Happy Halloween

We went trick or treating in our downtown on Saturday. It poured rain on us until about 2 minutes before we made it to this spot (near our car). The kids' expressions and stances crack me up.

Have a happy and safe Halloween!

This is My Life

I was making biscuits this morning, casually looking out the window from time to time thinking about the cool, rainy day.

It would be such a nice day to sit in a coffee shop sipping on a latte with a good book in-hand.

The music in the background made me long for the serenity of a peaceful place. The noise of my kids laughing and talking kept me present in my world.

And then, I recognized discontentment.

If I were at the coffee shop, I might be looking around at the people there wishing I were with a really good friend.

If I were at a coffee shop with my best friend, we'd probably be dreaming of the day when we could take a trip together.

If were were taking a trip together, we'd probably be talking about the next, even better trip.

So, I prayed:
"Lord, let me be satisfied with the now. Let me be satisfied with the life I have. Let me be satisfied with today. Lord, satisfy me and the longings of my heart in a way that nothing else can."

I will take the biscuits from my oven.


I will take the raining dreary day.


I will take a backyard with overgrown grass strewn with toys.


I will take these happy, boisterous video game playing boys.



I will take a sweet girl with crazy bed head hair.


I will even take the cobwebs.


This is my life. I'm going to pour myself another cup of coffee and enjoy it.

For the Love of Chocolate

...and coffee.



Last night, I made Chocolate Chip Cookie Brownie Bar's.
Oh.my.word. They are delicious! I mean, they are oh-my-stars, where-have-you-been-all-my-life, delicious.

Chocolate Chip Brownie Bars

1 cup butter, softened
1 1/2 cups firmly packed brown sugar
4 large eggs, divided
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
1 box brownie mix
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/4 cup water

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Line a 13 by 9 inch baking pan with heavy duty aluminum foil with a 2 inch overhang. Spray with nonstick cooking spray.

2. In a large bowl, beat butter and brown sugar at medium-high speed with a mixer until fluffy. Add 2 eggs, beating until well blended. In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking soda and salt. Gradually add flour mixture to butter mixture, beating until mixture forms a soft dough. Stir in chocolate chips.

3. In another bowl, combine brownie mix, oil, water, and remaining 2 eggs, beating until well blended.

4. Spread cookie dough in prepared pan. Pour brownie mixture over dough. Using a knife, swirl mixtures together. Bake 40 minutes or until edges start to pull away from the sides of the pan. Let cool in the pan for 1 hour. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours (I couldn't wait that long to try these yummies.) Cut into bars.

These go great with coffee. (No, I am not having coffee and chocolate for breakfast dessert!)

Speaking of coffee, did you notice my empty Starbucks cup in the picture?

Beth from Outnumbered, Three to One, is giving away 2 Starbucks Gift Cards to celebrate 300 blog posts. Beth is a sweet Southern lady. She has a thoughtful husband, famously known at my house for bringing her vidalia onions for mother's day. She also has 2 grown sons, one of which has a peanut allergy. In short, Beth is one lovely lady that shares from the heart (often humorously) on her blog. Stop by her place to win: 300th Post Contest

Here's one more look at sweetness:

Caught Drinking and Driving

Yesterday, I went shopping with my oldest son. On our drive, he was reading. I was humming along to music and sipping a Dr. Pepper.

Suddenly, my son said, "Momma! You're drinking."

I thought he was going to admonish me for drinking a soda. I've been drinking very few sodas in an effort to be healthier and I have had several conversations with him about how the less I drink soda the less I like it.

I said, "Oh, I know..."

He interrupted me.

"You cannot drink and drive. There are commercials that say that you can get arrested for that."

It was all I could do not to laugh (loudly). I suppressed my laugher the best I could and explained the meaning of drinking and driving.

That Dr. Pepper sure tasted refreshing after our conversation.