Random November Thoughts

Well, it is the last day of November...and I am thinking on many things...the joy of being in Christ, the wonder of Christmas, the busyness of daily life and much more...

Just going to leave a few of those thoughts here...nothing really gathered...just random thoughts

DD lost a tooth yesterday...his first tooth fell out when he was eating, so I got RIPPED off...you see, I have had the pleasure of pulling out the FIRST tooth of every other Cannon child...and I hate to say it, but I LOVE doing that...I have no idea why...but anyway...I do. So DD said his tooth was REALLY LOOSE..I asked him if I could wiggle it and he let me. I asked him if I could pull it out and he really did not want me to do it, but somehow, I talked him into it...You would have thought I was cutting off a toe with all the fuss...but when it was out he said, "That didn't hurt at all" Can't believe how big he is getting to be.

Trying to line up some activities for GK and DD to do in December and came across Truth in the Tinsel. It steps you through Advent, keeping Christ in Christmas. It is written with younger children in mind, but I think both of my youngers will enjoy it. I found many fun things to do on Pinterest too...and HOPE to post each day the things we do...Never got my December Daily book put together last year...maybe I will use it for this instead.

Got our tree tonight...I have NO IDEA what the name of the place is, but it is that BIG RED BARN on Getchell on the right when you head east. They were VERY NICE and HELPFUL and we got a great looking tree...I think it is about 7 feet tall. We looked ridiculous driving it home on the Malibu...but it is what it is...They don't have a HUGE selection, but I would recommend them if you don't have your tree yet...

So very thankful for so many things...too many to list, and list often sounds like something you spew out without much thought...I am truly thankful for many things...My family...we have had a tough year and you all continue to be a great blessing to me with your love, generosity, how you encourage one another and think of things to make the way a bit easier for others. You are all fearfully and wonderfully made and my life is so much richer and deeper because of you...Friends, especially THE friend who sticks closer than a brother, God's word...how it is ALWAYS just what I need, work, another day... so many things.

The First Term of Co-op in Everett was a great blessing...My children got to take some wonderful classes by some of the most gracious and loving women I have ever met. Thank you SO MUCH for your gift! The classes I taught blessed me SO MUCH...in the Flat Stanley class I taught, two of the boys got back the MOST AMAZING books from their friends for their flat people...WOW is all I can say...their hosts really went the extra mile to create a very special gift for these boys and really set the Flat Stanley Host bar very HIGH...Great Job! My other class had the sweetest kids...they were so excited and fun to work with...really looking forward to next term, but also thankful for a few weeks off.

We received a VERY THOUGHTFUL gift from a few sneaky ones just before Thanksgiving...while I have no idea who to thank for all of that...the Lord knows and I am very thankful for each one of you! My cup overflows!

Well, I told you it was a bunch of random thoughts...probably not worth reading, but there you have it...

Blessings,
C~

Sufficiency of Scripture

The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel:

To know wisdom and instruction,
To discern the sayings of understanding,
To receive instruction in wise behavior,
Righteousness, justice and equity;
To give prudence to the naive,
To the youth knowledge and discretion,
A wise man will hear and increase in learning,
And a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel,
To understand a proverb and a figure,
The words of the wise and their riddles.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
Fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:1-7

Happy Thanksgiving

I hope you all have an especially blessed day!
C~

Sufficiency of Scripture

Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a dragnet cast into the sea, and gathering fish of every kind; and when it was filled, they drew it up on the beach; and they sat down and gathered the good fish into containers, but the bad they threw away. So it will be at the end of the age; the angels will come forth and take out the wicked from among the righteous, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

“Have you understood all these things?” They *said to Him, “Yes.” And Jesus said to them, “Therefore every scribe who has become a disciple of the kingdom of heaven is like a head of a household, who brings out of his treasure things new and old.”

Matthew 13:47-52

Sue's DELICIOUS Tortilla Soup

We have been doing a recipe swap at our church...well, that actually has kind of fizzled out, but some of us are trying to get caught up...and this recipe is from my Very GOOD friend, Sue...we made this for dinner last night...and so I thought, for Michelle's benefit, I would share it with you all...The recipe, and my very good friend both say that this is much better if you allow it to cook for a while or even cook it and serve it the next day...but I will say it is quick to make and is still tasty if it is 5 pm and you are having the WHAT'S FOR DINNER PANIC!

So, while I will do my best to share her "recipe"...I really think this is one where you really cannot go wrong...

(shamelessly stolen from my VERY GOOD FRIEND Sue's facebook...love ya Sue!)

Fry two chopped onions in olive oil in a large pot. (Sue cooks them a bit in some broth and has not noticed a difference in taste) Sprinkle chili powder and cumin over the onions to taste...she uses several tablespoons here and adds more as needed as the soup cooks...After that has cooked and smells AMAZING...add 3-4 cans of whole tomatoes to the pan, making sure to break up the tomatoes as you stir ( I use less tomatoes and also use puree rather than whole). Add cut up chicken breasts (boneless)...Sue uses a bag of frozen chicken tenders...(I cook my chicken before I do the onions...then just add to it from that point.) Cover with 4 32 oz cartons of chicken broth. Let simmer, adding more seasonings to taste.
When done, serve in individual bowls with the toppings you prefer...we like crushed up chips, avocado, green onions, olives, cheese, sour cream, cilantro and lime wedges...we LOVE to squeeze lime juice in it!

Thanks Sue...this recipe is a keeper, but YOU are the real keeper!
C~

Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Skin Care

I love getting the privilege of being a Bzz Agent. It is a word of mouth marketing approach that allows me to try some terrific products and then tell you all about them. I have tried many things that I love because of getting to try them through Bzz Agent.

A product line I have loved for a LONG time is Burt's Bees. My passion for the Burt's Bees line was sparked when I tried the baby line. Natural products that work well and smell amazing AND are priced reasonably. It is a combination that I love.

Well, as a Bzz Agent, I have just received some Burt's Bees products I would like to share with you. I am not sure how long this product has been available...I had never heard of it before. As I am aging and my skin appears more dry and the signs of aging are more apparent, I jumped at the chance to try these products.

Burt's Bees Natural Skin Solutions Intense Hydration

I received the Cream Cleanser, Treatment Mask and Night Cream, along with samples of the Day Lotion. Please do not hesitate to let me know if you would like to try a sample of the day lotion. I have a few to hand out!

The Intense Hydration product line has Clary Sage in it for its moisturizing properties. I found this information helpful and interesting:

Clary Sage, a remarkable botanical that thrives in its harsh environment because of its ability to retain moisture, is the inspiration behind Burt’s Bees Intense Hydration, our natural ode to soft, supple, revitalized skin and our best natural anti-aging solution. Our cream cleanser leaves your skin incredibly soft while our day lotion, eye cream and night cream help reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles. Add the treatment mask for an immediate dose of hydration to give your skin a revitalized look.

The first thing I noticed about this product was the AMAZING smell of the product. It is a NICE CLEAN smell...I know I cannot convey that through a blog post...but trust me, it smells wonderful!

In using the products, I liked the application. The cleanser feels thick like a lotion when coming out of the tube, but is a nice consistency on the face in the shower. The Day and Night Creams are both very MOISTURIZING! The mask is applied and then left on for 5-10 minutes. I could feel it tingle a little bit...it didn't hurt or sting...just a slight tingle...after the 5-10 minutes is up, you wipe off the mask with a tissue and then massage the rest into the skin. A different feel from the scrubs I am used to using.

The product seems a little heavy for my particular skin type...so I went and through the personalized face care guide over at Burt's Bees and the Intense Hydration line was recommended for my particular needs...so perhaps I have not been using the products I have needed for my skin for a LONG TIME! I do notice that my skin feels hydrated all day long and makeup application seems much smoother after using Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Products. My daughter did say that my skin looked amazing and felt very soft. Wonderful praise indeed. As winter is fast approaching and my skin tends to get drier I think I will find Burt's Bees Intense Hydration Skin Care to be a perfect fit!


Disclaimer: I am a BzzAgent and received this item for the purpose of writing a fair and honest review. I received no other compensation. All the opinions expressed are my own.

Sufficiency of Scripture

The kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in the field, which a man found and hid again; and from joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.

“Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Matthew 13:44-46

Sufficiency of Scripture

Then He left the crowds and went into the house. And His disciples came to Him and said, “ Explain to us the parable of the tares of the field.” And He said, “The one who sows the good seed is the Son of Man, and the field is the world; and as for the good seed, these are the sons of the kingdom; and the tares are the sons of the evil one; and the enemy who sowed them is the devil, and the harvest is the end of the age; and the reapers are angels. So just as the tares are gathered up and burned with fire, so shall it be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send forth His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all stumbling blocks, and those who commit lawlessness, and will throw them into the furnace of fire; in that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Matthew 13:36-43