Blog Anniversary ~

Today, my faithful followers, marks the third year

of my Blogging journey.

My dear daughter, Stephanie, inspired me to begin blogging
and I certainly could not do it with out her
gracious loving heart towards all the problems I encounter. 
Today is my dear Stephanie's Birthday, 
I would love it if you would stop by her lovely Blog,
The Enchanting Rose and bless her with your kindness and best wishes.
I thought it was quite fitting to begin Blogging on Stephanie's Birthday three years ago since it was her love and inspiration that led me here in the first place.
I can still remember the excitement {and butterflies} 
that I experienced when my first post was published. 

Through her lovely Blog, Stephanie so graciously
 put the word out when my first post came up

and it was then that I came to know many of you dear ladies. 

Over time I have discovered new Blogs and made new friends

and my life has been enriched by each one of your Blogs 
the beauty you share and your friendship.

During the time I have shared my voice through the posts written here

you have been gracious with your words of inspiration

by leaving comments that have blessed my heart ♡ thank you!

"Kind words can be short and easy to speak, 

but their echoes are truly endless. "

~ Mother Teresa ~
♡
"In friendship, God opens your eyes
to the glories of Himself."
~ Joni Eareckson Tada ~
♡
"Friendship is the golden thread that
ties the heart of the world."
~ Author Unknown ~

Through Blogging I have met friends from all over the world.
There truly is a golden thread that ties friendships together,
for I have seen it and experienced it in my own life.

Through our Blogs we each invest time and effort
in sharing our hearts and lives,  and the time we
invest in our relationship with God gives the greatest return,
but as we commit ourselves to a growing, loving relationship
with our Precious Heavenly Father,  let us also commit
ourselves to ever- growing relationships with our fellow travelers
who are on this Blogging journey with us.
Blogging is such a beautiful way to connect with others.
We have opportunities to share the love of God,
to reach out and show forth our love care and concern
when others are hurting or going through struggles,
and we can praise one another with our words of inspiration.
Blogging, isn't it a joy!!

♡♡♡

My Thanks!

People everywhere in life
     from every walk and station,
From every town and city
and every state and nation
Have given me so many things
intangible and dear, 
I couldn't begin to count them all
our even make them clear...
I only know I owe so much
to people everywhere
And when I put my thought is verse
it's just a way to share
The musings of a thankful heart, 
a heart much like your own, 
For nothing that I think or write
is mine and mine alone...
So if you found some beauty
in any word or line, 
It's just "Your Soul's Reflection"
in "Proximity with Mine."

~ Helen Steiner Rice ~
♡
This poem expresses my gratitude for you all.
My heart rejoices in the goodness of God!
Through His guidance and direction I am able to share
my thoughts along with Scripture with you here in my little corner of the world,
and through it all I've had the joy of "meeting" you.
Thank you, for following along with me!

Some of you may know that I LOVE SURPRISES!
As my thanks to you for being a friend and for following along with me,
I'm having a *surprise* give-away.
This surprise box is filled with assorted gifts that will delight every heart.
I promise you there are no snakes or creepy crawlers
 tucked inside my surprise box 😘
just pretties for one blessed winner.
My heart would be full to overflowing if I could share a gift with each one of you,
but please know I am grateful for the friendship that I do share with you.
Consider yourself {{hugged}} and loved.♡
 I would love to hear in your comment how you found me.
My give-away is open to friends around the world
and I will announce the blessed winner on my Monday post,
that is, Monday April 10th.


Thank you for reflecting your light and beauty in my world!

Be Gracious!
~ Debbie ~

I will  be around to visit with you all

real soon, I'm looking forward to catching up with you.

A Grand Party with a Surprise

One year ago today I began my journey

in this beautiful community

of blogging
~
HAPPY FIRST BLOGAVERSARY TO ME!
&
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO MY DEAR STEPHANIE! 

I am celebrating both of these occasions together
because had it not been for the 
inspiration and encouragement of Stephanie,
I would likely not be blogging.
In honor of her I began my journey 
on her birthday one year ago today.
If you would like
you may read my first post here.

~~~***~~~

As my sweet encourager,
Stephanie has lived out (Colossians 4:6)
"Let your speech be with grace,
seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how you ought to answer each one."
Stephanie's words have been Gracious" to me. (Ecclesiastes 10:12) 
She has seasoned me with salt when I have said,
"computers and I have a hard time getting along."
She has assured me that I can do it,
and that she will help me along the way.
Has she helped me? Oh yea!
This post would be for-ever long
if I shared with you the many times
 I have had to call my "help line."
Stephanie works behind the scenes for me ~
many times she has been my personal photographer ~
I'm sure you can tell which photo's have been hers, haha ~
she has been my technical difficulty go to in a pinch.
I couldn't do it without her.
 When I have to call my "help line" in distress, I might add,
she always responds by living out (Isaiah 50:4)
"The Lord God has given me the tongue
of the learned, that I should speak
a word in season to him who is weary."

Stephanie ~ My Dear daughter and friend
is so good to me ~ her mother.
My heart is filled to overflowing
as I watch with a mother's heart the love in action
in Stephanie's life ~ her desire to walk after
her Savior ~ to practice being a Proverbs 31 women
in the role God has given her,
bringing glory and honor to her God.
With great honor from a mother's heart ~
Happy Birthday Stephanie! 

~~~***~~~

In the celebration of Stephanie's Birthday
and my One Year Anniversary 
I am having my very first "Give-Away."
Woohoo!
This is exciting for me as I have waited a whole year!
*So let the party begin*

My favorite color is pink ~ so this special gift
includes many items in that beautiful color.
Sorry if you do not like pink :(
I have also included a tea-cup in honor of Stephanie.

 Many a friendship has begun all through
her delightful Tea-Cup & Mug Exchanges.
Some of you dear followers have become my 
friends through that exchange.
I so appreciate each and every one
of  YOU, graceful followers,
and this is just a small token of my love for you.

~~~***~~~

I love ~ love ~ love ~ surprises!
So in each pink bag I have tucked 
away a surprise for the blessed winner.

I am allowing anyone to participate,
all I ask is that you leave a comment
sharing with me what your favorite Birthday cake is.
I will announce the gracious winner on my next Sunday 
Grace & Reflections for a Women's heart post
which will be on Sunday the 12th.

~~~***~~~

For refreshments today I will be serving up
my Granny's "Dime Cake" with you.
This gorgeous chocolate cake
with fluffy white icing was the cake my Granny 
made with love until she went home to be with her Lord.
Her cake has graced five generations
and has left many lasting memories. 
May you enjoy!

Chocolate Cake
1 cup cake flour ~ sifted at least three times
1 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons water
1/4 cup plus 2 Tablespoons buttermilk
1/4 cup crisco
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon vanilla
2 ounces unsweetened chocolate (cool)
~
Butter and flour cake pans ~ I use rounds for this cake
Beat all ingredients in a large mixing bowl on low speed,
scraping edges occasionally 3 minutes & pour into pans
Bake at 350 deg. for 30 to 35 minutes 
Or ~ you may just want to use a boxed cake mix. :)

Fluffy White Icing 
1/2 cup sugar
1/4 cup light corn syrup
2 Tablespoons water
2 egg whites
1 teaspoon vanilla
~
Mix sugar, corn syrup & water in a saucepan.
Cover: heat to rolling boil over medium heat.
Uncover: boil rapidly until candy thermometer registers 242 deg.
As mixture boils, beat egg whites until stiff peaks form.
Pour hot syrup very slowly in thin stream into egg whites,
beating constantly on medium speed.
Add vanilla: beat on high speed until stiff peaks form ~ this part takes awhile
I double this recipe so as to make one beautiful and full looking cake.
 All you have to do is wrap dimes in wax paper 
and place them in between the layers of the cake.
I put the icing on the cake first then place the dimes.
Children absolutely love the fun in this cake
and they will eat every bite looking for the dimes. :)
Enjoy! 

Thank you Heavenly Father
for showing me Your direction
with this blog that belongs to You.
Thank you for the beautiful
and gracious followers you have brought
to this, Your blog.
May You be glorified
in all that goes forth from this place.
In Your Holy name I pray,
with thanksgiving.
Amen

Joy!
~ Debbie ~ 

I'm joining the party with
Stephanie at "Roses of Inspiration"