Halfway there.....

Wednesday afternoon, halfway to the weekend, and I am sitting down for a few moments. I have done so much already today, it's been one of those where you start early in the morning and end up accomplishing so many things from your to do list, without even realizing it.

I will just say that it's due to the gorgeous weather, it's sunny, it's warm, the birds are singing, the sprinklers in the neighborhood are going, I hear a mower in the distance and kids playing outside.

I figured, seeing that it's so beautiful I may as well get all the outdoor chores done.

One of the first things on the agenda, was making our Resurrection Garden. We made one last year too, and the kids always look forward to it.

As my children grow I treasure these moments all the more so, because I know that far too soon they will be "too old for that".

You can find many versions of these gardens online. The great thing about it is that you use whatever you have on hand and make it your own. Ours this year is very simple, but that's ok, because the message behind it is what matters.

It sits in our front yard, the kids agree that it's the perfect spot for it, so that anyone that drives by sees it. :)

If you're wanting to make your own, it's very simple.  The bottom is from a plastic planter, I filled that with pebbles first.  I' using a small pot I already had on hand, you could use a terra cotta mini pot too.  Long as it fits on your dish, it will be fine.

After placing it where I wanted, I then filled the back part of the dish with more pebbles and then soil from the garden.  What is planted is actually grass.  You can use grass seed to grow it, or if you don't have that, you can use flowers or even herbs you have on hand.

Use a big rock for the entryway.  I added in a few pebbles to the front of the tomb too.

Next are the crosses in the back.  Last year I used twigs, this year the kids glued craft sticks together.  Just pop them into the soil and that's it.

If you make one, be sure to come and show me, I would love see them :)

Back inside the house, I've been admiring my Spanish Lavender. Do you believe that before I actually started keeping flowers/plants alive, I thought Lavender was just one plant, that's it, it was just Lavender....boy was I surprised when I started finding out all the different types. It's quite fascinating, really.

It's a stunning flower all on it's own, that deep purple surrounded by the lightest lavender color is amazing, isn't it?

I've moved it from the back door to the kitchen window sill, it seems to like it here more than it's previous spot.

Right now, I'm getting ready to work on the new menu plan. I have a few cookbooks to go through and when I get stuck, I tend to go to my Gooseberry Patch Cookbooks, for I know I will always find that one recipe that peaks my interest.

So far, there are a few items on the menu that I haven't tried yet, like Teeny's Mexican Casserole, Stuffed Cubed Steak, Cheesy Corn and Bean Grilled Burritos and Roma Burgers on Spaghetti.

Gave my room a little reorganizing.  Moved some things, switched out a few pictures on the wall and added a touch here and there, here are just a few sneak peeks :)

I also had a few moments to myself with the Lord's word.

One thing I like doing is to pick up the Bible and just randomly open it, it seems that when I really need it, it always falls open on the right verse for me.

Give Thanks to the Lord - Psalm 92

1 It is good to praise the Lord
and make music to your name, O Most High,
2 proclaiming your love in the morning
and your faithfulness at night,
3 to the music of the ten-stringed lyre
and the melody of the harp.

4 For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord;
I sing for joy at what your hands have done.
5 How great are your works, Lord,
how profound your thoughts!
6 Senseless people do not know,
fools do not understand,
7 that though the wicked spring up like grass
and all evildoers flourish,
they will be destroyed forever.

8 But you, Lord, are forever exalted.

At the same time that I was reading this verse, my 9 year old was sitting on the couch reading and singing softly

"Let me see redemption win
Let me know the struggle ends
That you can mend a heart
That’s frail and torn
I wanna know a song can rise
From the ashes of a broken life
And all that’s dead inside can be reborn
Cause I’m worn"

It melted my heart. Worn from Tenth Avenue North is one of his favorite songs. Sure makes this mama proud to hear my children singing Christian songs.

So there you have it, we're halfway through this week, which also means halfway through our spring break.  These last few weeks of school seem to move at lightning speed and I think the kids everywhere are ready to be done and move on to a fun summer.

I'm going to go make sure my Beer Brats are defrosted for dinner, need to pull the buns out of the freezer as well.  It's going to be an easy dinner of Brats, Sauerkraut and Tater Tots.  Kid picked, and parent approved LOL

Before I leave I want to send a big hug to all my Catholic friends, I am not Catholic but I sat through the ceremony earlier as the new Pope was announced.  You can't help but be in awe and feel a lump in your throat as you watch it.  I am praying that the Lord watch over and bless him.

He seems to be so calm, collected and down to earth and just what the church needs right now.  Wishing him all the best.

Now I'm really out, have a wonderful rest of Wednesday and I'll see you back here in the morning for more Cooking Thursday recipes :)

Blessings,
Sandra