The Top 80 Reason's We Love Mary Glynn

                                               Happy 80th Birthday, Mary Glynn!

Here are just a "few" of the reasons we ( I ) love you so much and am so blessed to be called your friend!

1-You came to my baby shower 28 years ago when I barely knew you and barely knew what I was getting myself in for!

2- You asked me how I liked being a new mom right after I had Mitch.....

3- When I lied and said I loved it...you just smiled!

4- You never let on that you could read right through me!

5-She has a wonderful husband named , Sam!

6- She has a wonderful son named, Sam!

7- She has a beautiful daughter named, Dawn!

8- She has son named Mark that has TURNED OUT wonderful!! ( just kidding, of course! )

9-She teaches the best Bible lessons!

10-She's helped my love of sheep grow into a collection!

11-She is always smiling!

12- She always "cares" about how WE are doing...very selfless!

13- She doesn't miss a beat....even when she is dancing!

14- She has GREAT hair! I've always envied it!

15- We go to the same "hair guy"! So I know I must be going to the right place!

16-She has a great eye for decorating! I love her home!

17-She often reminds all of us, " What's down in the well, comes up in the bucket"!!

18-She loves to use sheep as an illustration!

19- She's made the verse, "All we like sheep" take on a whole new meaning!

20- She is a fabulous counselor...not that I've been, but I've heard! ( and probably need to go! )

21- She never tells your secrets...even when I'm convinced she's reading my mind!

22- She shows unconditional love at all times!

23- She has great taste in clothes!

24- She has great taste in friends!

25- She has some very wealthy friends!

26- Some of these friends have fabulous vacation homes!

27- She lets me come SEE those beautiful homes when it's possible!

28- She has a genuine love for people!

29- She has a genuine heart for God!

30- She seeks to serve the lost!

31- She was even willing to be a missionary for awhile in the Phillipines!

32- She was a also a missionary in Washington for a while! ( it's too bad she isn't there now! ) and she
       and Sam helped start the Christian Embassy!

33- She's a wonderful missionary right here in Mountain Brook, Alabama!

34- She adores her grandchildren!

35- No matter your "lot" in life, she seeks to build you up!

36- She's one of the people in my life that has helped me grow spiritually for over 28 years!

37- She loves her daughter in laws!

38- She reaches out to her neighbors!

39- She makes you smile just when she enters a room!

40- When she is speaking somewhere she "packs out the house"!

41- She is humble no matter what!

42- She tells it like it is!

43- She doesn't worry about "feelings"!

44- I hear she's a Fabulous bridge player!

45- She ALWAYS makes me feel special!

46- I bet she always makes YOU feel special as well!

47- SHE is special!!

48- She loves my husband's parents!

49- She loves MY parent's!

50- She loves our extended families!

51- My husband's parents love her dearly!

52- My parent's love her dearly!

53- Shoot...WE love her dearly!

54- She likes my blog! ha ha!

55- No really...she likes my blog!

56- She tries to be "hip" when she already is "hip"!

57- She knows her Social Media!

58- She's on Facebook so I get to keep up with her!

59- She is a fabulous writer!

60- She's even written a book!

61- She encourages me with my blog...and all that I do!

62- Oh...how could I forget! She's the one that taught me about "Grudge Tapes"!

63- She is Extremely witty!

64- She is Extremely charming!

65- She has BEAUTIFUL eyes!

66- She loves my blog!! JUST KIDDING!!!

67- She KNOWS how to travel! I love the places she has visited!

68- She also drives nice cars!

69- She makes writing this VERY easy!!

70- She throws great birthday parties for her kids!

71- Her kids throw great birthday parties for her as well!

72- She is a "sporty" lady and loves to fish!

73- Oh..I love this one! You have the same grandmother name that mine had!! " Mee Maw"!

74- You've been blessed with a wonderful marriage of 56 years!

76- I get to benefit from her teaching my in-laws about "Raising Children"through my husband's love!

77- Her children benefited from that teaching as well....I can see it in her grandchildren!!!

78- She introduced my in-laws to Pastor Billy Kim and that has been a HUGE blessing!

79- She introduced ME to the phrase, " The people in life, the events in life and the circumstances in life don't MAKE you who you are....they REVEAL who you are"!!

80- Last but not least....the Number One reason I love Mary Glynn....is that she's only turning 80!!! I don't think I could have plugged my blog one more time!!!!

I love you, Mary Glynn and am so thankful that God has allowed me the opportunity to be your friend!!

              with all my heart and all my gratitude,

Romans 15:13 May the God of Hope fill You with all joy and all peace in beleiving that you may abound in hope through the power of  the Holy Spirit

Loving Christmas! And Trying To Enjoy It!

What a fun time we had this year at our Christmas Party! And to top it off I had a brand new dish to make....usually I ask everyone, " Did we have Lemon Chicken last year or Pork Tenderloin?" This year though...I brought out a dish that I had actually written about last year and for some reason never posted it! So....I'm posting a picture or two from the party and the recipe for the Ravioli Lasagna as well! Of course... we had a wonderful salad that Brenda and Andrea made, appetizers to die for from Jean Anne and Susan and the best dessert of all by Sally and Melanie the White Chocolate Bread Pudding! Maybe I will post that tomorrow night! Hope you enjoy the Ravioli Lasagna!

This dish makes alot.... this amount actually made 2 ( 8 x 11 casserole dishes or 1 9 x 13 and 1 8x8) use your own judgement!

2 Packages Celentano frozen beef ravioli cooked according to pkg instructions

6 T butter

2 8 oz pkgs sliced fresh mushrooms

6 green onions, chopped

2-3 garlic cloves, minced

2 tsp dried italian seasoning

3 10 oz cans of original rotel tomatoes and green chilies, drained

3-4 T chopped fresh basil

3 Cups whipping cream (oh My!!!)

1 Cup grated parmesean cheese (canned)

1 tsp salt

melt butter, add mushrooms and next 3 ingredients: saute until mushrooms are tender. Stir in rotel and basil, whisk in whipping cream slowly so as not to separate. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and simmer, stirring occasionally. Whisk in parmesean cheese and salt. Toss with ravioli until coated. Put in greased casserole dishes: Top with Marinara sauce, ( can swirl both sauces together if desired) Bake 350 covered with foil a good 30 minutes or until bubbly. Can have extra Marinara sauce on the side to spoon on individual servings.

Marinara Sauce

1 onion chopped

2 garlic cloves, minced

2 TBS olive oil

3 15 oz cans petite diced tomatoes

3 TBS tomato paste

1-2 TBS fresh basil

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp pepper

1/2 tsp sugar

Saute garlic and onion in oil. add tomatoes and let simmer 20 minutes or longer. Add rest of ingredients and let simmer 15 minutes. Mash with potato masher. Simmer 20 minutes longer.

Great on many pasta dishes!!!!

All I want for Christmas is You!

Ok....I've really been trying to not go too deep with all of you on here...it's really hard for me to express all that I'm going through and yet not let my kids read about it!!! Seriously....I started this blog for the sole purpose of being able to complain... I mean express my doubts and fears and then learn from them and hopefully grow from them.... BUT.....I'm reaching my limit....every night I hear myself tell Jim...." I just don't know how much more I can take...."
Of course, I hear nothing! I think Murphy feels the exact same way!!

 I'm sure he's thinking something but I guess after 28 years of marriage he has learned to keep quiet. I'm sure I've trained him that way and I'm most definitely sure I don't like it!! I want Holidays to be fun! Full of memories, dreams, wishes, kindness toward others.. the same things that all of you want for your families as well! This was my first year to run into several obstacles within the family dynamics....NOT FUN!! Once again....I want Holidays to be fun! It's taken me an entire lifetime to realize and understand just how blessed my family on both sides has been! That even though we have our differences with distant relatives....we all get along and have a wonderful time together! I've come to realize that even my friends that I'm closest to don't have that....it's a concept that until recently has been quite foreign to me...and I'm glad....

Even Rosie is watching for them to come home!

What I'm not glad about is this fact that is STARING me in the face...in fact it may as well be screaming at me!!! MY BABY GIRL LOVES HER FAMILY AND WANTS TO COME HOME!!!! ( she at least wants to be a part of all that we do and for that I am forever grateful!! ) After how many months...lets see about 18!!! your'e kidding me right???? oh my gosh!!!! They could have raised a 1 1/2 year old child by now!!!! I know why she doesn't complain to me...can you see it???  I hope so!! I so hope you can see that my baby girl and her incredible husband know that they are Right Where God Wants Them To Be!! They see it....even if I don't at times!!! What more could I ask for?!!!

I am forever grateful that they are trying to decide WHEN to come home for Christmas....when it would be the most meaningful for them and for us! Yes, Holly knows that I would LOVE and really need her help for my shop's Open House as well as be here for my Christmas Party! However....her heart is torn because of leaving Brad alone so much and that they have their staff Christmas Party in New Orleans....their third home in less than 18 months! How many of us could truly make a HOME 3 different times in 18 months? WELL THEY HAVE!!!! Each time they get close to their employees and each time it is so very hard to leave them!!! I truly can't imagine!!!! I know for a fact that at each location...Jackson MS, Oxford, AL and now Kenner, LA...they have made a difference in the lives of the people they've met and gotten to know through each Chick Fil A and I know they have no regrets about that! They've grown closer to each other and definitely closer to the Lord! I certainly am very grateful for that!

They certainly enjoyed their first Christmas as a married couple! There is nothing like watching it through a precious child's either! Brad really enjoyed getting to see Layton open her gifts!

                                           Holly loves to help with the decorating!

                                     

                                                 Love this mother/daughter moment!!!

                                 
                                             and especially love this father/daughter moment

                  So grateful for Miller putting the finishing touch on the tree! Atleast he is tall enough!

                                         
                                        loved having Hannah and Will stop by to help!!!

Anticipation!

                                         


                   and then there is Rosie and Murphy.....they look so sweet!!!! hmmmmm


There will be many more memories made this year that will also be very special...I'm just going to look for them and be grateful for them!

I'm really ok on a day to day basis...sometimes it just hits harder...like when Holly wants to be a Miller's basketball games right now! Thank heavens she can actually watch them on line and feel as if she is there...I am very grateful for that! 

                     

My hearts desire is for my children to come HOME!!! And come home for Christmas as well!! This will be their 3rd "married" Christmas....Anybody want to guess what I'm asking Santa for this Christmas?

I am so very thankful they are having a good time together in New Orleans....what special memories they are creating! God is good , all the time.....we know that for certain so that is what I know I can and will put my trust in! I really do pray for God's perfect will for them....I know the desires of their heart as a mother but He certainly knows them intimately...and He knows what's best for them in ways I can't comprehend. 

Christmas is coming.....

                The goose is getting fat!

  I've never quite understood that rhyme, but...oh well! I was all prepared to do a wonderful Christmas decorating post and then I got to cooking! Guess that's why this rhyme is in my head tonight! After eating this delectable pasta dish....I feel very much like the fat goose! but it was oh, so, worth it!!! Hope you enjoy! I got the recipe off of Pinterest and made only a few changes...

                                   Chicken Enchilada Pasta!!!! 
                                 3-4 chicken breasts, cooked & shredded {or shredded rotisserie chicken…I used the breasts}

2 tbsp. olive oil

2 garlic cloves, minced

1 medium onion, diced

1 red pepper, diced

1 {4 oz.} can diced green chiles

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. chili powder

1 tsp. cumin

2 {10 oz.} cans green chili enchilada sauce

2/3 cups red enchilada sauce

2 cups shredded cheese {I used colby & monterrey jack}

1 cup sour cream

Penne pasta

Optional toppings

Avocado

Green Onions

Black Olives

Tomatoes

Sour Cream

the final reward!

sauté the onion in the olive oil for 3-5 minutes; add the garlic and the red pepper and sauté for 5 more minutes. Add the shredded chicken..

sprinkle the salt, cumin and chili powder over the chicken and the vegetables....stir well and add the green chilis, the green enchilada sauce and the 2/3 C red sauce. Let simmer while you boil your water and cook the pasta. 

Add the cheese and stir till melted....add the sour cream and heat on low until blended...do not boil!!!!

*at this point I transferred my chicken mixture from a deep skillet to a dutch oven so that when it was done I could add the pasta easily and have room to stir, etc.....

Add the penne pasta to the chicken mixture and stir well....tossing to coat evenly....at this point I added the remaining red enchilada sauce that was never used after adding the 2/3 C the recipe called for and also about 1/2 C cream....just cause I had it! It was truly divine! 

ready to be "warmed" in the oven

It was at this point that I poured it into a greased casserole dish and covered it with foil just to make it easier on me to serve once everyone was home! It doesn't need the extra cooking time....I just needed the extra time to do everything else that I needed to get done before I served dinner....

And then....once it was served!!!!! OH MY!!!! I truly have never tasted anything quite so divine!!! 

the only other thing we added was fresh avocado and this AMAZING Pico de Gallo salsa we bought today from Costco....and served it with tostitos....If I had been having guests for dinner I was going to make a yummy angel hair slaw and corn muffins. But trust me...this dish is so good that you will never miss a side dish! However.... I highly suggest running and screaming to your nearest Costco for this incredible salsa! WOW!!!!

and then....as if you don't already have enough to do...decide that this is the year to add a "fun" tree to your sunroom!

it's not done yet! just the beginning stages!

at least I know I get to sit and enjoy it every single day until Christmas as this is the room I spend my life in now that we've re-done it!!!!

Hope you enjoy the pasta dish and I truly hope you enjoy each minute between now and Christmas Day! and every now and then when you think about it....remind me to do the same!!

MUCH LOVE AND MANY WARM CHRISTMAS WISHES TO YOU!!!

Yes, Carolyn....there is an Inspiration Home!

Ok...I love the saying at Christmas, "Yes, Virginia....and then you are left to wonder...even though most of us know the ending to that statement...there is still a bit of wonder! Which is great at this time of year! This season of wondering and believing has only just begun!


That's how I felt today after leaving one of the prettiest homes I've seen in a long time! We are so happy to be a part of the Birmingham Home and Garden's "Inspiration Home" as a sponsor through Mulberry Heights Antiques and had such a fabulous afternoon getting to tour it for the first time since it's been finished!

While there I oohed and awwhed over everything! And I do mean everything! I loved it from the minute I walked in until the minute I walked out! However...at one point I heard myself declare way to audibly  that I would have to go home and change everything!  I made notes....kept great ideas in my head and even talked about re-painting my entire house just so I could paint my doors black like the Inspiration Home! ( one of my favorite signature Tracery moves I saw tonight!)

              
                    and... I really, really loved this view into the foyer! Very unexpected!! and it's still bringing in the signature black that I loved so much!

but....when I got home, I was pleasantly surprised! In the Inspiration Home I was so happy to see collections of Ironstone and Creamware...paintings and yes, even my all time favorite... cross stitching...sometimes called punchboard embroidery! In fact...I may have seen my Christmas present that my sweet hubby can give me in that wonderful upstairs sitting room! That lovely cross stitched deer would fit right in with my own collection! We shall see!  So wish I had snapped a pic!! It was even signed with MOM....how very special! No telling how long it took that mother to cross stitch that!
Even better....I spied a picture of my precious daughter and her friends in the upstairs sitting room! Now tell me That doesn't make it feel like home!!!



All in all....I was MORE than Inspired...by the Birmingham Home and Garden Inspiration Home and Tracery Interiors! And the architect, Chris Reebels did an excellent job! If we were empty nesters I would be purchasing that home tomorrow! Yes, we are very close to being that...be we aren't just yet!

      
          They had used a pair of consoles from the shop and WOW!! They looked incredible!

         To say our dining chairs look amazing is an understatement! and now they are sold! Oh well!!

 I'm absolutely in LOVE with our chandelier in the Master Bed Room!!!! How romantic is this room?

And of course...in the entry way was an EMYO from our shop! What better way to make an entrance?

Well....I'm not "wondering" any more! Yes, Virginia...and Carolyn...there IS a Santa Claus! He makes children's dreams come true....just like the Inspiration Home made all of my dreams come true! Yes, Carolyn....there IS that perfect house out there for you!

Trust me when I tell you that you need to go visit it!! Who knows....this could quite possibly be the next entrance you see when you drive into your new neighborhood!

It's a wonderful development and one that I hope you will take the time to go see!  I can assure you that you will leave Inspired! You may be like me and think you are depressed for a minute...but it makes you realize that as long as you put the things that you love the most into your design and decorating of your own home....that's what really matters! And that's what means the most to people that are viewing your home! Birmingham Home and Garden, Tracery Interiors and Chris Reebels did an EXCELLENT job of giving us a "real" example of a home.....one to be "Inspired" by for years to come!

Make me keep my eyes on you......

There are no words to truly describe what I felt or experienced while driving in to the shop this late Tuesday morning.

 I'm still getting over the unbelievable day yesterday... still a little "shell shocked" at having to stand up so many times in front of such a large crowd! ( which...I LOATHE!! ) The fact that both of our parents were honored in the Grandparent's Day program at school for being 2 out of the 3 families in the ENTIRE school that have a 3rd generation attending there! The fact that my father in law was the speaker!  The fact that I'm realizing just how many blessings God has granted our family through Briarwood Christian School...all of that should be enough to still have me feeling a bit disorriented!  I kept wanting to call Britney today and laugh with her because both of us were utterly exhausted after yesterday's events at school for Layton! We both have that personality that doesn't like alot of attention and I knew she would laugh with me about how nervous I was all day! I also had to deal with the fact that I so wanted Holly to still be there...to still be that teacher that so many of her students and parents loved...It was a day of roller-coaster emotions to say the least!!! And the sweet faculty and staff that repeatedly sang Holly's praises were music to this mother's ears, trust me!!! It was just an emotional day all the way around!!

 I'm constantly trying to make myself not ask too many questions to sweet Holly and Brad because I know that deep down it creates even more stress for them. They want to get home probably more than we even want them home! They want to know where they can "land" so to speak and be able to FINALLY have their own things....their beautiful wedding gifts that were so lovingly picked out and planned for...OUT OF STORAGE! They want to be settled and we want that for them as well. So...when Holly told me today a couple of things that I hadn't asked to be told...and they really would seem quite insignificant to the innocent bystander...I began to fret...and get emotional...and get that yucky homesick feeling for them all over again!!!! Their life has been on hold...their things have been in storage for about 15 months now....THAT'S A LONG TIME!!!! so...when I heard this song....the one that kept saying over and over again how "We will keep our eyes on You"...."We will keep our heart set on you"...YES....I got teary and had to turn up the AC to dry my eyes and I realized that God had purposefully let me hear that song...those words of encouragement that have gotten me through another day of waiting on His timing!!!!....A song I had NEVER heard before but will now be a favorite because of how well it puts everything into perspective!!! Hope you enjoy it as much as I have!
much love and many thanks for your prayers...I would really appreciate them more than ever between right now.....and well...until then!! Hope to be able to share good news soon! No matter the outcome!
No matter the circumstances...I want to be an encouragement to you..my friends, my family, my customers, the people I encounter at any given moment...Can I really say that my eyes are always set on Him? that my heart is truly trusting in Him? I can honestly say that's what I want and that's where we are as a couple and as a family...there really isn't anywhere else to turn or anyone else that can "make it better"! God can...in His infinite wisdom! and "better" may not always be best...but I'd rather be there then anywhere else. I can honestly say that.....and pray that by His grace I will stay there...and so will my precious children and husband!

But the Lord is my fortress; my God is the mighty rock where I hide. 

      Psalm 94:22

very grateful,

Growing

What a perfect picture of the different stages we go through in our Christian Life and walk with the Lord!

When I went out to the garden late this afternoon with Rosie I couldn't help but feel sorry for the "struggling" tomatoes that still clung to their vines...their life support system! Of course I picked them quickly and almost verbally said to them.."No worries!" Just come in and get some sunshine! You will be ripe soon enough!!!

Once I was able to sit down and sort through my day...it hit me...these tomatoes are growing! Always growing and ripening until they are ready! I guess that's a little bit like me....always growing...always seeking...always ready to be ripe and always wanting to be that full grown person that God intends for me to be!!! Sometimes I feel "withered" and need watering just like some of my sad tomatoes did today....other times I know I'm growing and am right under the Master Gardener's care!

Can't wait till I'm the ripe, red, juicy tomato in the very back!!! The one that's been sitting there in the sunshine the longest! The one that sat patiently, knowing God was at work the whole time!!!!

Until then....I'm still that big ole green one in the front, still growing and ripening!!
(please note...I said OLE not OLD!! )

Colossians 2:6-7
And now, just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.


Hosea 10:12
Sow for yourselves righteousness;
reap steadfast love;
break up your fallow ground,
for it is the time to seek the LORD,
that he may come and rain righteousness upon you.


much love,