GINGERBREAD, ANYONE?



This could be the start of a new tradition in our home. (We've never done anything like this before!)

The girls washed up, pulled their hair back, and gathered their supplies.



Ahh, such an innocent and trusting young man. He surely didn't know what he was getting into when he volunteered to help out.  Now he's got a coating of cornstarch.



Hey, little man, can you balance a gumdrop on your nose?



"Beauty" worked on the front door.
(It's amazing how the cornstarch smooths the icing out so well.)



"Cutie's" turn! She was a nervous wreck the whole time . . . she thought she was gonna mess it up. She did great, though! :)



This girlie diligently rolled out the red gumdrops with our rolling pin to make the windows. When she was done she steadied her hand and outlined them with icing and topped them off with green candies.



(Steady, now, steady). Here she is finishing off the roof by adding the lattice look.



All done . . . and boy, are we TIRED!

A look from above.



The house was as hard as a rock. No way anyone will be eating this baby.

It was so warm today that the icing started drooping. :(



"Ta-dah!"

HEY, WHATCHA GOT THERE?

Our little man is quite the curious one.



What's in the bucket?



Hmmm, let me get a closer look.



Oh, my stars! They're jumping in there.



Awww, ain't they cute?



Look real close and you can see them, too.



Five little froggies down in that bucket. :)



HEALING WORDS AND GOOD ADVICE

"Rejoice in the Lord alway:  and again I say, Rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." (Philippians 4:4-8 KJV)
 

rejoice - to be or to make glad or happy

peace - calm or quiet

true - (1) that agrees with fact; not false (2) that can be trusted; faithful; loyal

honest - (1) that does not steal, cheat, or lie; upright or trustworthy (2) sincere or genuine

just - (1) that is right or fair  (2) doing what is right or honest; righteous

pure - not bad or evil; morally good; innocent

 

lovely - (1) very pleasing in looks or character  (2) very enjoyable

good - (1) helpful; that benefits (2) honorable or respected (3) kind or friendly

virtue - goodness; right action and thinking; morality

praise - to say good things about; give a good opinion of

HOW TO FOLD A SHIRT . . . FAST

My hubby showed me this some years ago, and I had forgotten about it until now. Since I've come across it again, I'd like to share it. It's really cool and fast!
 

NOT FOR THE FAINT OF HEART

TASTES LIKE CHICKEN, EH?

http://www.snopes.com/photos/animals/txsnake.asp

DEEP-FRIED RATTLESNAKE

1 medium-sized rattlesnake (3-4 lbs.), cut into steaks

1/2 cup flour

1/4 cup cornmeal

1/4 cup cracker crumbs

1/2 cup milk

1 egg

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder (not garlic salt)

1 teaspoon salt

dash pepper

Mix dry ingredients. Whisk milk into beaten egg and use to dip snake steaks.

Then coat them with dry ingredients. Fry, uncovered, in 400 degree oil until brown.

A CHUCKLE 4U - "Funny Animal Pictures"

I guess this is what comes after you've trained them to eat out of your hand!

Will the REAL kitty please stand up?



Is this what they mean by, "Have it YOUR way?" Oh, I'm sorry, that's Burger King. My bad. :)



Hey, what are you lookin' at? Haven't you ever seen a squirrel enjoying a little"R and R" before?
(R and R = Rest and Relaxation for all my civillian friends. Smile!)



Awww, if truth be known, his bark is worse than his bite.



Oh, no, Ma! Not another family photo! I can't BREATHE!!!!



"Hey, lil mousie, come out, come out wherever you are! You can run, but you can't hide!!"



Mother told me there'd be days like this. (sigh)



Okay, this is just W-R-O-N-G, people! (I'll never be able to show my face around here again.)



I am now the proud owner of a GENUINE imitation mouse. It don't git any better than this!!!

MARINES POSE TO FORM USMC EMBLEM

Below is an aerial photograph of over 9,000 Marines based at Parris Island, South Carolina forming the emblem of the U.S. Marines (a map of the Americas within an anchor surmounted by a bald eagle.)

Marine Barracks, Parris Island, S.C.

Brigadier General J.H. Pendleton, Commanding 

Mole & Thomas (photographers)

The Living Emblem of the United States Marines

This photograph was taken by Mole & Thomas, a Chicago firm famous for such patriotic bird's-eye group shots at military bases after World War I.



THE FAITH OF A CHILD

They call him the Sky Angel Cowboy. Thirteen year old Logan Henderson lives on a ranch in the middle of Nebraska. Listen to his story, and the lesson God showed him as he recalls it in his own words. It is sure to touch your heart.

 

AMEN

THE FLOWER AND THE BUTTERFLY

Once there was a man who asked God for a flower and a butterfly, but God gave the man a cactus and a caterpillar instead. 

The man was sad. He didn't understand why his request was mistaken. Then he thought, Oh well, God has too many people to care for, and he decided not to question.

After some time, the man went to check up on his request that he had left forgotten.

To his great surprise, from the thorny and ugly cactus a beautiful flower had grown, and the unsightly caterpillar had transformed itself into the most beautiful butterfly!

God gives the very best to those who leave the choices up to Him.

SHADOW PLAY

This man is quite talented with his hands. Never saw anything like it.

THE QUIET SERMON

A member of a certain church, who previously had been attending services regularly, stopped going. After a few weeks, the preacher decided to visit him.

It was a chilly evening. The preacher found the man at home alone, sitting before a blazing fire. Guessing the reason for his preachers visit, the man welcomed him, led him to a comfortable chair near the fireplace and waited.

The preacher made himself at home but said nothing. In the grave silence, he contemplated the dance of the flames around the burning logs. After some minutes, the preacher took the fire tongs, carefully picked up a brightly burning ember and placed it to one side of the hearth all alone. Then he sat back in his chair, still silent. The host watched all this in quiet contemplation. As the one lone ember's flame flickered and diminished, there was a momentary glow and then its fire was no more. Soon it was cold and dead.

Not a word had been spoken since the initial greeting. The preacher glanced at his watch and realized it was time to leave. He slowly stood up, picked up the cold, dead ember and placed it back in the middle of the fire. Immediately it began to glow, once more with the light and warmth of the burning coals around it.

As the preacher reached the door to leave, his host said with a tear running down his cheek, "Thank you so much for your visit and especially for the fiery sermon. I shall be back in church next Sunday."

We live in a world today, which tries to say too much with too little. Consequently, few listen. Sometimes the best sermons are the ones left unspoken.

IF WOMEN CONTROLLED THE WORLD

DON'T TRY THIS

A 75 year old man drove his brand new Corvette convertible out of the dealership. Taking off down the road, he floored it to 80 miles per hour, enjoying the wind blowing through what little hair he had left.

"Amazing," he whispered as he flew down I-10, pushing the pedal even more. Looking in his rear-view mirror, he saw a state trooper behind him, red lights flashing and siren blaring.

He floored it to 100 miles per hour, then 110, then 120!!! Suddenly, he exclaimed, "What am I DOING? I'm too old for this!" So, he reduced his speed and pulled over to await the trooper's arrival.

Pulling in behind him, the trooper walked up to the Corvette, looked at his watch, exhaled, and said, "Sir, my shift ends in 15 minutes. Today is Friday. If you can give me a reason for speeding that I've never heard before, I'll let you go."

The old gentleman paused, then said, "Years ago, my wife ran off with a State Trooper . . . and I thought you were bringing her back."

The trooper replied, "Have a good day, Sir."

HOW SMART IS YOUR RIGHT FOOT?

Just try this. It is from an orthopedic surgeon . . .

This will boggle your mind, and will keep you trying over and over again to see if you can outsmart your foot, but you can't. It's programmed in your brain!

1) Without anyone watching you (they might think you are goofy), and while sitting where you are (at your desk in front of your computer), lift your RIGHT foot off the floor and make CLOCKWISE circles.

2) Now, while doing this, draw the number "6" in the air with your RIGHT hand.

So, how'd you do? Did your foot change direction? Haha! I told you so!!!! And there's not a thing you can do about it.

Well, you and I both know how stupid it is, but before the day is done you are going to try it again - if you haven't already done so!

(BUT BE CAREFUL . . . OR YOU MIGHT END UP LIKE THE FELLA IN THE PIC BELOW!)

THERE I GROW AGAIN

Hey, y'know what? Don't worry if you have problems, which is easy to say until you are in the midst of a really big one, I know. But the only people I am aware of who don't have troubles are gathered in little neighborhoods. Most communities have at least one. We call them cemeteries.

If you're breathing, you have difficulties. It's the way of life. And believe it or not, most of your problems may actually be good for you. Let me explain. 

Maybe you have seen the Great Barrier Reef, stretching some 1,800 miles from New Guinea to Australia. Tour guides regularly take visitors to view the reef.  On one tour, the guide was asked an interesting question.

"I notice that the lagoon side of the reef looks pale and lifeless, while the ocean side is vibrant and colorful," a traveler observed. "Why is this?"

The guide gave an equally interesting answer.

"The coral around the lagoon side is in still water, with no challenge for its survival. It dies early. The coral on the ocean side is constantly being tested by wind, waves, and storms, or in other words, surges of power. It has to fight for survival every day of its life. As it is challenged and tested it changes and adapts. It grows healthy. It grows strong. And it reproduces." Then he added this telling note. "That's the way it is with every living organism."

And that is how it is with you and me. Challenged and tested, we come alive! Like coral pounded by the sea, we grow. Physical demands can cause us to grow stronger. Mental and emotional stress can produce tough-mindedness and resiliency. Spiritual testing can produce strength of character and faithfulness.

So, you have problems? No problem. Just tell yourself, "There I grow again."