And The Sun Shines On

Welp, it is Saturday and it is gorgeous outside. But I am still propped up in bed, like I have been for most of the week. I went from being sick to sicker, which eventually brought my sweet mom out to the ranch to visit me.  I am finally on the mend---thank God.

Now all that I really want is to feel good enough to make a picnic with prosciutto and cheese, sip on some Cab, watch my dog sunbathe and enjoy the words and company of my husband. Hopefully soon.

This should have been posted yesterday, the day that marks the third anniversary of the death of one of our dearest friends, Nathan Herzog. We love you Nate.  What a blessing you all are to us, even still.

Here is my post about Nathan after being gone for one year. Please enjoy our sweet friend!

Signed,

Grateful for health, friends, family and memories that last forever. Simple graces.

Wordless Wednesday

Lately

Wow, it's been almost a week since I have written...blog challenge fail.  I blame a final exam, crammed weekend back home, sleepless hours and HEADACHES that are leaving my crumpled in bed as soon as I get home.  I am quite sure my husband is missing his wife.

I have lots that I want to blog about, but just staring at the screen makes me feel like I need to get off one of these... and quickly.

If you think about it, please say a little prayer for me.

Much love, friends.

Wordless Wednesday

However Will I Do This?

I love
Coke.
Coke.
Coke.
Coke.

When I say love, what I mean to say is that I am addicted to Coke. Real, real, real bad.

And so, sadly and quite nervously, that is what I have chosen to give up [whimper] for Lent, which begins tomorrow. I can feel the tears rising up already. What would you or are you giving up this season?

Goodbye my vice love...

Lovely Day

Yesterday I spent the day with my love and it was oh.so.lovely. The day was filled with church, grocery shopping, honey-dos, reading, flowers and a wonderful meal at home. I prepared pan-seared filet mignon with kosher salt and fresh black cracked pepper (thanks for the tips Raising Fig), garlic parmesan mashed potatoes, warm rolls and blueberries...because well, my husband just loves blueberries.

I am so grateful for this season in our lives, where we can enjoy one another before our family grows. What a sacred time.

Guest Blog from Happiest Belly on the Block

Mint Chocolate Valentine’s Day Marshmallows
By Alison at The Happiest Belly on the Block

I was so excited when Courtney asked me to guest post on Causey Chit Chat! I read her blog all the time and am thrilled to find a new friend in the blogging world.  Since Courtney is devoting her February posts to things she loves, I thought I’d share with you something I love. 


Here is my recipe for Mint Chocolate Valentine’s Day Marshmallows. This year I made them for my daughter’s teachers and my co-workers as a little Valentine’s Day gift. These marshmallows are easy to make and require absolutely no baking. They keep well for up to a month and are delicious by themselves or added to a yummy mug of hot cocoa. I hope you love them as much as I do!

Servings: approximately 50 marshmallows

Ingredients:

For the marshmallows-

3 packets unflavored gelatin

1 cup light corn syrup with vanilla flavor

1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

¼ tsp. kosher salt

1 ½ cups cold water

1 cup powdered sugar

3 tsp. red food dye

1 9x13 pan, sprayed with nonstick spray and coated with powdered sugar

1 candy thermometer (or a thermometer that measures up to 240 degrees)

1 small heart shaped cookie cutter

For the chocolate glaze-

3 cups semi-sweet chocolate chips

1 teaspoon peppermint extract

1 metal or bamboo skewer (you can also use a toothpick)

Waxed paper

Assembly:

Place ½ cup cold water and contents of the gelatin packets in a stand mixer fit with the whisk attachment.  Heat 1 cup water, sugar, salt and corn syrup to 240 degrees. Turn the mixer on and add the heated water/sugar mixture to the mixing bowl set on low speed. Once all of your liquid is in the mixer, set the speed to high and let it run for 8-10 minutes (you will know it’s ready when the marshmallow is white and fluffy). In the last minute or so, slowly add 3 tsp. red food dye (you may need to add more or less to achieve your desired color). Turn the marshmallow mixture into the 9x13 pan and use a greased spatula to spread it to the edges. Allow the marshmallows to sit, uncovered, for 3-4 days. 

When you are ready to cut out the hearts, grease and coat the cookie cutter with powdered sugar. Cut out heart shapes, pressing down until the cutter reaches the bottom of the pan then twisting to release the heart. Push the heart shaped marshmallow out of the mold with your fingers and roll lightly in powdered sugar. Repeat until you have used all of the marshmallow. You can use the leftover marshmallow around the edges for hot chocolate later.

In a double boiler (if you don’t have a double boiler, a metal bowl sitting in a pot with 2-3 inches of water will work just fine), melt the chocolate, stirring in the peppermint extract when melted. Spear the top of the heart with a skewer and dip, twisting to coat the front and back of the marshmallow with chocolate. Carefully place the heart on a cookie sheet lined with waxed paper. Chill in the freezer for 10 minutes before serving or wrapping as a gift. Repeat until you have dipped all of your marshmallows. 

For more fabulous recipes from The Happiest Belly on the Block, click here. Enjoy and Happy Valentine's Day!

Valentine's Day {Repost}

Circa 2008


Love you, Nathan,

No Combintaion of Words

I'll tell you one thing, its always better when we're together. - Jack Johnson

This Makes Two

Mother.
Daughter.
Wife.
Friend.
Caretaker.
Strong.
Sassy.
Life of the party.
Sarcastic-speaking.
Easy-going.
Sonic-loving.
New UGG-wearing.
Cinnamon Roll-splurging.
Oldies-listening.
Wisdom-speaking.
Grandbaby-waiting.
Pool-Lounging.
Christ-seeking.
Truth-telling.
Multiple book-reading.
Benadryl-taking.
Collarless-sporting.
Words with Friends-playing.
Unconditional-loving.
Best-ever.
Mother.

Happy Birthday, Mom!  I love you so much and I am so glad they closed down school on your behalf today. You really are that good.

Pinch Me!

Well, DFW reportedly got 12' of snow. TWELVE INCHES! We have had so much fun here. Larry and I ventured out into the snow three different times yesterday, the last being at midnight to build a snowman. What a wonderful memory for us! The residents have had a ball, although their Valentine's dance was canceled for tonight, which is a bummer (for them and me).

(He's a little special - we know.)


Snow Day from THE CAUSEY'S on Vimeo.




Snow Day for Enzzy from THE CAUSEY'S on Vimeo.

Snow and Snuggles

This is what we are doing today. How about you? 

Loving the snow in Texas this year. We had a Cornerstone snowball fight this morning, so pictures will soon follow this post!

Stay warm, friends.

Wordless Wednesday

Headaches and Big Hearts

Last night I came home with an awful headache. For the third day in a row. And it was bad.

I quickly folded myself into bed and told Larry to give me 15 minutes to rest before I needed to cook dinner for the residents. Luckily for me, my sweet husband went and prepared Enchilada Bake without me. He later came upstairs and woke me up to let me know that the girls would soon be bringing me dinner in bed. I mumbled thank you or something of the like and then fell right back to sleep.

A few minutes later, I was awakened to the sound of breathing and quiet talking on Larry's side of the bed. I peaked through my half opened eyes to find L, A and S all lined in a row carefully placing my meal on the bedside table.

It is hard to explain what this simple moment did for me. These girls, they are amazing. They are so precious and service of this kind just pours from their hearts. L is especially a riot because she has a tendency to be stubborn, yet she is also the most like a mother hen, leaving my room and pointing her finger at me saying, "EAT!” And as she closed the door I heard A's last words, which were, "Get some rest.”

I rolled over and closed my eyes, hoping the throbbing would go away, but I had the briefest moment of tears reaching the surface. It was a moment of sheer gratefulness to the Lord for placing me at Cornerstone, for giving us this opportunity, and to be loved and taught how to love by our special friends here.

Love and Glory

Love is doing what will enthrall the beloved with the greatest and longest joy. What will enthrall the beloved this way is the glory of God. Love means doing all we can, at whatever cost to ourselves, to help people be enthralled with the glory of God. When they are, they are satisfied and God is glorified. Therefore loving people and glorifying God are one. - John Piper

Love and Glory in Haiti.
http://livesayhaiti.blogspot.com/

Sweet Sunday

Love, love, LOVE these petits four! I want to make them myself but I sure feel like I will need some help and encouragement from a more confident baker type. Someone just like my conveniently-located-neighbor-downstairs-Cindy!

[I'm thinking, I'm thinking] Or I could just show her the link which will inspire her to make these tasty treats for all of Cornerstone to enjoy! But shhh....I can't let her know about my sneaky little plan.

Sundays sure are sweet!

SentiMATT

Sen-ti-ment (noun): a thought influenced by or proceeding from feeling or emotion.

MATH-yoo: It is of Hebrew origin, and its meaning is "gift of the Lord".

Brother.
Friend.
Husband.
Son.
Christ-follower.
Fellow-sinner.
FUN-KNEE.
Sharp-witted.
Tee-timing.
Hoop-throwing.
Shoe-loving.
Cocky-smiling.
Hand-clapping.
Noise-making.
Truth-speaking.
Hard-working.
Infectious-always.
Best-ever.
Brother.

Happy Birthday! Love you, bro.

Tater Tots and....HELLO Adorable Wreath!

I love, love, love Tater Tots and Jello! And I really wanna make this wreath. But I just know I can't. I won't. I should'nt. go at it alone.  Whose in?  And if you make it on your own, please send me pictures!

Cupcake Liner Wreath Tutorial

I love my mom's Chicken Spaghetti

And thanks to Matty celebrating another birthday (his love post coming soon), I get enjoy this delish dish.

Go make this right now!

Boil chicken in water with 1-2 chicken bouillon cubes. I use rotisserie chicken usually. In that case remove chicken from the bone. I usually use ½ of the chicken and save the other half for something else.

Cut up onions, sauté in olive oil and set aside

Boil spaghetti in broth from boiling the chicken or boil the spaghetti in water with bouillon cubes and sautéed onions.

When spaghetti is done pour off 2 cups of broth and save.

Use one small jar of Cheez Whiz or three 1 inch slices of Velveta cut up

Place chicken, spaghetti , 1 and ½ cups of broth and cheese in oven proof pan. Stir together to start cheese melting. Cover with grated cheddar cheese and cook in over 350 degrees until cheese on top is melted and the spaghetti is boiling. Use the other ½ cup of broth if needed.

Love Declared

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love
by Christopher Marlowe

Come live with me and be my love,
And we will all the pleasures prove,
That valleys, groves, hills and fields,
Woods or steepy mountains yields.

And we will sit upon the rocks,
Seeing the shepherds feed their flocks
By shallow rivers, to whose falls
Melodious birds sing madrigals.

And I will make thee beds of roses,
And a thousand fragrant posies,
A cap of flowers and a kirtle
Embroidered all with leaves of myrtle;

A gown made of the finest wool,
Which from our pretty lambs we pull;
Fair-lined slippers for the cold,
With buckles of the purest gold;

A belt of straw and ivy buds,
With coral clasps and amber studs;
And if these pleasures may thee move,
Come live with me and be my love.

The shepherd swains shall dance and sing
For thy delight each May morning;
If these delights thy mind may move,
Then live with me and be my love.

Wordless Wednesday

What I love about my Tuesdays

Night off
Writing letters with the husband
Avocados
Red wine
Tyler candles
The quiet
Blanket
Couch
Pup tucked in close
Snuggles
Bed time whenever I want
More than I deserve...

**update: my hubby ate the avocado without me.

I love being late.

To love at all is to be vulnerable. Love anything, and your heart will certainly be wrung and possibly broken. If you want to make sure of keeping it intact, you must give your heart to no one, not even to an animal. Wrap it carefully round with hobbies and little luxuries; avoid all entanglements; lock it up safe in the casket or coffin of your selfishness. But in that casket- safe, dark, motionless, airless--it will change. It will not be broken; it will become unbreakable, impenetrable, irredeemable. -C.S. Lewis