MAGICAL MONDAYS ~ "Around the World at Epcot" Edition

Hiya, Pals! In case you didn't know, I'm a DISNEY fanatic! So, I thought it fitting to devote a special day each week at Chatting Over Chocolate to my love of all things Mickey & Magical!

To all who come to this happy post, WELCOME!

Tonight I'm just getting over the flu! HOORAY, fever free (FINALLY)! ...and while I'm doing better, I'm pretty much feeling LAZY exhausted! So, tonight I'm gonna share a pre-made goodie with ya! ;*)

°o° ~ Around the World at Epcot!
This is a music video that my husband created capturing the FUN we enjoyed as we sipped, snacked & explored Epcot during our last ("just the 2 of us") trip to Walt Disney World!!



Hope you enjoy, and that you'll return again next Monday for more magic!
I plan to fill future Magical Monday posts with Disney crafts, recipes, videos, park news, ect.!

See you real soon! Why? Because we like you!

Thanks for stopping by! Don't be shy. Please say, "HI!"

OPERATION: CHEER {Extraordinary Care Package Inspiration!}

I was unknowingly involved in a secret mission last weekend!

The following is a documentation of this successful mission. Read carefully. Following this debriefing you will receive your assignment.

First, a brief introduction to the agents on this mission.:

Agent A (aka: Aunt Ann): The relative I admired throughout my childhood, and as an adult count one of my dearest friends. She's one of those precious family members that make you anticipate Thanksgiving, for reasons beyond turkey and pie! Kindhearted, compassionate, with a heart of gold, she loves life and fills hers with magical, adventurous moments! For this mission, she was practically perfect in every way.

Agent E (aka: Ann's daughter, my youngest cousin, Emily): She's the one on my lap in all our old family photos. As years pass, much more than blood connects us. We share a deep bond of friendship, love of family history, admiration for our late Grandma's handwriting, and crazy obsession over love of all things Disney! She's the one that brings insanely delicious desserts to get togethers, and an even sweeter presence. This mission had her name written all over it!

The mission, which they chose to accept (and were also the masterminds behind): Create and deliver a care package so thoughtful that it would overwhelm the recipient with gratitude, fill her eyes with happy tears, and in an instant cheer her previously discouraged heart.

The Target: Me. Sick for nearly two weeks, and now also caring for our oldest daughter who had also become ill, I was an easy target for Operation: Cheer. My blues didn't stand a chance.

Details of the Agents Carrying Out Their Mission:
Just after 1400, I received an innocent text inquiring about my wellbeing. I was thankful for the thoughtfulness behind the text, yet completely unaware of what was coming next.

Fifteen minutes later, I received a second text. It read:
Are you too sick to open your front door right now? It might brighten up your day!

When I stepped outside, everything changed! I found the cutest care package I'd ever seen!

I could hardly wait to open it! (After snapping a few pics of course! How could I resist capturing this, it was so incredibly cute!) I proceeded to open:

... Everything a sick girl could possibly need, and then some!

The care package included:
Kleenex
Clorox Wipes
Moisturizing Chapstick
Medicated Chapstick
Kermit & Mickey Mouse Band-Aids (You know the kind that are so cute you can hardly wait for a scratch. ;))
2 cans of Chicken Noodle Soup
2 cans of Tomato Soup
Macaroni & Cheese
M&M's
Mickey & Minnie Journal and Pen Set (LOVE!)
Mickey Mouse & Star Wars Sticker Sets (fun!)
Minnie Mouse Tumbler Cup with Straw (great motivation to stay hydrated!)
2 Pin Print Toys (we found those incredibly entertaining! :))
... & a whole lot of love!

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Later, they texted me this snapshot taken during the delivery...

...How cute is that?! They said they enjoyed both putting together the care package and delivering it! I was so incredibly touched by their thoughtfulness, generosity, and care!

On that note, are you ready to receive your mission, friends?
Your mission, should you choose to accept it, involves showing compassion and care for those around you. Your first task is to find someone in need of cheering. Secondly, create your own care package with them in mind. Be creative, have fun, and extend love and cheer to one dear to you today! You'll both be happier for it! :)


{Visit my LINK PARTIES! page to see where I've shared this,
and find other fabulous bloggers' creations & ideas, too!}

Spoonfuls of Love: Mom's Comforting Crockpot Potato Soup

As many of you know I've been fighting the flu. It's been a tough contender, but I've almost defeated it! Today (day 12 with a fever, it is low grade now though!) I feel a certain kinship with the fellow from Monty Python and the Holy Grail that exclaims, "I'm not dead! ... I'm getting better! ... I feel happy!"

During the early days, when it seemed that the flu had me down for the count, my sweet parents extended care via scrumptious eats for our entire family! They bought my hubby homemade meatloaf, rolls, carrots & potatoes (the list goes on and on)! They brought our kids fun meals like chicken nuggets and french fries. Nuggets and fries may not sound especially "fun", but if you saw their presentation you'd understand! (Why didn't I snap a pic?!) They were delivered hot, in cute baskets, as if it were take out from a nice restaurant {dessert included too, of course ;)}. What my mom made for me really hit the spot! It warmed not only my tummy, but also my heart! It was Mom's comforting crockpot potato soup!

I asked her to share the recipe, that I might pass it onto you, friends! If you know someone in need if comfort by the spoonful, this is perfect! It's a mild recipe, that won't upset your tummy when you're under the weather. More of a potato stew than a creamier potato soup, it's just right when you're not feeling quite right! ;)

Without further ado ....

MOM'S COMFORTING CROCKPOT POTATO SOUP

INGREDIENTS:

6 cups potatoes, peeled & sliced *
5 cups water
1/2 cup onion
1/2 cup carrots, chopped
1/4 cup margarine, melted
1 tsp chicken bouillon
Dash of salt and pepper

12 oz. milk
8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese **

Steps to Creating Comfort:

1. Combine all ingredients {except milk and cheese} in crockpot.

2. Cover & cook on high for 7 hours {or until veggies are tender}.

3. Add milk and cheese.

4. Stir until cheese is thoroughly melted.

5. Serve in bread bowls for extra deliciousness!

6. Enjoy serving to others in need of a little comfort, and help yourself to a bowl too! ;)

* If you're too sick to be up peeling and slicing potatoes, you can substitute frozen cubed hash browns too! (It will have a little bit of a different texture, but still taste good. ;))
** When making a crockpot full to enjoy when you're well, I'd suggest sprinkling oodles of cheese on top just before eating! This will create a delicious layer of stringy, cheesy goodness for your spoon to meet up with first! (Personally, I can never have too much cheese! ;))

What's your favorite comfort food? When you're sick is there anything that you especially enjoy eating? If it's a recipe you've blogged, please share a link in the comments! Hope to hear from you all!

With Care,
Brenda

{Visit my LINK PARTIES! page to see where I've shared this recipe, and find other fabulous bloggers' creations, too!}


I was honored to have this recipe featured at:

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EASY DIY Chalkboard Magnets {Step-By-Step Photo Tutuorial}

So, I've been stuck in bed all week with this nasty flu! But...I wasn't about to let a fever {&I'll spare you the other details...}, keep me from doing something crafty!

I grabbed my trusty craft basket and looked for an easy peasy project I could do...

I found:
* A little bottle of chalkboard paint. (I'm OBSESSED with chalkboard paint - I've painted walls, murals, created framed chalkboards, ect. ALWAYS have some around ;))
* Magnets! (Never throw away those random business magnets you get, they're free craft supplies!)

So, here it is, friends . . . a project SO SIMPLE you can do it from bed {if needed}!

{After the hour hand has made it's journey around the clock, simply rub chalk across the surface of chalkboard to condition it.}

Hope you all enjoyed this so-simple-a-sick-girl-could-do-it project! ;*)

Wishing you good health & cute refrigerators!,
Brenda

PS:

10 Things that the Flu Caused Me to Appreciate

1.HUGS, today is National Hugging Day for goodness sake! I am trying desperately not to share this nasty bug, and life without affection from those dearest to me is beyond difficult! Be sure to give your family and friends double the hugs today, not because Hallmark says so, just because you can! ;)

2. Cheese, bacon, & other deliciousness. I'm so thankful that I don't normally have to eat everything by the spoonful. Functioning taste buds & food that requires chewing is a luxury missed when your diet consists of chicken noodle soup!

3. The ability to clean. Who knew a mom could miss that?! I certainly never thought I would mind mandatory time off from the chores that I normally dread! Unfortunately, when I'm sick, my house looks sick (& not in that "cool way" ;))

4. Stepping outside and breathing fresh air

5. ... Feeling like you can breathe in general! Ha!

{... Oh, the simple things we often take for granted!! ... Now, onto the more positive half of the list :)}

6. Being sick is humbling. It reminds us that ultimately we aren't in control of everything! Not even my obsessive compulsive hand sanitizing habit could stop this bug. I'm not in charge of how life goes. Humbling indeed.

7. My husband and I living out our marriage vows in the thick of life is a beautiful thing. Just before Christmas, my hubby seriously injured his dominant hand. For the first time in our 14 years of marriage we found ourselves living in a serious "in sickness and in health" season. While he's been unable to do the normally simple tasks, I've had the opportunity to care for and serve him in ways I previously hadn't. (I think he's thoroughly enjoying having his socks put on for him. ;)) He's improving with therapy, but only has use of one hand for the time being. Now, even though he is limited in what he is able to do during his time of recovery, he's done everything he possibly can to care for me while I've been so sick. By God's grace, the depth of our love for one another is illuminated during life's darkest days.

8. My daughters are growing up, and more capable and responsible than I've realized! I've been one of those moms who does almost everything for my kids. They are growing up so quickly and it brings me great joy to "mother them" in a gazillion little ways before they're "all grown up". My being stuck in bed has really allowed them to show me how much they really are capable of! I marvel at what sweet and responsible young ladies they've become!

9. Modern technology really is fantastic! My electric blanket and iPad have been my BFFs for the past several days. :)

10. Lastly, I'm grateful for this moment to reflect on how much I have to be thankful for today! It would be simple to throw myself a pity party, but I'd surely be the only guest to show up ... I'd much rather extend an invitation to you, lovely reader, to join me today in taking a moment to pause and think on all the simple joys of life, even for the most basic of things, like the ability to be upright without the room spinning. ;)


Warmly {not just because I have a fever, but that too},
Brenda
"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24
(I've noticed that there's no "except when" in that verse ;))

Tigger Tails for National Winnie the Pooh Day!!

We LOVE Winnie the Pooh and his Hundred Acre Wood pals! Did you know that there's actually a national holiday in celebration of the beloved willy, nilly, silly old bear?! Well, there is! It's TODAY!

...Snapshots of my girls a few years back at Crystal Palace's "Friendship Day Celebration".


You don't have to travel to Walt Disney World to have some Winnie-ish fun, but IF going to Walt Disney World is an option for you today - DO IT ! ;) We'll be here waiting for a postcard, making
TIGGER TAILS!! These are inspired by some Disneyland fare. Their Tigger Tails are covered marshmallows on a stick. While those would also be tasty to recreate, at our house we're big fans of covering pretzels and decking them out in a variety of scrumptious ways! This being one of them . . .

These are easy, peasy to whip up, and will make you so happy you'll feel like BOUNCING!

INGREDIENTS:

Pretzel Rods
White Almond Bark
Orange Icing Color
Chocolate Almond Bark (you could also use chocolate chips)

INSTRUCTIONS

*Prep: Before beginning to build this delicious treat set out a couple of baking sheets, cover each sheet with parchment paper.

1. In a deep bowl melt white almond bark according to package directions.
2. Add orange icing color (a little at a time) and stir, until you get your desired shade of orange.
3. Dip each pretzel anywhere from half to 2/3rds of the way up in almond bark.
4. Place the covered pretzel on the parchment paper lined baking sheet, and repeat with all the pretzels.
5. Melt chocolate almond bark.
6. Put the melted chocolate into a decorating squeeze bottle like this.
(I picked mine up at Walmart. You can find them at most stores that carry candy making supplies. You can also use dollar store squeeze bottles that are meant for ketchup and mustard. Any squeeze bottle with that type of fine tip will work beautifully! ;))
7. Squeeze the bottle of melted chocolate, moving it back and forth above the pretzels to create stripes.
8. Let the pretzels dry completely.
9. Then, try as hard as you can to eat one without bouncing, I dare ya! ;)

Here's a little sweets making music for ya, the vocal goodness of Zooey Deschanel -

Winnie the Pooh Fun Facts:
Did you know that Winnie the Pooh Author A.A. Milnes' son's name was actually Christopher Robin? "Winnie" was the name of a black bear at the London zoo. The "Pooh" part of his name comes from a swan that Christopher had an encounter with on a vacation.
Did you know that in celebration of her 80th birthday, Queen Elizabeth II invited Winnie the Pooh to a party at the Buckingham Palace. Fancy schmancy, Pooh!

Click HERE for more Tiggerific fun!
(Free online Winnie the Pooh games & a Personality Quiz)

...& I leave you with some wise words
from a willy, nilly, silly old bear:

Thanks for stopping by! Don't be shy. Please say, "Hi!"

{Visit my LINK PARTIES! page to see where I've shared this recipe,
and find other fabulous bloggers' creations, too!}
I was honored to have this recipe featured at:

Next Stop: Cheesy Eggilicious BACON-Y GOODNESS!

HELLO, WEEKEND!

Aren't Saturdays absolutely glorious?! Well, I know just the thing to get them off to an even better start! SUPER SIMPLE and MIGHY DELICIOUS QUICHE!

I believe this recipe originally came from an old Bisquick cookbook, and is barely adapted from that. It's my husband's hands-down FAVORITE meal! Not just for breakfast, also for second breakfast, elevensees, lunch, with afternoon tea, and for supper! ;)

Okay, I won't keep you in suspense any longer. Let's get right to it! ...

Just 5 Ingredients:
8 slices of bacon (cooked and crumbled)
5 ounces shredded swiss
2 cups milk
3/4 cup bisquick mix
4 eggs

Steps to Creating the Yumminess:

1.Preheat oven at 350 degrees.
2. Spray a pie plate with non-stick spray.
3. Sprinkle the delicious bacon (try to resist eating it during this task, IF possible) and cheese, evenly over bottom of pie plate.
4. Grab yourself a decent size bowl and blend together milk, bisquick, and eggs.
5. Pour over bacon and cheese in pie plate.
6. Bake in oven for 1 hour or until a knife inserted in the middle comes out clean.
7. Let it sit for 5 minutes. (This is a tough step. Just use this time to set the table or something ;))
8. E N J O Y ! ...& be sure to share with others who love yumminess too!

...Sorry, I've never been one to follow the "Don't play with your food!" rule. ;*)

Happy Weekend, lovelies!
Savor each delicious moment!

Cheerfully,
Brenda

{Visit my LINK PARTIES! page to see where I've shared this recipe, and find other fabulous bloggers' creations, too!}

I was honored to have this recipe featured at:

Happy National Step in a Puddle and Splash Your Friend Day!

Yep. That's a thing! So says Hallmark . :) Of course we HAD to CELEBRATE this festive occasion! Thankfully, this "holiday" coincided with a gorgeous (for January in Iowa), 53 degree day! Aka: Snow Melt Fest '13!
I volunteered to be the friend that got splashed. It was a dripping good time!

... but wait, there's more!
It's also...

Remember this?!

...I still find myself saying this to my kids on a pretty regular basic. I guess those catchy commercials work ;)

Happy Friday!
Wishing you wet galoshes
& smiley milk mustaches!

Thank God for Dirty Dishes

This week our city dealt with a water contamination scare. Everything turned out fine, but we were told not to drink, cook with, or basically use our water at all for 48 hours. Once the "boil advisory" was lifted, our sink was definitely full. I didn't realize we owned this many dishes!

Instead of grumbling (as I was tempted to), I turned my eyes upward to the frame on my refrigerator that holds a beautifully timeworn paper, golden with age, graced with my late Grandma Pat's handwriting. I stumbled upon it while my family sifted through my grandparents' belongings after we lost my grandpa last summer. They didn't have much, but sentimental keepsakes like these mean the world to us! This was a gem I found tucked inside my Grandma Pat's high school Home Economics notebook. I'm so thankful to have it, as it fills my heart with thanksgiving on days when I feel like I can barely keep up with it all. My grandma didn't author this poem, but I adore that it was written in her hand. May it remind you, too, to be thankful for dirty dishes!

Whistling While I Work,
Brenda

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"
~ Colossians 3:23

Say What?!

Earlier this week I had the opportunity to do something rarely done. I eavesdropped ... on myself ! I unknowingly bumped something on my phone and it began recording audio for almost two minutes. Just then, a text came in from my husband. As I reached for my cell I apparently hit "send", and without a clue I replied with ... I didn't know what! As I hit play I heard myself informing my children of what I expected from them in the next hour, with the added bonus of me defining a vocabulary word. (I'm pretty sure he didn't need that lesson though!) The girls and I laughed and laughed as we pictured their daddy playing this in his office with all his co-workers hearing this random bit of our daily life.

This got me thinking. What if I unknowingly captured two of my least-flattering minutes of the day and sent them to you? What if two random minutes of your day were unintentionally sent to me? Would we be pleased with having each other know how we speak, in those moments when we think no one is listening? I'd like to believe that anything I'd say in private I'd gladly repeat in public, but I'm sure that's not always the case! It's an excellent idea to examine what is spilling from our hearts on a regular basis.

Matthew 12:34-37 tells us, "...For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. The good person out of his good treasure brings forth good, and the evil person out of his evil treasure brings forth evil. I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." What a sobering thought! One day we will give account for every. single. careless. word!

Here are a few printables that I created in hopes that they would serve as a good reminder to be watchful of our words. Feel free to pin, print, and share! All I ask is that you link back to this original blog post, and that they be used solely for personal, non-profit use. Simply click on the symbol that looks like an itty bitty printer, just below and to the left of each printable, and print away!












I plan to hang them on our refrigerator, maybe because that's a place I visit too frequently! :) Praying upon every glance at God's wisdom I'll be reminded to keep watch over my mouth. It's a big job, but a worth while one! ;) Please leave me a comment and let me know if you use any of these! It'd make my heart happy to know it! Also, if I know there's interest I'll be sure to create and include more printables in future posts! :)

Have a lovely day! Hope you'll visit again soon! :*)

Blessings,
Brenda

{Visit my LINK PARTIES! page to see where I've shared these printables,
and find other fabulous bloggers' creations, too!}

Blessings Hidden in the Mundane

Welcome back to reality! Christmas break has wrapped up. Today we shall hit the books like nobody's business. No more staying in PJs all day (wait, we homeschool...I guess that doesn't necessarily have to be true ;)) No more excuses to let the dishes pile, and leave the laundry unfolded because "I'm on vacation". Time to rock this whole domestic woman gig! ;)

Do you ever notice yourself on an emotional swing of extremes? Excited and raring to conquer every cooking, cleaning, and child rearing challenge that presents itself ... or ... like the work you do to care for your home and family is so repetitive and insignificant as you wash the same dishes, and put away the same laundry, give the same lectures about cleaning up the toys, and throwing away those candy wrappers - oh wait, those were mine. ;) Ahem, point is, do you find yourself feeling either ready to battle the war that rages against you (I've got this!)... or ... do you find yourself ready to throw in the (dirty) towel and throw up a white flag surrendering to the chaos of it all? (Does nothing remain clean for a 24 hour period?!) I'm an all or nothing type of gal, so I find myself in one extreme camp or the other (Camp Perfectionistic vs. Camp Pessimistic), continually.

My goal this lovely 2013 is not to have a spotless home, neither is it to just forget about dishes in the sink altogether. My aspiration for the year ahead is to find joy and purpose in the ordinary, and to understand my limits, setting priorities accordingly.

Being a full time wife, mother, homemaker, homeschool teacher, chef, "maid" (ha!), and the million other things we (housewives) are and do, is enough to make your head spin when you think about it. The "to do" lists will never be done, so let's set realistic goals for each day. Give yourself a few simple tasks to check off the list, you showered? Check! ;) Spice up your to do list with some random fun too. Shaking off the mundane with a one song dance party, savoring a well deserved chocolate, and stepping outside to feel the sunshine on your face, may help you make it through the less pleasant items on the checklist more easily.

Always remember that your tasks to keep up your home and to serve your family are important and worthy of your best efforts. The ordinary bits of life are where we spend the majority of our lives, so don't dread them. Relish the opportunity to accomplish what needs done, and done efficiently (without pausing to watch ourselves give "pity me" glances in the bathroom mirror as we scrub that toilet, again). This will allow us more time to enjoy the ones we are caring enough to provide a loving, tidy home for.

Put things in perspective, and position your heart for gratitude. When you make a meal and think, why do I have to do this three times a day?! Give thanks that you have food to eat. Some don't. When you have to make that bed, again, be thankful you have a warm place to rest each night, with comfortable blankets to cover you and a fluffy pillow to rest your head upon. Others may not. When you have to ask your child to clean their room, again, be thankful that God has blessed you with this precious little one and entrusted them in your care. Some are desperately praying for a child right now, and have an empty room ready to be filled with a mess and would like nothing more than to one day say, "Didn't I ask you to pick up your toys?"

May we have grateful hearts, and willing hands to do the work needed in our homes. May God enable us to see the ordinary as important, and the mess as a means to serve for His glory!

Praying that this week will get off to a refreshing start for you! Thanks for stopping by! Have a marvelous Monday! :)

With Care,
Brenda

"Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men"
~ Colossians 3:23

Welcome, welcome!

My first post on this fresh, new blog! Will anyone read it? Well, I guess you are! Fancy that, my words are now being narrated your voice. ;) Welcome, lovey reader! Thanks for visiting!

I hope to fill this blog with encouragement, laughter, recipes, crafts, freebie finds, and a whole lot of fun! May you always leave inspired and glad you stopped by for a visit!

As tempting as it is for all of us to try to paint pictures of perfection, I will aim to be as real with you as possible! I'm not super wife or super mom....although if that position came with a fabulous pink cape that could perhaps tie in the front like a scarf, I'd enjoy alternating between some of these 50+ ways to tie it! ;*)
Also, as much as I love my daughters, and beam with pride over their accomplishments, creativity, and just plain awesomeness, I know they aren't perfect either. The Bible assures me none of us are ~ "as it is written: 'None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God ... no one does good, not even one.'" (Romans 3:11,12) ... plus in my time as their mama, I've seen a few melt downs that weren't for the faint of heart. I will not portray us as an unblemished family, with a white picket fence surrounding our spotless home, where we dine on china each night of the week. I desire to be real with you, my reader & possible future blogger friend. So, just remember if I post a photo of a beautifully decorated mantle, there's a good chance that there's a pile of toys at my feet, and a stack of homeschool curriculum in the corner. "Picture Perfect" can be deceiving. I pray I'll allow you to see the "whole picture". I believe it's more encouraging to share that I too have a heated battle with dirty dishes and laundry, than to pretend I breeze through life as seemingly flawless as June Cleaver.

I'm so honored you took the time to stop by today! Have yourself a fabulous Friday! Hope you'll visit me here again soon!!

Warmly,
Brenda

"This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it."
~ Psalm 118:24