Berry Punch

When company is coming, sometimes it is fun to make punch. I'll be hosting a few Holiday gatherings, and this is one of my favorites. This is a sweet punch, but not too sweet. It is a beautiful red color - perfect for this time of year, plus it is quick and healthy. Prep time is only 4 minutes! It is in The Ultimate Southern Living Cookbook.

Berry Punch
1 (10 ounce) package frozen strawberries in syrup, thawed.
1 (12 ounce) can frozen cranberry juice cocktail concentrate, thawed and undiluted.
1 (12 ounce) can frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed and undiluted.
2 (1-liter) bottles club soda, chilled.
1 (1-liter) bottle ginger ale, chilled.

Process strawberries in container of an electric blender until smooth. Pour into punch bowl; add cranberry juice cocktail and remaining three ingredients.
Makes 13 1-cup servings

Tips
I always make a double batch. A great way to keep the punch cold without diluting it is to make ice cubes using your choice of club soda, ginger ale or cranberry juice. Another option is to make an ice ring out of 1 batch of the punch recipe. Add some fresh cranberries to make it really festive!

A little bit of cleaning got done

I've got company coming for Thanksgiving, so I need to get busy and get this house cleaned! I'm easily distracted, mostly when doing tasks I'm not fond of. So what started out as grand plans to clean the kitchen cabinets out, and organize their contents, ended up being organizing the counter tops and changing the window treatment. I've still got two more weeks to clean!

Close up of the Tea Towel I found in this quilt shop I love in Branson, Mo. I have all of these colors in my kitchen, so I was really excited when I found these, and napkins. Here's what I did with them:

I used a tension rod, and hung the napkins over it - no sewing necessary! I started with the center one, then the two ends, and finished up with the two in betweens. It looks really cute, and much more fall-ish than the white Battenburg lace that I had there.

Then I decided that all of the pretty pottery and glass in my bay window really needed to be washed, so I pulled all of that out of the window and gave it a bath in some warm soapy water. The window looked so bare, and I got to thinking about Thanksgiving, and that I would need to set up the Dining room table as a buffet, so I would have to clear my centerpiece off and put the pretty dishes away, so where would I put that centerpiece? AHA! The bay window!

Looks kind of pretty, don't you think? Now if I could just get that excited about the inside of the cabinets!

What I was doing instead of cleaning...

You Are a Cranberry and Popcorn Strung Tree

Christmas is all about showcasing your creative talents. From cookies to nicely wrapped presents, your unique creations impress everyone.

What Christmas Tree Are You?

I LOVE CHRISTMAS! This isn't a huge surprise to those of you that know me. I was reading some of my favorite blogs this morning and found this quiz on one of my new pretend BFF Kim's blog. She is so creative! I just love seeing what she is going to come up with next.

Now I don't know about the impressing everyone part, but I do enjoy EVERY detail about Christmas. My wrapping paper has to match the theme of the tree, and each gift has ribbons and bows and gift tags - almost a work of art! I spend HOURS wrapping gifts, but I love how they look under the tree I spend HOURS decorating, making sure the ornaments are evenly spaced. Larry doesn't even try to understand it anymore! He's realized it's an obsession, and I'm just going to move anything he tries to help with anyway!

I usually start decorating the day after Thanksgiving - when do you decorate for Christmas, or do you? I'd love to know what kind of tree you are!

A new blog to read

One of the blogs I really enjoy reading is Kelly, from Kelly's Korner. She has started a wonderful new Prayer blog for ladies that are waiting for God to bless them with either a Soul Mate, or a child. We all know the power of prayer is AWESOME! If you have a chance, please stop by "Dwelling in the Land" and say a prayer for these ladies as they seek God's plan for their lives. I have added it to my bloglist, click on the link over there!

I want to share just a little bit about why I think this is important. It is easy to get caught up in our own lives, I know I do. There are many women around us that are secretly hurting - longing for someone to spend their forever with. I feel very Blessed to have a Husband that loves me - and all that comes with that! We longed for children, but that was not to be. I can tell you that I know what it is like to sit in the hospital waiting room, ready to welcome your family and friends children and wonder why you will never experience that joy. It is hard to smile, and hold back the tears, when you can't explain the sorrow (and Jealousy) you are feeling in your heart as you hold that beautiful child. Mother's day is another struggle, especially since the Sunday service usually has a baby dedication. Just another painful reminder that you are not any one's Mommy.

So Prayer Warriors, get on your knees! Let's support these ladies and lift them up in prayer. God will provide!
"For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

A thought for today...

From BibleGateway.com

Romans 13 (New International Version)

New International Version (NIV)
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society

Romans 13
Submission to the Authorities

1Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. 2Consequently, he who rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. 3For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and he will commend you. 4For he is God's servant to do you good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he does not bear the sword for nothing. He is God's servant, an agent of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. 5Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also because of conscience. 6This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God's servants, who give their full time to governing. 7Give everyone what you owe him: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Love, for the Day is Near

8Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law. 9The commandments, "Do not commit adultery," "Do not murder," "Do not steal," "Do not covet,"[a] and whatever other commandment there may be, are summed up in this one rule: "Love your neighbor as yourself."[b] 10Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

11And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. 12The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. 13Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. 14Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature.[c]



Footnotes:
Romans 13:9 Exodus 20:13-15,17; Deut. 5:17-19,21
Romans 13:9 Lev. 19:18
Romans 13:14 Or the flesh

Today is the day...

If you didn't Vote early, today is the day. It's important! Please VOTE today!

I ordered these today...

Isn't it Beautiful??! I can't wait to share them with you! The catalogs will be here by Thanksgiving, so I don't have to be TOO patient. I LOVE this "job"!