Journey With Jen

What is it snow days that makes me so happy? It's not just because it's a day off.  If I needed one that badly, I could just take one of my personal days. I think it is because it's different.  The world kind of stops for a moment.  I don't have to get up and head some where.  I  get a day AT HOME with my kids.  I love it! It's 9 am and I am still in my pajamas.  Which doesn't happen any day of the week!  Saturdays and Sundays are too busy for that.  A pot of soup will soon be on my stove.  I sit under blanket with my laptop open with fur babies resting beside me.  Life is good.  And I just take a moment to say Thank You Lord for truly a day of rest. Yes, I will finish my laundry up today.  And dishes will get dirty and washed.  A precious little girl's birthday present will get finished today.  But today will also include some home made spinach dip while we play board games.  A glass of hot chocolate ...

First of all, the baskets are done!  Filled with Pumpkin scones, Cinnamon Struesel Muffins, Strawberry Bread, Sweet Cinnamon Biscuits, Pumpkin Oat Muffins, Chocolate Scones.  So yummy!!  My kids have enjoyed the left overs! :) There is no fluff in these baskets!  They are filled!! I have also have been painting the living room and putting up new curtains.  I love it!  It feels warm and homey to me!  I can finally put pictures up! This is one by the front door so you can see the pretty color behind it.  It's a terra-cotta color.  ;) We are also working on the master bathroom.  We took down the tile and got the mold out.  Now, we are putting the new up.  Long process but it is looking great!  Once I patch the couple holes and mud all the way around, I can put up some new paint and it will look completely different! I am so thankful for the blessings that God has given us.  Each project is a labor of lov...

Summer is her!! Luckily, summer temps have not made it here yet!  I know that most people are ready for summer and enjoy the heat.  I enjoy the time with my kids and the chance to get things done.  The weather is my least favorite of all seasons.  BUT, I do think we should celebrate a bit with a giveaway! One of last yrs basket winners! I am thinking...hummmm...  maybe a breakfast basket.  Like some scones and muffins.   Oh, cannot forget a sweet bread like maybe strawberry or banana bread.  Of course, there are always some cinnamon biscuits or cinnamon rolls too.  I'm making myself hungry this morning!  :) Its been a long time since we've had a drawing. In fact, I just looked and it was last spring.  So sorry about that guys! And because it has been so long, I'll be making up two baskets!  So, two chances to win!! Please remember the rules: 1)  Just hit the comment button and leave your name  2)  Must ...

And our winner is......   Angela Sullins!  Just one of the sweetest people I know!  Congradulations Angela!  Thank you to everyone that entered.  I'll have to do it again soon so keep you eyes out.  Well, that's kinda gross.  Keep your eyes in but keep a look out for my next contest.  I'll post pictures when I am done.  I gotta start some Easter baking now! :)

I know, I know...it's been a while since I've had a contest.  Sorry! But ~ it is Spring and almost Easter!  Such a blessing to look around and see God's creation in bloom!  To be reminded of the resurrection of Christ.  Life is such a gift! We get so busy making baskets for other sweeties in our life.  So, it is time for YOU to get a basket filled with goodies. Or maybe you know some one that could use a pick me up.  Sign up and I could deliver it to their local home.  Cookies!  Cupcakes!  Who knows what I'll be making!  Of course, I do know there will be some chocolate! ;)  Sorry but I have to add one rule.  :(  You must live in Northwest Arkansas.  (or at least able to meet me in Northwest Arkansas)    So, if you would like to join in on the fun ~  hit the comment button and leave me your name.  It's very easy to do!  Contest opens to...

Woo-hoo!! Congratulations to Darla Anderson! Thank you to everyone who entered. I hope that you guys enjoy your desserts as much as I enjoy making them for you! There will another contest soon....maybe pie? Or cinnamon rolls? Or scones? We will have to see! For now, I'm going to dig out my carrot cake recipe, start shredding some carrots, and make a run to the store for cream cheese (for frosting). Delish! Have a wonderful Wednesday my friends. "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up." ~ Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

It has been a while since my last contest. So, I think it is time to have another one! I am thinking cake. Of course, behind cinnamon rolls, that is my favorite dessert! ;~D So before we go much further, you need to be thinking about what your favorite kind is. Let me give you some suggestions that I'm fond of: Chocolate Cake with Chocolate Cake is always good!! Then, there is Yellow Butter Cake with Chocolate Frosting (pick up on my theme? LOL) Oh, yes, my German Chocolate Cake is pictured ~ delish! There is always Hummingbird Cake (with bananas & pineapple) My Daddy's favorite was always Coconut Cake How about Carrot Cake with Cream Cheese Frosting? yummm.... I know, I know! There are SO many choices. Have you made a decision yet?? Well, I know that some of you regular contest entries are out on vacation. I'll have to do another one once everyone gets back and school starts. So, when you are ready, hit the comment button at the bottom. Give me your name and the type...

One Basket with Peanut Butter and Snickerdoodle for Nanci Robinson (I know your not a big chocolate fan, so I picked one of our family favorites for your 2nd choice.) One box with an assortment of cookies being sent to a sweet lady winning the battle of cancer. God is So Good! One Basket with Oatmeal Raisin and Double Chocolate Chip for Jason Scott Thank you everyone for playing! I do enjoy baking. I know that part of it is the joy others have with receiving it. It brings me joy to see your happiness! :) Isn't it great how it works that way? If you have any suggestions that you would like for the next drawing, just hit that comment button and let me know! Thinking maybe I could find a pretty cake plate and make a three layer or something? Humm...Pie? I don't know. Let me know what you'd like! :) "You have turned for me my mourning into dancing, You have loosened my sackcloth and clothed me in gladness; that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent, O, Lord, my ...

This is my gift list book. My gifts that God gives me each and everyday. The gifts that I try to take the time and notice. I try not to let those gifts just pass me by. (although I'm sure that I miss many!) On my front page, I put "Count your blessings one by one." Remember that hymn? It just seemed to fit. Here are a few that I've wrote down lately: 33. Hiking with the family 38. Breakfast remembering the good times with my Dad 42. Finding a gas station before running out of gas (out on county roads in Newton/Madison County) 46. Beauty of the hills of the Ozarks 48. Summer break with the kids "I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart; I will recount all of your wonderful deeds. I will be glad and exult in you, I will sing praise to you name, O Most High." Psalm 9:1-2 I know that your probably wondering who won the drawing. (Maybe?) So, I tried something new this time. I saw this website on a friend of mine's blog. ( http://www.blessedholly.com...

I had so much fun with the Easter Baskets giveaway. It's just fun to do something special for some one else! I realize that most people are like me and LOVE to win things!! :) I was going to do something for Mother's Day but May seemed to have come and gone before I even knew it. Sorry ladies! So, it's June. We have Father's Day this month. Also, the end of another school year. So, what to give away?? I don't know about you but cookies taste SO much better if: 1) they are fresh and 2) some one else makes them!! Why else would we go to the Cookie Company at the mall and pay $6 for a few cookies? Cookies are portable so they are great to take on your picnics! So, I'd like to give away 2 dozen cookies to 2 different people!! That's right ~ two dozen! To two different names drawn. Each person may choose 24 cookies of one flavor. Or a dozen cookies of two different flavors! Yummm!! Some ideas to choose from: The Classic Chocolate Chip Double Chocolate Chip (...

Lots of Yummy Chocolate Goodies! My first contest has come to a close. It was fun for me. I hope that you enjoyed it as well! I finished baking last night. This morning, I frosted the big chocolate cupcakes with chocolate frosting. (enough chocolate for ya'?) Faith drew out the names for our red bowl. (you can tell from the monkey/peace nightshirt! LOL) Oh, yes ~ you can see that we have three winners instead of the two. Well, as I was baking I realized that I had enough for one more basket so Char lucked out! She was lucky number three. Thank you everyone for participating. It makes contests more fun when lots of people play. I will have to do this again. Let me know if you have any ideas. Mother's Day is coming up in May or Father's Day in June. Huummmm..... Have a Great Weekend! "We are each gifted in a unique and important way. It is our priviledge and our adventure to discover our own special light." ~ Mary Dunbar

It is spring time! And Easter is around the corner! I know that all of the wonderful parents out there make sure that the kids have an Easter basket filled with good stuff. (well, at least what kids call good stuff!! LOL) Peeps are a must, of course. Chocolate bunny perhaps? Maybe some spring colored jelly beans. I'm thinking that a basket filled with things us adults enjoy would be wonderful! So, I am giving away two Chocolate Lover's Easter Baskets ! Yes, you read that TWO . Because one is just not enough! :D No, no pictures of them yet because they will be filled with HOMEMADE goodies. I wouldn't want them to dry out so I'll be busy baking this week. Chocolate Chip cookies , of course. Brownies . Fudge . I make this yummy chocolate mousse . Brownie Biscotti . So, many things I could think of! Oh, I can't wait to get started. I will post pictures when I get them done! I'm excited because this is my first contest! There is one rule, sorry guys! You have to b...