Love Notes

"Love Notes" is one of the products featured in my craft store.  It's a glass bottle with a blank sheet of paper, a glass beaded elastic band with metal charm to slip around the paper after the note is written, and a cork top to close it.  I have several different types on my Esty store:  thecrafterswheel.  If you like this one, be sure to check them out.  Thanks!

Tan Lines

This is sad but true.  I can't go anywhere and not witness our younger generation completely immersed in a mobile device no matter where they are.  The more technology helps improve our daily lives, it also sets us back.  I have an old soul, I guess.  I would prefer sitting on my front porch catching up with the lives of my neighbors, friends and family than connecting with them through a computer screen.  I was thankful for Skype when my oldest son was in the Army and stationed overseas or connecting with my younger son who is halfway across the country.  I am thankful a few texts back and forth help me stay connected to those I know across the country when I don't have the time to sit down and make a phone call.  However, I am fully capable of turning off the ringer on my cell phone when I am in church, a meeting, a movie, or go out for a meal.  I can leave the phone lying on the kitchen counter when I go to bed.  My husband and I love cruise boats because turning off the phone and stowing it away in the safe is the first thing we do when entering our cabin.  It brings us peace and quiet and alone time to enjoy together.  If connecting through a mobile device is the only way our younger generation can connect, we are raising an anti-social society with unhealthy habits.  It is sad and I fear that it is only the beginning of future problems that will soon surface for our children.

Love Does Conquer All...

What an awesome story...

EMT Proposes To Woman Two Years After Saving Her From Violent Ex-Boyfriend

On January 24, 2012, Melissa Dohme’s life changed forever: She was stabbed 32 times in the face and neck by her ex-boyfriend, Robert Lee Burton Jr.

She was 20 at the time.

Dohme spent the next three weeks in the hospital; her heart stopped four times, but staff brought her back each time.

Now, more than two years later, she’s marrying the first responder, Cameron Hill, who helped save her life.

Hill said,  “It was so bad. You couldn’t tell she was blonde… for some reason, I didn’t think it would be the last time I was going to see her.”

He was right: That fall, she spoke in church and he attended. They soon began dating.

After she recovered, Dohme made it her mission to be a domestic violence advocate in her Tampa, Florida hometown. She’s become so established, the Tampa Bay Rays recently invited her to throw the first pitch for a game.

On Monday night of this past week, the survivor stepped to the home plate, prepared to throw. But before she could, Hill ran out onto the field and gave her a ball to throw.

On the ball, he had written, “Will you marry me?”

 She said “yes.”

 Back in 2013, when speaking about her traumatic experience, Dohme said, “If you believe there’s good in the world then you’ll find it.”  She was right.

 

Drum Roll Please....

Actually, it's two girls!  Both of my son's families are expanding this fall (a week apart) and much to our delight, they are both having girls.  Mom and I can't wait to start shopping for frilly little dresses!  Congratulations to both of you.  I knew that 2015 was going to be a great year! 

The Best Thing You'll Ever Wear

May you have the opportunity to hug your children and grandchildren often!

Happy Mother's Day

If I Could Build A Friend

If I were able to build a friend,

I'd choose the qualities on which I could depend.

Her eyes would tell me how much she cared,

And relieve my hurt when I felt alone and scared.

She'd smile that smile that says it'll be okay,

I'm always here for you night and day.

She'd cry with me when my world fell apart,

And I'd know the tears were from her heart.

She'd make me feel like a V.I.P.,

And no one could ever be dearer to me.

So where should my search begin,

For this special lifetime friend?

There's only one person I trust for advice,

So I reach over to pick up my phoning device.

It occurred to me as I dialed the number,

This extraordinary friend is my very own Mother.

As you say, "Hello," I get chills down my spine.

You're my very best friend dear Mother of mine.

Happy Mother's Day Mom!  

*Author unknown,  however,  the words say everything that are in my heart.

Mexican Stuffed Shells

A little something to make for your next get together!

Mexican Stuffed Shells

Ingredients

1 pound ground beef (or ground turkey)

1 package low-sodium taco seasoning

4 ounces cream cheese

16 jumbo pasta shells

1 1/2 cups salsa

1 cup taco sauce

1 cup cheddar cheese

1 cup Monterrey jack cheese

For toppings:

3 green onions

Sour cream

Black Olives

Instructions

Preheat oven to 350°.

In a pan brown the ground beef; add taco seasoning and prepare according to package directions. Add cream cheese, cover and simmer until cheese is melted. Stir together and mix well. Set aside and cool completely.

While ground beef is cooking, cook the pasta shells according to package directions; drain. Set shells out individually on cutting board or baking sheet so that they don’t stick together.

Pour salsa on bottom of a 9×13 baking dish. Stuff each shell with 1-2 tablespoons of the meat mixture. Place shells in 9×13 pan open side up. Evenly cover shells with taco sauce. Cover dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, add shredded cheese and bake for 10-15 more minutes with the foil removed. Top with green onions or olives if desired. Serve with sour cream and/or more salsa.

Yield: 16 shells