(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??
I love LOVE coldstone creamery’s cake batter ice cream with cookie dough chunks! I hate hate that I live an hour away from the closest one!
O My Sweetness! I just emailed that exact question to you this past week….about the mascara…..I started using that stuff and have not found it’s equal yet and have been extremely miserable because of it! Even if you didn’t get my email…..I think I sent it to general correspondence….I am just tickled over the fact that God purposed you to mention it in this blogpost.
Now, here’s my response to today’s post.
My favorite face wash EVER is Alba Hawaiin Pineapple Enzyme Cleanser. (I also love the Hibiscus Toner and Aloe and Green Tea Moisturizer)
At this moment in my life my favorite thing is having my 16 month old granddaughter staying with me from Mississippi and going in early to get her out of bed, her pudgy little arms stretched up and her sweet smile, and I know she is saying I love you Mema.
Just looking through Southern Living magazine this month and there’s a whole segment on Texas Hill Country! Beautiful!
My favorite thing EVER is the smell of my babies when they get out of a bath!! Ok, I know that sounds strange, but nothing makes me happier than putting my babies in clean pajamas after bathing them and rubbing baby lotion all over them. It doesn’t matter how crazy the day has been (and with 3 babies, every day is crazy), I take a few minutes before bedtime to hold them and sniff in their sweetness 🙂
Not crazy…unless I am too…I love baby smell (well, not all the smells…just the clean smell) 🙂
My favorite place on earth is at the beach with my family.
My favorite meal ever: Pancakes with chocolate gravy. Yes, GRAVY! I’d never heard of anyone else wallowing in the rich depths of this delicacy except my mom’s family. I was fianlly able to trace it back to my maternal grandmother’s roots in northern Arkansas. I used to ask for this for dinner on my birthday. I still would if I could just find someone to make it like my Mama. This will definitely be on heaven’s menu. You’ll see.
Erma Bombeck once said that in her family, gravy was a beverage. Yeah, Baby!
ok, this needs to made and taste tested!
I have family from northern Arkansas and they eat “chocolate gravy” too. I think that I ever tried it, but as soon as I read those words in your post I thought of them.
We eat it in South Arkansas too! 🙂
Love it! Well, of course you do.
I’m originally from MS and we called it “biscuits and chocolate”. Mom still makes it and all of the women in the family get the recipe but it’s never the same as mom’s. I guess my most favorite thing is anything cooked by my wonderful mom while I still have her on this earth. 🙂
I grew up eating chocolate gravy on biscuits and eggs and fried bologna! It comes from generations back when my grandma and great-grandma grew up in Kentucky. I was very fortunate that my mom was the oldest kid in her family and had to learn to help cook that meal so she makes it just like Grandma! I’ll never be able to measure up.
I’m afraid the fried bologna makes me a little nervous, but you are definitely on the right track. When the sun comes up I’m going to call my big sister in AZ. She’s just bound to have Grandma’s recipe. Perhaps I’ll share.
My favorite stay-at-home day is Saturday when neither my husband nor I have a lot of errands to run. We can both work in the yard and with spring coming (finally) hopefully there will be many Saturdays to do just that.
My favorite city ever is San Francisco. So much to do and see. I love the fog, the city…everything about it.
MY THREE FAVORITE NUMBERS ARE 18,16,AND 14 ( THEY ACTUALY HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH NUMBERS AND EVERYTHING TO DO WITH THE PEOPLE WHO CURENTLY FILL THIER SPOT.) SHELBY,CALEB,AND MADDIE.OH I WOULD BE REMISS IF I DIDN’T MENTION
MY FAVORITE LIP GLOSS EVER IS: O’GLOSS” GOLD” BY SMASHBOX!
Drinking Diet Coke, while eating homemade mac and cheese, while watching Dr. Quinn re-runs, while snuggling with my husband of 5 months 🙂 haha
My favorite mascara is L’oreal Voluminous (plain, NOT the new “million lashes” or the “naturalle” either, in blackest black). It’s been around forever & I really hope that it’s not the one that’s being discontinued!
I use that too and like it alot.
OK-did you know L’Oreal and Lancome are both owned by Cosmair? Check for Lancome mascara.
My favorite indulgence is a grande de-caf, non-fat, three pump mocha WITH WHIP from Starbucks!
Judy, I use Lancome and LOVE it. No flakes or giving me raccoon eyes.
I think I just love make-up! I have started a file on my computer with all these good tips!
My favorite author is Jane Austen. Love her books. All of them. I love crawling back into the past through means of a book. But, so glad I didn’t live then.
Jane Austen is the best isnt’ she. Have you ever read austenland ? it is about a girl who gets to spend a month in a resort that basically sets you back in 1806. No electronics, noting modern. total immersion in the culture. It is an interesting read.
Mine too! I love reading her books with a cup of tea and dreaming about being there!
Sheryl,
I love Jane Austen too!
I’ll have to do a “one of” cause there are alot, but this one is obviously influenced by my being a new mother to a 3 month old.
My favorite sound ever is baby laughter!!!
(We named my son Asher and it means “happy” and/or “blessed” and we are SO thankful that he is!!!) God is good!
My favorite yogurt is Chobani Greek Yogurt with the fruit on the bottom. The strawberry is awesome!
I have just fallen in love with Chobani greek yogurt. I was never much of a yogurt fan, but this is is good it actually makes me crave it!
I just tried that yogurt last week for the first time and loved it too!!
Beth, I laughed out loud at the “plump lips” — why would anybody want fat lips? But of course I don’t understand the rage about big behinds either. LOL
My very favorite chapstick ever is Avon Care Deeply. Goes on so smoothly, keeps your lips soft (not plump though) and it’s inexpensive — can get it on sale for about 79 or 89 cents. I keep them everywhere — desk, car, kitchen, nightstand, purse…..
Get those Lifeway guys to zoom in on your lips at the next taping. We need to check them out!
Yeah! Zoom in, baby! Gotta check out the lips that make Angelina move over!
My favorite soft drink ever is Diet Coke Lime. (Thanks for a fun way to start a week!)
My favorite book that I just read from cover to cover this weekend is “Choosing to SEE” by Mary Beth Chapman.
What a heart wrenching yet beautiful story of a committed Christian family and the love of God.
My favorite thing right at this moment is listening to my daughter playing the kazoo (she’s 15, y’all!)and realzing that this very ordinary life is full of JOY! I love all the million little ways God gives me a chance to smile – every day.
My favorite treat right now is a Banana Moon Pie, its not on my diet so its definitely a treat. My favorite book right now is Ann Voskamp’s 1000 Gifts. My favorite bible study is still Believing God – I think because it was just what I needed to hold on to Him for dear life during a storm. One of my favorite feelings is the tired/excited feeling you have after you have stayed up way too late with a group of ladies excited to be away from home/in a hotel talking-sharing, walking into an arena filled with praise music anticipating what God is going to do for each one including yourself in the hours ahead – Women’s Conferences = AMAZING!
Now that is what i enjoy and soo what i need right now. the worship time that is. I have not been to a good worship service or a conference a few yrs. I attend a very small rural church with about 20 people in it. They all are the older generation and require hymnals only. My pastor , bless his heart, loves praise and worship but keeps it to the hymnals. Great sermons, just wish we had some good praise and worship to go along with it.
My favorite thing ever is watching a group of teenagers praying together. I help with the youth group at my church, and when we go to conferences, on mission trips, or even just regular meetings on sunday nights, I get SO much encouragement and hope when I see youth praying from their hearts to our Abba.
I didn’t intend to, but I was able to have a Sabbath yesterday. We got a foot of snow, and although I live in a place that regularly receives snow, my town still does not know how to plow! All church activities were cancelled and I stayed put, allowing time to rest physically, and rest in my Heavenly Father.
My favorite vacation spot ever is Bar Harbor, Maine. We love to hike in Acadia National Park, go sailing, whale watching, and lighthouse viewing. At the end of the day there are wonderful restaurants where you can relax and enjoy a first class meal. Best of all, it’s cool in the summer, a real bonus for Houston residents!
Bar Harbor is indeed the BEST!
My favorite thing is to go on a jog with my dogs and listen to John Piper on my ipod out in God’s gorgeous creation!
My most favorite treat in the WORLD is a Venti Soy No Water Chai Tea Latte from Starbucks. It’s just so good for my soul!
My favorite fiction book to share with friends is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. Can’t get enough of her writing.
My favorite ice cream EVER is Mayfield’s chocolate almond~ so delicious you want to lick the bowl:)
My favorite thing ever is KEY LIME PIE from Publix. I am completely hooked on it like a drug. If I could, I would hook it up to an IV line. I love it so much so that I don’t share any with anyone, not even my little niece who I love to death. She will ask me for a piece with her little booboo face and my response is “sorry sista, not sharing go ask your Mom for a piece”.. Gosh that’s mean, but it is soooo good! 🙂
I love this stuff, too! It was the only thing I really craved both times I was pregnant! My nearest Publix is 30+ minutes away so I don’t get it that often. 🙁
Ok gals..I gotta a new favortie and it’s dangerous!! Walmarts World Table Roasted Salsa Verde!!! I could eat the whole jar…without chips…yeah it’s that good!
I love Salsa Verde, I’ll have to try this one!
That stuff really is good…we were surprised. We eat the smokey chipotle salsa…Yum…
My favorite dog breed EVER is the Coonhound! (Black and Tan, Redbone, Blue Tick, Treeing Walker)
My favorite blog EVER…
http://www.aholyexperience.com/
I just found her about two weeks ago…I’m hooked!
Just bought the book last week, so ear marked this, thanks!
My favorite laundry soap EVER is Charlie’s Soap.
(sorry…laundry day…it was the only thing I could come up with right now! lol But Charlie’s Soap is the absolute best at getting clean and leaving no residue…diapers to suits…amazing stuff!)
Linsey from Huntington Beach, CA
Thanks Mama Siesta. This is fun. My favorite Christian recording artists are the Newsboys.
My favorite hairspray EVER is Big Sexy!!! I love love love it!!!!!
Oh, you are so right! I have tried nearly everything else, but I cannot live without Spray and Play Harder!
My favorite spring time delight used to be eating Cadbury creme eggs. Now it’s watching my two preschoolers eat them with chocolate and creme dribbled all over their hands and faces… Yummy!!
My favorite cleaning product is Comet… it’s cheap and it can get most anything clean from a dingy stainless steel sink to a bathtub with a ring of red Alabama dirt all the way around! It disinfects, brightens, seems to make everything new again. I love, love, love scrubbing with Comet!!! 🙂
Just one?!?!
My favorite cookie EVER is Thin Mints, one at at time out of the freezer. Yes, that is the best way! I get 2 boxes: my family gets one and then I get the one I hide from them…I know that is bad of me, but chocolate is my daily meditation of sorts:) And, they know I do it.
I’m waiting on my GS cookies to be delivered, hoping today but…..
ooooo….and it’s cookie season again…woo hoo
Every mom is supposed to have a secret stash of something 🙂
What? Only 2 boxes? I purchase 4 boxes of thin mints each year (my husband get the trefoils – 4 of them) and they go right to the freezer in the garage where I remember them in the direst of moments. My new batch is arriving this week and I found a box still in the freezer. That is just bad stewardship!
mine go in the freezer too!!! i buy some for myself and stash them in the back (under various bags of frozen vegetables), and i buy some for my mom & ship them to her (she’s an overseas missionary). yum.
My favorite walking beach ever: Sea Pines Plantation in Hilton Head, SC- from the beach club to south beach- 1 1/2 miles of flat hard packed sand with beautiful beach houses and pine trees- hope it is OK to share an experience rather than a product-
My favorite time of the day is 7:00 a.m.! My husband is out of bed and getting ready for work so the dog is allowed to get on the bed. My kids wake up and come snuggle with me and the dog for a few minutes before we start the day. My husband usually joins us for a few minutes before he leaves for work then we’re up and ready to moving!
My favorite ever is my Keurig..single cup coffee maker….French Vanilla….
where in Arkansas? I’m Mtn Home. would love to meet you sometime
I’m in Smackover. Down south. Are you going to get to come to the conference in Little Rock?
I love my Keurig too…
I really love my Keurig too. No wasted coffee!
love it!!!!!
I love my Keurig coffee maker. Love the Newman’s Own Extra Bold K-cups. Buy them at Cosco or Sams. 80 K-Cups for around $34.
I LOVE THIS!
My favorite drink is Dr. Pepper. Haven’t had a drop since September, because I have “issues” with moderation, and I couldn’t take the calories anymore. 🙂 But nevertheless…it is still my favorite.
My favorite mascara is Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume, waterproof, in the big orange tube. Can’t get any cheaper than that.
What did you decide on pens? I’m in the market for a new favorite. Thank you for understanding the importance of just the right pen.
try uniball signo pens. they are awesome!! it’s the only pen the doctor for whom i work will use…
My favorite thing EVER is my baby blanket! Yes, I am 25 years old. Yes, I am happily married. And, yes, maybe I do need counseling over the fact that I still have my baby blanket (or, at least, I still have the poor, pitiful little rag that is left of it.) But, I do LOVE it nonetheless!
Don’t feel bad about that I had alot of favorite things but I did not mention but I have a bucky pillow that goes around my neck when i go to bed I have to have that because I sleep with it at night not around my neck but I hold onto it and if I don’t have it I can’t sleep so I might need counseling for that but I love my bucky pillow
Carol
I am 26, happily married with 2 kids and I STILL sleep with my baby blanket! It’s the softest, most comfortable blanket in the world! 🙂
I remember that blanket! And I still have my puppy…at 51, he is falling apart as rapidly as I am, but there’s no love like your first lovey.
Amen, Mrs. Wendy! Love you! Jealous that Mom got to see you last week and I didn’t!
Thanks Carol & Amy for the reassurance that I’m not the only one!
i’m 25 and i still sleep with “Mr. T”, my teddy bear 🙂 he’s been all around the world with me… glad to know i’m not the only one!
My favorite site is a freshly cleaned bathroom – all sparkly and smelling like pine-sol; ESPECIALLY if I didn’t have to get it that way myself. SUPER ESPECIALLY if my husband did it for me!
Love the smell of Pine Sol.
My favorite scent ever is the smell of Baby Magic original lotion on a freshly washed fat baby neck! (I have had the honor of washing and lotion-ing six of my own babies….oh how time flies!)
Just one???
My favorite kiss ever is kissing my babies on their big fat cheeks! (all while talking in a goofy baby-talk voice and listening to them giggle!)
My favorite pet ever was our dalmation, Spottie. I still miss her!
My favorite coffee EVER is Gevalia’s Dark Chocolate Truffle. YUM. YUM. YUM!!!
My favorite book is The Help by Kathryn Stockett. They are in the process of making a movie about the book. So go read the book because it will probably be so much better than the movie. That is always the case in my opinion.
Oh My Gosh…I LOVED that book too!!! I did not want it to end!
My Favorite cleaning agent EVER: Lysol wipes – they are sooo handy with small children!!
My favorite house decoration EVER is… a live plant! There are a million kinds, and they remind me of godly principles (like you have to be growing healthy, strong roots to produce any flowers or fruits). It’s fun to be able to nurture something and to look at it and see God’s beauty and power to be able to make something so simply complex. I like to have one right next to my bed because it brings me a peaceful reminder that God is capable of taking care of me if he can grow something so gorgeous out of dirt and water 🙂
God bless you, ladies! I’m praying for your scripture memory to change your life.