Perfect Pastry Every Time~

Hello sweet and gracious friends ~
This post that I am going to share with you
is somewhat out of the norm for me, especially a tutorial.
I was corresponding with one of my dear and gracious followers one day,
 when I shared with her that I was going to teach my young grandsons 
(who were spending time with Pa and Gamma at the time) how to make a pie.
She wrote back and asked if I would do a post on 
how to make pastry as she needed some help.
To be honest with you ~
I was quite surprised to hear this lovely lady say that "she needed help."
So...after much thought I decided why not?
First, please let me say ~
I know many of you out there do not need this tutorial,
and I'm in no way patting myself on the back
wanting it to look like I am the "expert" at making pastry, because I'm not. :)
Had it not been for my dear and precious mother-in-law Betty,
I may have never learned this simple love of mine.

The pastry recipe I use and will share with you

is the one my mother-in-law used.

Betty found this recipe in the Toronto Star many years ago

as winning  1st prize from a restaurant located in Toronto Ontario Canada.

******

~ PASTRY ~

5 1/2 cups (cake & pastry) flour (sifted)
~ Using cake & pastry flour is the best way to insure tender and flaky crust ~

 sprinkle of salt

1 teaspoon sugar 

2 1/4 cups crisco shortening (heavy on the 1/4 cup)

1 egg

1 Tablespoon lemon juice

1 cup milk (shy on reaching a cup)

~ I know that may sound strange, but you will see why as we go along ~ 

Sift together the flour, salt and sugar into your bowl.

Add the crisco, remembering to heap on the 1/4 cup. (pictured below)

I have used other shortenings including natural good for you stuff

and was disappointed with the results.

Cut up the shortening with the pastry blender

until the size of peas are formed. (pictured below)

In your measuring cup ~

beat with a fork the egg then add the lemon juice.

Now fill the cup with milk reaching 1 cup level.

Gradually work the liquid into the flour mixture with a fork

until it all sticks together and is ready for rolling.

My mother-in-law used a white dress sock on her wood rolling pin.

I used to use my grandmothers beautiful wood rolling pin for years

until a dear friend gifted me with my pretty pink silicone rolling pin.

It took me a few years to use that silicone rolling pin as it seemed strange to me,

but once I took the plunge, I never used my grandmothers again.

Grandma Maxie's rolling pin graces my home

in all it's beauty after many years of  rolling. 
It's now used for decoration.

******

I use a cloth tea towel to roll my pastry out on.
By the way ~ This tea towel is used ONLY  for this purpose.

Sprinkle with a medium dusting of flour 

then wipe some flour on the rolling pin.
~ Try not to use too much flour as it can make your pastry dry and tough ~

I use about a 3" diameter ball of pastry and gently

make it into a round ready to roll out. (Pictured below)

Gently roll the pastry in a circular motion from the inside to the outer
 until it reaches the edges of the cloth.

(Pictured below)

Cold hands make the best pastry ~

So if you have warm hands run them under cold water.

Gently handle your pastry.

Gentle is key :)

~ I like to mist my pie dish with cooking spray ~

Take your pastry and gently fold it in half.

Pick up the pastry at the folded end and place it right down the center of the pie dish.

Gently open up the pastry and with your fingers press the pastry into the creases of the dish.

Do not press firmly, just enough to seal it.

Take a pair of kitchen scissors and cut off the extra pastry

leaving about an inch and a half remaining.

Now you will gently roll the edges under
lining the pastry up with the edge of the dish as shown below on the right.

~ I purposely allowed my pastry to have splits

in order to show you that you can fix those problems

and still have a beautiful looking crust ~

By doing so ~

take some of the cut offs and seal a piece gently 

over the area where there are cracks, or open spaces.

Once you roll the pastry under you will then

hide the mess and it vanishes. *Walla*

I wasn't able to get the full picture for you in the pinching process

as I needed both hands to do the work

and I was my own photographer. Ha!

Pictured below you will see the angle of my finger,

it is sideways so as not to puncture a hole in the pastry with my nail.

Dip your forefinger on one hand and your forefinger and thumb on the other hand in flour.
~ I place a small pile of flour to use for this process ~
So here goes...
place your forefinger sideways on the inside of the pastry dish,
pinch gently with your other forefinger and thumb
going all around the dish.
Now, you will go around again on those pinched edges
and pinch just a little bit harder creating the finished pinched look.
~ Pictured below ~

When I was a baby God graced me with chubby cheeks.

Well...We all know that those chubby cheeks call out 

to those dear older ladies who love to "PINCH"!

They didn't really pinch to hurt us chubby cheeked babies,

they just couldn't resist the beauty of our fat. ;)

So...Don't pinch your pastry to hurt it,

pinch gently as if you are pinching some chubby cheeks.

I truly believe that working with pastry you 

need to have a gentle touch.

The dough is not expected to do the working of the hands,

but only to yield itself up to the working.

******

This makes me think of  how the Potter (God) takes the clay (us)

as we lay passive and submissive in His hands

and begins to mold and fashion it according to His own will.

He proceeds to make it into the vessel He has proposed.

He turns it upon the wheel, planes it and smooths it,

dries it in the sun, bakes it in the oven,

and finally turns it out of His workshop ~

a vessel to His honor and fit for His use.

Having, therefore, taken the step of faith by which

we have put ourselves wholly and absolutely into His hands,

we must expect Him to begin to work, and God's works

are perfect in every stage of our growth.
(2 Timothy 2:21b)

******

I chose to make a single crust pie 

so I could share with you a tip on keeping your crust from shrinkage.

You can place alluminum foil in the dish and fill it with dry beans, or,

you can use these wonderful pastry pearls.

~ Pie crust chain weights ~

When using these I still puncture my pastry a few times with a fork.

I bake my single crust pie shell for 10 to 12 minutes at 450 degrees.

This recipe will make three double crusted pies or six single pie shells.

I freeze the remainder in a single 3" diameter size lightly floured

and placed in a zip lock baggie.

Shape it into the round as if you were ready to roll it out

before placing into the baggie.

My husband loves cream pies,

 so on this day he enjoyed a chocolate ~ coconut ~ almond cream pie.

If you are making a double crusted pie

the process is the same.

Just place the top crust over your mixture

and proceed from the point of cutting away the extra pastry,

rolling it under then pinching it together.

ENJOY!

Be Beautiful!

~ Debbie ~

Stephanie's Tea Cup and Mug Revealing

Afternoon tea or a cuppa of your choice 

can be a simple way of relaxing in the middle of a hectic day.
 Or perhaps you have an elegant occasion

planned where you will share your new treasured tea cup or mug

with special friends or family members in a sociable way

as you serve your thought out menu with generosity and kindness.

May we, who have received these beautiful love gifts

through Stephanie's exchange use them  as a way

of offering hospitality.

******

Joseph Fort Newton says~

"Share your life, and find the finest joy man can know.

Do not be stingy with your heart.

Get out of yourself into the lives of others,

and new life will flow into you~share and share alike."

******

Once again Stephanie over at The Enchanting Rose 

has shown forth her beauty with her tea cup and mug exchange.

Thank you Stephanie, for your selfless heart

as you so beautifully arranged another exchange

for us ladies to enjoy.

Your labor of love does not go unseen, for God looks down

upon you as you graciously spend endless hours

and prayer time over each dear lady 

with whom you will partner.

God bless you!

Pictured above are the packages I sent out
to two ladies who do not have blogs.
The lovely lady that I was blessed to gift a mug to was Lynn, 
and my tea cup was sent to Judy, another dear and lovely lady.
Through the goodness of God, friendships have already blossomed.  

******

This exchange I decided to participate with both the tea cup and mug

and I'm so pleased that I did.

I like a dainty mug over a large mug and Elizabeth,
 from Simple Pleasures gifted me with the loveliest porcelain mug with roses.

Isn't she a beautiful mug?
I fell in love with the packaging of these two special teas
Crabtree & Evelyn afternoon tea and
Chocolate Super Berry Burst.
The chocolate tea is being saved for a special day. :)
Well~I have to confess that while waiting for the revealing party,
 I have already enjoyed that "special day" tea time
and it was delicious!

 Elizabeth blessed me with an assortment of beautiful gifts
The prettiest pink floral serviettes (napkins)
a beautiful note pad, a journal, a lacy handkerchief
and some note cards that I have already put to good use
in sending my grandsons a love note from Gamma. :)

Awe...I think I shall sit over a nice cup of black tea served up
in my gorgeous new lady like mug
and thank the Lord for His goodness to me.
Thank you Elizabeth,  for your love and generosity,
I will cherish and enjoy every gift.

My china cabinet is gracing our home beautifully
with the lovely tea cups I have received through
 Stephanie's Tea Cup & Mug exchanges.
Karren who blogs over at  Oh! My Heartsie Girl
gifted me with this gorgeous Gracie floral tea cup.
Doesn't she look lovely in my cabinet?

She too lavished me with some beautiful "pink" gifts.
A pretty adult coloring book filled with my favorites~
flowers, birds and bird houses.
A cute little note pad and  a tea towel with the recipe
 "Oven Baked Cinnamon Apple Chips"
and some delicious black tea. 

I believe these baked apples are going to taste delightful
with a hot cup of tea next to the fire. Yes, our fire is still burning
here in the Rocky Mountains. :) 
Thank you dear Karren,  for my gorgeous tea cup and gifts
that I have thoroughly enjoyed. 

This winter I have enjoyed relaxing by the fireside with my adult coloring books
while listening to some soothing music
and all the while pondering on the goodness of God.
Because of His unfailing love and grace
I have much to ponder on
and I give thanks with a blessed heart. 

Thank you again dear Stephanie, for blessing
my heart through your tea cup & mug exchanges.
Each and every exchange has had its own unique beauty
that has graced my life with new friendships.
The work that you put into making your exchanges happen
will one day show forth the loveliness of it all
as you stand before the Lord, and hear Him say,
"well done thou good and faithful servant"
because this side of heaven, you may never know
just how many lives have been touched
through your love and grace.
Bless you!


"Praise ye the Lord; for the Lord is good:
sing praises unto his name;
for it is pleasant."
Amen. 


Be Glorious!
~Debbie~

 Come and join the revealing party over at Stephanie's

The Unloved

I did it again!

I hit that nasty "publish" button too soon last night *sorry* 

For the past few years my husband and I have enjoyed the wild turkeys

during the fall, winter and spring months on our property.

We throw wild bird seed and hen scratch

on the ground under two huge pine trees for the birds

and the turkeys are delighted to join them for a meal.

I have become quite attached to these turkeys

through my new hobby of "Bird Watching"

and am amazed at some of their behavioral ways.

These turkeys by the way, practically eat out of my hands

and even talk back to me when I make some of their sounds

that I have taught myself.

I can gobble just a fast as they can! Well, almost. Ha!

Every morning these little darlings bring me joy,

in fact, I've had many a belly laugh over watching them run

to and fro in front of our home when it is quite icy

as they try to gracefully handle themselves

though many times it's on their bums. :) 

During the spring we have the privilege of watching the tom's

with their feathers fluffed out in all their glory

as they strut around for their pretty little Merriam's.

The last few days we have had five tom's all fluffed out together,

and of course no picture. :(

but in my presence, there have been no fights.

I wonder...

After watching the behavior of this flock all winter long

it seems as if the main tom is teaching and training 

those younger tom's.

It would appear that they are under his wing. *no pun intended*

I have also noticed in these last few days

that those younger tom's are breaking off with a few little Merriam's 

to call their own, yet they still remain near the flock

undisturbed by the head tom.

But sadly~ there is one tom that lives on the outskirts of this flock. :(

He is always by himself, yet close enough to the others

without getting into trouble with the Head Honcho.

If he even tries to move in closer, he is pushed out.

He waits to eat after the others have finished,

so he eats alone.

He comes near our home by way of the "back door" you might say,

and runs whenever it looks like he is being threatened.

He's been a part of the 14 we have had all winter,

yet he is an outcast.

Watching this lonesome guy looking in from the outside

makes me feel quite sad.

I have never liked seeing a "loner" even with humans,

it breaks my heart.

As I watch the behavior of the flock,

I can't help but think of the way some people treat one another.

I've seen others being left out of a "group" and not bothered with.

People can be so cruel and unkind with their words and actions,

not showing much in the way of love and grace.

If we were to examine ourselves, are we taking the time to befriend

a lonely sole and show them that we care?

Are we carelessly going through our days with out noticing 

the many needs of others around us?

Are we to busy to notice that someone may be all alone,,

discouraged or troubled?

To know and to be known, to love and to be loved,

to care and to be cared for~these are some of our

deepest human needs.

God would have us to come along side one another

showing love and concern in a manner that

reflects His glory.

If we are going to reflect the glory of God

then we must reflect His image. 

As we study God's Word, the Spirit teaches us

how to have a loving heart that would reflect Him.

Maybe you are that one who feels unloved?

My heart remembers you in prayer.

May you find encouragement knowing 

that God loves and cherishes you.

~~

"For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mothers womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.

My frame is not hidden from You, when I was made in secret,

and skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed,

and in Your book they are written, the days fashioned for me,

when as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me O God!

How great is the sum of them."

(Psalm 139:13-17) 

~~It is God's will that we love one another~~

"And this is his commandment, that we should believe on the name

of his Son Jesus Christ, and love one another,

as he gave us commandment."

(1 John 3:23)

God commands us to love one another, it's not a choice.

~~

~~That we encourage one another~~

In Deuteronomy chapter (3:23-29) Moses is forbidden to enter Canaan,

but the Israelite's were commanded to encourage Joshua

to go over before the people to inherit the land.

 ~~

~~That we admonish one another~~

"Let the Word of God dwell in you richly in all wisdom,

teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns

and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord."

(Colossians 3:16)

Look at the beauty of this verse! 

If we are doing as this verse commands,

love would certainly flow out from our hearts on to others.

~~

~~That we be kind & forgiving to one another~~

"And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving

one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you."

(Ephesians 4:32) 

~~

~~That we serve one another~~

"For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty;

only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh,

but by love serve one another."

(Galatians 5:13)

~~

~~That we bear with one another in love~~

"Forbearing one another, and forgiving one another,

if any man have a quarrel against any:

even as Christ forgave you, so also do ye."

(Colossians 3:13)

~~

~~That we grumble not against one another~~

"Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned:

behold, the judge standeth before the door."

(James 5:9)

~~

~~That we speak not evil of one another~~

"Speak not evil one of another, brethren, he that speaketh evil

of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law,

and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law,

but a judge.
(James 4:11)

~~

~~And then~Let us pray for one another~~

"Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another,

that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a

righteous man availeth much."

(James 5:16)

~~

When we find ourselves on our knees praying for others

no matter who they are, we will grow to have a love for them

and see great and mighty things happen

through the grace of God. 

~~

O God, teach us what it means to love deeply and profoundly,

as Jesus did.

Amen

Be Gracious!

~Debbie~

 

The Joys of Friendship

"Your only treasures are those which you carry in your heart"

~Demophilus~

My daughter Stephanie and I had the joy and privilege

of meeting Deborah Montgomery one of our dear and precious

blogging friends over a cup of tea and sweet fellowship

in a unique Tea Room one day last week.

Our delightful time together will forever

be treasured and carried in our hearts.

Deborah is as beautiful on the inside

as she is on the out.
Deborah's Blog name is The Beautiful matters,
and she fits her blog as well as the name perfectly. 
Deborah is a gracious and lovely lady,
and both Stephanie and I are thankful for the chance
to have met such a dear friend. 

"No love, no friendship can cross the path

of our destiny without leaving some mark on it forever"

~Francois Mauriac~

Deborah has certainly left her mark on our hearts.

Please stop by Stephanie's blog and read more about our lovely day together.
Stephanie has shared some beautiful photo's of the Tea Room,
the historic town and of course the three of us ladies
all prettied up in our tea hats.

 Deborah gifted me with this precious honey jar and candle,
and some darling bumble bee napkins and tea
that are not pictured here.
She was sharing with me, that our names
have the meaning of being "Busy Bees"
while I believe we are certainly busy,
she likes to think of us as being "Honey Bees"
and so her gift had a beautiful meaning behind it.
How sweet that she would put such thought into her gift.

"Kind words are jewels that live in the heart

and soul and remain as blessed memories"

~Marvea Johnson~

Last week I had a "Blog Party" in celebration of Stephanie's 

special 30th birthday, and YOU dear ladies

came gracing the party in all your beauty and loveliness. 
Thank you sweet friends for taking the time to visit and 
share your sweet birthday wishes.

Your gift of comments were tender and touching

 like "jewels"  leaving an imprint of blessed memories.
Thank you for your kind words.

 Stephanie would also like to share her thanks with you.

******

Feeling gratitude and not expressing it 

is like wrapping a gift and not giving it. 

-William Arthur Ward

I can't thank each and every one of you enough for the beautiful response to my mom's birthday party post. Your heartfelt birthday wishes went straight to my heart and I was in awe of your love and kindness. For you to take the time to wish me a happy birthday and offer words of wisdom was the greatest gift I could have received. Please know that your words will remain with me for a very long time and as I continue on in this journey called life I will remember to kneel in prayer and thank the Lord for such precious blogging friends. Thank you for making my 30th birthday beautiful and memorable. With love and sweet hugs, Stephanie.

******

Lorraine, from Flowerladysmusings is the blessed winner
of my birthday give-away. Congratulations Lorraine!!
I want to say thank you again to each of you dear ladies
for joining  in on Stephanie's birthday celebration.
How I would have loved to share a gift with each one of you. 
The Lord bless you!

 
"I awoke this morning with devout
thanksgiving for my friends, the old and the new "
~Ralph Waldo Emerson~
~~~
Thank you Heavenly Father,
for placing friends into our lives.
May we, as ladies, be always gracious and lovely
in the lives of our friends, whom You have blessed us with.
Amen

Bee Lovely!
~Debbie~

Happy 30th Birthday Stephanie

Let's have a Blog Party! 
No I didn't say a "Block Party" though that would be
a ton of fun, wouldn't it?
Just imagine bringing our favorite dish while
 getting together with all our friends
here in our wonderful Blogging community
and sitting around sharing sweet fellowship one with another.
My... it sounds glorious indeed!

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


Today is my dear Stephanie's Birthday
and I would like to have a party in honor of her.
YOU DEAR LADIES are her precious friends!
I know her life is richer and fuller with you in it.
And though it would certainly be nice to get together
and throw a beautiful birthday party for Stephanie,
so that we may show our love and appreciation
for her contribution in our blogging community
 we all know that it would be quite impossible.
So...why not have a "Blog Party"!
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!  
We love and appreciate you! 

Image courtesy of The Gaphics Fairy


Since this is a "Blog Party" and we are not able 
to shower Stephanie with our love gifts,
I'm asking that if you should leave a comment
would you please share a few gracious words of wisdom for Stephanie,
 as she has reached a milestone in her life.
Yes, Stephanie is 30 years old today and looking beautifully young.
It wouldn't be a party with out gifts now would it?
 I will be having a Birthday Give-Away and
pictured below is the gift package someone will receive
excluding the surprise that will be tucked away in the box.
I LOVE surprises, and every birthday party should have a surprise.

 
The birthday girl will draw one blessed winner
out of the party hat one week from today, April 9th.
*I will then contact the winner*

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


In our blogging community, Stephanie has enriched our lives
with her grace and beauty.
Through her sweet blog she shows forth attributes of having
a loving, gentle, kind and gracious spirit.
There she inspires us with her words of wisdom and beauty
in all that she shares with us.
From her tutorials that make everything look so easy, 
even to those of us who do not have a crafty bone to speak of. {{smiles}}
Stephanie shares her recipes that are accompanied 
with amazing photo's.
Are you like me, that when you see her photo's of what she has prepared
you reach for the computer screen
realizing it's only a photograph? HA!
Her Sunday posts tenderly teach us about the old time hymns,
and of course Stephanie always graces them with the
beauty of her photography and words of inspiration
that we can take, hide in our hearts and ponder on for the week that follows.
Then... there is her delightful Teacup and Mug Exchange
that we all wait anxiously for which happens twice a year.
The Lord has certainly blessed her with a ministry
 that has touched many lives and
where friendships have been made all across the globe.
I've often thought about all that goes into
a tea cup or mug being sent out.
You know...we could just go and purchase a tea cup or mug for ourselves
and save the time, the shopping, the packaging and the cost of it all,
including the postage that has skyrocketed.
But look at all the joy we would miss out on
and the friendships that would have never transpired.
There is something special that takes place
over a tea cup or mug gifted from another dear lady, isn't there? 
I know for myself the Lord has blessed me with
new friends from all over this wonderful world. 
A great amount of work and love goes into Stephanie's exchanges,
and I applaud her for all it's beauty.
Here you will find Stephanie's lovely Etsy Shoppe where
your heart will be swayed by her warm and whimsical designs
that she has created with love from her heart and so beautifully
embellished with her very own decorative touches.
Thank you Stephanie for gracing our lives with your beauty.

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


Ladies, from my heart,  I want to thank you for joining me here
in honor of Stephanie's birthday.
You are an amazing bunch of ladies yourselves,
and some of you with amazing blogs of your very own.
Had it not been for my dear Stephanie,
I would have never taken a walk down the road of blogging,
and so therefore, I would likely have never come to know you.
Those of you who have come for a visit and do not
wish to leave a comment I respect that.
Thank  you for joining in on the birthday celebration.
God bless you all.

Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy 

 
  Dear Stephanie ~  As your mother, my prayer for you
 is that you will dedicate the remainder of your life
to God and continue to live in His ways.
It is true, that if we want to be God's beautiful woman
at the day of His appearing then we must,
"number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12) 
and do all that we can to cultivate the character qualities
that are found in Proverbs 31.
Already, you have displayed a desire to
live by God's standards in becoming a women
reflecting the beauty of God.
It takes a lifetime of day by day walking close
by our Savior's side, and allowing His Holy Word, through the Spirit of God,
to mold us and make us into "a virtuous woman, who's price is far above rubies."
May God bless you with many more years
to show forth His grace and beauty.
Happy Birthday!
I love you
Mom

HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!

Let's have a Blog Party! 
No I didn't say a "Block Party" though that would be
a ton of fun, wouldn't it?
Just imagine bringing our favorite dish while
 getting together with all our friends
here in our wonderful Blogging community
and sitting around sharing sweet fellowship one with another.
My... it sounds glorious indeed!

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


Today is my dear Stephanie's Birthday
and I would like to have a party in honor of her.
YOU DEAR LADIES are her precious friends!
I know her life is richer and fuller with you in it.
And though it would certainly be nice to get together
and throw a beautiful birthday party for Stephanie,
so that we may show our love and appreciation
for her contribution in our blogging community
 we all know that it would be quite impossible.
So...why not have a "Blog Party"!
 HAPPY BIRTHDAY STEPHANIE!!  
We love and appreciate you! 

Image courtesy of The Gaphics Fairy


Since this is a "Blog Party" and we are not able 
to shower Stephanie with our love gifts,
I'm asking that if you should leave a comment
would you please share a few gracious words of wisdom for Stephanie,
 as she has reached a milestone in her life.
Yes, Stephanie is 30 years old today and looking beautifully young.
It wouldn't be a party with out gifts now would it?
 I will be having a Birthday Give-Away and
pictured below is the gift package someone will receive
excluding the surprise that will be tucked away in the box.
I LOVE surprises, and every birthday party should have a surprise.

 
The birthday girl will draw one blessed winner
out of the party hat one week from today, April 9th.
*I will then contact the winner*

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


In our blogging community, Stephanie has enriched our lives
with her grace and beauty.
Through her sweet blog she shows forth attributes of having
a loving, gentle, kind and gracious spirit.
There she inspires us with her words of wisdom and beauty
in all that she shares with us.
From her tutorials that make everything look so easy, 
even to those of us who do not have a crafty bone to speak of. {{smiles}}
Stephanie shares her recipes that are accompanied 
with amazing photo's.
Are you like me, that when you see her photo's of what she has prepared
you reach for the computer screen
realizing it's only a photograph? HA!
Her Sunday posts tenderly teach us about the old time hymns,
and of course Stephanie always graces them with the
beauty of her photography and words of inspiration
that we can take, hide in our hearts and ponder on for the week that follows.
Then... there is her delightful Teacup and Mug Exchange
that we all wait anxiously for which happens twice a year.
The Lord has certainly blessed her with a ministry
 that has touched many lives and
where friendships have been made all across the globe.
I've often thought about all that goes into
a tea cup or mug being sent out.
You know...we could just go and purchase a tea cup or mug for ourselves
and save the time, the shopping, the packaging and the cost of it all,
including the postage that has skyrocketed.
But look at all the joy we would miss out on
and the friendships that would have never transpired.
There is something special that takes place
over a tea cup or mug gifted from another dear lady, isn't there? 
I know for myself the Lord has blessed me with
new friends from all over this wonderful world. 
A great amount of work and love goes into Stephanie's exchanges,
and I applaud her for all it's beauty.
Here you will find Stephanie's lovely Etsy Shoppe where
your heart will be swayed by her warm and whimsical designs
that she has created with love from her heart and so beautifully
embellished with her very own decorative touches.
Thank you Stephanie for gracing our lives with your beauty.

Image courtesy of Bumble Button


Ladies, from my heart,  I want to thank you for joining me here
in honor of Stephanie's birthday.
You are an amazing bunch of ladies yourselves,
and some of you with amazing blogs of your very own.
Had it not been for my dear Stephanie,
I would have never taken a walk down the road of blogging,
and so therefore, I would likely have never come to know you.
Those of you who have come for a visit and do not
wish to leave a comment I respect that.
Thank  you for joining in on the birthday celebration.
God bless you all.

Image courtesy of The Graphics Fairy 

 
  Dear Stephanie ~  As your mother, my prayer for you
 is that you will dedicate the remainder of your life
to God and continue to live in His ways.
It is true, that if we want to be God's beautiful woman
at the day of His appearing then we must,
"number our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom" (Psalm 90:12) 
and do all that we can to cultivate the character qualities
that are found in Proverbs 31.
Already, you have displayed a desire to
live by God's standards in becoming a women
reflecting the beauty of God.
It takes a lifetime of day by day walking close
by our Savior's side, and allowing His Holy Word, through the Spirit of God,
to mold us and make us into "a virtuous woman, who's price is far above rubies."
May God bless you with many more years
to show forth His grace and beauty.
Happy Birthday!
I love you
Mom