I love it when God provides for His children in ways that are so personal and loving. We had a provision like that over the weekend. To give a little background, I love playing the piano. I haven't had one for a long time and have missed playing and have gotten pretty rusty in the process ;). This past mother's day, Stephen and Jubal surprised me by telling me that they wanted to get me one. We found one but it didn't work out. We were a little disappointed but knew that God would provide one in His time. Then a few weeks ago, I took Jubal to the dentist and came out of the office with a big dentist bill that we will be paying on until the end of the year.....bummer...God will provide, God will provide.... He always does. Because of that, I thought it might be a while before we could get a piano.

Stephen found another piano last week and we went to look at it over the weekend. It was in great shape but they were asking a few hundred bucks for it. A good deal but still not feeling a peace about it. I was trying really hard but I just wasn't feeling it. On our way home from looking at the piano, Stephen mentioned that I had a message from a dear friend about a piano she saw. I called her back and she saw one at a yard sale for 50 bucks! I called the owner, we went to look at it, and we are now the proud owners of a beautifully used piano. I am so happy. When I sit down to play, I am just so thankful that God knows me so intimately to provide something that brings me joy like a piano. Hopefully my neighbors will be thankful too ;).

What are some ways that God has provided for you? I would love to hear.

Some garden pics

We moved our garden spot this year and it has been a good decision. Everything is filling out and doing so well. I took a few pics so you can see how it's coming along. I planted the seeds I harvested last year to save money but all but 3 died. Bummer. I think my excitement got ahead of me and I transplanted them too soon. Oh well. Another lesson learned. I also bought Early Girl tomato plants this year and they are doing so much better than the other varieties I have planted in the past 3 years. Hopefully I will get enough fruit to replenish my stock of canned tomatoes. I also learned that tomato plants do not like to be watered a lot so I haven't watered them as much. It appears to be working.

Early Girl tomato plants

Sunflowers growing

The pink tape around our garden is to keep our little Texas out. He was sneaking some green tomatoes to snack on. Silly dog.

Do you have a garden? If so, how is it doing this summer?

Winter Coat

No, this is not another dog. This is the hair I brushed out of Texas' coat this morning. I wonder if he can run faster......

Taking a moment......

Worthy is the, Lamb who was slain

Holy, Holy, is He

Sing a new song,

To Him who sits on Heaven's Mercy Seat

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come

With all creation I sing:

Praise to the King of Kings!

You are my everything,

And I will adore You…!

Clothed in rainbows, of living color

Flashes of lightning, rolls of thunder

Blessing and honor,

Strength and glory and power be

To You the Only Wise King,

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come,

With all creation I sing:

Praise to the King of Kings!

You are my everything,

And I will adore You!

Filled with wonder,

Awestruck wonder

At the mention of Your Name

Jesus, Your Name is Power

Breath, and Living Water

Such a marvelous mystery

Holy, Holy, Holy

Is the Lord God Almighty

Who was, and is, and is to come,

With all creation I sing:

Praise to the King of Kings!

You are my everything,

And I will adore You!

-Gateway Worship, "Revelation Song"

Yummy Stawberry Bread

I had some strawberries that needed to be used quickly so I hunted for a recipe that sounded like it would satisfy the Janes' tastebuds. I succeeded in that endeavor so I want to post the recipe for my readers. It is really really good and I hope you can try it sometime. If you do, let me know what you think. It comes from http://www.joyofbaking.com/.

1/2 cup (113 grams) unsalted butter
3/4 cup (150 grams) natural cane sugar
3 large eggs
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
2 cups (280 grams) all-purpose unbleached flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon, optional
1/2 cup sour cream or plain yogurt
1/2 cup (55 grams) toasted walnuts or pecans, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 cups chopped fresh strawberries

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and place the oven rack in the middle position. Butter and flour (or spray with a non stick vegetable/flour spray) the bottom and sides of an 8-cup loaf pan (9 x 5 x 3 inch).

Place the walnuts (or pecans) on a baking sheet and bake for about 8 minutes or until brown and fragrant. Remove from oven and let cool completely before chopping coarsely. Set aside.

In the bowl of your electric mixer, or with a hand mixer, beat the butter until softened (about 1 minute). Add the sugar and continue to beat until light and fluffy. Add the eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Beat in the vanilla extract. In a separate bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, and ground cinnamon. With the mixer on low, add the flour mixture (in three additions) and sour cream (in two additions) alternately, starting and ending with the flour. Mix only until combined. Gently fold in the chopped strawberries and walnuts.

Scrape the batter into the prepared pan and bake about one hour, or until the bread is golden brown and a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean. Place on a wire rack to cool and then remove the bread from the pan. Serve warm or at room temperature.
Makes 1 loaf

A pair of Rain boots

Reading a friend's blog gave me the idea to post this....thanks, Maggie ;)

When Jubal was 4, he was having a hard time understanding why he has some clothes that were labeled 3T. He is 5 now and the 4T size is still baffling him. The concept that if it still fits, you can wear it, no matter the size is really stumping him. It's gotten kind of funny. I have tried to make it fun for him since he was kind of upset when he discovered it. (He is such a detail-oriented little guy.) He has not said anything about it in the past few weeks so I thought maybe we were through that little phase. Well, I was wrong....

Last week we bought him some new rain boots. He was sitting on the floor and I was watching him admire his new frog boots. Then he looked up at me in complete 5 year old innocence and said, "But mommy, I am not 13. The boots say 13. That's not right."
Too cute! I love it..... Kids are great!

Do you have any cuteness to share about your kiddos?

Fun Pillows

Since we have gotten our addition mostly done, I have been so excited to look for some cute, inexpensive, and colorful pillows to go in the living room. I looked in so many stores and just realized that I could not spend 15-20 bucks (minimum) for 1 pillow. So, I went to my favorite fabric store, Asheville Cotton Company and looked around last week. After much pondering, walking back and forth in the store, and more pondering, I found the right fabrics for my pillows. The total for fabric and stuffing ended up being around 27 bucks. That's about $6.75 per pillow. I say that's pretty good. I finished them up today and I am happy with them. They make a nice addition to the couch.