(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 way to relax is walking over to see my 2nd granddaughter, Baby Mae, 3 months old! Nothing makes me smile more than listening to her coo and talk!! God has given me a very special gift of time with little Mae. Our youngest daughter (of 6 )left for college in August, and I missed my kids so much. Baby Mae was born in November! Our wonderful Heavenly Father provided a place for my son and daughter-in-law to live just 4 blocks away. What a gift!!!
My favorite place ever is a little bridge over the Pine River between Luther and LeRoy, MI. When I was a girl, it was my “quiet spot” when our family would vacation near there – and when I need a bit of peace, I can still go there in my mind and talk with Jesus while I listen to the water run, and watch the patterns the sun makes on the water as it filters through the trees.
My favorite you-tube video is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T2NEU6Xf7lM Hallelujah song by Kurt Nilsen. Oh so delightful!
Ok. I have a confession. I have an illness…ok, maybe more than one. But my most FAVORITE in the world is Lancome’s Juicy Tubes lipgloss. I am ADDICTED to “MAGIC SPELL”. I love it. I have other “colors” (Hallucination, Skyy Diamonds…) that I like too – but Magic Spell RINGS MY BELL! (ok – that was pathetic, but unfortunately…very true!)
~julie
OH I LOVE these also. My favorite is Fifth Avenue Frosting.
My favorite music…putting Pandora on the “Misty Edwards” station and listening to hours of wonderful worship music by her and others with her style.
My favorite thing EVER is Back to Nature’s Gluten Free Crackers, Sesame Seed Rice Thin. Quite the mouthful, I know, but when you can’t eat much “regular” food, you learn to love what you can have. Yum!
Hi Marie! Could you tell me where you purchase these crackers? Living in a gluten free household, we can use all the help we can get. Thank you!
Me too! I just joined the Gluton free wagon and need all the suggestions I can get… Thanks so mcuh!
opps- I mean gluten…:))))
Jill and Katie –
I’ve been able to get the crackers at Wal Mart. Haven’t seen them anywhere else. Do you all have Winco where you live? They have really good gluten free and dairy free sections. I eat crackers made of rice and cheese made of carrots. Such is life!
Here’s a link to the company website: http://www.backtonaturefoods.com/default.aspx
Happy eating!
P.S. – I adore this website. Tons of great tips!
http://www.glutenfreecookingschool.com/
Have you tried Mary’s Gone Crackers, crackers? I love the name! I’m not gluten free but they are sooooooo good. I love the original flavored ones, so nutty and tasty. Darn, I wish I had a box now! Here’s the website, you can do a store search there.
http://www.marysgonecrackers.com/ns/intro.php
Marie and Sandi,
Thank you all so much. I will have to look at our local WalMart for those crackers. I have not seen them, but then again, I have never heard of them.
We don’t have a Winco here in Western Maryland. We do have a Martin’s/Giant Foods supermarket that is really increasing our GF product selection.
Thanks again,
Jill
My favorite thing EVER is pearls. They are classy, look good with too much make-up, and remind me of Jackie Kennedy.
Pearls always make me feel good too!!!!! Classic, sophisticated, and NEVER out of style 🙂
Jessica Brown, Florence, SC
My favorite children’s book ever is The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein. I give it as gifts to all the special kids in my life. I can’t wait to read it to my daughter when she makes her debut in May!
My favorite movie EVER is an independent film called I Am David. Reserve it for a day when you need a good tear jerker!
My favorite shoes ever are… chacos. Hello spring!
My favorite song right now is “I asked You for Life” by Kim Walker. Please listen to it! He gives us JOY that cannot be taken!
My favorite song right now in this season of my life is “Dancing in the Minefields” by Andrew Peterson:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Gs3fg_WsEg
Oh wow, Jennifer,…. what a SWEET SWEET SWEET song!!!!
I think every Andrew Peterson song is my favorite Andrew Peterson song. That one is wonderful.
That whole album changed me…I love that cd!
My favorite blessing EVER is my 18 mos. old son, Ethan. That child is in a continuous state of motion from the moment he wakes up until he lays his golden-curl covered head down to sleep at night. So far today I have pulled him down from on top of my kitchen table, caught him flushing army men down the toilet, and I had to apologize to my husband for the new artwork that is now decorating the wall in our bedroom.( Can I tell you that I am, at times, exasperated!) But… I received some news today that just broke my heart and I just had to have a good cry over it. My darling little ball of energy saw his momma crying, stopped what he was doing, climbed up on the couch next to me, wrapped his stubby little arms around my neck and planted a big ol’ kiss on my cheek. He is my favorite!
my favorite coffee EVER is seattle’s best french roast.
My favorite cereal ever (well at least in my adult life) is Special K Chocolatey Delight. While it’s advertised as a guilt-free evening chocolate fix, I frequently have it as dinner (I’m single and live alone so I can get away with it!). I mix it with Kashi Go Lean Cruch and of course cold milk and it’s divine. I’ve finally had to stop buying it because I’m not self-disciplined enough to keep my portions right…but I highly recommend it to any of you cereal lovers out there! 🙂
Just one!? That’s tough… okay, my favorite thing ever is my book club, The Quest! I adore reading a good Christian book, this month is One in a Million by Priscilla Shirer, and then being able to sit around my living room with ten women who I adore and respect discussing the book means the world to me! They are such a blast and the conversation always helps each of us see more in the book then what we did just reading it ourselves.
My favorite Christmas tradition this past year was “animal shopping” with our kids at Heifer International.
My favorite verses are Philippians 3:7-14. I know that’s more than one, but what a sweet reminder that there is absolutely nothing that can compare to knowing Christ!
Take heart if you haven’t found a great pen yet. My favorite pen ever is the Pilot G-2 07 in blue. Writes beautifully & it’s cheap!
Mine too!! Ahhhhh…
I love Pilot pens!
My favorite beverage EVER is a Soy Chai Latte from Starbucks. YUMMY!!!!!!!!!
My favorite thing is being close enough to our grandchildren to take part in their activities, sports, and church. I believe they are “God’s smile” for us.
I love that phrase ” God’ smile”. How true. Aren’t they amazing.
My favorite foundation ever is BeautiControl Perfecting Wet/Dry in P1. The first foundation ever that matches my skin tone perfectly–my friend that sells it matched me. I had to go to church with no makeup which I about died having to do (quickly got it on though afterwards)!
Hmm..
My favorite thing ever is this piece of art that
a friend made for me. I literally see something
different inside of the picture depending
of my mood in the day.
xoxo
ang
My favorite day EVER is a snow day! (Which coincidentally I am having one today). I love when I get extra time to spend with my boys. Don’t get me wrong, I love my job as a music teacher, especially in an urban district where I feel I get to impact students’ lives in a very positive way, but I love my boys so much and don’t feel I ever get to spend enough time with them.
Kelly
Grand Rapids, MI
My new favorite breakfast, 4 egg whites whipped up really well, salt and pepper, and one slice of 2% american cheese. Only 140 calories, and a great yummy way to start the day! Oh, and I must share the greatest candle ever. Slatkin & Co. makes an Island Margarita scent that is TO DIE FOR! I have never had a margarita, but if it tastes like this smells, I just may have to! hehe I think it is from Bath and Body Works. Thanks for the fun game Beth,so fun!
My favorite electronic gadget is my iPad. It is the coolest!! 🙂
My favorite thing ever (one of them) is 90 degree weather, blue skies as far as the eye can see, a touch of humidity, white sand and the ocean, 365 days of the year. (We live in Montana and if I wake up to one more cold, dreary, snowy day, they might need to lay me down with the crazies…) 🙂
I just got my favorite text EVER. My sister and I were called in a couple weeks ago when my dad was having extremely serious and complicated surgery and was not expected to survive the day. Mom just texted that he is on his way home right this minute. To reiterate the text from my mom (who’s been an absent regular here lately) “Life is good. God is better.”
Yeah Shannon! So happy for you! You must be so happy, and Dad will be glad to hug his precious girls!
I love this! I’m so happy for you!
My favorite thing to do is travel. I love road trips, flying, and anything that has to do with travel (I have even held a part time job for 12 years at a travel & luggage store). I especially love to get lost in strange places…it’s only then that you find the real treasures a place has to offer. When I travel, I like to walk through alleys and just about any open door…lol…almost got me in trouble in Paris.
Road trip with Kate anyone? anyone? Bueller?
I’m in! 🙂
Yay!!! Let’s meet in the middle. 😉
Mango Tang! A new discovery for me. It tastes like fresh mango juice. Is 25 cents a pack. 60 calories per quart/pack.
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Tang-Mango-Drink-Mix-.69-oz/12166609
I bought a bunch to give to some friends to get them hooked on it to ensure it would sell well at my local store. They are hooked. There have been a few angry phone calls as one of us has gone to the store only to find the other has purchased all there is on the shelf. We have had a good laugh when that has happened.
mmmm that sounds yummy
My favorite memory ever is my wedding day! Everyone I loved and cherished most on this earth was in the same place at the same time! 🙂 Now that many of them are gone, it makes the memory even more precious.
My favorite SHOES ever …. are Birkenstocks.
Seriously, I have worn other kinds but at the end of the day I want my Birkis. I can feel my feet relax when I put them on. I ♥ them!!! and I ♥ all my siestas, too.
Can you tell I learned a new trick 🙂
Ha Ha! I love the <3 ! I totally dislike the Birks, but we are still family!
I always wondered how to do that!! Tutorial please! 🙂
Bobbie, you just type the two symbols < 3 together in your text with no space in between them. It won't show up as the heart until it posts. Enjoy!
Thank you!! That’s awesome…
What size shoe do you wear sweet Sister Lynn?
My favorite children’s books right now are M.I. McCallister’s The Mistmantle Chronicles. Grace got the first one for a gift last summer, and we got the rest for Christmas. Right up there with the Chronicles of Narnia. We both LOVE these books. So good!!!!
Thanks Kimberly! I teach and always love a good book recommendation!
My most favorite store EVER is Sephora!!! All that makeup goodness…I could spend hours in there! 😉
Yes! I just discovered their eye pencil – “Make Up For Ever”. It goes on easy and stays on. Love it! Besides, Sephora always give samples. I live by the Mall of America and they have a great store there.
My favorite thing at the moment is the memory of the last “not so sick” time i had with my sister.
I lost my next to the youngest(that would be me) to ovarian, brain and lung cancer last April.
The last memory of her not so sick was in February of last year before she was diagnosised. As a matter of fact, the night before.
My daughter was dying my hair and had it fixed in one pointed lump on my head after she had all the dye in.
My sister was sitting across the table from me and started laughing , like really really hard. She made the comment that i looked like alfalfa(misspelled i think) on the lil rascals.
That was the last time she laughed. Feb 8th , 2010. That is my most favorite memory because with this particular sister we had a love/ hate relationship and she passed thinking i hated her, even though i tried to reassure her that i didnt before she got too bad off. After 39 yrs of i love to hate you, we were the closest of sisters( i had 3, now have 2) but the worst of enemies , if you can understand. We were just so much alike we could not be around each other without stepping on the other one’s toes.
I know she is with our lord now and is not suffering but i sure do miss her and her laughter.
have a blessed week
I usually say that my favorite food is ANYTHING cooked by my Grandma. My favorite soft drink is Pepsi.
My new favortie saying to describe my family is, ” What we lacked in emotional health, we made up in humor.” I think I will hand that out with family picture of four generations. I may also add me made in love. My family is filled with a bunch of nuts, whom I dearly love. Praise be to God that HE is working on the emotional health.
My favorite book of the Bible is Song of Solomon.
My favorite stress breaker EVER is to take my 3-year-old Corgi, Little Eisenhower a.k.a. Ike to the park. There is nothing quite as joyful as watching a corgi bounce (yes, they hop or bounce instead of run) with pure utter abandon. And if the geese happen to be at the park, watch out! It’s corgi heaven, and makes me laugh every time no matter what else is going on.
LOL. I have a 5 lb toy poodle that bounces when she runs. Reminds me of a lil white bunny hopping across the yard when she is outside. Does kinda take away the stresses of the moment away.
They are sooo adorable when the run and play arent they
My grandparents had a corgi and he was such a joy!! So full of energy and excitement!
My favorite worship/praise band EVER is Jesus Culture.
OH…LOVE LOVE LOOOOVVVVEEEE Jesus Culture. Siesta Terri Butcher introduced me to them…woo hooo!
My favorite ever is a Japanese rice cracker. I lived in Japan for many years and became addicted. Now I have to travel to Dallas, Houston or San Diego to find the stinkin things and they are so expensive here! But I still enjoy them!
Leanne, Mississippi
My favorite color is purple. Everything I buy I want to buy it in purple.
My favorite hand soap these days is Meyer’s varieties. I particularly like the basil and lemon verbena scents. Really, anything with a “clean” smell (as opposed to a perfumey, powdery, floral, etc. one) is my favorite. I might have to try out their line of household cleaners.
Oh try them! You will fall in love! Just a tip…Walmart now sells most of the Mrs. Meyers line and it’s priced a little more reasonably than you might find it at a healthfood store. At my Wally world it has it’s own special section on the laundry detergent aisle. I love the lemon, the basil and the lavender. The lavender dryer sheets are FAB!!!
My favorite “GOD-THING” ever is…. BETH MOORE’s ESTHER BIBLE STUDY! This seriously was a life-changing, ground-breaking, soul-shaking experience for me. I thank the Lord on a daily basis for leading me to her precious words of wisdom. I have never seen the Lord work in such magnificent ways until He introduced me to Beth. Our favorite thing every night is when my husband and I recall our “God-thing” for the day. It helps us both to remain focused on His love for us and our marriage. Matt Redman sums it up best in these lyrics: “Oh no, He’ll never let go. There will be an end to these troubles. But until that day comes, I’ll live to know You here on earth.” So thank you, Beth, for taking hold of my heart, and showing me the Lord will never let go. Love, -mickey 🙂 xoxox
Isn’t Beth just one of the best people. I fell in love with her teaching and her dedication to God from the very first time i ever heard/seen her speak. Several yrs ago, about 13 yrs ago i attended a woman’s bible study group with a friend and they were doing her “To Live is Christ” study. I have been hooked on her teaching every since.
And the Matt Redman song.. My all time favorite too. Helps me get through the rough spots in my life; and i have been going through ALOT of those here lately
My favorite activity to celebrate the changing of the seasons from winter to spring is this:
On the first very warm day – the kind of warm day that says that winter is definitely almost gone for good and spring is almost here to stay – I go through drive through and get a chocolate ice cream cone and drive around and eat it with the windows rolled down and music up loud!
My favorite coffee is Peets- French roast. Strong and bold.
My favorite croissants- William Sonoma- the best.
My favorite thing right now is my Mary Kay skin care products.. and anything butterflies:)
My favorite lip gloss is Mentha Lip Tint by Bigelow, available at Bath & Body Works – in Violet Mint. Or actually, any of those pale colors. Try it, you’ll like it.
I got a tube of this in Berry Shimmer for Christmas and I absolutely love it!!!!
My favorite lipstick ever is the “Shell” color from Mary Kay. It’s my everyday staple and has been for years!
My favorite tea is English Breakfast from Harrod’s in London. My amazing son-in-law just got some for me when he was on a business trip there!!! 🙂
That is my favorite too! A friend brought me some back from her business trip there! THE BEST TEA EVER!
My current favorite cup of tea is Good Earth’s Caffeine Free Original “Sweet and Spicy Herbal Tea” Love the quote on each teabag. My today’s “teabag quote” … <3
"The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook" William James 1842 – 1910
My favorite thing ever is afternoons spent browsing my fav blogs with my purring cat and sleeping puppy by my side.
Mine too today … no puppy but 3 cats 🙂