{RECIPE} The BEST Ham & Rolls. Ever.

I've been searching high and low for the perfect Ham & Rolls for a quick and easy, yet AMAZING dinner.  And.  I've found it.  Or shall I say, tweaked it.  I searched Pinterest of course, and found a few that looked good.  

These are perfect for Football Season, a get together with friends, taking to the new mom for dinner, just about anything.  And.  I'm happy to report they reheat perfectly. 

I like to serve these with fresh fruit and pasta salad.  

These reheat well.  I wasn't sure if they'd be soggy but they aren't at all.

Make these tonight!  They are DELISH!

Instead of worrying...

I'm a bit of a nervous nelly by nature. I worry.  I stress.  I'm anxious.  About what?  Who knows.  Whatever you can think of.  Health of my family & health of myself mostly. If something happened to me, would Easton remember me?  Would someone let him know how much I love him.  Would I leave a legacy for him?  Would Lance make certain to remind him who I was?   Do all mothers have these fears?  Please tell me I'm not alone. 

 

You see, I have major anxiety over a stomach ache.  Sorry to be a little graphic, but here goes.  Not just a stomach ache, but throw up sick.  I mean, what's the worst that's going to happen?  You're going to throw up, your going to lose sleep, you'll feel bad 24-48 hours tops, but you get better.  Right?  Right.  But for me, it takes over my mind and I get all kinds of anxious about it.  This all started in 2010 when I had about 3 stomach viruses/food poisoning (EVIL!!!) in a row and was so worried about my milk production for Easton and it's continued.  Dare I say, gotten worse. 

Crazy. I know. We've all got our issues (don't we?). That one's mine. 

Here lately, this has escalated, because my stomach is routinely out of sorts. Not sure what's going on with it, but it's filling my mind.  I worry.  Do I have an ulcer?  Do I have colon problems?  Do I have a tumor?  Really?  It's just a stomach ache.  Or, as my husband likes to tell me 'it's all in your head boo".  And it very well could be an allergy, a sensitivity, anything.  Sometimes it's not even full blown stomach ache, just an uneasy stomach.  But I can get myself worked up quick about it, and it turns into full out anxiety.  I've been to the doctor.  I've had blood work done.  Now I'll go for an Upper GI series on Friday.  Hopefully to prove that everything is healthy! 

Still reading?  Think I should be commited yet? 

Keep reading.  It gets good. 

I was talking to a friend of mine last night and she reminded me of Philippians 4:4-8. 

How many times do I worry about LIFE and nothing ever comes of it?  Why do I put so much effort into this worry?  Why don't I trust what I've read and believed my entire life?  Why not pray more, worry less?  My faith.  Where is it? 

I know all the sayings.  I know all the verses.  I know it's all worthless.  But I worry anyway. 

It's easier as humans to want to 'do it myself'.  Even Easton, at the ripe age of 2 (and a half) request to 'do it myself' at almost everything.  How much easier would it be to let me carry him up the 19 steps to the apartment?  Much.  But he insist on walking up every.single.step. 

By worrying, we are insisting on doing it ourselves?  Why?  Why don't we let the One who already has our days numbered and planned out carry our load for us? 

Why not instead of worrying I think about how much I have.  About the health of my family and friends.  Thank Him for my precious family and friends.  For my job.  For good food on the table.  For SO MUCH.  Why focus on that one little thing that's out of whack?

It's something I work on daily.  Some days even hourly. Trying not to stress over the things I can't change, or that may not ever even happen. 

My friend sent me this email this morning just as I was proofing this post.  She knows me too well.  She sees my struggle.  She's heard my fears. 

The Worry Chart

• 40% of all things we worry about never happen
• 30% have already happened and we can’t do anything about them
• 12% needless worry about health
• 10% petty miscellaneous issues
• 8% real issues 1/2 we can't do little about, and the other 1/2 we can


If this is an issue that you deal with, I urge you to get in the Word.  Pray.  Journal.  But most importantly, give it to Him.  He already knows what's going to happen, yesterday, today and tomorrow. 

"Don't worry about tomorrow.  Jesus is already there!" 

The fun that is THE WILSON COUNTY FAIR!

 Sorghum churning mules

Overalled man with a chicken on his shoulder

$5 mini donkey rides

Swirly Taters, Sweet Tea, Bar-B-Que, Funnel Cakes, Chocolate Dipped Bananas

Rides, Rides & more rides

Tractor Pulls & ATV races

This years Wilson County Fair did not disappoint!

Here's the pictures to prove it.



We SO enjoyed the fair this year!
It was fun last year too, but this year was much more hands on. 

It was so much fun with Easton.

He rode most of the kiddie rides this year, meeting the 36 inch height requirement (though I'd beg to differ his height).

We stayed out way past bedtime, but it was worth every minute. 

In all my years of attending the fair, I can't remember going twice in one year, but this year we did!

The weather was perfect, the crowds were maneagable (during the week),

The food was DELISH,

It was perfect all around!

 I only wish it lasted longer than a week. 

Hope your Monday is great!   

'I wanna tawk about it'

A few weeks ago when we spent the day at Honey's house, that night before bedtime, we talked about all we did that day.  Every.  Single.  Detail.  And let me tell you, we did a lot.  And I didn't leave out a single detail.  If I did, he'd fill in what I left out.  The kid misses NOTHING.  We like details. What can I say? 

Ever since, itss been a new prolonging tactic that we have at bedtime.

Every night, we have the same routine.  Books.  Songs.  Prayers.  He knows whats coming next. 

But now, he wants to "talk about it" too.

After we read our books, he says "jus wanna rock a 'meenit'".  I let him know what's coming next.  "Easton, we're gonna rock, then sing some songs and say our prayers, then we go night night ok?"  He gets it.  He doesn't seem to mind bedtime if he knows what's coming.  It's that full thrust in to the bed that he doesn't like too much.  He likes to ease into it. 

After we rock, now he's started saying "I wanna tawk about it".  I've told him, we can either sing or talk.  He always chooses talk.  He IS mine, you know.  And of course, after the talking he wants to sing.  I'll say 'one song' and he'll follow me quickly with 'two songs!?' 

It's really quite precious and I can't seem to tell him no.  But, for the love, bedtime is getting longer and longer.  The nice part however, is, he's still.  He'll let me snuggle.  He'll let me rock.  He'll let me rest my cheek on his cheek and it's just us.  For those 20 or so minutes.  And it's good.  He needs that.  I do too. 

What do we 'tawk about you ask?'  Oh...those topics are for us... 

Just kidding.  Normally I'll ask what he wants to talk about and it always starts with "Honey".  We then go down the family line.  Even including 'Tysie Baby' and 'Cilla'.  We typically end with Kirby and I make up her events for the day.  It's really interesting, I tell ya.  I'm quite the story teller. 

I'll miss these moments when he's grown and doesn't want momma rocking him anymore.  So, for now, I'm trying to just KNOW its going to take some time in there, and just enjoy every minute. 

Mom's No Bake Cookies

I don't know about y'all, but at our house, Fantasy Football is ON.THE.BRAIN.

This weekend was the official FF Draft, and my main squeeze requested my specialty.  My mom made these cookies growing up and I can remember her doing them without a recipe many times.  I thought I'd never be able to do that.  Well, now after making at least 100 batches of them I can finally do it from memory. 

I posted this this pic this weekend on Instagram (annie_loo) and several of you asked for the recipe...so, here you go. 

In a pot on high heat, combine the following:

1 Stick of Butter

4 tbsp of cocoa powder

2 cups of sugar

1/2 cup of milk

Once the mixture comes to a full boil, start your timer for 90 seconds.  Stir occasionally.

{I typically start the timer when the full boil starts in the center of the pot.  If I start it at the boil pictured below, they are dry.}

Alright, you've got 90 seconds to get the next 4 ingredients together before the chocolate's finished.

Or you could do it before hand, but I always like the mad-dash approach.

Gather the following:

2 cups of QUICK OATS

1/2 cup of CRUNCHY PEANUT BUTTER

{this is VERY important!  CRUNCHY makes all the difference in your cookie!}

1 tsp vanilla

Dash of salt

Lay out a long strip of wax paper or aluminum foil. 



When your timer goes off, add the peanut butter, oats, vanilla and a dash of salt.  In that order.

Just do it.  You'll thank me.

I always turn the pan on its side a bit so it's not directly on the hot part as much.

Stir stir stir FAST util everything is combined.

Next, you'll drop your cookies on your wax paper or foil.  Whichever you prefer.

Again, I turn the pot on it's side as to slow the cooking process some more.

I use my smallest silverware spoon for these.

You can use your tablespoon to make them bigger, but I like them small.

Continue spooning the cookies onto your wax paper or foil and let cool.

Next, get a glass of milk and enjoy.

Mmmmmmm.

And save some for yourself if your husband plans on taking them to the FF Draft.

Because typically, there aren't any left.

1 batch makes about 50 small cookies, 25 if you use a tablespoon.

Happy Monday Friends!

Bits of Splendor- it's me...

Lance bought a duck hunting boat.  She's a real beauty.  Well, she will be by the time he gest done with her, but for now, she's a mess. 

He's been working on the boat a little in the afternoon but this weekend he really buckled down and got to work. 

We headed to the in-laws on Saturday to work on the boat, because the apartment doesn't really lend itself well to boat working.  Plus, we don't have the tools necessary to do everything.

I wasn't sure what Easton and I were going to do but I was certain we'd find something.  

I had 3 frames I needed to finish distressing and waxing as well as painting a little side table that my grandfather made for my greatgrandmother about 10 years ago. He's since passed away, and she's moved to a different home, so she gave it to me. Natural wood doesn't really 'go' in our house, so this little love needed some distressing.

Have you ever used Annie Sloan Chalk Paint?  It's amazing.  No sanding.  No priming.  Dries fast. 

EXCELLENT PRODUCT!   

Honey's is just the place for that job.

Take a peek into her garage. I promise you, this place is heaven. We could paint until Jesus came and we'd still not be finished. All these treasures will be at the Barn Sale so make sure you come out.


Honey, don't shoot me for posting these pix! Its treasures folks, I swear. Don't you dare call it junk!

I think I get my love of thrifting from Honey {my mother-in-law}.  Before Easton came, we'd go thrifting the first Saturday of each month.  We'd be gone from early morning, till late afternoon.  We weren't in to furniture yet, so it's evolved over the years but that's where it all started for me.  We see things for the beauty that they could become.  Not from what they are in their current state. 

Can I get an amen right there? 

Jesus does that too you know.  Thank goodness he doens't take a look at us how we are now.  Dirty, sweaty, tired, and just throw us out.  He works on us.  Constantly.  He picks us up, wipes us off, take a close look to see what we need, and He gets to work.  Praise the Lord.    

Anyways.  We stayed there all day long.  Painted.  Lunch.  Nap.  More cleaning, painting, organizing.  Easton played with everything possible. Lance worked on the boat.  Seriously, something so simple, made me so happy.

I had such a feeling of accomplishment.  I was tired.  My feet hurt.  I was dirty.  I was still in my running clothes from a glorious morning run. But, that's me.  That's what I love.  I'm not made up. I'm not fancy.  I'm not name brand. 

When you find what you love, and do it, it's not work.  That's exactly how Saturday felt for me.

It was so refreshing to do something I love, be with my boys, spend time with my mother in law and be outside.   

How was your weekend?  Did you do anything crafty?  Did you do something you love?

Hope you all have a wonderful Monday! 

Thrify Love Gift Exchange

Loving a good trip to the Goodwill, when I saw the thread on instagram about the Thrifty Love Gift Exchange I knew I had to jump in.

I was paired up with Hannah from Happy Days or @wifeysinger on Instagram.

I was thrilled!

I had seen ladies all over Instagram showing off their @wifeysinger earrings and was so excited to be paired up with her!

We went to the pool one afternoon and L had a package waiting for me when we got there!

I tore into that washi tape covered package like it was Christmas morning.

This box was full of sunshine if I'd ever seen it!

Look at all the color!

LOVE IT!

In case you can't see it all:

An Apple Kitchen Towel (which now hangs on my stove)

A vintage Jif peanut butter jar- thinking of putting dark chocolate chips in this (my new treat...it only takes a few to satisfy your sweet tooth)

An old wooden block with an F on it!  LOVE THIS!

The cutest little hankerchief that's now in my purse for when I bust out in tears at church because of an amazing song or sermon.

Some wifeysinger earrings!!! 

And 2 fun books!

Oh---and coffee....mmm...smells yummy!

Easton LOVES Little Miss Sunshine.

Actually he took it to school with him on Friday and asked to take it again today. 

Even better than this physical gift, was the blessing of finding her blog.

She and her husband adopted a little boy in 2008. 

You must go read this amazing testimony of His faithfulness & provision!

They were able to be part of the pregnancy and get to know the birth mother in the process.

This whole story has GOD written all over it.

But, get your kleenex, cause you're gonna need them!

This was so much fun!

Head on over and see what I got for Hannah! 

And check out everyone else who participated in the Thrifty Love Gift Exchange.

Thanks again for all the treasures Hannah! 

xoxoxo