LollipopandPearls Theme Song

"Lollipop and Pearls" - Jared Kraft

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Happy Birthday, to my beautiful Mother and Mentor!

This weekend my family and I are going to honor our mother with a surprise 80th birthday party! She is 80 years young, but she is not embracing this age and stage in life in.the.least!!! In fact, she made my sister promise that we were not going to have any kind of party of big “shindig”! Too late, Mom! We already had it planned!

Isn’t she absolutely gorgeous?! And she is just as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside! My mother is the epitome of the Proverbs 31 woman, who lives all of life with integrity, grace, and an abundance of love…for her children, grands, great grands, her friends…and above all else her Lord! Oh, how my momma loves Jesus!
Thank-you, Momma, for loving our Daddy well; for raising us with unconditional love (even though we certainly were not/are not always very likeable!), and for exemplifying how to put our faith and trust in an unseen God so that the blessings He has to offer will be showered upon us! We owe it all TO God, THROUGH you!
I love you so much! I celebrate 80-years young with you! Or, if you do not want to embrace 80, we can just go straight to 81, how ‘bout that?!

Deeda Marie (my nickname, for those of you who don’t know)

I made my infamous Wedding Cookies, and thought I would include the recipe for your enjoyment!  (Please excuse the photos---they are far from perfect!)

 
Wedding Cookies (for all occasions!)
Preheat oven to 400 degrees (a little lower if your oven tends to be very hot)
Ingredients:
1 Cup Soft Butter (use butter, not margarine)
½ Cups Sifted Confectioners’ Sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla
2 ¼ Cups Regular Flour
¼ teaspoon salt
¾ Cup finely chopped pecans (optional)
Mix the butter, confectioner’s sugar and vanilla until creamy.
 











Blend in the flour and salt.
Add in pecans (optional) and mix well. 
Roll into small balls; then flatten slightly.  Place onto an ungreased baking sheet and bake for 10-12 minutes.  While warm, roll into confectioner sugar (I put the sugar in a large baggie, add about 10-12 cookies at a time, seal tightly and shake well to coat the cookies).  When the cookies have completely cooled, shake in the sugar again before transferring to a serving platter or a covered container.  (I usually make these a few days ahead and, as long as they are stored in an air-tight container, they will stay deliciously fresh)!

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Rest in sweet peace!

On April 15, Spc. Jason Edens, of my hometown of Franklin, TN., was injured in Afghanistan.  Eleven days later he lost his life due to his injuries.  Today this hometown hero's life was celebrated and he was laid to rest. with the procession passing in front of our driveway.  Thank-you, Jason, for the supreme sacrifice offered to protect our country!  You served us well and we are so proud of you!  May your beautiful wife and family be comforted in the coming days, weeks and months as they mourn your loss and celebrate your life!