(OK, I’m coming back on here about four or so hours after putting up this post so that I can tell you that it turned out to be one of “My Favorite Comment-Sections EVER”! I’m not kidding. You guys are the world’s biggest blast. But, I’m now in the shopping mood again.)
Good Monday Morning, Sweet Things!
I hope you had a wonderful weekend and that you were able to observe some Sabbath rest and be still for a few moments, knowing that He is God. I had an usually wonderful weekend with unexpected joys. For starters, this was a weekend off. That means I got to awaken slowly on Saturday with no plans whatsoever then had an impromptu call from Amanda saying that she had a few hours to hang out. Turned out Melissa did, too. (The joys of having her back are too many to count!) As we were trying to think of what we wanted to do (and were shopped out and grossed out at the thought), Amanda said, “Let’s go see Aunt Gay’s new apartment!” I’m hoping it won’t be long before you get to know my big sister here on the blog. She has a story that might hit those of us presently slogging around in faithlessness with a fresh bolt of lightening. Her boys (25 and 15) also headed over to her new place at the same time and the thought of us all being together was better than a bubbling plate of cheese enchiladas with chili gravy running all into the rice and beans. (Man, I hate that I just did that to myself.) The six of us were inseparable in the early years when my mom, our Queen of Everything, was still alive and in complete control. (I say that with great affection…and without deception.) I have almost as many pictures of my sister’s boys as I do my own girls. Then a whole lot of life happened and that’s a story for another time. We had a blast together Saturday and laughed our heads off, which has always been a Green (my maiden name) family trait. What we lacked in emotional health, we made up for in humor. As my older brother, Wayne, says, we all have a keen sense of the absurd. And I might add, we earned it.
If you only knew the whole story…but, then again, you could say the same thing to me. Some whole stories don’t need to be told in public but they do indeed need to be redeemed. (To me, the line is drawn where the glory to God and the good to the listeners profoundly exceeds the pain of the testimony. If the listener will likely be left with graphic visuals and oppressive thoughts or pervasive sadness, we need to refrain from telling it in detail. In those occasions, generalities are best. We don’t have to tell people everything to tell them an important something. We also have to be very sensitive to the other people – often family members – whose secrets are inadvertently told as we tells ours. These are HUGE issues that need to be worked through with great sensitivity. Mind you, I’m talking about audiences here. I’m not talking about counseling sessions. We do indeed need to find someone trustworthy and mature in the faith, with a gift for counsel, to hear our whole story.) All this to say, if you’re alive enough to read this blog, you’re story is not yet finished and you’ve got time for a really great turn in the narrative that leads to a brilliant finish. I know that for a fact.
OK, can you switch tracks really fast? I thought we’d do something fun today. I was thinking again yesterday while I was putting on my make up and getting ready for church how ticked I am that L’Oreal discontinued the mascara Melissa and I used to use. It was our favorite EVER and no other mascara does lashes like it did. It’s so annoying when that happens. And what a double whammy after my favorite pen got discontinued! Some of you remember that nail biter. No wonder it’s been such a hard year. (Of course, I’m being ridiculous. I don’t want to insult those of you going through tremendously hard times. Like many of you, last year actually was really rough but, oh, that it would have been over pens and mascaras.) I decided it would be fun today to share your favorite ___________ ever. By all means, don’t share something that’s been discontinued or you will dangle a plastic carrot in front of your Siestas. Beyond that, it can be anything! (Suitable to this blog, of course) It can be your favorite mascara. It can be your favorite book. It can be your favorite recipe. It can be your favorite meal. It can be your favorite memory. It can be your favorite song. Share ONE FAVORITE THING of yours (only 1!) with your Siestas today. It may mean that some of us find a new favorite something this very day.
Start it like this: My favorite (fill-in-your-blank) EVER is… (then, for crying out loud, tell us)
I think this is going to be fun. I’ll start with a really stupid one.
My favorite lip plumper EVER is Sally Hansen “Lip Inflation.” It’s dirt cheap and it feels like you’ve rubbed Tabasco all over your mouth. If it plumps like it hurts, move over Angelina.
What’s your favorite something, Siestas??
My favorite drink EVER is diet coke. Yes I know not healthy but I live on the stuff. I’ve joked for years that I’m giving it up some year for lent and my husband has said, “Not while you are married to me!”
Barb, Lakewood, CO
My favorite eye product EVER is one I found just within the last year. At 63, it’s well overdo in my search for great eye products. For those of my Siestas who are forever cursed with very scant, next-to-no eyelashes, you will love it. (Don’t you just absolutely drool when you see gals with those thick and gorgeous eyelashes; or worse yet, when you see guys with them!!) It’s Lash Primer Plus by Estee Lauder. Put it on before your mascara and it will not only help thicken your lashes, it will keep your mascara on and fresh all day! I agree, Beth; it’s the pits when one of your favorite anythings gets discontinued!! Blessings, dear friends, for a wonderful week!!
I LOVE this primer also. It makes such a difference and I use less mascara too.
I’ll play. I’m not really a coffee drinker (sorry, Beth!). But I do love my own mix that I drink every morning with my Bible study.
My favorite coffee drink is International Coffee, French Vanilla Cafe, sugar free, mixed in a mug of hot milk with a teaspoon of Folger’s Crystals. Yum!
My Favorite thing of all things is dreaming with my husband. I love it when we talk and plan for the future. Not really important dreams, but the kind of dreams that say “we have a future, and as long as I’m with you it will be a happy one.” We got to do that this weekend on a long trip to visit my mother. I feel renewed with him and I know God wants us to be together and happy, so dream away the ride.
I love this! So beautiful!
That is special!
my favorite thing ever at this very moment is snuggling with my 13 day old baby boy
Precious!
Awesome!
Congratulations on your baby boy!! Dontcha just love to smell him?!?! I love the smell of babies <3
Snuggle with him as much as you can!! Don’t let anyone tell you that you are going to spoil that baby, because it is NOT true. I am sure that no baby has ever been held too much!! Time will pass by so fast!!!
i know and its SO hard to put him down!
ooooh, how sweet! Congrats, and enjoy all the snuggling you can now! Everything else can wait! =D
Ashlee.. that would be my fave too! Congrats!!!
I would imagine so! So sweet!
What a beautiful little blessing he is, Ashley! Congratulations!
My favorite cake is GOOD chocolate with white fluffy frosting!!! YUM!!!!
My favorite dessert RIGHT NOW is homemade strawberry turnover, made with freshly cooked (and sweetened) strawberries and puff pastry. Serve with extra creamy whipped cream and with the extra strawberry juice drizzled over it. Magnificent!
Anne
YUM!
um…Anne…I so need this recipe…LOL!
Easiest thing ever, though I’m having to approximate the measurements. I don’t measure when I cook.
Cook 1/2 pound of strawberries in a small amount of water (about 1/2 cup) and with 1/4 cup sugar. Let simmer until berries are soft, and you have a thick syrup.
Unroll one sheet of Pepperidge Farm Puff Pastry and cut it into four triangles. Spoon strawberries onto the triangles and fold the pastry over to cover the fruit, pressing the edges to close the turnover. Be careful not to allow much syrup in the filling or the turnovers will be soggy. Besides, you’ll need the syrup later.
Brush the tops of the turnovers with melted margarine or butter.
Bake at 400 for ten minutes or until golden.
Top with Extra Creamy Cool Whip and drizzle remaining strawberry syrup over it. Any strawberries not used in the filling can be served on top of the turnovers with the whipped cream.
My favorite Beth Moore Bible Study ever is still BELIEVING GOD! It changed my life and relationship with God! Thanks Beth!
That is one of my favorites!
I agree that’s my all time favorite study as well. It was life changing for me, confirmed some things God had been revealing to me and set me on a path to increased faith,
It is my all time favorite bible study as well!!
Can you still do the hand movement? 🙂
I can!!!
And did anyone else see Mandisa do the “I’m Believing God” hand motion when she was on American Idol??
That is my favorite too. I did it online when she was doing it in Houston. I could not wait for it to be posted online each week. The book was not even out and I had to print the material. Things that I learned in that study still ring in my ears….God still reminding me to believe.
me too!
My favorite book ever: “To Kill a Mockingbird”
Love the movie too!
Me too!! I have read it so many times and I have also watched the movie numerous times!
My favorite toothbrush EVER is the Essence by Sonicare. My teeth have never felt so clean and does just as good of a job as the $300 electric TB’s.
My favorite tea EVER is McAllister’s Sweet Tea!! It’s so good!
Love McAllisters!!!! I get unsweet and add splenda, but still love me some McAllisters!!
My favorite thing ever is to have my 10 year old, introverted, middle child to stand with me, hold my hand and sing worship songs in church (she would never sing alone)….sweetest voice ever!!!
Oh, Beth and Melissa…did ya’ll use the L’oreal mascara with the conditioner on one end and the mascara on the other? The tube was black and white?! If so, I almost gave my last tube of it a small funeral I was so distressed. My eyelashes will never be the same! 😉
Anyway, my most favorite cookie EVER is triple chocolate chunk cookies. Here’s my recipe that I created from about 3 other cookie recipes to create, in my husband’s words, the BEST CHOCOLATE CHIP COOKIE EVER! (it’s not diet friendly, but your taste buds will do the hokie pokie, I promise!)
Ingredients:
1 cup of butter (yes, that’s 2 sticks!) softened
3/4 cup sugar
1 3/4 cups of firmly packed brown sugar
2 large eggs
1 teaspoon of vanilla extract (use the good stuff)
3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
2 teaspoons baking soda
1 teaspoon salt (measure this, you need all of it)
1 package of semi-sweet chocolate morsels (I like the chunks better if you can find them)
large handfull of milk choclate morsels
large handfull of bitter/dark chocolate morsels (or you can chop up a dark chocolate candy bar)
Preheat to 375
Beat butter and sugar until nice and fluffy. Add your eggs one at a time, then vanilla. Beat until well mixed.
In another small bowl combine flour, baking soda, and salt. Slowly add to your butter/sugar mixture in your mixer. Beat until blended. Then add in all the chocolate and fold them in with a rubber spatula or spoon. Then, just drop a spoon full of the the cookie dough on your baking sheet and bake until golden. Don’t overbake! Around 9 minutes works in my oven, but temps vary so watch them to make sure they are golden, but not brown.
As a side note: You can take the “batter” before adding the chocolate and make any kind of cookie you want. It’s good with white chocolate and pistachios, too. (YUM!)
Ya’ll, these are so good they make my mouth hurt just typing the recipe out. If you make these, you’ll never be able to eat store bought chocolate chip cookies ever again…you’ve been warned!
Kristi 🙂
My favorite thing is Hershey’s Chocolate Eggs. They are only sold at Easter. They have a hard shell and milk chocolate on the inside. Pop about 6 in the microwave for about 5 seconds…be prepared to be transported to Chocolate Heaven!!
My favorite fried okra ever is at Louisiana Longhorn Cafe in Round Rock, TX.
My favorite website (next to Beth’s, of course!) is The Pioneer Woman.
Don’t you love PW & Charlie! Her cookbook is awesome!
Love PW, just finished her new book, couldn’t put it down, so riveting and funny!
oh my goodness!! i just popped over to The Pioneer Woman! i can not WAIT to get home to do some serious browsing. i’ve read about 5 minutes worth and she is hilarious!
My favorite drink EVER is a Shirley Temple. I order one every time I go out! LOL
My favorite thing EVER is Wegmans. Best grocery store in the world and that is important because as a mom and wife I spend a ridiculous amount of time at the grocery store.
haha there are 4 Wegman’s within 5 miles of my house. I have always shopped there, didn’t realize how great they were until I heard so many southerners wishing they had it down there.
Great bakery! Have you had the Ultimate Chocolate cake? sugar. coma. but so good
Oh that’s a family favorite. When I was shopping Saturday they were giving out free samples of it.
Do you live in Camillus? I think I’ve seen you post before. I live in Liverpool
I do, shop at the Fairmount Wegmans. Not too many from Central New York on here.
Wegman’s rocks!!! I so miss it now that i live in Colorado. My favorite bread there is the Marathon Bread with cream cheese and a little strawberry preserve – yummo!
Love, love, love Wegmans!!! One of my favorite Wegmans only items is Coconut Mango ice cream…yum, yum!
My favorite thing to say to my friends and family is that Beth Moore is my BFF and that she doesn’t know it!! I’ve been telling them that what I wanted for my 50th Birthday was to fly to Houston and have lunch with Beth. FYI my birthday was on Saturday Feb. 19th!! I still am hanging on to God giving me the desire of my heart!!!!! I remind them that this is NOT too big for Him and I continue to hold on to my dream…
I tell my friends here in Canada that Beth is my BFF too! and by the things of know of her,and they almost belive me, had we lived closer 🙂
My favorite notebook for jotting notes in my devotional time is the Levenger Notabilia! The pages are smooth and thick, there are lots of them, and it just feels decadent! What else could I bring before the King? Along with the cheap Bic pen I am using at the moment… 🙂
My favorite brownie mix is Ghirardelli Double Chocolate Brownie Mix. Don’t make the mistake of thinking, “If double chocolate’s good, triple must be better!” Nope, stick with the Double Chocolate mix–it’s the BEST! And if you really want the full experience, let them sit for 24 hours then cut into ’em. Mmmmmmm….the little chocolate chips solidify a bit and it results in chocolate brownie heaven!
Oh, that one is so good. I bought the mix at Aldi’s at Christmas time…I haven’t seen them since:(
I admire your self-control!! 24 hours??
Who could possibly let them sit for 24 hours!
They also make THE best Ddouble Chocolate Chip cookies ever! Costco carried the cookie mix at Christmas and I can’t find it anywhere now. I used to make up the mix, roll it in seran wrap and put it in the fridge so I could make just a few at a time for my girls. I think my mouth is watering at the thought!
My favorite thing is driving up to my daughter’s house and my seeing my grandchildren smiling and jumping at the door because Nana has finally arrived! Wow what a blessing!
My favorite memory was walking down the aisle to my (new)husband. The flowers, my dress, the candles…it was a fairy tale dream come true!
My favorite song is “This Is The Stuff” by Francesca Battistelli. I Can totally relate to this song. It is my new mantra and I hope that I will be able to use the humor of it to remind me of God’s promises.
the other night I couldn’t remember where I’d put my phone and I found myself singing. “call me please….cause I can’t find my phone…” but no one heard me. So…I was forced to remember where I put it. 🙂
LOVE this song right now too! My sister and I text each other as soon as it starts playing on K-love! =)
My favorite purchase EVER was the first car I bought all by myself: a 1980 Ford Mustang, cream colored with black interior. (sig)
I help with a camp for sexually/physically abused children every summer. One of the activities we do I LOVE……we have a tea party for the little girls….and they are treated with delicious goodies on real china and are reminded how precious they are to God! Love the smiles of the beautiful girls as they are introduced as they enter the “tearoom”…which is actually the transformed dining hall. You just wouldn’t believe it….the best “thing” ever!
My favorite candy EVER is Cadbury Creme Eggs (and not the miniature ones!). The fact that they are only available at Easter brings double joy to that time of year! One of the best presents I ever received was a whole stinkin’ dozen of them. And, yep, I ate every single one!
These are my favorite too! Last year I made Easter baskets for my family and my in-laws, and then I rewarded myself for being crafty by eating a whole box of them!
My favorite eye make-up remover pads EVER.. Almay, non-oily make up remover pads in the little round container. PERFECT!
Those are my favorite eye make-up remover pads too!!
They are FABULOUS!
Shannon Costanzo
My favorite steak is a perfectly seasoned and cooked (medium) ribeye. Mmmmm!
Cool question.
My favorite ice cream EVER is Bluebell – Homemade Vanilla. I live up north now – and they don’t sell it here. It’s devastating. I could really go for some this very day. All y’all Texans….eat a scoop for me 🙂
Love and Hugs,
Kate 🙂
We have a little cup every night! Homemade Vanilla is the best..they’re opening a Blue Bell distribution center in Denver soon-are you anywhere close?
BTW, if you have an Outback Steakhouse in your town, they serve Blue Bell! It’s usually served on their yummy chocolate cake, but you can get a single scoop!
There’s a Russel Stover store that also sells Bluebell ice cream a few blocks from my house (on Colorado Ave. in Denver). A dangerous place to go! Ice cream & chocolate….
Kate…we live in Richmond, VA. Bluebell Vanilla is my husband’s favorite ice cream also. We discovered that Outback restaurant serves Bluebell. He orders the 5 (or it might be 3) gallon tub from them and they call him when it comes in. They actually sell it to him at their cost!! (We bought a freezer, that resides in our basement, JUST for bluebell!!)
My favorite part of the day…. the early morning (around 5:30) when the house is quiet and it’s just me and the Lord. So thankful for that time to be in His Word and get my thoughts in order.
My favorite color right now is light, cool, refreshing with a hint of spring..green…my iPad cover, my purse, and anything else I can find …
Four years ago today, on my sister’s 50th Birthday, our little brother was hit by a car and killed while training for a marathon. My favorite thing TODAY is that God redeems Birthday’s! Neh.8:10 This day is sacred to the Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength:)
Oh, Linda, I SO agree! 2 years ago my dad died on my daughter’s 14th birthday. It took me almost a year of trusting that God knew what he was doing before I got some understanding about His purpose there. A month later, AGAIN on my sweet daughter’s birthday, a friend’s precious son died. I’m going to be praying hard over her day this year – she’ll be 16 – that God will guard that day and show her that she is His precious girl regardless of a day on the calendar! Thanks for sharing your story – it encourages me!
My favorite girlfriend time EVER is when I can sit face to face with a friend and let our conversations wander.
My favorites range from silly to to spiritual, wrestling with Scripture and theology and discussing pop culture in between.
It’s only the closest of my friends that I can discuss ALL of these topics with- from surface to soul- and still feel safe.
I love that L’Oreal mascara! I started using it after you mentioned it and am so sad that they discontinued it! And I can’t find any other that make my eyelashes look the same!
My favorite thing to wear EVER is flip flops! I mean, really, they come in any color you could imagine, with all types of embellishments, and they look good with shorts, jeans, skirts and dresses! Now, if I can only get rid of the 10″ of snow-I guess they really don’t work in the snow 🙁
I’m so with you – can’t even begin to count how many pair I own but they’re stashed away awaiting that day when they can be traded for the boots necessary in our 12 inches of fresh Michigan snow!
My favorite movie ever is….Lord of the Rings….
My favorite place to be EVER is on top of Kennesaw Mountain in Kennesaw, GA.
Hi Becky! My girlfriend just moved there–backs right up to that mountain– and I visited in January, would sit on her big southern porch in her big southern rocking chairs surrounded by those big southern pines…looking at that hill with the sun shining on me…it was like heaven on earth!! (Can you tell I’m a Yankee girl?)
My favorite breakfast choice is whole wheat toast with chunky peanut butter and sliced bananas on top….so filling and oh so tasty!
I love peanut butter and bananas and my kids think I’m crazy!
Me too! I have that for breakfast every single day!
My favorite book EVER (other than the Bible) is Rees Howells, Intercessor!!
It is also one of my very favorite reads of all times”)I just got a new copy…I never seem to get my books back and forget who I loan them to:(
Another one of my favorite are aussie hair products because it makes my hair big!
My favorite hair care products are from the PHYTO line. Phytojoba shampoo and Phytosesame conditioner. For someone who loves to color her hair and is almost 50, they keep my hair in amazing condition!
My favorite food EVER is ice cream. I think we will have a life long love affair! And, my flavor of choice these past few YEARS is chocolate chip cookie dough! Oo La La! Sometimes I had my own homemade dough to ice cream if I don’t have that flavor at home! YUMMY!
Today my favorite thing ever is “Got the Blues for Red” nail color by OPI.
My favorite thing that I can no longer find anywhere is Cinnamon Swirl Breakfast Bread by Pepperidge Farm. The stores have Raisin bread, but I like it w/o raisins and I can not find it anymore. I really hate when you find a really good product you like and it gets discontinued.
My favorite Beth Moore study is A Women’s Heart – God’s Dwelling Place.
This is an interesting excercise. I love reading all the entries.
Janice, I buy the cinnamon swirl bread at our Walmart. I’ve seen it at Target as well. Here in Texas that is! I’m so sorry it’s one of my favorites as well. Put a little apple butter on it. yummy
I use the Brown Sugar Cinammon Swirl bread to make stuffed French Toast. Yummy! I find it at Walmart.
My favorite accessory is a scarf. Mostly though, the soft pasmina-type scarves. 🙂 And living in the Middle East I can find them everywhere in every imaginable color and pattern and it’s soooo tempting to buy one every time I walk past a shop. 🙂
Ooooooo….where to start? Oh, this should be easy so I’ll just say it! My favorite place on earth hands down is New York City! I even say it on my blog…if a city could represent a personality of someone, NYC is me! (hey I rhymed!) 🙂 I come fully alive there….it stimulates me like no other place on earth can or does.
This is a very fun thread….
Cheers ya’ll!
Sharoni
My favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers.
My favorite smell EVER is a baby’s head that has pink Johnson’s Baby lotion on it!! I wish they could bottle it.
Love this one too!
LOVE this too! I drench my little girl in the stuff and still try to sneak some on my 5 year old son too…
What a great opportunity to share a recent joy in my little world. My very favorite ice cream ever is Blue Bell – most any flavor, but milk chocolate and cookies ‘n cream are way up there – and I’ve missed it so since our move to Colorado. You folks still in Texas have no idea what a hole this leaves in your regular diet when you can’t get it! However…..iI saw in a recent newspaper article that it’s coming to my local grocery store IN MARCH!!! Thankful for the little things, Laura
Girlfriend, I TOTALLY feel you! This Texas girl moved to Kentucky seven years ago… we missed Bluebell (homemade vanilla) SO much! We got it here about 3-4 years ago. Savor those first few bites when it comes to Colorado! =)
My favorite food is fresh tomatoes…can’t get enough of them! and good for me too!