spring giveaway winner announced!

So Jonny and I were sitting around watching an episode of "Restaurant Impossible" tonight when I realized I had yet to pick a winner for my little spring giveaway.  So with my highly reliable, high-tech system (aka Jon), we selected a winner:

Jaimie!

Jaimie, I'm delighted you won!  You're such a dear (and I really look forward to being with you at our friend's wedding this June)!  Send me your address and I'll get a little spring package out to you soon.  

Happy Weekend, friends!

Spring is here (and a giveaway reminder)!

Happy First Day of Spring!

Even though I'm merely dreaming of heavenly-scented lilacs,
my heart is filled with hope as I hold on to the One who made them.
The barren trees will eventually give way to green buds.
The dormant bulbs will push forth out of the ground, bursting forth with color.
The robins will return, singing their familiar choruses.
And the God who gave us winter will,
in His perfect timing, make all things new this Spring.

What are you making for Easter this year?
For the last number of years, I've been asked to bring dessert.
While my offerings change from year to year,
I generally make three different selections---
something for every palette.
I will say, though, I think I might suffer bodily harm if I neglected to bring my peanut butter eggs.
While I still haven't finalized all my plans,
I am planning on P-Dub's strawberry shortcake cake this year.
I made it for our annual cake auction last year,
and it went for a pretty penny.

So whatcha got cooking at your house this Easter?
Any favorite recipes to share?
Oh, and have you entered my spring giveaway yet?
Leave a comment here to be entered for a box of spring lovelies to brighten your day!

so, about that giveaway...

Some of you are being shy.  *grin*

As I shared yesterday, I'm doing a little spring giveaway here in my little corner of Blogland, and you can be entered to win simply by leaving a comment on yesterday's post.  Just let me know you're here and you'll be entered to win a box of spring lovelies insured to help get you over the midwest winter hump---or, if you're one of the blessed people living in a region already experiencing spring, it'll help you embrace it in all its glory!

Thank you for stopping by, friends!  I appreciate you!

{2013 spring giveaway}

Umm...anybody remember last March?

I, for one, will never forget it.

Here, in a region that typically is a hold-out in welcoming spring, I heard a lawn mower on March 13.  A week later I was swinging on our porch swing, admiring the sight of budding trees and inhaling the sweetness of spring.

Yeah, it was unusual.

For just moments ago, I heard the meteorologist's forecast:

something about a wind chill of -5 

(again, unusual to the opposite extreme).

Anybody else ready for a little spring?  

A little hope-filled reminder that spring, indeed, is on its way?

As has become my custom here at Kindred Hearts,

each spring I host a little spring giveaway.

It's my way of saying thanks for hanging out here;

thanks for reading and commenting and offering me so much encouragement.

I value your presence and want you to know it!

Just leave a little comment to let me know you're here.

You'll be entered to win a box of spring lovelies from me to you.

Go 'head...you have from now till Friday evening, March 22.

Winner will be announced Friday night!

A winner!

Thanks to each of you who entered my little spring giveaway!

My eyes-closed, hand-in-the-bowl, highly reliable husband pulled out a name this morning.

And the winner is...

Gwen

(or Gwen in Texas as he's been taught to say)  :)

Congratulations, Gwen!  I'll get a package of spring lovelies out to you in the coming days.

As always, thanks to you and everyone else for spending time here at Kindred Hearts.  I pray this is a place where eyes are directed to Jesus; where tired souls find hope and encouragement based on the Word of God; where hearts are turned toward home and their families.  Thanks for encouraging me to do the same---I'm grateful for each and every one of you!

my little spring giveaway...

...have you entered yet?

It's my way of saying thanks to all those friends who spend time here in my little corner of Blogland.  Comment here to enter!

it's time for a little spring giveaway

It's been unseasonably warm for this portion of the country.
Yesterday, March 11, felt like a holiday at 60-some degrees.
It seemed like the entire city had shed its winter layers
and burst forth with newness and joy.
Children flocked to the parks.
Runners ran with an extra bounce in their step.
Dog-walkers lined every street corner.
Everything felt new and fresh and alive.

With the exception of today (overcast and rainy),
the entire week's forecast looks phenomenal.

Every once in a while---generally in spring and fall---
I like to host a little giveaway here in my little corner of Blogland.
It's my way of thanking you, my loyal readers,
for making the time to read my heart's ponderings;
for encouraging me like crazy in so many ways.

So if you're reading right now,
I urge you---yes, YOU---to leave a comment. 
Just let me know you're here.  :)
You'll be entered in a drawing to win a package of spring lovelies from me to you!
You have until this Friday, March 16 at 10PM (CST) to enter.
I'll announce the winner on Saturday.

Thanks for reading, friends.
It's a joy to grow in grace and truth with each of you!

"The winter is past; the rain is over and gone.

The flowers appear on the earth, the time of singing has come..."

The Song of Solomon 2:11-12

The Time of Singing (and announcing a winner) Has Come ~ Day 24

The official results are in!
The winner of my little spring giveaway is...

Lynn! 

Lynn, are you still at the same address?  Why don't you drop me an email to confirm your address and I'll get your package in the mail as soon as possible! 

Thanks to all who shared and encouraged us with their favorite Easter traditions.  I pray that this week leading up to Easter Sunday is a meaningful time for your families as you prepare your hearts to celebrate the one who paid our debt and raised victorious from the grave!

The Time of Singing (and Giving) Has Come ~ Day 23

Because Tax Day is approaching
And because that tends to make me cranky
And because there's really no good reason to be cranky
(but instead a million and one reasons to be over-the-top joyful with thanksgiving)
And because I appreciate those who stop by here,
read my ponderings,
and encourage me in so many ways
(...phew!)
I'm hosting a little spring giveaway. 

From now through Sunday evening, April 17 at 10pm CST, leave a comment and share your favorite Easter tradition.  My high-tech system (aka Luke) will randomly choose one winner which will be announced on Monday morning.  The winner will receive a gift box of spring lovelies from me to you!

The Time of Singing (and Being Purposeful) Has Come ~ Day 22

There is no limit to the number of opportunities for impressing the Good News of Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection on the hearts of our children, even from a very young age.  We have the glad privilege of passing on and showing our children what matters and what's important to us by the way we celebrate. 

We once made a variation of Noel Piper's Easter Mountain (ours was varied in that I placed the dough over an inverted oven-proof bowl sprayed with baking spray, cut out an opening, and proceeded as directed).  This is another means by which little ones can track with and gain fuller understanding of the Easter story.  And imagine their joy when they awake on Easter morning and find the "stone" rolled away!

The Time of Singing (and Telling the Story) Has Come ~ Day 21

Here is another favorite hands-on activity for retelling the story of Easter to little ones:  Resurrection Cookies

[Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ!  According to His great mercy, He has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God's power are being guarded through the faith for a salvation ready to be reavealed in the last time.  1 Peter 1:3-5]

The Time of Singing (and Passing On Truth) Has Come ~ Day 20

When our boys were younger, I was regularly on the lookout for ways to plant the truth of God's Word deep in their hearts.  These rolls became a hands-on Easter tradition that is still loved enjoyed by our family today...


Resurrection Rolls

1 can refrigerated crescent roll dough
8 large marshmallows
Melted butter
Cinnamon
Sugar



Give each child one triangle shaped section of crescent roll. This represents the tomb.


Each child takes one marshmallow which represents the body of Christ.


Dip the marshmallow in the butter and roll in cinnamon and sugar mixture. This represents the oils and spices the body was anointed with upon burial.


Lay the marshmallow on the dough and carefully wrap it around the marshmallow.


Make sure all seams are pinched together well. (Otherwise the marshmallow will "ooze" out of the seams)


Bake according to package directions.


Cool.


Break open the tomb and the body of Christ is no longer there!  He is Risen! 

The Time of Singing (and Praying and Baking and Celebrating) Has Come ~ Day 19

I've detected a pattern of late.
When I've got a lot on my mind, I bake.
And I pray.
I bake and I pray.
I pray and I bake.
And I end with a whole kitchenful of stuff.
It seems I bake a lot more these days.
Which, thankfully, means that I'm praying more these days, too.
I spent the whole morning in the kitchen.
I decided to whip up a batch of dulce de leche cupcakes.
(I added a teaspoon of cinnamon to the batter).
But I still had dulce de leche left (and more praying to do),
so I decided to bake up a batch of dulce de leche brownies, as well.

The end result was this:

And this:

And this:

Yes, my firstborn got his driver's license today! 
And this mama is learning better how to bake...and pray...and trust.
And we are most definitely stocked and ready to celebrate when he gets home!

Congratulations, Drew!  We love you tons!  XOXO

The Time of Singing (and Happily Cleaning) Has Come ~ Day 18

Have you become acquainted with Mrs. Meyer yet?
If not, I must introduce you!  You'll love her!
She's an absolute natural.
She's cheery and fresh.
Her sweet fragrance always lingers, long after she's gone.
She puts a smile on my face.
She motivates and encourages me to work hard.
She has revolutionized my cleaning habits,
for I delight in being with her.

Mrs. Meyer's Clean Day











Thank you, Mrs. Meyer.  I [heart] you.

The Time of Singing (and Playing Ball) Has Come ~ Day 17

Spring.  Baseball.  The two are synonymous in our house.

Long ago, upon becoming mama to three sons, I embraced that my life would include the All-American game---both my boys' and the Brew Crew!  Thankfully, it wasn't much of a stretch, as I've long loved the game!  I kind of wish I had counted the number of games I've attended over the years; the number of bleachers I've sat (and grown numb) upon; the number of times I've embarrassed myself with my spirited cheering for my boys!  It's easy to see why the return of baseball each spring has always, always, always been a holiday at our house.  

Play Ball! (2006)
In the Big Inning (2007)
Opening Day (2010)

Today was no different.  With the Brewers' home opener came our annual party---and our own spin on ballpark faves.  We enjoyed bacon-wrapped hot dogs (a new delicacy my guys discovered in Mexico) and a creation of my very own.  I'd heard of a contest that was being hosted by our MLB park several months ago.  They wanted contestants to submit an original recipe to be featured on their ballpark menu.  Upon hearing about it, I immediately said to Jon, "Apple pie nachos.  What's more American than apple pie and baseball?  And what's more fun to eat at the ballpark than nachos?"  So while I didn't submit my idea, I thought it.  And today I created it. 

As we do every home opener, we donned our colors, ate our food, and cheered for our home team.  Different from every other year, however, was that our oldest son's school and play obligations kept him from joining us.  See?  More change.  :)  But while the change is inevitable, I'm learning---albeit s-l-o-w-l-y---that the love and memories that bind us cannot be taken away.  And I dare say that our older boys are discovering new found appreciation for those memories with each passing year. 

And so we'll continue to celebrate and create traditions and build memories and our shared story. 

The Time of Singing (and Using What You Have) Has Come ~ Day 16

I [heart] those cloche/bell jar/glass dome thingees.  It seems that anything "ordinary" becomes a spectactular thing of beauty when showcased beneath gleaming glass.

I've discovered that I (and probably you, too) have a whole cupboard filled with clear glass vases of all sizes.  Turned upside down, they make a pretty good substitute for a whatchamacallit-cloche.

The Time of Singing (and Baking) Has Come ~ Day 15

This morning's sunshine reflected off my 5 karats 5 carrots.  And it motivated me to do something with them.

 

Carrot Bread with Cream Cheese Icing

And yes, sometimes my guys just humor me.  They (including the big one) peeled off all the shaved carrots before eating it.

The Time of Singing (and Inspiring) Has Come ~ Day 14

I'm a fan of vintage enamelware.  A big fan.

So when I found this chippy enamelware bowl at a thrift store last week, I found it incredibly hard to resist.
It's reminiscent of my great-grandma's kitchen.
It conjurs up all kinds of images from days gone by.
In my mind's eye, I see an apron-clad woman stirring up a batch of dough.
I see her setting it to rise beneath a hand-stitched tea towel. 
I picture her mixing up a batch of cookies for the little ones who would soon return home from school.

That's what enamelware does to me. 
It unexpectedly reminds and inspires me to be intentional;
to be sure I don't miss out. 

So I brought this little beauty home with me. 
I admire it each day, so happy with my find.
It sings of spring and family;
of practicality and beauty;
of labor and reward.

[She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.]

Proverbs 31:27

The Time of Singing (and Remembering) Has Come ~ Day 13

I'm sorry for the sudden drop-off in my little spring series last week.  After my husband and son returned from Mexico, we happily and gleefully jumped into a whole week of spring break!  I chose to intentionally invest those days in my family and friends.  And it was sa-weet!  But today life is returning to a more regular routine and I am picking up my blog once again.

I came across these images from another spring day in another year.  Five years ago, to be exact.

Remember those sweet boys?  I believe this particular day was our first robin sighting of the year---hence the reason we made "Bird's Nests" (just one of our favorite spring creations way back when). 

Bird's Nests
1 (12 oz.) bag butterscotch (or peanut butter) chips
1 lg. can chow mein noodles
assorted jelly beans or speckled malted milk "eggs"

Melt chips of choice in microwave or in a small saucepan on the stovetop over low heat, stirring till smooth.  Stir in chow mein noodles until well-coated.  Form "nests" and place on waxed paper until set.  Fill/garnish with jelly beans or malted milk eggs.

The Time of Singing (and Memory-Making) Has Come ~ Day 12

It's March 22---two days into Spring.
And today we've seen snow, rain, sleet, and hail.  Repeat.

It was the perfect day to visit one of my favorite little boutiques with my treasured friends.
To escape.  dream.  create.
To share an experience and make memories to carry us through the long months (and sometimes years) of separation. 
Scents seem to take me back to specific events and memories.  I created a lilac and peony-scented body lotion (my favorite)...a scent that will forevermore conjur up memories of this day. 
So despite the Narnia-like scene that was just on the other side of the store window, inside there was the joy and promise of spring; the joy and promise of faithful friendship.