to others have challenged and changed me. I have learned so much by reading her story and her words. I can't wait to get her book!

3. Like a Warm Cup of Coffee by Sarah Mae. Sarah Mae is the first of many new blogs that I began reading several months ago. Not only do I love reading her words, she introduced me to so many new fantastic bloggers! She is open and honest about her walk with Christ and it is so refreshing. She is business savvy and offers awesome blogging consulting services! Check her out!

4. A Holy Experience by Ann Voskamp. Ann's blog is food for my soul. It is evident through her writings that she has truly been given a gift from God. I am captivated by the artistry and beauty in each post. Her words ooze grace. She has new book too.. and I can't wait to get my hands on it!

5. Stay at Home Missionary by Joy. I am fairly new to Joy's blog but I so enjoy reading about her life as a stay at home mom in another country. She is such a godly example to me. Her posts are so uplifting.

6. Love Well by Kelly. I have been reading Kelly for some time. I actually remember when I first started reading. Her sweet baby girl Teyla had just been born! That was almost 3 years ago! Kelly weaves wonderful words together about her faith and family. She is real and I like that.

7. The Crow Family by Jessica. Jessica is a real life friend. She is even more precious in real life than on her blog! Right now her hubby is serving over seas on his 3rd deployment. She encourages other military wives through her blog and is an inspiration to me! The faith she has in God is evident! :)

8. I Take Joy by Sally Clarkson. Sally is a HUGE encouragement to me in the area of mothering! I have read her book The Mission of Motherhood (which is a MUST read by ALL mothers) and I read her blog regularly. She is such a godly example. She shares amazing advice that comes from years of mothering. Her words have driven me to seek God in my pursuit of being a godly mother to my children. I just truly can't say the impact she's made in my life!

9. 10 Million Miles by Laura. I have just started reading Laura too! I found her through the Raising Homemakers blog (another great blog by various writers started by Sarah Mae). She gives great parenting and homemaking advice. Her two girls are precious! She's encouraged me with her Family Fun Friday posts and right now she has a great Blogging for Your Life series going on!

10. Time Warp Wife by Darlene Schatch. Darlene gives wonderful posts about what it means to be a godly wife and mother. Her advice ranges from how to be a better helper to your husband to how to set up a weekly cleaning schedule to keep your home in order. Love her blog!

What are some of your favorite blogs? I truly am thankful for these bloggers. God has used each of these blogs to encourage, convict, and challenge me. They have made me laugh and cry. I am thankful for their words. Blogging can truly make a difference. Words can make a difference for the kingdom! Be blessed!

Cranberry Candy

These are soo simple! And while I know Christmas is technically over, these would be a great treat for any Christmas get togethers that you still have (we have one in January with some of the Hub's family) or on a New Year's dessert table.

Cranberry Candy

12 oz bag white morsels
1 1/2 cup chopped pecans, toasted
1 1/2 cup dried cranberries

Place pecans on a baking sheet and put into a 200ish degree oven. Melt white chocolate in microwave at 30 second intervals, stirring between every 30 seconds. Give the pecans a shake and check on them while melting your chocolate. My chocolate took about 90 seconds in the microwave. You may still see some little lumps after the 90 seconds but once you stir it all melts. After about 5 minutes take the pecans out and stir the pecans and cranberries into the chocolate.




Once incorporated, drop by spoonfuls onto waxed paper and let set for about 20-30 minutes. I like to make them on the small side because they are sweet! It makes over 2 dozen but I didn't really count!



If you give them a try let me know! This was my first year making them but I'm sure they will make a return next year!

White Christmas 2010

What a blessing God sent us on Christmas Day! Here in the south, we rarely get snow! So, to get snow on Christmas Day is especially a treat! I can remember getting flurries but I don't believe I've ever experienced a true white Christmas! We took a ride through some beautiful country side before they closed the roads Christmas afternoon. Sadly, I didn't think to bring my camera. I did get some shots of the boys playing in the snow!

Love bug Eli...



Sweet Luke..




So excited!



Looks like he's about to throw it, right??



Nope, just gonna eat it! :)



Daddy and Luke with a sad, Alabama snowman!



And of course, we must right the gator in the snow!



Our backyard yesterday morning... yes, most of it stayed a whole 24 hours!




Disclaimer for my friends up North: Yes, I know, the ground still peeks through.. But, this is considered a 'white Christmas' for us folks! ;)

Menu Plan Monday

So, my body is on carb overload!! I feel like a big bowl of broccoli would do me some good! So, here is our menu for the week! I'm hoping to pack in lots of veggies!

Vegetable Soup, Corn Bread

Homemade Chicken Nuggets, Annie's Mac & Cheese, Green Peas

Mexican Tortilla Pie, Spicy Brown Rice

Tuna Salad Sandwiches, Broccoli and Ranch Dip

Spaghetti, Salad

This is just a rough plan. My sister is home (yay!) and my family, minus the hubby :( , is off work. So, things may change around a bit! I'm in desperate need of getting this house in order! Whew!

Check out orgjunkie.com for more menu plans and recipe ideas!