IVON HAD TO WORK ON HIS BIRTHDAY

so we celebrated it tonight with his favorite - cheesecake with blueberry topping....

Our family has a tradition of singing Happy Birthday off key and loud.

In the past it's gotten too loud with some screaming, which thankfully we've 86'd.

Lach hasn't forgotten the loudness and was preparing as soon as the candles were being lit.

It was a fun birthday evening!

FAMILY DINNER WAS AT GRANDMA

and Grandpa Joan's house tonight and we had an Asian smorgasbord....

We brought Vegetarian Egg Rolls.

2 TBSP sesame oil

2 TBSP canola oil

1/2 head green cabbage, shredded

1 cup carrots, julienne

1 cup snow peas, julienne

1 TBSP cornstarch

1/4 cup soy sauce

Cilantro leaves, to taste, chopped

8 egg roll wrappers

Peanut oil, for frying

1/4 cup dry mustard

1/4 cup water

In a skillet over medium high heat, heat the oils. Saute cabbage for 2 minutes. Add carrots and snow peas and cook 1 more minute.

Whisk together cornstarch and soy sauce until smooth. Stir into vegetable mixture. Cook until sauce comes to a boil and is slightly thickened, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool. Add cilantro leaves.

Lay the egg rolls on flat surface and lightly brush edges with water. Place 1/8 of the filling at one end of each wrapper, leaving 1/4 inch border at the top and sides. Roll wrapper over filling, tucking in the ends after the first roll.

Heat oil to 350 and fry until golden brown, about 3 minutes. Drain on paper towel.

Combine dry mustard and water and use as a dipping sauce.

I THOUGHT IT WAS A LOVE STORY,

and it wasn't.
I saw Streetcar Named Desire for the first time last night with Larry.....

I'm not a fan of this movie. I know it's a "classic" but I didn't like it....

LOVE DARE - DAY 38

Love fulfills dreams.

Dreams and desires come in all shapes and sizes. But love takes careful notice of each one.

The challenge for day 38 is to ask yourself what your mate would want if it was obtainable. Commit this to prayer, and start mapping out a plan for meeting some (if not all) of their desires, to whatever level you possibly can.

GO FLY A KITE!

is what we've been doing this afternoon.....

It's been such a fun afternoon!

And don't you just love the cape....

IF I HAD THREE WISHES,

one of the wishes would be a stainless steel garage door....

photo via here

LOVE DARE - DAY 37

Love agrees in prayer.

The challenge for day 37 is to ask your spouse if you can begin praying together. Talk about the best time to do this, whether it's in the morning, your lunch hour, or before bedtime. Use this time to commit your concerns, disagreements, and needs before the Lord. Don't forget to thank Him for His provisions and blessing. Even if your spouse refuses to do this resolve to spend this daily time in prayer yourself.

IT'S A GREAT DAY TO

celebrate Ivon's birthday....

Ivon and I on our patio in Italy in 1975

Ivon is kind, talented, dependable, caring, thoughtful, loving, interesting, giving, an awesome brother and a fantabulous uncle (and he puts up with me taking creative pictures, over and over and over and over again).
He is fun loving and I think he's a cross between Charlie Harper and Barney Stinson and even reminds me a little of Miguel.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY IVY!!

LOVE DARE - DAY 36

Love is God's word.

The challenge for day 36 is to commit to reading teh scriptures every day for guidance. If your spouse is open to it, see if they will commit to daily scripture study with you. Begin submitting each area of your life to it's guidance and start building on the rock.

I'M LOVING THIS PHOTO

of our "B" before it's hung over at Full House....

Want a 42 inch letter for your home?
Come over to Laura Rae Designs....

STEEL CUT OATMEAL + TART CRAISINS +

plump and juicy blueberries +
agave nectar + milk = a happy and full belly......

182 Calories

LOVE DARE - DAY 35

Love is accountable.

The challenge for day 35 is to find a marriage mentor - someone who has the kind of marriage you want.
If you feel that counseling is needed, then take the first step to set up an appointment. During the process, ask God to direct your decisions and discernment.

I'M LOVING THE BLACK AND WHITE

movie series at the Elsinore Theater.
Tonight we saw the 1941 movie, Man Hunt...

Another super fun night!

PS, I heart black and white movies.....

MY HEART WENT PITTER PATTER

when my mom gave me this Irish linen today.... She had picked some up when they were in Ireland and thought I'd appreciate it.
I do, I do, I do!!
It's out already and will be on display for the next 21 days.
Thanks mom!!

LOVE DARE - DAY 34

Love celebrates Godliness.

You are one of the most influential people in your spouse's life. How have you been using your influence?

The challenge for day 34 is to find a specific, recent example when your spouse demonstrated Christian character in a noticeable way. Verbally commend them for this at some point today.

I AM FASCINATED WITH MY

ancestors from South Africa.
They were amazing people and I want to know more, more, more!
One of these days I'm going to travel to South Africa to do family research....

via a cup of jo

and when I do, I'd love to stay at The Outpost....

WE HAVE A WEE BIT OF IRISH

running through our veins.

I have a few ideas to make St. Patrick's Day fun for my man clan...

photo with recipes via family fun found here and here

I know it's still 22 days away, but I'm getting excited!

LOVE DARE - DAY 33

Love completes each other.

The effectiveness of your marriage is dependent upon both of you working together. Joined together, you are greater than your independent parts. You need each other. You complete each other.

The challenge for day 33 is to recognize your spouse is integral to your future success. Let them know today that you desire to include them in your upcoming decisions and that you need their counsel and perspective. If you have ignored their input in the past, admit your oversight and ask them to forgive you.

SNEAK PEEK - MADISON

My sweet, giggly, energetic niece turned nine, so we did a birthday photo shoot to celebrate....

LOVE DARE - DAY 32

Love meets sexual needs.

Don't share this experience with anyone else. Don't use it as a bargaining chip. And don't deprive one another.

The challenge for day 32 is to start a path to greater intimacy.

AS MY MAN CLAN SAYS

Uncle Ivon R-O-C-K-S.
They got some fun, wild uncle time tonight at Grandma and Grandpa's house.....

And left high on Uncle overload.

It was hilarious....

THE WEE-EST OF THE WEE

has a need.
A need for speed....

Longboarding is one of his favorite daddy-son activities....

A FAVORITE SNACK

that is super filling and delicious.... 1 cup cottge cheese
1 small can of mandarin oranges
1 TBSP slivered almonds

LOVE DARE - DAY 31

Love and marriage.

Have you or your spouse failed to cut the apron strings? If so, the identity of your marriage will not be able to come to flower. You'll always be held back with a root of division that will send up new shoots into your relationship. It won't go away unless you do something about it. Leave and cleave and walk as one.

Is there a "leaving" issue you haven't been brave enough to conquer yet? Confess it to your spouse today, and resolve to make it right. The oneness of your marriage is dependent upon it. Follow this with a commitment to your spouse and to God to make your marriage the top priority over every other human relationship.

PARTY LIKE IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY....

We had a blast celebrating Grandpa Joan's birthday.....

It was such a fun evening!