Memorial Day - Five on Friday

 

I am so excited that it's Memorial Day weekend. 

That means 3 things:

1.  A 3-day weekend

2.  Great time with friends and family

3.  TONS of food!!!

So today, my 5 on Friday items are some great recipes that I found and want to try out for our Memorial Day BBQ.

{ONE} 

Appetizer

Warm & Creamy Bacon Dip

{TWO}

  Main Course

Jalapeno Popper Burgers

 {THREE}

 Side Dish

Grilled Vegetable Kabobs

{FOUR}

Dessert!!!

Berry Trifle

 

{FIVE}

 Beverage

Rosemary-Infused Watermelon Lemonade

Rain Rain, Won't You Stay...

It's been raining here the past few days and when it was a light sprinkle this evening, I let Emmalee go outside in her rain gear to play.  I grabbed my camera just in case I could get a few pictures of her.  What I actually captured was something I can never replace.  These are the moments I hope I never forget. So if these are the things that happens when it rains, I'm ok if the rain is here to stay.

 

 

This face...

Is more than I can handle!

The amount of joy & laughter she brings into our home cannot be measured.

Her big sister absolutely adores her.

Her momma cant get enough of her kisses.

Her daddy is wrapped around her little finger.

She is loved!

Thankful Thursday

I guess I've started a new weekly tradition of Thankful Thursday.  Of course anyone is welcome to join in and link back if you want to.

I won't lie that it was hard to write today's post when so many others are wrenched in heartache and left with total devastation from tornadoes and severe weather.  My heart is grieving for those that lost homes, treasures possession, and loved ones.  I've had such a heavy heart the past few days reading story after story about death, devastation and destruction; yet it is because of seeing all of that devastation that I am thankful for the Body of Christ.

Its the Body of Christ that stretches out their arms to embrace us in times of trouble; its the Body of Christ that comes to aide those in need; its the Body of Christ that feed the hungry when the storms have blown away all we've ever known.  The Body of Christ are the faithful ones who bow on bended knee covering the rest of the body in prayer.  They see you through the good times and the bad, and lend a helping hand whenever they see the need.  Its the Body of Christ that comes together giving time and money and hugs of hope after the storms of life pass through.

In almost every story I've read in the past few days, the Body of Christ has poured out love on strangers and prayed words of hope over fellow believers and non-believers alike.  They have laid hands on the wounded, and sat in hospital rooms with families.

Today I am thankful that each part of the Body has a purpose, and when one party of the body suffers the rest of the body suffers; and when one part rejoices, we all rejoice (1 Cor 12:26).  Today we are all suffering with those who lost and are devastated, but I know that one day soon we will all rejoice in seeing God's hand at work.

What are you thankful for today?

Organization

Organization.

Its one of those things that I desperately long for, but seem to lack.

Especially in my home!  My home is not big, by any means, but its big enough for the 4 of us.  But there are days I wish I had just one more bedroom, or a craft room, or an office...just a little more space would help me get organized.  But what I've realized lately is that no more amount of space will declutter the clutter...I have to declutter the clutter. 

So today I went pinning and found some great ideas that I "want" to make happen; things that might help me get my home into a little more order.

For the playroom, I'm loving this website:  The Creative Classroom.  Even though its geared toward teachers, I love some of the ideas it has. 

I'm also loving this idea.  Our playroom has one HUGE wall and a lot of unused wall space, so what a great idea. 

I also love the idea of a chalkboard wall...that would eliminate the actual chalk board easel in the playroom!

 

I also love this!  I don't know about y'all, but my kids have more books than I can count and I'm running out of book space.  What a great way to use empty wall space as storage. 

In my kitchen, I've been begging Brant for a pantry make-over.  My pantry is basically just a wall of cabinets - but not actual cabinets - they just look like cabinets.  Actually, its a big square hole in the wall with cabinet facing.  There are only 3 shelves that are not adjustable and it is just a huge area of wasted space, in my ever-so-humble opinion.  So, I've told Brant I want to rip the cabinet facing off the wall, tear down the shelves, and make a new pantry.  I KNOW that more shelving space (especially adjustable shelves) will help me to be more organized.

So, now I'm trying to decide how I want this new kitchen pantry to be designed.  Here are few organization ideas I found of the pantry.

Now, this is brilliant!  A place for everything!  

http://www.designimprovised.com/2013/12/pantry-organization.html

I definitely want more space to store my appliances and serving trays/bowls.  This would be so helpful in freeing up my counter space and treasured cabinet space in my actual kitchen.

And I love this idea to add even more storage, but keep things off the ground.

Ok, give it to me straight - what are your favorite organization tips/tricks/secrets...I need it all!!!