My One Word

Around this time last year, we heard about My One Word, an organization begun by Pastor Mike Ashcraft of Port City Community Church in Wilmington, NC.  The idea behind this New Year's Resolution alternative is that though people may quickly forget about their resolutions, when they prayerfully consider ONE and only one word to characterize their year, they are more likely to stick to it and become what they, and God envision for their life.  

To choose your word, envision the person that, ideally, you want to be.  Then, pick your word based on that person and their characteristics, not on past mistakes, failures, or insufficiencies.  

As for me... last year I chose the word Give.  This year... well, I haven't yet decided on a word.  I have several I am considering.  Believe me, it is a LOT harder than you can imagine!  When there are so many things you desire for your life, it is hard to narrow down to just one word.  And yet, that is the whole idea - focusing on one area to grow in, in your relationship with God and others, and in your own personal life and desires and dreams.

I encourage you to log onto My One Word, for more information, help picking your word, and stories of people that have been impacted by this revolutionary idea.

Holly Anne DeVore

The Year of the Pie - Week 1

After hearing about "The Year of the Pie" from another blog, MaKenna and I fell in love with this delicious idea!  Each week (or every other week - we are working out the kinks as we go!) we will choose a different type of pie in which we will blissfully indulge!  If the recipe proves to be as amazing as it sounds, we will share it here with you!  Hopefully, you will enjoy these treats as much as we do!

Homemade Graham Cracker Crust 

(you will never go back to store bought after trying this!)

18 squares (1 package) graham crackers

1/4 cup sugar

6 tbsp. butter, melted

Pulse graham crackers in the blender, until you have fine crumbs.  Combine all in a small bowl.  Press into a 9" pie plate.  Chill about 1 hour or bake in a 375* oven for 6-9 minutes, or until edges are brown. 

*Note: If using a 9"X13" dish, double the recipe.

**Additional note: I didn't chill or bake mine since the recipe I was using this for called for the whole thing to be chilled.

Pineapple Millionaire Pie

Ingredients:

First Layer

2 cups powdered sugar

1 stick of butter

2 large eggs

1/8 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. vanilla

Second Layer

1/4 cup powdered sugar

1 1/2 cups crushed pineapple

1/2 cup pecans

1 (8 oz.) container of whipped topping

Cream ingredients of the first layer and pour into a 9" pie shell (I used a graham cracker crust.  Originally, the recipe calls for a regular, baked pie shell, but no need to bake if you use a graham cracker crust).  For best results, cream ingredients for at least ten minutes (yes - I learned this the hard way!).  Chill 1 hour.  Meanwhile, mix the first three ingredients of the second layer, then fold in the whipped topping.  Spread onto the chilled base mixture, and chill well.    

Winnie the Pooh Day!

Commemorating a beloved, "silly old bear"! 

Christopher Robin: Pooh, what's your favorite thing in the whole world?

Pooh: My favorite thing is me coming to visit you, and then you ask, "How about a small smackeral of honey?"

Christopher Robin: I like that, too. But what I like most of all is just doing nothing.

Pooh: How do you do just nothing?

Christopher Robin: Well, when grown-ups ask, "What are you going to do?" and you say, "Nothing," and then you go and do it.

Pooh: I like that. Let's do it all the time

"Before beginning a Hunt, it is wise to ask someone what you are looking for before you begin looking for it."

"If you want to make a song more hummy, add a few tiddely poms."

"It is more fun to talk with someone who doesn't use long, difficult words but rather short, easy words like 'What about lunch?'"

"It's so much more friendly with two."

"Sometimes, if you stand on the bottom rail of a bridge and lean over to watch the river slipping 

slowly away beneath you, you will suddenly know everything there is to be known."

"When you are a Bear of Very Little Brain, and Think of Things, you find sometimes that a Thing which seemed very Thingish inside you is quite different when it gets out into the open and has other people looking at it."

A Very Special Day

An older sister is a friend and defender - a listener, conspirator, a counsellor and a sharer of delights.

Pam Brown

 Holly and Marmee Dear

 Holly and Daddy

 Daddy, Holly and I

Bestest of Friends!

 Good Times!

Family

Today our family is celebrating a blessing, because today is Holly's seventeenth birthday! We're starting the day off with lemon-blueberry scones, then we have a bit of school to work on, after that it's off to the DMV and shopping!  Finally, to prayer, then back home to finish The Birthright!  Someone once said that friends are the sisters God forgot to give us.  If that's true, than sisters are the friends that we need so much that God lets us live with them!  Happy birthday Holly, I am looking forward to many more years of fun with you!


~MaKenna DeVore~