tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69986075197385135252024-03-05T17:07:35.966-06:00Casa de CastroJenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.comBlogger114125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-3405216551273272922010-07-05T15:10:00.018-05:002010-07-06T10:39:35.021-05:00Fourth of July, 2010I love the Fourth of July. I love red, white, and blue, and I love them together for what they invoke in my heart and mind.<br /><br />Freedom. Fantastic freedom. Freedom that isn't free, but purchased by the blood and bravery of men and women who loved America and sacrificed to keep her liberties intact.<br /><br />Patriotism. Something we see less and less of as time marches on. I saw a piece today written by Ed Morrissey that made me think. It said (in part):<br /><br /><blockquote><span style="font-family:times new roman;color:#000000;">"Pardon me while I indulge one of my pet peeves — and try to determine whether this is a widespread phenomenon, or just a local affliction of amnesia. Every major holiday, I make sure to fly the flag at my house, and every major holiday, almost every one of my neighbors do not. I hate to break out a “I walked sixteen miles to school barefoot in the snow, uphill both ways” argument, but it’s true that when I was a child, it seemed that every house had a flag out on the Fourth of July, at least, and usually on the other national holidays as well. After 9/11, my neighborhood temporarily recovered from its collective amnesia to start displaying the American flag, but nine years later, we’re back to seeing more Twins and Vikings flags than Old Glory."</span><br /><br /></blockquote><p>He's right. When we drove down the street on the way home from church yesterday (more about THAT in a moment), I counted only three houses on our street with flags flying. Ours was one of them.<br /></p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDKIW3DWNwI/AAAAAAAAEBY/UV5UGjrzYIU/s1600/flags.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 299px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490600822034544386" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDKIW3DWNwI/AAAAAAAAEBY/UV5UGjrzYIU/s400/flags.jpg" /></a> It saddens me that our country is so divided and polarized these days. How have we gotten SO far from what the founding fathers intended when they came to the New World seeking, among other things, freedom of religion? Not freedom FROM religion, but freedom OF religion. The "separation of church and state" does NOT mean the government cannot or should not embrace the Judaeo-Christian principles on which our country was built. In reality, that phrase was intended to guarantee that our government would never CONTROL the church as it did and still does in England. It guaranteed our freedom to worship as we see fit and are led by God. Even Thomas Jefferson, surely a <a href="http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/polytheist">polytheist</a>, would be astounded at how far America has drifted from the intentions of our founders.<br /><br />What better place was there to begin a Fourth of July celebration than in church? Honoring the ideals of brave men and women and the sacrifices of generations of soldiers, sailors and airmen and most importantly, acknowledging God's hand of blessing on our homeland and from Whom true freedom comes.<br /><br />How did I get SO far from the post I intended to write? There's a lot happening in my little brain, and apparently it needed to come out!<br /><br />Another of my favorite things is spending time with my family. And when they come to our house, I hope they feel welcome and loved by the little things I enjoy doing to make things festive.<br /><br />Like this:<br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAykzq3gI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/xE3A6cu-6vA/s1600/Img_4764.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 328px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490522133336088066" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAykzq3gI/AAAAAAAAEBQ/xE3A6cu-6vA/s400/Img_4764.jpg" /></a> I wanted a centerpiece befitting the occasion, but also befitting my budget. This is $1.98 plastic hat turned upside down for use as a planter. Kroger had red carnations, white daisies, and one lone blue hydrangea that cried out to go home with me to grace the dining room table!<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAyT7nZ0I/AAAAAAAAEBI/5thvyEtkZXo/s1600/Img_4765.jpg"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 397px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490522128806012738" border="0" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAyT7nZ0I/AAAAAAAAEBI/5thvyEtkZXo/s400/Img_4765.jpg" /></a> The hydrangea had been beaten up a little and had a small hole in the top of the bloom. I filled it with a happy little daisy, and no one knew the difference!<br /><br /><br />Instead of the usual names-written-in-Sharpie on plastic cups, I decided to try something different. Using plain white name tags from Office Depot, I printed portraits of various presidents from the web site of the White House. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAMErjcVI/AAAAAAAAEAw/Ff-A3D1qb2E/s1600/IMG_4769.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490521471877083474" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJAMErjcVI/AAAAAAAAEAw/Ff-A3D1qb2E/s400/IMG_4769.JPG" /></a><br />Each person "picked a President" and that was the way we kept up with whose cup was whose.<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJALme8zNI/AAAAAAAAEAo/j4plyu8tcA4/s1600/IMG_4770.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490521463771155666" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDJALme8zNI/AAAAAAAAEAo/j4plyu8tcA4/s400/IMG_4770.JPG" /></a><br /><br />Because I did the work, I got to choose my cup first. (Hostess' prerogative, doncha know.) I chose <a href="http://www.quotationspage.com/quotes/Ronald_Reagan">Ronald Reagan</a>. It was humorous to see "sweat" running down President Reagan's face as the condensation formed on the cup!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI_lsForWI/AAAAAAAAEAI/iveM372-ugI/s1600/IMG_4771.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490520812440563042" border="0" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI_lsForWI/AAAAAAAAEAI/iveM372-ugI/s400/IMG_4771.JPG" /></a><br />Here's the drink counter, complete with freshly brewed orange tea, a family favorite. <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI9MRECY1I/AAAAAAAAD_Y/UVe1VmpXNdo/s1600/IMG_4773.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490518176666116946" border="0" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI9MRECY1I/AAAAAAAAD_Y/UVe1VmpXNdo/s400/IMG_4773.JPG" /></a><br />And the beginning of the buffet line: <a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI9L6HGh7I/AAAAAAAAD_Q/icpKgURwQSE/s1600/IMG_4774.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 300px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5490518170504955826" border="0" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/TDI9L6HGh7I/AAAAAAAAD_Q/icpKgURwQSE/s400/IMG_4774.JPG" /></a><br />We had a great time of fellowship and as a family, enjoyed our many freedoms. We feasted on the bounty the Lord has so graciously provided, and we laughed and giggled and enjoyed being together.<br /><br />Happy birthday, America. May you continue to be the great nation God uses and blesses.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-55432204749001019342010-03-03T10:17:00.002-06:002010-03-03T10:40:09.589-06:0099 ThingsI got tagged... so here it is!<br /><br />Instructions:<br />Copy the list, bold the ones you've done (with explanations if needed), share with friends.<br /><br /><strong>1. Started your own blog<br />2. Slept under the stars</strong><br />3. Played in a band<br /><strong>4. Visited Hawaii</strong><br /><strong>5. Watched a meteor shower</strong><br /><strong>6. Given more than you can afford to charity</strong><br /><strong>7. Been to Disneyland</strong><br /><strong>8. Climbed a mountain (spent my early years in the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia)</strong><br /><strong>9. Held a praying mantis (in the second grade)</strong><br /><strong>10. Sang a solo</strong><br />11. Bungee jumped<br />12. Visited Paris<br /><strong>13. Watched a thunder and lightning storm</strong> <strong>(learned to be fascinated by them early on, but don't like the destructive ones!)</strong><br /><strong>14. Taught yourself an art from scratch (Candlewicking... should do more of that)</strong><br />15. Adopted a child<br />16. Had food poisoning<br />17. Walked to the top of the Statue of Liberty<br />18. Grown your own vegetables<br />19. Seen the Mona Lisa in France<br />20. Slept on an overnight train<br /><strong>21. Had a pillow fight</strong><br />22. Hitch hiked<br />23. Taken a sick day when you’re not ill<br /><strong>24. Built a snow fort (early years in Virginia, 'member?)<br />25. Held a lamb</strong><br />26. Gone skinny dipping<br />27. Run a Marathon<br />28. Ridden in a gondola in Venice<br /><strong>29. Seen a total eclipse<br />30. Watched a sunrise or sunset (both!! Absolutely breathtaking on Grand Cayman)<br /></strong>31. Hit a home run<br />32. Been on a cruise<br />33. Seen Niagara Falls in person<br /><strong>34. Visited the birthplace of your ancestors</strong><br /><strong>35. Seen an Amish community</strong><br /><strong>36. Taught yourself a new language (workin' on it now with Rosetta Stone!)<br />37. Had enough money to be truly satisfied (once upon a time)<br /></strong>38. Seen the Leaning Tower of Pisa in person<br /><strong>39. Gone rock climbing</strong><br />40. Seen Michelangelo’s David<br /><strong>41. Sung karaoke </strong><br />42. Seen Old Faithful geyser erupt <br /><strong>43. Bought a stranger a meal at a restaurant</strong><br />44. Visited Africa<br /><strong>45. Walked on a beach by moonlight (LOVE to do that with my hubby)<br /></strong>46. Been transported in an ambulance<br />47. Had your portrait painted<br /><strong>48. Gone deep sea fishing</strong><br />49. Seen the Sistine Chapel in person<br />50. Been to the top of the Eiffel Tower in Paris<br /><strong>51. Gone scuba diving or snorkeling (Snorkled in Grand Cayman and Hawaii)</strong><br /><strong>52. Kissed in the rain<br />53. Played in the mud<br />54. Gone to a drive-in theater<br />55. Been in a movie (if home movies count, then yes... lots!)<br /></strong>56. Visited the Great Wall of China<br /><strong>57. Started a business (I had a medical transcription service)</strong><br />58. Taken a martial arts class<br />59. Visited Russia<br /><strong>60. Served at a soup kitchen</strong><br />61. Sold Girl Scout Cookies<br />62. Gone whale watching (my dream vacation... on my bucket list)<br /><strong>63. Got flowers for no reason (my husband is very, very thoughtful)<br />64. Donated blood, platelets or plasma (only once, but can't now because of my blood disorder)</strong><br />65. Gone sky diving<br />66. Visited a Nazi Concentration Camp<br />67. Bounced a check<br /><strong>68. Flown in a helicopter (over the volcano on Maui - beautiful)<br />69. Saved a favorite childhood toy (I probably should get those from my parents' house!)</strong><br /><strong>70. Visited the Lincoln Memorial<br />71. Eaten caviar</strong><br />72. Pieced a quilt<br /><strong>73. Stood in Times Square <br /></strong>74. Toured the Everglades<br /><strong>75. Been fired from a job (don't even get me started)<br /></strong>76. Seen the Changing of the Guards in London<br /><strong>77. Broken a bone (several)<br />78. Been a passenger on a motorcycle (Shhh... don't tell my daddy)</strong><br />79. Seen the Grand Canyon in person<br />80. Published a book<br />81. Visited the Vatican<br /><strong>82. Bought a brand new car (won't ever do that again!)</strong><br />83. Walked in Jerusalem (also on the bucket list)<br /><strong>84. Had your picture in the newspaper (as a kid in Virginia, with a 9' tall Easter egg when I was 15, as a Planoette drill team member, with Leadership Plano)</strong><br />85. Kissed a stranger at midnight on New Year’s Eve<br />86. Visited the White House<br />87. Killed and prepared an animal for eating<br /><strong>88. had chickenpox<br /></strong>89. Saved someone’s life<br />90. Sat on a jury<br /><strong>91. Met someone famous (Christian singer Steve Green, former Dallas Cowboys Tony Dorsett and Randy White)</strong><br />92. Joined a book club (miss being in one)<br />93. Got a tattoo (nope and won't)<br />94. Had a baby (...several in Heaven)<br /><strong>95. Seen the Alamo in person</strong><br />96. Swam in the Great Salt Lake<br /><strong>97. Been involved in a law suit (following a car accident)</strong><br /><strong>98. Owned a cell phone</strong><br /><strong>99. Been stung by a bee</strong>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-77093966553260679382009-07-12T01:14:00.003-05:002009-07-14T20:17:29.742-05:00DocumentaryFaithful Friend Ministry's documentary video is FINALLY here! Check it out:<br /><br /><script src="http://blip.tv/scripts/pokkariPlayer.js?ver=2009070701" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><script src="http://blip.tv/syndication/write_player?skin=js&posts_id=2319400&source=3&autoplay=true&file_type=flv&player_width=&player_height=" type="text/javascript"></script><br /><center id="blip_movie_content_2319400"><a onclick="play_blip_movie_2319400(); return false;" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/FaithfulFriendTX-ShilohsTale183.flv" rel="enclosure"><img title="Click to play" alt="Video thumbnail. Click to play" src="http://blip.tv/file/get/FaithfulFriendTX-ShilohsTale183.flv.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a onclick="play_blip_movie_2319400(); return false;" href="http://blip.tv/file/get/FaithfulFriendTX-ShilohsTale183.flv" rel="enclosure">Click To Play</a> </center><center></center><div align="left">We are SO grateful to Rod Dixon, Matt Dixon and Robert Morris for their efforts in producing this first class video and showcasing the mission the Lord has given us.</div><div align="left"> </div><div align="left">What are YOU using for the Kingdom?</div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-92186786527211933012009-06-20T22:15:00.004-05:002013-05-04T20:49:50.904-05:00Eh... Uh.... Oh!!Blogger and I haven't been getting along. Two posts are written and sitting there in the list, but they will. not. publish. I copied and pasted them, deleted them, reposted, and they simply will not publish. <br />
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So I decided it was a good time to take a bloggy break seeing how I couldn't, you know, POST anything.<br />
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Hmmmmmph.<br />
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Then my little friend <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00575206707434815882">Suze</a> told me in very clear terms that it is time for a new post. <br />
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I sat down to write about one of the 11,000 things in my head, and nothing would come. It's Blogger's fault. I'm sure of that.<br />
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Tomorrow is Father's Day. It isn't just ANY Father's Day, but the one right after my daddy has had some scary health issues. I was reminded once again that my least favorite sight in the world is someone I love in a hospital bed. However, Dad never lost his sense of humor, and he did keep us all entertained. Thankfully, he is doing well now, and all the scary stuff is behind us. God is good. And so is my daddy. <br />
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So tomorrow, we're gonna get together as a family and celebrate him and remember the good times we've shared while we're making new memories. We'll laugh a lot, and there will certainly be some pictures taken. Of course there will be presents. And hugs. Lots and lots of hugs.<br />
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Studly got to spend three days with his dad in South Texas this week. At almost 87, my father-in-love is going strong. Every Father's Day with him is a gift, as it is with my dad. If you're able, reach out to your own dad and tell him how much he is loved. Don't let it go unsaid.<br />
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To all you dads out there, Happy Father's Day!!<br />
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To MY dad... I love you dearly and SO glad God chose YOU to be my daddy.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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See what I did there?<br />
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<i>Nice work</i>, Jenn. <br />
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Sat down to grumble about Blogger and ended up making myself grateful for my two wonderful fathers!<br />
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Okay, Blogger. I forgive you.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-74390656640032528792009-05-16T10:16:00.006-05:002009-09-03T12:48:50.386-05:00Fifty-five Years of StudlyI absolutely LOVE this picture of Studly Man. Such a cowboy! I think this was when he still lived in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lima">Peru</a> and his dad's job on a zillion acres owned by <a href="http://www.grace.com/">W.R. Grace</a> permitted access to ponies. I love his little outfit, his saddle oxfords, and the way his two-gallon hat sits back on his head.<br /><br />Cute back then.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaB8D1rRYUpw34WypcgOto42bmSQSUoCnFAIES86Vn-6huB_RXmwUzUJapXg6jcKbCflTDzK7SHkj1qC92eCAhGxbXutSK-eF9AAuaZX-wlqKxU1rEyJ9LF97JctysIQiloMhk3SOwqQ/s1600-h/LesOnAPony.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336441079502653554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 285px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXaB8D1rRYUpw34WypcgOto42bmSQSUoCnFAIES86Vn-6huB_RXmwUzUJapXg6jcKbCflTDzK7SHkj1qC92eCAhGxbXutSK-eF9AAuaZX-wlqKxU1rEyJ9LF97JctysIQiloMhk3SOwqQ/s400/LesOnAPony.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Still cute today.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUES8bx8fWkgXUObWLaIru3bZVZGdTiPFRdo6C4xoXnsI3Ss1i2rNTlC-27ZkGBNnajprpNZDkus1HCILtkyk9sUGPCTWP8ECgSuRxOMQ_H9W542bshnLEwJPSzOFJS6UADI9bLm-ASyg/s1600-h/LesShilohHeadshot.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5336443043923565778" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUES8bx8fWkgXUObWLaIru3bZVZGdTiPFRdo6C4xoXnsI3Ss1i2rNTlC-27ZkGBNnajprpNZDkus1HCILtkyk9sUGPCTWP8ECgSuRxOMQ_H9W542bshnLEwJPSzOFJS6UADI9bLm-ASyg/s400/LesShilohHeadshot.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />His hat is bigger. His pony has been replaced by a <a href="http://www.faithfulfriend.org/">Faithful Friend</a>, and his toy six-shooter is now a real pistola.<br /><br />Oh, yeah. And he grew a beard.<br /><br />Happy birthday, Studly. Although you're officially a double-nickle senior citizen, you'll always have that little boy charm that warms my heart.<br /><br />I love you.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-8508405439690100842009-04-29T21:57:00.006-05:002009-04-29T22:16:09.648-05:00Still Considering the IrisDays later, and I'm still marveling at both the handiwork of God and how well my little camera captured it!<br /><br /><br /><br />The colors: some bold, some pale.<br /><br />The frills: some delicate, some strong.<br /><br />The blooms: all breathtaking, all proof of the Creator's endless imagination.<br /><br /><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7vqqHLI/AAAAAAAAC18/l3gwf7OZzm4/s1600-h/Img_3591.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314650609917106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 325px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7vqqHLI/AAAAAAAAC18/l3gwf7OZzm4/s400/Img_3591.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7eCI4iI/AAAAAAAAC10/xu8gScvvqNs/s1600-h/Img_3611.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314645876564514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 361px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7eCI4iI/AAAAAAAAC10/xu8gScvvqNs/s400/Img_3611.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7XzqptI/AAAAAAAAC1s/MTqXstekp68/s1600-h/Img_3610.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314644205250258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 316px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7XzqptI/AAAAAAAAC1s/MTqXstekp68/s400/Img_3610.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7TwpmyI/AAAAAAAAC1k/mE1xtoW-oWE/s1600-h/Img_3654.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314643118856994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 380px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7TwpmyI/AAAAAAAAC1k/mE1xtoW-oWE/s400/Img_3654.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7LmXuCI/AAAAAAAAC1c/jGiIR3xB36w/s1600-h/Img_3644.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314640928258082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkU7LmXuCI/AAAAAAAAC1c/jGiIR3xB36w/s400/Img_3644.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkq2AfyI/AAAAAAAAC1U/EYVFWoP92CI/s1600-h/Img_3668.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314254178352930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 382px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkq2AfyI/AAAAAAAAC1U/EYVFWoP92CI/s400/Img_3668.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkpU3ksI/AAAAAAAAC1M/r1-CppJNbhM/s1600-h/Img_3622.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314253770920642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 320px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkpU3ksI/AAAAAAAAC1M/r1-CppJNbhM/s400/Img_3622.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkfaey3I/AAAAAAAAC1E/XyTzAxQvgjU/s1600-h/Img_3656.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314251110108018" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 305px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkfaey3I/AAAAAAAAC1E/XyTzAxQvgjU/s400/Img_3656.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkc0DBeI/AAAAAAAAC08/H8tmhmM-tac/s1600-h/Img_3633.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314250412033506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 378px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkc0DBeI/AAAAAAAAC08/H8tmhmM-tac/s400/Img_3633.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkReICmI/AAAAAAAAC00/AGFhOOLqR-w/s1600-h/Img_3608.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5330314247367297634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 373px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUkReICmI/AAAAAAAAC00/AGFhOOLqR-w/s400/Img_3608.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#009900;"><strong><em>The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Psalm 19:1</em></strong></span></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em></strong></div><div><strong><em><span style="color:#009900;"></span></em></strong></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><br /><p></p><br /><p></p><br />Still more to come. Check back soon!</span><br /><br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfkUJ76rk0I/AAAAAAAAC0U/2PBLmAx_FM0/s1600-h/Img_3610.jpg"></a><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-38086611529541480492009-04-26T19:35:00.006-05:002009-04-26T19:55:38.456-05:00Consider the Irises and How They GrowIn our yard in Virginia, my mom grew some of the most beautiful iris flowers I've ever seen. I've always loved them. So elegant. So delicate. So lovely.<br /><br />Studly and I took a Sunday drive this afternoon. <br /><br />To see beautiful iris flowers.<br /><br /><span style="font-family:lucida grande;color:#33cc00;"><em>Consider the lilies how they grow: they toil not, they spin not; and yet I say unto you, that Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. Luke 12:27</em></span><br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfUAa6v0xuI/AAAAAAAACz8/twNdEzwYuNs/s1600-h/Img_3600.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329166196509296354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 363px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfUAa6v0xuI/AAAAAAAACz8/twNdEzwYuNs/s400/Img_3600.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_lPthURI/AAAAAAAACz0/NVTB5H-6wa4/s1600-h/Img_3562.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165274423841042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 317px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_lPthURI/AAAAAAAACz0/NVTB5H-6wa4/s400/Img_3562.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eYqY-1I/AAAAAAAACzs/C1Fd1F22iRE/s1600-h/Img_3564.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165156567546706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 333px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eYqY-1I/AAAAAAAACzs/C1Fd1F22iRE/s400/Img_3564.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfUAbG-eR3I/AAAAAAAAC0E/59cbgNiWM1g/s1600-h/Img_3614.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329166199791961970" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfUAbG-eR3I/AAAAAAAAC0E/59cbgNiWM1g/s400/Img_3614.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_edlUVYI/AAAAAAAACzc/Cz7JgcwO2x0/s1600-h/Img_3567.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165157888447874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_edlUVYI/AAAAAAAACzc/Cz7JgcwO2x0/s400/Img_3567.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eO5qm5I/AAAAAAAACzU/6LJEqvsamBc/s1600-h/Img_3568.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165153947261842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 327px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eO5qm5I/AAAAAAAACzU/6LJEqvsamBc/s400/Img_3568.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eA-128I/AAAAAAAACzM/eRnhmbn7Eds/s1600-h/Img_3570.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165150210874306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 356px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_eA-128I/AAAAAAAACzM/eRnhmbn7Eds/s400/Img_3570.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_ebUvsXI/AAAAAAAACzk/i6ecEHtI7xM/s1600-h/Img_3565.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329165157282066802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 368px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_ebUvsXI/AAAAAAAACzk/i6ecEHtI7xM/s400/Img_3565.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BuYfzgI/AAAAAAAACzE/662_Ot4VwUM/s1600-h/Img_3572.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164664181870082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BuYfzgI/AAAAAAAACzE/662_Ot4VwUM/s400/Img_3572.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BduEsgI/AAAAAAAACy8/BqJ3hTCX8C0/s1600-h/IMG_3575.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164659708965378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BduEsgI/AAAAAAAACy8/BqJ3hTCX8C0/s400/IMG_3575.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BcDYwQI/AAAAAAAACy0/KwrmDGkZ5bY/s1600-h/Img_3578.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164659261489410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 304px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BcDYwQI/AAAAAAAACy0/KwrmDGkZ5bY/s400/Img_3578.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BfvKKoI/AAAAAAAACys/oIaek9AZRBA/s1600-h/IMG_3579.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164660250389122" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BfvKKoI/AAAAAAAACys/oIaek9AZRBA/s400/IMG_3579.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BFXIWRI/AAAAAAAACyk/o2smt3EG5gw/s1600-h/Img_3581.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5329164653170284818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 346px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SfT_BFXIWRI/AAAAAAAACyk/o2smt3EG5gw/s400/Img_3581.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />More to come. Stay tuned!<br /><br /><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-49533693171151789272009-04-20T00:15:00.000-05:002009-04-20T00:15:00.643-05:00No Itching HereSeven years ago today, I married my best friend. <br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRuuuliLdI-DUpBWBXRMv0BOc6opZ0NWU5GIx7Y5F0nXAyZPSiczqnQ-j5nCkjUEzkDcqv16bEEf5pefWD7mm_zjh5qGRREizW840z95xvM4Vif0jkOzpRx2a5rftUapHKC5ToEBnL64/s1600-h/18D.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326588192840534962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 313px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifRuuuliLdI-DUpBWBXRMv0BOc6opZ0NWU5GIx7Y5F0nXAyZPSiczqnQ-j5nCkjUEzkDcqv16bEEf5pefWD7mm_zjh5qGRREizW840z95xvM4Vif0jkOzpRx2a5rftUapHKC5ToEBnL64/s400/18D.bmp" border="0" /></a> Since then, life has been crazy and fun and full of surprises and adventures. Most of them have been wonderful; a few have been difficult. All of them have been easier because we've had each other.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRrqHtePiUhMJnkwSYH3zS33mXuVZSWHpPlj6ZywwdXm-xcqQ-KjrH4AUsLJdO7lp3WYsVrwZUxXt9VUJrbrf-d15Y7zeAwlNFNCEEGO6sbt_mvtScQaOELXhD0R37eCvuV7DJLpF1Ck/s1600-h/WEDDING%2323CD.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326589950789102770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 314px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqRrqHtePiUhMJnkwSYH3zS33mXuVZSWHpPlj6ZywwdXm-xcqQ-KjrH4AUsLJdO7lp3WYsVrwZUxXt9VUJrbrf-d15Y7zeAwlNFNCEEGO6sbt_mvtScQaOELXhD0R37eCvuV7DJLpF1Ck/s400/WEDDING%2323CD.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div>We've laughed. A lot.<br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtv-zhjZhD69aXHPgkSI3P87_iVT3huQnj1euD32yxbuN2nqOktABP03vu_46aTL0GBFZxKM_H7zJKtUFwd7htvkG9-bwm3fx7-Pzs8qKFGZqPg5xbT2wTp6JGZmjGfKY4qifrSQV30/s1600-h/25B.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326588481031372050" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 315px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJZtv-zhjZhD69aXHPgkSI3P87_iVT3huQnj1euD32yxbuN2nqOktABP03vu_46aTL0GBFZxKM_H7zJKtUFwd7htvkG9-bwm3fx7-Pzs8qKFGZqPg5xbT2wTp6JGZmjGfKY4qifrSQV30/s400/25B.bmp" border="0" /></a><br />We've journeyed through life together.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vrQ_ag6FN24Tay9pWuT8FYKvISpp-W1fxdglAiocQ0iHxUF-TqvDUlCYNK6K7cJV7t-a2x2AptsKpjpZd1Uy2oRpjWkdkFiC4qvEO1RbFHoMZ8t_MXjr80r9AYfE33HBC_v5pDVHtqo/s1600-h/WEDDING%2337B.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326590491743745714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 316px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-vrQ_ag6FN24Tay9pWuT8FYKvISpp-W1fxdglAiocQ0iHxUF-TqvDUlCYNK6K7cJV7t-a2x2AptsKpjpZd1Uy2oRpjWkdkFiC4qvEO1RbFHoMZ8t_MXjr80r9AYfE33HBC_v5pDVHtqo/s400/WEDDING%2337B.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We've cried some, too. </div><div> </div><div>And we've had our communication challenges and our moments when communication simply didn't exist. We've frustrated each other. We've even made each other angry.</div><div> </div><div>But those things make us human.</div><div> </div><div>It's hard to remember life before April 20, 2002. Life before sharing a bathroom and fighting for the covers on a cold night. Life before the inevitable toilet seat up-versus-down debate. Life before the risk of having someone else eat your leftovers before you could get to them. Life before sharing the remote control. Life before splitting holiday and vacation time between TWO families.</div><div><br />But I wouldn't trade any of it. (Okay, I'd trade the toilet seat being up in the middle of the night.) Because through all of those adventures, we've become a team. We've built a home together that is a haven for us. We've grown a ministry together. We've become family.</div><div> </div><div>Happy anniversary, Studly Man.</div><div> </div><div>I love you.<br /><br /><br /></div><div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-15561588924214071542009-04-17T23:47:00.014-05:002009-04-18T22:59:40.909-05:00Celebrating EasterAs in years past, Studly Man and I enjoyed hosting the family and our dear friend, Ben, at Casa de Castro for our Easter celebration. And as usual, I had fun planning and preparing and getting everything ready. I absolutely LOVE the colors of Spring and the colors of Easter; they represent a renewing, a return to life, and they bring me joy.<br /><br />For the centerpiece on the kitchen table (where the snacks were laid out for those youngsters - okay, for all of us - to graze on before the big meal), I wanted something cheerful and bright and fun. I found a beautiful bouquet of 20 tulips in lavender, pink, yellow, and salmon. Gorgeous! Made my heart sing!<br /><br />I put them in a nesting vase and anchored it with jelly beans. I ran out of jelly beans, and was ready to go get some more to finish my lovely design, but Studly said I couldn't spend more money on more candy that no one would eat. He said no one would notice if the jelly beans filled the vase or only went half way. Ya know what? He was right! No one even noticed the vase had ANY jelly beans in it! So we saved $2.99.<br /><br />But the tulips were still gorgeous.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0T60GJd0-wWOl0iTu5iTFnU4B5tpllx6Fny6-wZotxPly7h8JJczOtaVDhC0aPqT1RBNq1nYHEZ8Oo4uo3NiVyy5jnzKYHt8heZUV7oiz2bhr9yEozKUKZbTJuIGoIvKbZYAPXfAIk/s1600-h/Img_3536.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889998650751250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 278px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3K0T60GJd0-wWOl0iTu5iTFnU4B5tpllx6Fny6-wZotxPly7h8JJczOtaVDhC0aPqT1RBNq1nYHEZ8Oo4uo3NiVyy5jnzKYHt8heZUV7oiz2bhr9yEozKUKZbTJuIGoIvKbZYAPXfAIk/s400/Img_3536.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3hgz05WrUexBlZCpfxlMhsa32XnGQt6vCRi2siLCoDiig-xaFLUdj7Cp7XyPUfRHH_fppETWOGZUZU2ZbQqz_seBDzxo9S7M9jJMomhPLsRrnFueF2rPQY6gzgBPBL5YsUo1mBTh0M/s1600-h/IMG_3539.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889994139884258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJ3hgz05WrUexBlZCpfxlMhsa32XnGQt6vCRi2siLCoDiig-xaFLUdj7Cp7XyPUfRHH_fppETWOGZUZU2ZbQqz_seBDzxo9S7M9jJMomhPLsRrnFueF2rPQY6gzgBPBL5YsUo1mBTh0M/s400/IMG_3539.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I had these cute little egg stands, and I also had an assortment of cute little eggs. I put them together, and voila! Cute little stands with eggs! The stands are in various colors, and they made fun little accents.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ2XbHY1il_t0PUkz3IkGOqcPwXPQJWlsF8zrnGn7K1t39pKw3MOgBHvVVs-xhLjnkv_viQsmxhzgXUIASjr2bL7yTcZ14y92wJjDxLARxoqaZPP1H-dNtgKpZv8dNs9eJjh25-GR-nI/s1600-h/IMG_3541.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889995512772482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJ2XbHY1il_t0PUkz3IkGOqcPwXPQJWlsF8zrnGn7K1t39pKw3MOgBHvVVs-xhLjnkv_viQsmxhzgXUIASjr2bL7yTcZ14y92wJjDxLARxoqaZPP1H-dNtgKpZv8dNs9eJjh25-GR-nI/s400/IMG_3541.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0h7oQDdVDTr_KgaQHHXNKe4Kim52_ZIqBM73FeL3x-Xpch3Ohr0NXeeCxFMti7OQn0pn2n3bcjIELeCmxmngfMfbHRagNIhYwZ8hmDQVdq9yxz0MpyrPnCclw1blE-q-q0R1H-GxAdg/s1600-h/DSCN1042.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326137332261815858" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA0h7oQDdVDTr_KgaQHHXNKe4Kim52_ZIqBM73FeL3x-Xpch3Ohr0NXeeCxFMti7OQn0pn2n3bcjIELeCmxmngfMfbHRagNIhYwZ8hmDQVdq9yxz0MpyrPnCclw1blE-q-q0R1H-GxAdg/s400/DSCN1042.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />I also used the <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/11/making-thanksgiving-special.html">drink charms I made for Thanksgiving</a> to identify each person's glass. My dad (or "Paw" as he is known to the grandkids and now to all of us) had his miniature Bible charm on his glass.<br /><br />For the place cards, I again wanted something that involved the beautiful colors of Spring but also signified new life, new creation, new beginnings.</div><div></div><div>Enter: the butterflies!<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NoUUX3oTwpB49mVqxrON_uYQeaNayjq16GSUhQe8cqqiMtD0dyp-ib2-yvld7aG63NusoeCM8TBWQ_eRnupbFu-owkBiS1hIFtlGJ48081awZTkFzSdzFKm7lRCnOtEtYiiG3PMSzTw/s1600-h/Img_3532.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889712230152802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 234px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2NoUUX3oTwpB49mVqxrON_uYQeaNayjq16GSUhQe8cqqiMtD0dyp-ib2-yvld7aG63NusoeCM8TBWQ_eRnupbFu-owkBiS1hIFtlGJ48081awZTkFzSdzFKm7lRCnOtEtYiiG3PMSzTw/s400/Img_3532.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj483RnSx8YZKX7UWSJSwuJ8x86rNL0RTJDzepP8ri8hAC9v-CLP82tS8wBEVCJxPQqkSRufvRdS0imqE5o6YtmsdphWRDwAoqHbCJTu_TJvZZcl_y9GgHL_PT6HL9OGoozZ-BGKerdZJo/s1600-h/Img_3530.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889705442902082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj483RnSx8YZKX7UWSJSwuJ8x86rNL0RTJDzepP8ri8hAC9v-CLP82tS8wBEVCJxPQqkSRufvRdS0imqE5o6YtmsdphWRDwAoqHbCJTu_TJvZZcl_y9GgHL_PT6HL9OGoozZ-BGKerdZJo/s400/Img_3530.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMzuuSORsjCf-x6uNnb6MRqIVJyRMfF2XFAmrQitfJXN_myFLnyuBfM5QyzWc0hc2SpxrRtcemdAAoqXmVO1PojGZf1N80PderZ7hFRr-enU2UUPWZ31iiHlFKopsed8w6cC0q4VYM_A/s1600-h/Img_3529.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889704998927762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAMzuuSORsjCf-x6uNnb6MRqIVJyRMfF2XFAmrQitfJXN_myFLnyuBfM5QyzWc0hc2SpxrRtcemdAAoqXmVO1PojGZf1N80PderZ7hFRr-enU2UUPWZ31iiHlFKopsed8w6cC0q4VYM_A/s400/Img_3529.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJJ2aEoPp0_TKMae0LHuUr0xrXiVbtaEuDFUbcR8znJQtFN8_mgAAdLaDx1TBLUMkes95Jpv6WTBjXH_AnXKty9d9dbtAu9d35-sT-bPQJWstt1CoHTeVFujrc7GWr9_sBN8B_8ChULU/s1600-h/IMG_3534.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5325889708994831522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkJJ2aEoPp0_TKMae0LHuUr0xrXiVbtaEuDFUbcR8znJQtFN8_mgAAdLaDx1TBLUMkes95Jpv6WTBjXH_AnXKty9d9dbtAu9d35-sT-bPQJWstt1CoHTeVFujrc7GWr9_sBN8B_8ChULU/s400/IMG_3534.JPG" border="0" /></a> I was pleased with how they turned out. I was also pleased that Cammie's was blue, Rachel's was orange, and Megan's was purple. Those things matter, ya know!<br /><p></p><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>We had a wonderful day and basked in the blessings of family, faith, and friends. The greatest joy of all was and is the victory that is ours because of Jesus.<br /><p></p><br /><p></p><span style="font-size:130%;color:#009900;"><em>...and they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, and they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. Two men in dazzling clothing said, "Why do you seek the living One among the dead? He is not here, but He has RISEN!"</em><br /></span></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-80885647369854230182009-04-06T21:49:00.005-05:002009-04-06T22:11:23.156-05:00Doesn't Everyone?The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregorian_calendar">Gregorian calendar</a> says today is April 6. That's 17 full days after the beginning of Spring. More than two weeks! The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vernal_equinox">vernal equinox</a> marks the end of Winter and the<em><strong> beginning of Spring</strong></em>.<br /><br />So why is it supposed to get down to 28 degrees tonight? Unless I remember incorrectly, that's below freezing. And temperatures below freezing don't occur in Texas 17 days after the first day of Spring.<br /><br />Wasn't there some <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0497116/">big movie</a> about the Earth having a fever and the giant threat that is global warning?<br /><br />Guess Al wasted his money on that!<br /><br />FREEZING!<br /><br />In April!<br /><br />My local nursery and the weathermen on every channel were kind enough to warn me to bring the plants in. So I did what any smart wife would do. I asked Studly to bring in the potted plants.<br /><p></p><br />He's such a good boy. He did it!<br /><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">(I'm keeping him.)</span><br /><br />I walked by the bathroom on the far side of the house a while ago. Something seemed strange.<br /><br />I turned the light on in there, and this is what I found:<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeIYGDQCIsEIusXA2dDzFj1YsLH4FN4hkaV8hm-IFUYMolbcZOwHxlr1AyuWmvwYTcvV_lzwLvNEO3vS1x8Fnl8wJLV_tFjgtLkGvhgpak-7gkReLsm2FUDGyZ0qPnE9J48HVmO8sy_E/s1600-h/BathroomFlowers+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321776834663355506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLeIYGDQCIsEIusXA2dDzFj1YsLH4FN4hkaV8hm-IFUYMolbcZOwHxlr1AyuWmvwYTcvV_lzwLvNEO3vS1x8Fnl8wJLV_tFjgtLkGvhgpak-7gkReLsm2FUDGyZ0qPnE9J48HVmO8sy_E/s400/BathroomFlowers+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKDGBwE-zCBgCR5yR_blNvZPndH5Lui9sEx7Dqv3r4znmh2Cbac7ufmQ5OKnNgxjZf3iNFVgBHJ1oinSxeGf6dIq-DKrEyH8mpxGsj1KuIH2oT8V0TBqcnEGCOlwBKsCakxM1Am11rDs/s1600-h/BathroomFlowers+001.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321776829253776194" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitKDGBwE-zCBgCR5yR_blNvZPndH5Lui9sEx7Dqv3r4znmh2Cbac7ufmQ5OKnNgxjZf3iNFVgBHJ1oinSxeGf6dIq-DKrEyH8mpxGsj1KuIH2oT8V0TBqcnEGCOlwBKsCakxM1Am11rDs/s400/BathroomFlowers+001.jpg" border="0" /></a> The bathroom has become a temporary greenhouse.<br /><br /><br />Doesn't everyone store potted plants in the shower?<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP6yMiKZxmG61dOTnHvVNUfbxgg7uQJmjSuEE1dr8wITHPLdjUo7dS6N05Y8uKWIfviUNOoMCGNzesqA0i9p0R3iQwb0X1zq85zcarm2M6Zfmr2MVLV-VDNYWETlbPiQNYfiuxvbV2lg/s1600-h/BathroomFlowers+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321776831676738418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNP6yMiKZxmG61dOTnHvVNUfbxgg7uQJmjSuEE1dr8wITHPLdjUo7dS6N05Y8uKWIfviUNOoMCGNzesqA0i9p0R3iQwb0X1zq85zcarm2M6Zfmr2MVLV-VDNYWETlbPiQNYfiuxvbV2lg/s400/BathroomFlowers+002.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>If they have to stay in there very long, it will be easy to water them. That Studly is genius. Pure genius!</p>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-88275748574715310402009-03-31T21:40:00.009-05:002009-04-01T08:15:14.742-05:0031 FlavorsThis year's flavor was chocolate pecan. As in chocolate pecan pie.<br /><br />I can taste it just typing those words.<br /><br />On Saturday, I celebrated my birthday for the 31st time with my BFF, <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/07/what-night.html">Burlene</a>.* (Burlene is also known as Matilda on this blog. She's neither Burlene nor Matilda, but roll with it.) Thirty-one years we've been friends. Thirty-one birthdays celebrated together. (Well, 62 birthdays if you count hers.)<br /><br />That's so strange.<br /><br />'Cuz I'm only 29.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Oh, I kid.<br /><br />She was there on my 16th birthday when her brother/my high school sweetheart surprised me with a lovely gift. I was no doubt wearing overalls with a tube top underneath and no shoes. And she loved me any way. We've celebrated in some unusual places in unconventional ways, but we've celebrated nonetheless.<br /><br />This year, Burlene/Matilda took me (Juantela Wayne*) to my favorite <a href="http://www.intomygarden.com/">tea room</a> for lunch and some serious girl time, although there was no discussion of armpits this time.* It was a FABULOUS meal, and of course, we topped it off with pie. Chocolate pecan pie.<br /><br />Girl talk with the BFF over lunch followed by pie, presents, and shopping. Is there anything better than that? I think not!<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaFGRZLrTwZgBOCNyq6D0ef3FDAF-3ATBGQV9_z-XTERHGnvkSKFGXRJqyq289ZrrWr8VVTrUryePy17Wsa71u7JRE84zBAwoF-iUTd0LFkLXiDZsLYkF59W9ScLMQaZ5zg_1n-1H8bs/s1600-h/Jenn&Kathy.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319553027118109586" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 259px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOaFGRZLrTwZgBOCNyq6D0ef3FDAF-3ATBGQV9_z-XTERHGnvkSKFGXRJqyq289ZrrWr8VVTrUryePy17Wsa71u7JRE84zBAwoF-iUTd0LFkLXiDZsLYkF59W9ScLMQaZ5zg_1n-1H8bs/s400/Jenn&Kathy.jpg" border="0" /></a> Thanks, Burlene, for a wonderful day. More importantly, thanks for being my forever friend through thick and thin, up and down, good times and tough times and everything in between. Thanks for loving me just the way I am and always seeing the good in me. Thank you for helping me see beauty and joy in the simplest of things and for reminding me of the value of laughter. Thank you for praying with and for me and sharing the challenges of ministry. Thank you for loving Jesus above all else. You are a treasure.<br /><br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff6666;"><em>A friend loves at ALL times. Proverbs 17:17a</em></span><br /></span><br /><span style="font-size:78%;">*LONGstanding funnies from the "Life's Funniest/Most Embarrassing Moments" annals.</span>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-78420396100900989482009-03-20T15:56:00.004-05:002009-03-20T16:04:23.512-05:00Eureka!!!I've been having a spat with Blogger.<br /><br />A long spat.<br /><br />Blogger won.<br /><br />I think Blogger was simply jealous of all the time I've been spending with his rival, Facebook.<br /><br />I had three posts written that Blogger flatly refused to publish. They're still sitting over there in the "draft" column.<br /><br />Won't publish. No way. No how.<br /><br />BUT....<br /><br />the fine peeps at Blogger assure me the problem is fixed.<br /><br />Except I still can't publish those posts.<br /><br />If THIS one publishes... I'll see if I can cut and paste the others into new posts that can be published.<br /><br />This blogging stuff is hard!!<br /><br />Mr. Facebook isn't this contrary....Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-78720811780830578042009-02-19T22:20:00.003-06:002009-02-19T22:32:24.824-06:00Letting Sleeping Dogs LieBecause they're so sweet when they're sleeping....<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XUAyzo0-KZjqGKA8by1WBjnaNhN32y6Il7hSRmDPKY59Dq5Pq6xVQZnZtHsu2CLwmeNTs1OeC05c1JWRYSU0J27WZg7kVeaQysY2qKB7FfRvdUtrzlgfbaC7DDIAxvWUylYhvTerN7o/s1600-h/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304732007155856610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4XUAyzo0-KZjqGKA8by1WBjnaNhN32y6Il7hSRmDPKY59Dq5Pq6xVQZnZtHsu2CLwmeNTs1OeC05c1JWRYSU0J27WZg7kVeaQysY2qKB7FfRvdUtrzlgfbaC7DDIAxvWUylYhvTerN7o/s400/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUGnpQ8o11QB-B0Tgg0H4JtVs3_BqZWmfcpd5ZZdwX5BaAfPpLqp71Fb9W9hqBOacVMNFZ_7OfyrYFIdxlEPIUhs7SqjZuAtpKY0_amfdXniW9J_diir0RqbhopU38qsh0pzfg1cvlVg/s1600-h/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304732000344292338" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHUGnpQ8o11QB-B0Tgg0H4JtVs3_BqZWmfcpd5ZZdwX5BaAfPpLqp71Fb9W9hqBOacVMNFZ_7OfyrYFIdxlEPIUhs7SqjZuAtpKY0_amfdXniW9J_diir0RqbhopU38qsh0pzfg1cvlVg/s400/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptnkrAMXoumBb2EkBfp4TjSS5N2b1Et2atdTcubfaSQM8pUti7OWOHS03VcvyhaLvEEiUVNOAg1h345KmqAMEnI37lbmfuPJYbNRGGmzfGL1Y16Q6wNlt4NO-sqz6_NwQEIUDznqDtaM/s1600-h/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5304731996360853010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgptnkrAMXoumBb2EkBfp4TjSS5N2b1Et2atdTcubfaSQM8pUti7OWOHS03VcvyhaLvEEiUVNOAg1h345KmqAMEnI37lbmfuPJYbNRGGmzfGL1Y16Q6wNlt4NO-sqz6_NwQEIUDznqDtaM/s400/Shiloh&SamsonFeb09+013.jpg" border="0" /></a>BigDog was asleep on the portion of the ottoman not occupied by Studly's legs, and Little was asleep on said legs, almost nose to nose with his sister. </div><div> </div><div>Ahhh.... the quiet!<br /><div> </div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-59096746204996189312009-02-12T20:40:00.008-06:002009-02-13T10:03:39.940-06:00Daughters of the KingLast week, my friend, Heather, celebrated her 30th birthday. Two of her lifelong friends, Amy and Amy, and I had a princess tea party for her.<br /><br />I <strong><em>KNOW</em></strong>!<br /><br />A) I have friends.<br />B) I have friends who are only <strong><em>30</em></strong>.<br /><br />Since we'd had such a fun time at <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2009/01/never-too-old.html">Princess Betty's birthday party</a>, Amy #2 and I decided we'd surprise Heather with the same idea. She's a ham as you will soon see, so we knew it would be a home run.<br /><br />Here is Heather with Amy #1. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJLsQxXYC80RW76pvQSlgr7NZafor8vEC0uXaZ7kqIxXZ1fbKhTKkOMUlmEzEJTBP94fe6DkYk4cM7-uOAR1H2Hs6sNIkfcAzv6qGcNfyVrmDJKrKzQOyrXolKbwPzhHEh0-7pAFH5g/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302107191655196482" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjikJLsQxXYC80RW76pvQSlgr7NZafor8vEC0uXaZ7kqIxXZ1fbKhTKkOMUlmEzEJTBP94fe6DkYk4cM7-uOAR1H2Hs6sNIkfcAzv6qGcNfyVrmDJKrKzQOyrXolKbwPzhHEh0-7pAFH5g/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><p>Amy #1 won the prize for the longest drive to attend a princess tea party that day. She drove four hours to surprise Princess Heather. I didn't witness it personally, but rumor has it Heather did the ugly cry when she saw Amy #1. I love ugly cries.</p><p>And here's Heather with Amy #2 (my planning partner in crime)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Iirum1TzMsxFC51QpoWS0LSzqsiE94-_mx-N22i2qhCEGrxWaUZhTFeG7ufCpEfUzNmU0X6CMed0T-cpC0fvkZ-PFHk88LdXVNemGtS1Kn1KRAQnzTQWctad-4ASOOtTRXbauF-Fprk/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302107192624269202" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 364px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2Iirum1TzMsxFC51QpoWS0LSzqsiE94-_mx-N22i2qhCEGrxWaUZhTFeG7ufCpEfUzNmU0X6CMed0T-cpC0fvkZ-PFHk88LdXVNemGtS1Kn1KRAQnzTQWctad-4ASOOtTRXbauF-Fprk/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And here she is with me. Do I look 17 years older than Heather? Why, yes. Yes, I do. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT38pujCjN4kTzo5XWAeC2GTbXwLcnuc-qcbIs4ToG3pi1IS2U_ANuzn1vQL5s_O-cuf8YEbGmH6oFS3FTdMOh-_lQDqY7aN2feDxmwnd92IOVOGB8JjVKbKu7Jh4JT_S0P8g4UqaeQYc/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302107190454838114" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT38pujCjN4kTzo5XWAeC2GTbXwLcnuc-qcbIs4ToG3pi1IS2U_ANuzn1vQL5s_O-cuf8YEbGmH6oFS3FTdMOh-_lQDqY7aN2feDxmwnd92IOVOGB8JjVKbKu7Jh4JT_S0P8g4UqaeQYc/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+008.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And here are all the princesses together. Note that Cinderella, Belle and Sleeping Beauty joined the festivities. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQfbB6z0T0abIoSMrx6g1nTRwFSf1UFm0cb22_VAU3z2BsZUehUC8lrp-ocMaS7D2hsVn7HW2Q6QlDznIPjr_Qwvn5DfE5mDqhP5LfdC-A1Lx48Z3QyYdu9hTvHFgc8hL6GWcf-epUA8/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+014.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302107187218378738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPQfbB6z0T0abIoSMrx6g1nTRwFSf1UFm0cb22_VAU3z2BsZUehUC8lrp-ocMaS7D2hsVn7HW2Q6QlDznIPjr_Qwvn5DfE5mDqhP5LfdC-A1Lx48Z3QyYdu9hTvHFgc8hL6GWcf-epUA8/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+014.jpg" border="0" /></a> We had a blast. We laughed and we ate. We laughed some more. We ate some more. We talked about the Lord and what a difference He has made in all of our lives. We <strong><em>are</em></strong> princesses... we're daughters of the King! (All of us except Cinderella. Her tiara was prettier than ours, so we're not letting her play with us any more.)</p><div>The tea room is nestled in the back corner of a darling little shop that is geared to kids, mostly girl-type kids. We <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: line-through">embarrassed ourselves</span> browsed around for a while. And then Amy #2 came running over to get my camera/phone because Heather was being a, well, you know, a ham.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvrY5EEpeJ-bECAkLrMOfRzqav_6W2S3exdw-tIoc1C8BGfQjQWsjLLdY2wc1Dlov_mRNLR9TGBZWDGUZ5ZFedvYZ6sr_BAI78o4IbBg04LB3r4RDiKp8kdl00i6pFqphLTxKnKuiZpU/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+006.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302106878621610642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZvrY5EEpeJ-bECAkLrMOfRzqav_6W2S3exdw-tIoc1C8BGfQjQWsjLLdY2wc1Dlov_mRNLR9TGBZWDGUZ5ZFedvYZ6sr_BAI78o4IbBg04LB3r4RDiKp8kdl00i6pFqphLTxKnKuiZpU/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+006.jpg" border="0" /></a> Girl cracks me up. <p></p><br /></div><div>Just as we were leaving, the hostesses for a bridal shower came in to begin setting up in the tea room. When a woman pulled the cake from its bakery box, I couldn't believe my eyes. <p></p>There, in all its splendor, was an armadillo cake. <p></p>Yes. It IS red velvet. I asked. <p></p>Think "<a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098384/">Steel Magnolias</a>" and Shelby and Jackson's red velvet armadillo "groom's cake" that Jackson's aunt made. Ouiser Boudreaux cut off the tail and served it up to Drum Eatenton, Shelby's dad.</div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9YA8lWXP2jmd5fQF8xYLPZESy5-TmRHzX5Bd8juHx4bfhl0x4soLpLNWTeiNFAAOYuDoKPCTd6_HUBuLHHon12csw_MyTHnkl8n96Nu4c4VdhkBXmVf3RBPhfZuHI0G9Oo1pbNtDIKg/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+010.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302106878924947042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd9YA8lWXP2jmd5fQF8xYLPZESy5-TmRHzX5Bd8juHx4bfhl0x4soLpLNWTeiNFAAOYuDoKPCTd6_HUBuLHHon12csw_MyTHnkl8n96Nu4c4VdhkBXmVf3RBPhfZuHI0G9Oo1pbNtDIKg/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+010.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd5Fl-LkwtShNE8KXFus4FnA_Nd8C_FE-sgZ75N7eVyaP3snThjx_2jw62ZLFAWhOU7Fyjn8wHoqR8mh7LlsqWNhZLMoJVDA9K8WKzmBU7Voad85JwIVPRJyEfLgjvrT5FKPwgJxWM04/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+013.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302106879527073042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPd5Fl-LkwtShNE8KXFus4FnA_Nd8C_FE-sgZ75N7eVyaP3snThjx_2jw62ZLFAWhOU7Fyjn8wHoqR8mh7LlsqWNhZLMoJVDA9K8WKzmBU7Voad85JwIVPRJyEfLgjvrT5FKPwgJxWM04/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+013.jpg" border="0" /></a>I hope the bride-to-be thought it was funny. <p></p>And yes, I DID send the pictures into the <a href="http://cakewrecks.blogspot.com/">Cake Wrecks blog</a>.<br /><p></p>As we walked to the parking lot, Amy #1 said her feet were hurting her. Apparently she had a recent injury, and her pups were none too happy to be pent up in some high heeled shoes. She took the shoes off and stood in the parking lot for a few minutes as we said our goodbyes.</div><div></div><div>When she stepped away, this is what we saw.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf37AfcSRJnRV5CJs5AXSiOkp1o_mpVg_Xju6_9TK3Gn_hBvbzcQclJFTPmA20ASw78_gcymX73v1sta98VHpTLYPEx-rUwL-b7RDCotfD3B6RZjQ7FgIp0LT67a8Wy000qY0fYWrp1w/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+012.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302106874119488418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 253px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdf37AfcSRJnRV5CJs5AXSiOkp1o_mpVg_Xju6_9TK3Gn_hBvbzcQclJFTPmA20ASw78_gcymX73v1sta98VHpTLYPEx-rUwL-b7RDCotfD3B6RZjQ7FgIp0LT67a8Wy000qY0fYWrp1w/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+012.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Not only did her pups not like the pain inflicted by the shoes, they also couldn't breathe!<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZhjxz7GHH09GEZL1YFnHCBpbFo-nuqEAzVh67U6OPZszLingGlSfEgVh8nu6dhtkABX8_nz79Q1fcr2QA0jNNrmZkTlvk0ToRUZBY3J8hk1pmL5YMVcobA8NtKXjN8bglbG5H-IRfr4/s1600-h/HeathersBirthday2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5302106874761989506" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXZhjxz7GHH09GEZL1YFnHCBpbFo-nuqEAzVh67U6OPZszLingGlSfEgVh8nu6dhtkABX8_nz79Q1fcr2QA0jNNrmZkTlvk0ToRUZBY3J8hk1pmL5YMVcobA8NtKXjN8bglbG5H-IRfr4/s400/HeathersBirthday2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a> I'm still laughing about that. <p></p>It was a grand day, and I'm so glad to have been able to celebrate with my precious friends. God is good. Indeed, He is good. <p></p>And so is red velvet armadillo cake.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-24782905891539444822009-02-02T21:01:00.010-06:002009-02-03T10:04:07.710-06:00Ma and Pa Kettle Go To Costco<p></p><br /><p></p><br /><br /><a href="http://www.costco.com/">Costco.</a><br /><br />It's a wonderful thing.<br /><br />Everyone should go to Costco. At least once.<br /><br />My mom and dad had never been to Costco. Until today. Oh, they'd been to Sam's Club many times. But Costco? Never.<br /><br />AND they'd never had <em><a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/fea/home/howto/stories/DN-dinner_1213gd.ART.State.Edition1.4a4a7a6.html">LUNCH</a></em> at Costco.<br /><br />I had to fix that. 'Cuz if you've never had a Hebrew National all beef hot dog and a 20 oz Diet Coke - with refill - at Costco all for the low, low price of $1.50, you have. not. lived.<br /><br />So...<br /><br />Studly Man and I decided Ma and Pa needed an adventure. Adventures require fuel. Fuel consists of food.<br /><br />We ate hot dogs.<br /><br />And drank Diet Coke.<br /><br />We could have gone home after that, and my day would have been complete.<br /><br />But in the interest of stretching our adventure, we went shopping.<br /><br />At Costco.<br /><br />Now Ma had both of her knees replaced a few years back. She's doin' great and gets around fine, but we thought the motorized cart would serve her well since the warehouse is so big and all. That, and she just looks so cute drivin' one.<br /><br />Not to be outdone, Pa got a cart, too. See, he <em>NEEDS</em> to have a knee or two replaced, but he ain't interested. Since he'll be 79 next month, we figured a motorized cart would be okay for him, too. That, and he just looks so cute drivin' one.<br /><br />Before we actually moved into the actual official shopping area, I laid down the law. No racin', no honkin', no cart bumpin'.<br /><br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br /><br />Off we went.<br /><br />We looked at flat screen TVs. (They've got a GORGEOUS 46" Sony for the bargain price of $1,799. I'll take two, please.) We looked at computer stuff. We contemplated the <a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Product.aspx?Prodid=11312827&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1">at-home keg </a>because who doesn't need a new one of those? We looked at the <a href="http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=11229050&whse=BC&topnav=&browse=&lang=en-US&s=1">car covers</a> because you never know when the need for one might arise. We looked at toasters. Pa bought Ma a new one recently, and he wanted to make sure he'd gotten a good deal.<br /><br />And then we arrived at the bakery. We salivated and contemplated, but since we were so full from those Hebrew National all beef hot dogs we'd just eaten, we passed on dessert.<br /><br />But then...<br /><br />Then it happened. We came upon the butcher shop. It was a thing to behold, that Ma of mine comparison price shopping. Now let me tell you. My Ma can comparison price shop you right under the table. She can smell a deal. Pa? He can smell the deal once she's home cookin' it, so he followed (somewhat) quietly behind her and occasionally sipped on his Diet Coke after retrieving it from the basket of his chariot.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx0lSqXrKZ8IMdMn0ucW0YvMGcDF39__TdfpS7aec4F2MylnXiZC-oxT_Ogo5xTggyWA32ZDvR11B277btCSc-kqo2VQ0rr4HhWBgUwIUSiE2jdSA4AYmSdJ-FCkzysocxQmT9qVacdA/s1600-h/IMG_0369.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298401508848817698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCx0lSqXrKZ8IMdMn0ucW0YvMGcDF39__TdfpS7aec4F2MylnXiZC-oxT_Ogo5xTggyWA32ZDvR11B277btCSc-kqo2VQ0rr4HhWBgUwIUSiE2jdSA4AYmSdJ-FCkzysocxQmT9qVacdA/s400/IMG_0369.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>Ma was wowed by the vast array of choices.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHP2YcUYpw38bGaaf0PtmXXBQO50F8vOXH-OAMXCGCfLq0-aMj5aTtkRXbWmw4ldZV5JBMpFjgquIWYNYLZmIAuPFc9JpnCNaq2dcg8iFGUw4Mw_xhMVbobrUem1VXE0daT8nCcxaDdxk/s1600-h/IMG_0370.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298401381627824994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHP2YcUYpw38bGaaf0PtmXXBQO50F8vOXH-OAMXCGCfLq0-aMj5aTtkRXbWmw4ldZV5JBMpFjgquIWYNYLZmIAuPFc9JpnCNaq2dcg8iFGUw4Mw_xhMVbobrUem1VXE0daT8nCcxaDdxk/s400/IMG_0370.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />There was a cart traffic jam, but that didn't stop Ma from doing her work. She sweetly smiled at that <span style="TEXT-DECORATION: line-through">pushy broad</span> nice lady who refused to yield right-of-way at the salmon section and went methodically on about her business.</p><p>Next, we motored on over to the cleaning and laundry supplies. Ma had never seen a box of laundry detergent that was bigger than her kitchen table. She was impressed! Studly went over to help lift it off the shelf, because everyone knows you need a box of laundry detergent bigger than the kitchen table. Pa dutifully watched and waited and sipped Diet Coke while guarding the 5,700 rolls of Charmain Ultra Ma had procured a moment earlier. Good deals, y'all. Good deals.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX0-WT8OUFPjvldMFPmUP44LojukU1_9H9iECGg-5rF7QWKZ5HrVgrria0jDnQY-NwoDSmx5WMIjouccjMF_pTRqWnpcHecdXk5pktDkmrTx9Bw35tw2P0CiDViNKAbG9Pk8U884wZvU/s1600-h/IMG_0371.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298401380494488034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDX0-WT8OUFPjvldMFPmUP44LojukU1_9H9iECGg-5rF7QWKZ5HrVgrria0jDnQY-NwoDSmx5WMIjouccjMF_pTRqWnpcHecdXk5pktDkmrTx9Bw35tw2P0CiDViNKAbG9Pk8U884wZvU/s400/IMG_0371.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Ma and Pa and I strolled/drove leisurely up and down the aisles to survey the inventory in the awesomeness that is Costco. I realized after a while I hadn't seen Studly for lo unto a half an hour or more. </p><p>And then I turned the corner. </p><p>And there he was... relaxing in a comfy glider/recliner and eating ice cream he'd lifted from the sample lady. He was so cute sittin' there I would have bought him that recliner if only I'd had an extra $299.99.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCRlWYnNKXw-M5cfax0IPsefOcoAjPuFChgyfsTiW3wI4VWSg361YDzaK1NpO-9Lx5Ohs3r7MvrhuF1NhawaGhtYwr92CjHPPf1LrYniqrmQ7SfxMPJzzwK-sRnt289wQ5_RCZun3IQg/s1600-h/IMG_0373.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298401375277277570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioCRlWYnNKXw-M5cfax0IPsefOcoAjPuFChgyfsTiW3wI4VWSg361YDzaK1NpO-9Lx5Ohs3r7MvrhuF1NhawaGhtYwr92CjHPPf1LrYniqrmQ7SfxMPJzzwK-sRnt289wQ5_RCZun3IQg/s400/IMG_0373.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We price checked 87 gallon drums of olives and a 200-pack of yogurt cups. We passed the four gallon jugs of mayonnaise and the packages of spaghetti large enough to feed Minneapolis. At last we came to the pharmacy section. That's where things got ugly.</p><p>Did you know that THREE senior citizens riding motorized carts, TWO very busy and important ladies with regular carts, one slightly disoriented son-in-law, and a frenzied daughter don't fit well in one skinny little pharmacy aisle? Well, we found out.</p><p>I instructed my drivers to back up, retreat, turn around, and go the other way.</p><p>You have never heard such beeping and honking in your entire life! Pa went left. Ma went right. I went straight and pretended I'd never seen them before. It was chaos.</p><p>We were finally reunited, and just as we approached the coveted check-out lines, Pa said, "So, where's all the candy?" (He knew we'd bought Costco candy by the truck load for the kids we minister to in prison.) I pointed that direction, and off he went.</p><p>Studly excused himself to the necessary room (lotsa Diet Coke, ya know). Ma got in line with her cart behind me with mine. I paid for my items, and then....</p><p>it was Ma's turn.</p><p>But there was no Pa.</p><p>And HE had all their treasures in HIS basket.</p><p>Thankfully Studly emerged from his side trip, and I sent him to find Pa because causing unnecessary wait time in the check out line at Costco? NOT a good idea.</p><p>When no further damage could be done to Costco or her patrons, Ma paid as Pa drove by with their goods.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LbY_RIJpv1ofF0E3e-W_k1qlkazzG5TIbJGAji0qmkyaeb09G478l_WOCMQkMHM1sijjTEXVHUFgUD-xLXYwb6w5_CjBuw-4Mp568dZxKCh6kTgmE2fYa-igsODv3OwoglYK7QBxcDY/s1600-h/IMG_0374.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5298401373587944002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5LbY_RIJpv1ofF0E3e-W_k1qlkazzG5TIbJGAji0qmkyaeb09G478l_WOCMQkMHM1sijjTEXVHUFgUD-xLXYwb6w5_CjBuw-4Mp568dZxKCh6kTgmE2fYa-igsODv3OwoglYK7QBxcDY/s400/IMG_0374.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p>And all I could do was stand to the side and take pictures. And laugh.</p><p>Because they just look so cute...<br /><br /></p>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-42927936119269834272009-01-29T21:09:00.007-06:002009-01-29T21:33:34.824-06:00Never Too OldToday was my boss' birthday. She turned another year older. My coworkers - some very savvy girls - and I decided the idea celebrating with the same old tired lunch at a nearby restaurant was so, um, yesterday. Come to think of it, using the term "yesterday" for something that is tired and outdated is, um, well, yesterday.<br /><br />I digress.<br /><br />Early in the week, we told the boss lady (whom we'll call Betty) that we were taking her to lunch. Yesterday (you know, the actual day before today, not the outdated term for something outdated), she asked where we were going. I told her I couldn't tell her.<br /><br />This morning we told her we were going to the monster truck rally. She wasn't buying. She's smart like that. Then we told her we were taking her to the zoo. She didn't bite. (Sorry. Seemed to fit...) She knew it was too cold out for a trip to the zoo. She also knew we were aren't <em>THAT</em> lame.<br /><br /><br />When the last visitor left the office this morning, we loaded up in the car and headed out. We drove. And drove. We neared Casa de Castro. She said, "We're going to YOUR house? Studly Man (well, she didn't call him that; she used his name) is cooking?" Although that would have been a treat since Studly is quite the cook, alas, that was not the plan.<br /><br /><br />We drove some more. She guessed some more. She was wrong some more.<br /><br />FINALLY we arrived at our destination... a lovely little tea room in the back of a darling children's boutique housed in a 100+ year old building.<br /><br /><br />But it wasn't just tea or even just lunch. It was a feast fit for a princess.<br /><br /><br />There was even a gaggle of princesses waiting for us!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrZUnJAYSnCEJibSVnVySpJpEjiUdrUeQXU2iImoTR58la7ooJrc8C4_nixm75aZ21WSE23OooUIluy3qmWXFFrZYD9FiQhqBhU-33TBZD-vFA5ruvaXVXHsWEEQN_6jbbpUgkTZ0s98/s1600-h/LizBirthday2009+004.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296921400127202834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 308px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSrZUnJAYSnCEJibSVnVySpJpEjiUdrUeQXU2iImoTR58la7ooJrc8C4_nixm75aZ21WSE23OooUIluy3qmWXFFrZYD9FiQhqBhU-33TBZD-vFA5ruvaXVXHsWEEQN_6jbbpUgkTZ0s98/s400/LizBirthday2009+004.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><p>And WE got to don tiaras and jewels, too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01L2z6B_0W-I72Oceiecu8RdU3-Xwu9TTKNGXclK_0qRPV9RVEeJgDxAL7SWS4wa4aAbuHg7HiUx_JbZrqzM1JJbQ66yzFUsPQPZpCT112SWoFuNqZFiXkt6feE2AN_8suUwzgKTwoZg/s1600-h/LizBirthday2009+002.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296921777025071314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj01L2z6B_0W-I72Oceiecu8RdU3-Xwu9TTKNGXclK_0qRPV9RVEeJgDxAL7SWS4wa4aAbuHg7HiUx_JbZrqzM1JJbQ66yzFUsPQPZpCT112SWoFuNqZFiXkt6feE2AN_8suUwzgKTwoZg/s400/LizBirthday2009+002.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><br /><p>Betty loved it. (AND she was a great sport.)</p><br />And I give you.... <span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;color:#ff6666;"><strong>PRINCESS BETTY!</strong></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili8a1eEgSaQ0a_uVEb261PDvVdczFk_1Nd2UGmvxqCtAWq2PUzmpDy7bicPh_0IDAc7HQjNWWrNG_paHmD0p_nfl7-EeCwqsHtPCw1kY5-3I3GhY45mA0WeLS4V77RZuaMt_ac1zvs70/s1600-h/LizBirthday2009+005.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296922227469270690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEili8a1eEgSaQ0a_uVEb261PDvVdczFk_1Nd2UGmvxqCtAWq2PUzmpDy7bicPh_0IDAc7HQjNWWrNG_paHmD0p_nfl7-EeCwqsHtPCw1kY5-3I3GhY45mA0WeLS4V77RZuaMt_ac1zvs70/s400/LizBirthday2009+005.jpg" border="0" /></a>A girl is never too old to be a princess.<br /><br />Lunch was just delightful, and we had a great time.<br /><br /><br />Here's a (blurry) picture of the four of us.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX2jA3ged64AOSEXzIzGW1ohyphenhyphen7DridcsjigPJPgKOpry2xtoETzdQ2sC-ndmnNEmDesPyiOASBsjoA08D-e2HQdt6tn7x0sagBo1h0V3b1o_Q0oc8Zc5tEcWiLcMyK4pt8bPMBBj92JU/s1600-h/LizBirthday2009+003.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5296923200877069378" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 284px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSX2jA3ged64AOSEXzIzGW1ohyphenhyphen7DridcsjigPJPgKOpry2xtoETzdQ2sC-ndmnNEmDesPyiOASBsjoA08D-e2HQdt6tn7x0sagBo1h0V3b1o_Q0oc8Zc5tEcWiLcMyK4pt8bPMBBj92JU/s400/LizBirthday2009+003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br />Happy birthday, Betty!Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-32662917466697225802009-01-28T21:24:00.004-06:002009-01-28T21:53:03.248-06:00Then and NowToday was interesting. I learned something new. <br /><br />Actually, I learned something old... again.<br /><br />The storm that has blanketed America covered our region with ice. Schools were closed. Even the schools that NEVER close were closed. Businesses shuttered for the day. Activities were canceled.<br /><br />But my office was open.<br /><br />I thought most people would cancel their appointments and opt to stay safe and warm at home. <br /><br />And I was wrong.<br /><br />No one canceled. <br /><br />Everyone kept their appointments.<br /><br />In fact, one person even called the office on a whim saying she unexpectedly had the day off from work because of the ice and was hopeful we'd had a cancellation so she could come in. <br /><br />We did.<br /><br />She did.<br /><br />And ya know what?<br /><br />I knew her.<br /><br />Another lifetime ago, she was my friend. She was a beauty queen. She was talented and funny and popular. She was smart. She had it all figured out. And for a second, it felt like I was a teenager again, all insecure and unsure of my place in the world.<br /><br />And then I remembered...<br /><br />- She had come to MY office, a place I've been for 18 years.<br /><br />- She was in my office because she, too, has insecurities.<br /><br />- She has aged just like I have. She also isn't a teenager any more.<br /><br />- Her life isn't perfect now. And it wasn't back then. <br /><br />- I know a secret about her family that she doesn't know. When I was told, I was bound not to ever divulge my knowledge to her.<br /><br />- She has challenges in her life that make mine pale in comparison. <br /><br />All these years later, she's still beautiful. But so am I. And I know my place in this world. I know I am loved. The life God designed for me is more perfect than the path I would have chosen for myself if I'd given in to those insecurities so long ago. Because He knew me then as He knows me now, He didn't leave me to my own devices, but instead guided my steps to where I am today. He has given me more than I ever imagined and far more than I deserve. <br /><br />He's given her a lot, too... more than she imagined and probably more than she deserves.<br /><br />We're not so different after all.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-82154228119923154332009-01-22T18:57:00.016-06:002009-01-22T23:55:02.993-06:00And we said, "Yes, we'd LOVE to!"It's good to have friends.<br /><br />It's better to have friends with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">lake houses</span>!<br /><br />D & B, our dear friends, recently purchased a house at a nearby lake. Now D & B have been favorite travel buddies for a long time, and they're VERY generous people. When they asked us if we'd like to go and spend a long weekend at their new place, of course we accepted. (We could do that because I'm on vacation this week, so rushing back home wasn't an issue.)<br /><br />We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">envisioned</span> a little cabin near the water with rustic fixtures and dated plumbing. Perhaps the deck would need a little refinishing to keep our feet from getting splinters (when we walk barefoot on it in the summertime of course). Maybe the bathroom would be damp and cold, and perhaps the bedroom would be dark and creepy.<br /><br />Um.<br /><br />We. were. wrong.<br /><br />Here's what we saw when we drove up.<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc--FkElI/AAAAAAAACoE/WlHG7L7r97A/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaExterior4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294705094529618" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc--FkElI/AAAAAAAACoE/WlHG7L7r97A/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaExterior4.jpg" border="0" /></a> And then another view with our vehicles in front:<br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-tuNuzI/AAAAAAAACn8/yar06usVBN0/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaExterior5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294700701629234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-tuNuzI/AAAAAAAACn8/yar06usVBN0/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaExterior5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />We entered to find an awesome "great room."<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-XwYWKI/AAAAAAAACn0/bn_CB7DsIK8/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoom2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294694805133474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-XwYWKI/AAAAAAAACn0/bn_CB7DsIK8/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoom2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-TtMM8I/AAAAAAAACns/3eoy3DlhVwY/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoomFromDining.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294693718012866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-TtMM8I/AAAAAAAACns/3eoy3DlhVwY/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoomFromDining.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Looking from the fireplace towards the kitchen:<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-brF6yI/AAAAAAAACnk/ox9lxCMU25Y/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoom3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294695856696098" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkc-brF6yI/AAAAAAAACnk/ox9lxCMU25Y/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGreatRoom3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Check. out. this. stone. fireplace.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqnYApcI/AAAAAAAACnc/AutmjqReT2w/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaFireplace5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294355400500674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqnYApcI/AAAAAAAACnc/AutmjqReT2w/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaFireplace5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dining room. Seats eight. (Other chairs in front of window.)<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqv6Q7fI/AAAAAAAACnU/ZH7I_djQx9s/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaDining.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294357691657714" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqv6Q7fI/AAAAAAAACnU/ZH7I_djQx9s/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaDining.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Gorgeous HUGE kitchen with granite counter tops. (I don't have those in my regular house, much less my non-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">existent</span> lake house!)<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqvTGbgI/AAAAAAAACnM/BmtmhpE6dro/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaKitchen5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294357527391746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqvTGbgI/AAAAAAAACnM/BmtmhpE6dro/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaKitchen5.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Pretty hand-painted tiles.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqexFj-I/AAAAAAAACnE/wwbcYtMrxLY/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaKitchen3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294353089761250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqexFj-I/AAAAAAAACnE/wwbcYtMrxLY/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaKitchen3.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Cozy breakfast nook.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqbR1SRI/AAAAAAAACm8/Z3UapDkhBJ0/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaBreakfastNook.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294352153364754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcqbR1SRI/AAAAAAAACm8/Z3UapDkhBJ0/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaBreakfastNook.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Master bedroom. View out the window just to my right is simply a.m.a.z.i.n.g. You'll see it below.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcXb2gveI/AAAAAAAACm0/lTndxLZA20c/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaMasterBed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294025889693154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcXb2gveI/AAAAAAAACm0/lTndxLZA20c/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaMasterBed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Part of the master bath. Marble Jacuzzi tub? Yes, ma'am!<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcXNeV2BI/AAAAAAAACms/_a9ILP4KEyU/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaMasterBath2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294022030219282" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcXNeV2BI/AAAAAAAACms/_a9ILP4KEyU/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaMasterBath2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />These stairs lead down to a whole other adventure.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcW_nZwgI/AAAAAAAACmk/pSXqgQEmtqM/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaStairsDown.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294018310128130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcW_nZwgI/AAAAAAAACmk/pSXqgQEmtqM/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaStairsDown.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The game room with a big flat screen for the "Guitar Hero" players in the family.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcWpI0o-I/AAAAAAAACmc/AhVdKvTA8co/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGame2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294012276286434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcWpI0o-I/AAAAAAAACmc/AhVdKvTA8co/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaGame2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />The bar/kitchenette downstairs.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcWWfVsbI/AAAAAAAACmU/73fBd0KF_0o/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaLowerBar2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294294007270453682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkcWWfVsbI/AAAAAAAACmU/73fBd0KF_0o/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaLowerBar2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Downstairs bedroom #1.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-7ZiupI/AAAAAAAACmM/D6eJOZMiciI/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaRedBed.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293604861393554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-7ZiupI/AAAAAAAACmM/D6eJOZMiciI/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaRedBed.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Downstairs bath. Two-sink vanity with TONS of cabinet and drawer space (most of which is not pictured) and a great shower/tub.<br /><div><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb--dsnkI/AAAAAAAACmE/y04rR9hxOi4/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaLowerBath.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293605684125250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb--dsnkI/AAAAAAAACmE/y04rR9hxOi4/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaLowerBath.jpg" border="0" /></a> Downstairs bedroom #2.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-19bhwI/AAAAAAAACl8/8emS-rttZQM/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaBlueBed2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293603401303810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-19bhwI/AAAAAAAACl8/8emS-rttZQM/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaBlueBed2.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>Each floor has its own laundry area. I'll spare you those photos (you KNOW I took them!) '<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">cuz</span> I'm pretty sure you've all seen washers and dryers before.<br /><p></p><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>But back upstairs, we went out on the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">looooooong</span> deck that runs the length of the house. There's a brand new five-burner grill that Studly Man helped to assemble and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">inaugurate</span> at the end of it.</div><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-S2H_yI/AAAAAAAACl0/mgLbEfb25Fo/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaDeck2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293593975422754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-S2H_yI/AAAAAAAACl0/mgLbEfb25Fo/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaDeck2.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />And sweet Snickers joined us for the trip. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Doncha</span> just wanna hug him? <div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-frQ2FI/AAAAAAAACls/5WQbZvNV_x4/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSnickers10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293597419526226" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkb-frQ2FI/AAAAAAAACls/5WQbZvNV_x4/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSnickers10.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Snickers LOVES Uncle Studly Man.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbl_RW8DI/AAAAAAAAClk/fcTk8WzcA6I/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSnickers%26Les3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293176404078642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbl_RW8DI/AAAAAAAAClk/fcTk8WzcA6I/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSnickers%26Les3.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />But the best part?<br /><p></p><br />What's that you say?<br /><p></p><br />What's the very BEST part of the house?<br /><p></p><br />Why, the view, of course!<br /></div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkblYrd5aI/AAAAAAAAClc/QlrmmiXqUzE/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaViewLake6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293166044603810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkblYrd5aI/AAAAAAAAClc/QlrmmiXqUzE/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaViewLake6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbkxbK9bI/AAAAAAAAClU/MrCWgjuOeR0/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaViewLake5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293155507271090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbkxbK9bI/AAAAAAAAClU/MrCWgjuOeR0/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaViewLake5.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>And the view at sunset <div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbk4ZniwI/AAAAAAAAClM/sO0BH-AgoT8/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSunset.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293157379803906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbk4ZniwI/AAAAAAAAClM/sO0BH-AgoT8/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaSunset.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div></div><div>D & B will retire here in a few years. For now, it is a lovely place to escape for the weekend or heck, for a whole week! Some furniture and accessories remain on order, so it will become more like home with every trip.<br /><p></p><br /></div><div></div><div>Now, here's some irony. The picture below is the house of D & B's new next door neighbors. Pretty, right?</div><div></div><div>Take a close look at that gorgeous double front door.</div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbkkIw8dI/AAAAAAAAClE/21tuLXecvcA/s1600-h/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaNeighborSteelDoor.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5294293151940407762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SXkbkkIw8dI/AAAAAAAAClE/21tuLXecvcA/s400/MaxwellHouseAtLakeTexomaNeighborSteelDoor.jpg" border="0" /></a>Yep, Studly designed and built that steel entry way about eight years ago. He even stood on the slab of what is now D & B's new <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">lake house</span> before it was completed and sold to its first owner. (Same builder built both houses.) How's THAT for a small world!?!?<br /><p></p><br /></div><div></div><div>We had a great time. We hung paintings and valances and cooked steaks on the new grill. We watched several movies and slept in late. I think between all the cell phones present, we collectively had three incoming phone calls the whole time. Ah.... the quiet.<br /><p></p><br /></div><div></div><div>And ya know what's even more exciting? We have some OTHER really dear friends who have recently bought a house on ANOTHER lake (not quite as nearby, but close), and we've been invited out there, too! In fact, we've tried to get out there, but got sick. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">SKay</span>, get ready!! We're headed your way. ;) </div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-36188492800401903742009-01-16T22:37:00.005-06:002009-01-16T22:45:56.365-06:00Coughin' and Sneezin'Cough.<br /><br />Cough. Cough.<br /><br />Sneeze.<br /><br /><br /><br />Cough. Cough.<br /><br /><br />Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.<br /><br /><br />Sneeze. Sneeze.<br /><br /><br />Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough. Cough.<br /><br />Sneeze. Sneeze.<br /><br /><br /><br />Sneeze.<br /><br /><span style="font-size:180%;">CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough CoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCoughCough </span><br /><br /><span style="font-size:130%;">Amen.</span><br /><br /><br />That's my life. In a nutshell. Just ask my friend <a href="http://www.blogger.com/profile/00575206707434815882">Suze</a> who has listened to it every.single.day.<br /><br /><br />It's been a tough few weeks what with all that coughing and sneezing. Haven't felt like blogging. But now?<br /><br /><br />NOW...<br /><br /><br />I'm better.<br /><br />Finally.<br /><br /><br /><strong><em>And</em></strong> I'm on vacation.<br /><br /><br />I don't have to work again until January 26.<br /><br /><br />Jealous much?<br /><br /><br />Perhaps I'll stop by here some this next week and REALLY write something worthwhile.<br /><br /><br />Until then...<br /><br /><br />Happy trails.Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-43641832419752676742008-12-28T23:47:00.004-06:002008-12-28T23:58:24.975-06:00can't... seem... to... blog...Hello one and all. I trust your Christmas was filled with love and laughter and peace and joy. <br /><br />We had Christmas in our family, too. Why haven't I written about it?<br /><br />Well...<br /><br />a) My brain is so fried every December by the time Christmas rolls around, all I can do is sit, stare, and drool. (December is nuts in my office, what with all the peeps wanting to have surgery whilst they are on vacation from work or school and while deductibles are met, yielding the highest insurance benefits of the year.)<br /><br />b) My dear husband got this flu bug thing that landed him in bed on Christmas Day.<br /><br />c) My dear husband shared his flu bug thing with <strong><em>me</em></strong>, and I'm now buying stock in Tylenol Multi-Symptom cold products. <br /><br />d) my attention has been mostly focused on my new little <a href="http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/">toy</a>. Oh, I've had it since just before Thanksgiving, but that isn't nearly enough time to learn all about it and explore the various apps one could download. <br /><br />e) I have developed an addiction to playing Demon Solitaire on my new toy. Or WordWarp. Or Wurdle. Or Pyramid Lite. Or Bejeweled. Or any other mindless yet stimulating game.<br /><br />Let me know how YOUR holiday was. I promise I'll write about ours soon.<br /><br />Well, if I can break away from... playing... with... the...Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-29092047098218480922008-12-14T22:53:00.009-06:002008-12-15T11:59:21.406-06:00Gloria!Tonight my family went to see <a href="http://www.prestonwoodgloria.org/">Gloria!</a> at our <a href="http://www.prestonwood.org/">church</a>. Can I just say... A.M.A.Z.I.N.G.<br /><br />We enjoyed EVERY second of it. We had awesome seats (what a story there!), and couldn't have asked for better ones. I took a few pictures with my iPhone.<br /><br /><a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-birthday-sister.html">Me-Again</a> and her family came.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFQgEwMkHmStEOhMmHeRrsa4jqDtp3A8w4I8FWPScnI7c_iN36RwokQCdkMYVLtKUUg3fW-0moVKbOr-peejgxNNAMCDsgLj84PjGHn7GzXAXqHt6NzwZKozYBbC0dRoNEGVHRWlBY6Q/s1600-h/photo1.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279876256685941090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFQgEwMkHmStEOhMmHeRrsa4jqDtp3A8w4I8FWPScnI7c_iN36RwokQCdkMYVLtKUUg3fW-0moVKbOr-peejgxNNAMCDsgLj84PjGHn7GzXAXqHt6NzwZKozYBbC0dRoNEGVHRWlBY6Q/s400/photo1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />Dad and Mom came with us, too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuMFMg-DcObYIyz3kL_B13KwyGAsCAcX3IHigN-nRAf-C0EAfhRxeF0QjSVAEPtusCVMWF49ExAR5x8a69p_6PeMzTLlhPtXTc3hXZiTa2FYfqKZsbYr6bZb8eB86YAoZM0PaLKw2mnw/s1600-h/photo2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279876252020339138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBuMFMg-DcObYIyz3kL_B13KwyGAsCAcX3IHigN-nRAf-C0EAfhRxeF0QjSVAEPtusCVMWF49ExAR5x8a69p_6PeMzTLlhPtXTc3hXZiTa2FYfqKZsbYr6bZb8eB86YAoZM0PaLKw2mnw/s400/photo2.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div></div><div>The 500+ voice choir and full orchestra rocked the house.</div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f8moE0cvjJLZEEzd_ZH6itr-3JXuPsxG_luhfL5E1y5lrJQzqaTOLGsoGQymGNFQiyZs1P1Ht4nH7NfYs4aLH2gwn-7Jpqctg5BXikY4MadZBl9VbdpfAXsXnq5agydhHAXriD1pmb0/s1600-h/photo11.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279876378905747906" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-f8moE0cvjJLZEEzd_ZH6itr-3JXuPsxG_luhfL5E1y5lrJQzqaTOLGsoGQymGNFQiyZs1P1Ht4nH7NfYs4aLH2gwn-7Jpqctg5BXikY4MadZBl9VbdpfAXsXnq5agydhHAXriD1pmb0/s400/photo11.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />This year, there was a special guest. We had an up-close-and-personal view of him. We sat, um, pretty close. <p></p><br /></div><div></div><div></div><div>Those feet? They belong to Daniel, my nephew who sat next to me. That round black and white thing a few feet away? The satellite stage where The Guest played the piano and sang and entertained.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyLM91S7gRZpc8ZZBlHqWYktsAa1VmBHdrHE_XkAwb3wuwNn-Jw3aV5fhhF_hxjH9ZzYN0lXkE7DcRDI2TobidWaiuNC-UEjd8eeXHaZM1UzXjGzKuIw5LPQAfUxQn1rwT0kvYjw2xu8/s1600-h/photo10.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279876254215365410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyLM91S7gRZpc8ZZBlHqWYktsAa1VmBHdrHE_XkAwb3wuwNn-Jw3aV5fhhF_hxjH9ZzYN0lXkE7DcRDI2TobidWaiuNC-UEjd8eeXHaZM1UzXjGzKuIw5LPQAfUxQn1rwT0kvYjw2xu8/s400/photo10.jpg" border="0" /></a> Yeah. We were close.</div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div></div><div><br /><br />And here he is at the piano, literally a few feet away. <a href="http://www.tesh.com/">John Tesh</a>.<br /></div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qkpOEwue00Z_XaMD4TjjjCZ6FPm-We2XA8Ip-ZS5UPFYyNguXz3kFQvM_PnrMqNH4LAfTlCaaqQoUdqe-_PDqX8tRmogm47JuZkvy1RoCvCmqF-bNSulfZWxaLm4aBgZs7sL_zfcYXI/s1600-h/photo6.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279876249402985570" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-qkpOEwue00Z_XaMD4TjjjCZ6FPm-We2XA8Ip-ZS5UPFYyNguXz3kFQvM_PnrMqNH4LAfTlCaaqQoUdqe-_PDqX8tRmogm47JuZkvy1RoCvCmqF-bNSulfZWxaLm4aBgZs7sL_zfcYXI/s400/photo6.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He sang "<a href="http://www.tesh.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1x97x1y1x12ax1x65y1x4e2dx1x65y1x4e33x1xa8">It Wouldn't Be Christmas Without You</a>," a song he wrote for his wife, <a href="http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0783314/">Connie Selleca</a>, to whom he has been married 17 years.</div><div><div><a href="http://www.tesh.com/ittrium/visit?path=A1x97x1y1x12ax1x65y1x4e2dx1x65y1x4e33x1xa8"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279875876892986658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKd7lnNaIPrTlAxzxRfiIvUutD7F5gV-Aa4AKj2bpnCDaiMZ5xgTd2vsDR2bb-E_FsHR5ZFe4jtqp_Qc4hOu6HlJSOhaTr2T9XUNN8IP_zbLdCf_rQkfV8OxnBwhSTf3Rb9_ZYLVcWUPo/s400/photo7.jpg" border="0" /></a>See that red streamer at the edge of the stage? At the end of the very first choir number, all these shiny streamers in different colors fell from the ceiling into the crowd. One landed right at the edge of the stage.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV27hFcOsmDWqMoD1BjD_7SycydoCTkcNp4IbK_PmGCcQ3R7lyB_hRYsP8RljMOgyf1zMrKbIQgNOMKDuuFFjKa1UPjh1PBqW7039M0Poo-qIxI7et82_hyphenhyphenu2z5ABQIflSKwgDXxum-PM/s1600-h/photo8.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279875864833162546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV27hFcOsmDWqMoD1BjD_7SycydoCTkcNp4IbK_PmGCcQ3R7lyB_hRYsP8RljMOgyf1zMrKbIQgNOMKDuuFFjKa1UPjh1PBqW7039M0Poo-qIxI7et82_hyphenhyphenu2z5ABQIflSKwgDXxum-PM/s400/photo8.jpg" border="0" /></a> As soon as he finished the number he was playing, he came around and stood in front of the piano. He leaned down and picked up the streamer and then held it out to me saying, "Oh, a streamer fell. Ma'am, is this yours?" "Why, yes. Yes it is," I answered with cameras rolling all around. (DVD available on the church's web site in about four weeks!) My brush with greatness as David Letterman would say. <p></p>Next, John (we're on a first name basis now) called a seven-year-old little girl named Carly from the audience to help introduce his band. So cute!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc98ZSW4FSKG5bXomMRR2nvraN0UF6_BxnnaXGWzRP4euyCXM-1_km6OIKknHKYkHnsgYHXdOGY2wrLQwJ_cvH_HYv2LKOIf4GMqMWfUw5VtGGTuyuqx-Q3UBI8ESiE79xh8phZ8iecUU/s1600-h/photo9.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279875868362281346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc98ZSW4FSKG5bXomMRR2nvraN0UF6_BxnnaXGWzRP4euyCXM-1_km6OIKknHKYkHnsgYHXdOGY2wrLQwJ_cvH_HYv2LKOIf4GMqMWfUw5VtGGTuyuqx-Q3UBI8ESiE79xh8phZ8iecUU/s400/photo9.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />He read his very own 2008 version of "Twas the Night Before Christmas." It was humorous and poignant. So what that his face is all washed out by the bright lights in this picture. HE WAS RIGHT. IN. FRONT. OF. ME.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcInOimlBNhrS9H3ToQAvLpXTL7HZU_sdyIah9KeqDIL3WmKyvW2gu6yVUVYVGZ2JsrfPjZBtzm_nErUiyDTbxLKgmHH7jQQZ5SWZDp57hk4fXKHc3i_qF3wBzXmuT7dim4i_tXxnlZxI/s1600-h/photo12.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279875862142297730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 300px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcInOimlBNhrS9H3ToQAvLpXTL7HZU_sdyIah9KeqDIL3WmKyvW2gu6yVUVYVGZ2JsrfPjZBtzm_nErUiyDTbxLKgmHH7jQQZ5SWZDp57hk4fXKHc3i_qF3wBzXmuT7dim4i_tXxnlZxI/s400/photo12.jpg" border="0" /></a><br />His three instrumentalists and one vocalist (well, technically one person was an instrumentalist AND a vocalist) did a few numbers right there at our feet.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCafjKdYIda8TC5wP28TBmfHpwTxIl0jawEmOH1zcu9DA_Zd4ADTiScFfZADlEY9C0D5D0aHBA7RDkGvd4bYbSXXuDimlByQNCXOrrl8nbIlRbKDtejM39qBOX7Cu1eN0_fcZEr5qwEKE/s1600-h/photo13.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279875857114768754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCafjKdYIda8TC5wP28TBmfHpwTxIl0jawEmOH1zcu9DA_Zd4ADTiScFfZADlEY9C0D5D0aHBA7RDkGvd4bYbSXXuDimlByQNCXOrrl8nbIlRbKDtejM39qBOX7Cu1eN0_fcZEr5qwEKE/s400/photo13.jpg" border="0" /></a> <p></p><br />At the end of his final segment, he challenged the congregation to employ their gifts to help others and recognize our own personal ministries. He was great, and his love for the Lord was evident. <p></p>What a night. What a great night. It was... <p></p>GLORIOUS!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-80796706300496019462008-12-12T13:18:00.008-06:002008-12-12T23:16:50.610-06:00The MantelWhen I was growing up, I always loved to visit my grandparents' homes. They were always full of wonder and interesting and different things than were seen around our house.<br /><br /><br />My dad was raised by his grandparents. They were the sweetest people. Most knew them as Stewart and Eugenia (or "Eugie" for short). I knew them as Nana and Gimpa. (Yes, <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-birthday-sister.html">Me-Again</a>, I know. If I said "Stewart and Eugenia," I should've said "Gimpa and Nana," putting both references to them in the same gender order. But we didn't call them "Gimpa and Nana;" we called them "Nana and Gimpa." Deal with it. Love you.)<br /><br />Ahem.<br /><br />They lived in this big ten room house at 1829 Belleville that they purchased in 1926. (Picture taken in 2007. Still looks good!)<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxwxgy9kwp5fKX4bTxw5LzAEFF175E76tXcKteMO4TVvGyAASAcYBJbRc1h8Maw8WaUDBkchCsv6wEIOERYl6QvO06Jhqo8xM71MXQ4H1o2q3YUghmaV8aOqgH3mREWXj6FgKd7ZZeIw/s1600-h/1829Belleville.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5278990888795792994" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBxwxgy9kwp5fKX4bTxw5LzAEFF175E76tXcKteMO4TVvGyAASAcYBJbRc1h8Maw8WaUDBkchCsv6wEIOERYl6QvO06Jhqo8xM71MXQ4H1o2q3YUghmaV8aOqgH3mREWXj6FgKd7ZZeIw/s400/1829Belleville.jpg" border="0" /></a>They raised my dad in it and still lived there by the time <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-birthday-sister.html">Me-Again</a> and I came along. We loved to explore the attic (the two small paned and gabled windows at the top) and wander through Nana's pantry to see what goodies might be awaiting us if she hadn't just made a fresh batch of her famous custard. Oh, how I'd love to have some of that custard now!<br /><br />Visiting Nana and Gimpa and PawDad (my dad's dad who lived with them in his later years) was especially fun at Christmastime. Everything sparkled and was so lovely... a fantasy land for a little girl. In Nana's huge dining room, there was a table in front of the tall window that held the most wonderful ice skating scene made with a mirror, rolls of white cotton and darling plastic "skating snowmen" whose knapsacks held real lollipops that good little girls were allowed to sample. It even had little green pine trees that stood in the snowy cotton to complete the outdoor scene.<br /><br />Perhaps our favorite thing in the house was The Mantel. Its crowning glory was the nativity scene she placed in the center. Nana bought in 1908 for PawDad's first Christmas. Every year she put it up with care, and she even wrote out directions for placement of each figure in case someone else had to put everything up in her absence. They included such details as placing the camel with the broken nose facing a certain direction "as if he was wandering off" so the broken part didn't show so much. Dad still has those written instructions.<br /><br />Eventually Nana gave Daddy that nativity and Santa's sleigh with white plastic reindeer that went on one end of the very long mantel. (The other end had a gorgeous white church with a rotating color wheel in front of it. We loved watching the colors change. I'm sure one of Dad's cousins has the church now.) The nativity has been displayed on the mantel at Mom and Dad's house all these years since, and this year, it is 100 years old. <em>One hundred years old</em>. A century has passed since these small figures where purchased by a loving mother for her firstborn. I didn't realize it until just recently, but that mantel manger scene was part of the faith legacy of my family that was being passed on to me, even before I was born.<br /><br />Check out these pictures.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnWETtAx1jKczZ3VrkEb_V7ryK6JkWH-av8nqq9-mJWtj9rxLjfEV3Yru4P74Vo55tMegcIhKWO2tvX2aFNhUBj53bD0zCy4ZZ4LT8_sQL4ZmEuOtXKaXopXvfB2lU8o1Uw7pdDgL2rM/s1600-h/1940--PG_06-B--Nana"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279000072029637842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 302px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDnWETtAx1jKczZ3VrkEb_V7ryK6JkWH-av8nqq9-mJWtj9rxLjfEV3Yru4P74Vo55tMegcIhKWO2tvX2aFNhUBj53bD0zCy4ZZ4LT8_sQL4ZmEuOtXKaXopXvfB2lU8o1Uw7pdDgL2rM/s400/1940--PG_06-B--Nana's_Mantel_in_Roanoke%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> PawDad (my grandfather) is in the center, and Gimpa (my great-grandfather) is on the far right. The nativity is behind them.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WIAnVK8zCYnx5Qf3HLcb4E7Wa1V9vqnHHGa27tW4AGQBsFUo2jrkOILMmRsUmTG6niQQPEAYplEmQOrOhGa673Y1zqr9q9AIZptlcO4_k-_ukVTjUs4nlI2n8o3xEXUfSm5XBjK-rg0/s1600-h/1940--wspsr-017--Nana"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279000061546480978" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 298px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3WIAnVK8zCYnx5Qf3HLcb4E7Wa1V9vqnHHGa27tW4AGQBsFUo2jrkOILMmRsUmTG6niQQPEAYplEmQOrOhGa673Y1zqr9q9AIZptlcO4_k-_ukVTjUs4nlI2n8o3xEXUfSm5XBjK-rg0/s400/1940--wspsr-017--Nana's_Mantel_Scene.jpg" border="0" /></a> Taken the same year, this picture cracks me up. So serious! I always remember Nana as jolly and happy and one who loved to laugh. Front row starting at left is my great aunt Ida Belle (PawDad's sister), my Nana who is holding Baby Gail (Ida Belle's daughter), and that cute little guy on the end is my dad at age ten. The back row left to right is my great uncle Stewart (PawDad and Ida Belle's brother), my PawDad, and my Gimpa. Again the nativity is behind them.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebB9r4G0VeSbFpQwe9iHEbVqhN1xVlvqbbeAVi3VwmAvdkftsdmoLwea6odRaokoES4cgO1c6N746NmyNulbXQmY7JtC8E5ZFzA9A0mp1cNnK60s-mh1PTkQtzJveeBqkilbqNfjWN_E/s1600-h/1953--PG_12--Nana"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279000063111420418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 274px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgebB9r4G0VeSbFpQwe9iHEbVqhN1xVlvqbbeAVi3VwmAvdkftsdmoLwea6odRaokoES4cgO1c6N746NmyNulbXQmY7JtC8E5ZFzA9A0mp1cNnK60s-mh1PTkQtzJveeBqkilbqNfjWN_E/s400/1953--PG_12--Nana's_Mantel_in_Roanoke%5B1%5D.jpg" border="0" /></a> This picture was taken when my mom and dad had been married for just six months. Still newlyweds! Left to right, my Nana, Uncle Stewart, Uncle Buck (Ida Belle's husband), my PawDad, Aunt Ida Belle, my dad (seated on the arm of the chair), and my oh-so-serious mom. The little girl in front is one of my dad's cousins, but I'm not sure which one.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGIdA6N1fxpfbAfhJmRvki6AC0j6tmr0_EMJhmjOrsLo-EK6A4HPDNzl4ktCHJeLJ2G06TQuB0BQsgBv14NjaMOYgUfwEfevLqQ_PmPmYMKvwuULu-rXwf0pYz-2-bt_kQbtiwEEc6lw/s1600-h/2008MantelOnBiscayne.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279000059485417330" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 223px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnGIdA6N1fxpfbAfhJmRvki6AC0j6tmr0_EMJhmjOrsLo-EK6A4HPDNzl4ktCHJeLJ2G06TQuB0BQsgBv14NjaMOYgUfwEfevLqQ_PmPmYMKvwuULu-rXwf0pYz-2-bt_kQbtiwEEc6lw/s400/2008MantelOnBiscayne.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's the nativity as it looks at Mom and Dad's house in 2008. Dad put the reading lamp in front of it for photo lighting.<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm-zxOvow-dDiK4B4FMryI81BNl-otMsuSRRfkez9EvtK5UGWYF5XxCfQysMdbGid69r98R-aRV9Xbep4g0PuHFiOAE6hxPH9Bu1BJRAO-HSga3dhRowP03FXhKjiiYNYmulDuMG1KC0/s1600-h/2008MantelOnBiscayne4.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279000055945091154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 227px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEm-zxOvow-dDiK4B4FMryI81BNl-otMsuSRRfkez9EvtK5UGWYF5XxCfQysMdbGid69r98R-aRV9Xbep4g0PuHFiOAE6hxPH9Bu1BJRAO-HSga3dhRowP03FXhKjiiYNYmulDuMG1KC0/s400/2008MantelOnBiscayne4.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1aTdreThVulpeIw3hPs3MPQ7T8qeSajYXuGRCQ3lVr4Q3Hkg-h27dbYBzwyEXHshWU-0bfDB_62FIAXL1LVtNTlG9MOHPgSTQjFQJvcnlJpKATjeeRk3C1FhLLGwOFuyr4PD-94YlLQ/s1600-h/2008MantelOnBiscayne5.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5279014442002956258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 245px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb1aTdreThVulpeIw3hPs3MPQ7T8qeSajYXuGRCQ3lVr4Q3Hkg-h27dbYBzwyEXHshWU-0bfDB_62FIAXL1LVtNTlG9MOHPgSTQjFQJvcnlJpKATjeeRk3C1FhLLGwOFuyr4PD-94YlLQ/s400/2008MantelOnBiscayne5.jpg" border="0" /></a> Here's Santa's sleigh with the reindeer. Never mind that the reindeer:<br /></div><div>a) are of different species and sizes.</div><div>b) are 30 times larger than Santa himself.</div><div>c) have beady little red eyes.<br /></div><div>Obviously Nana used her imagination in combining reindeer and Santa sleigh pieces she came across over the years. It makes me smile just to think about her and the many funny things like that she did over the years. </div><div></div><br /><div>I'm glad this nativity came to reside with us. Nana died after we'd moved from Virginia to Texas. I was in my early teens. Gimpa and PawDad had both passed on by then, and I never went in that beautiful old house again. I hope the people who live in it now can somehow feel the warmth and love we always felt inside its walls.</div><div></div><br /><div>Happy Birthday and Merry Christmas, you beautiful old nativity scene! </div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-52968801583228454522008-12-05T14:09:00.005-06:002008-12-05T14:30:19.117-06:00I Am SecondHave you seen it?<br /><br />Have you heard about it?<br /><br />It's time you did.<br /><br />"<strong><em>I Am Second</em></strong>."<br /><br />I've had the immense privilege of being in the audience to hear Josh Hamilton speak. Chris Plekenpol was the key note speaker at a fund raiser I attended last year. Rick Briscoe is the pastor of the church where Studly Man was formerly a member. I have first hand knowledge of how real Stephen Baldwin is because of how he and his wife partnered in ministry with and ministered to friends of ours whose toddler son was dying of cancer. Jason Castro (no relation!) is known in these parts to be a talented young singer from American Idol AND a man who loves God. Tony Evans is one of my all time favorite pastors and teachers, and he is a frequent guest at my church. Rod Bayron has been with our team into juvenile prisons.<br /><br />They are second.<br /><br />Are <a href="http://www.iamsecond.com/">you</a>?Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-53737984066068136762008-11-26T12:46:00.015-06:002008-11-27T09:41:03.336-06:00I'm Thankful<strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> that God loved me SO much He sent His only Son to die in my place. Grace so undeserved.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dU6WZkHI/AAAAAAAACBY/T7xomkbZlUA/s1600-h/CrossOnAHill.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043721306869874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 267px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dU6WZkHI/AAAAAAAACBY/T7xomkbZlUA/s400/CrossOnAHill.bmp" border="0" /></a><strong><em> I'm thankful</em></strong> to live in a country where I'm still free to worship and live my life as a fully devoted follower of Christ, a privilege I don't take for granted and pray will remain.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dU9SdnxI/AAAAAAAACBQ/9Jy9ba_wPIg/s1600-h/AmericanFlag.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043722095664914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dU9SdnxI/AAAAAAAACBQ/9Jy9ba_wPIg/s400/AmericanFlag.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em> I'm thankful</em></strong> for godly parents who love the Lord first, then each other, and then their children in ways that have always pointed me toward Jesus. They have sacrificed so often for me and for my sister.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MkSzZLAhLyhB0OOdQtudxUOxoVKyavhLb-P1pEmkEyGNDUPJHJUZ2wCvuX48d6JmxZofIH3CeVih24j3W_cglCD7y9id5PgDLI93BfYqusAgPtk-Df59cFi8ksao_VAFLMWZmmP9kQo/s1600-h/Mom&DadEaster07.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043442871827010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8MkSzZLAhLyhB0OOdQtudxUOxoVKyavhLb-P1pEmkEyGNDUPJHJUZ2wCvuX48d6JmxZofIH3CeVih24j3W_cglCD7y9id5PgDLI93BfYqusAgPtk-Df59cFi8ksao_VAFLMWZmmP9kQo/s400/Mom&DadEaster07.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em> I'm thankful</em></strong> for a loving sister who is an amazing, talented, wonderful Christian woman and friend. I'm thankful for her newfound (found again?) happiness with her husband.<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dEZJ8WtI/AAAAAAAACBA/hOeQCC3ETEM/s1600-h/Megan&Joe2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043437518346962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 334px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dEZJ8WtI/AAAAAAAACBA/hOeQCC3ETEM/s400/Megan%26Joe2.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for her kids, the two greatest nieces and greatest nephew God ever created. They are joys!<br /><div><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dEAQqhxI/AAAAAAAACA4/mTzCgkYwU48/s1600-h/DanielCammieRachel.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043430835652370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 299px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dEAQqhxI/AAAAAAAACA4/mTzCgkYwU48/s400/DanielCammieRachel.bmp" border="0" /></a><strong><em> I'm thankful</em></strong> the Lord added to my family by giving me the wonderful gift of my precious Studly Man. He makes my life complete.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dDvr4UwI/AAAAAAAACAw/WXYyzB7uIeY/s1600-h/LesEaster02.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043426386400002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2dDvr4UwI/AAAAAAAACAw/WXYyzB7uIeY/s400/LesEaster02.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for Studly's folks who have embraced me as their own and show love so freely.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsXe48YMqArHLK3laJ-9R9mbxM8eS3gs4R0FXwOXtdBSMBqszfgD2RlLm7DA6nWRsgqK9vFggacsGR0DzlAg17hhMahnQI3KRBjzHjS-X_QwKE5lcDm7Ut5fta5I94MRcHt_zxUqv4B4/s1600-h/Beto&SylviaXmasTree.jpg"><strong><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273043411657597106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 398px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMsXe48YMqArHLK3laJ-9R9mbxM8eS3gs4R0FXwOXtdBSMBqszfgD2RlLm7DA6nWRsgqK9vFggacsGR0DzlAg17hhMahnQI3KRBjzHjS-X_QwKE5lcDm7Ut5fta5I94MRcHt_zxUqv4B4/s400/Beto&SylviaXmasTree.jpg" border="0" /></strong></a><strong> <em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for Studly's sister and her precious family who are wonderful examples of sacrificial love. (All four kids are <a href="http://www.vidriosa.com/adoptl.htm">adopted</a>.)<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bdxB-DLI/AAAAAAAACAg/ZdwRP1PCdOU/s1600-h/0705b.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273041674400828594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bdxB-DLI/AAAAAAAACAg/ZdwRP1PCdOU/s400/0705b.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for Studly's brother and his wife who bless us with their kind hearts.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bdHCoBGI/AAAAAAAACAY/VsAwieSas2Q/s1600-h/Mary&TitoCastro_edited.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273041663129289826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 216px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bdHCoBGI/AAAAAAAACAY/VsAwieSas2Q/s400/Mary%26TitoCastro_edited.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for one very energetic and loyal BigDog and the joy she brings to our home.<br /><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bcbs9PVI/AAAAAAAACAQ/54D4swxOMNw/s1600-h/Shiloh7.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273041651495681362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 372px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bcbs9PVI/AAAAAAAACAQ/54D4swxOMNw/s400/Shiloh7.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for her little brother who makes me smile every day with his sweet cuddles.<br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bcJDcNzI/AAAAAAAACAI/qZQanMCq-Fs/s1600-h/Samson14months3.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273041646489712434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2bcJDcNzI/AAAAAAAACAI/qZQanMCq-Fs/s400/Samson14months3.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> the Lord sees fit to use us and that big dog in minstry to bring His love to kids who need to know Him. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOckRHpkWzqx81rAPayr6OxhuCESCMbQE2NVmXmo2wTLyI_lFhabtP8xejf4OYeJviyUw5hvMDCgiF-HDAwAZnN0-ejn3DDUZKSX18KoGqqm768HyLTgypWLzAmDe3QTkPoWUYsw_bXgs/s1600-h/FFMlogoJPGclean.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273077976732687794" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 201px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOckRHpkWzqx81rAPayr6OxhuCESCMbQE2NVmXmo2wTLyI_lFhabtP8xejf4OYeJviyUw5hvMDCgiF-HDAwAZnN0-ejn3DDUZKSX18KoGqqm768HyLTgypWLzAmDe3QTkPoWUYsw_bXgs/s400/FFMlogoJPGclean.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for a Bible-believing, Bible-teaching church that is not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, refuses to compromise the Truth, and reaches out to the world with His love. </div><div><div><div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3hOBaMGZLgir4tAG2b9GYL3c4Y5m8_1vx_NzJ2ShPteeVIeOgi0pEzQMyvkhKrndufW5-Ygqf1iFSF41CagxdPHQEO7SsySZPizq9jkccFJYVf8sgb0wKjxSlaezyMYiCHqj0I7k4lY/s1600-h/Easter_8_large.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273040994390305554" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho3hOBaMGZLgir4tAG2b9GYL3c4Y5m8_1vx_NzJ2ShPteeVIeOgi0pEzQMyvkhKrndufW5-Ygqf1iFSF41CagxdPHQEO7SsySZPizq9jkccFJYVf8sgb0wKjxSlaezyMYiCHqj0I7k4lY/s400/Easter_8_large.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for an amazing friend who has known all my secrets for 30 years and loves me any way.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8CuyTkxbCXUJ3VjR2o1ru7URLYXnCjIeUGpEKwayM4oLe37_eJKpyC1tLpHTfMJn1xdaBXzmoa_tGNoVcBQjJK8NwBeA3XAPPLH4kTkY5eGno68jPycBWegxefDhSAAJ1jOVd4c7ji8/s1600-h/Jim&Kathy@Yellowstone.bmp"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273040992572530434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjg8CuyTkxbCXUJ3VjR2o1ru7URLYXnCjIeUGpEKwayM4oLe37_eJKpyC1tLpHTfMJn1xdaBXzmoa_tGNoVcBQjJK8NwBeA3XAPPLH4kTkY5eGno68jPycBWegxefDhSAAJ1jOVd4c7ji8/s400/Jim&Kathy@Yellowstone.bmp" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for a wise friend who sees the best in me even when I can't.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6jvLDPFAvH49h8wAFAOP4keQ_3YuGksfevwjPatAnjly1iK4grG8qEOI7a0O4YfUUzKzpsCyn3ksPIj9iJMy60HuZM150KVZWIlDhuvn4jopmVWXHc4iQguSP2oXBRuygD55k3zeFkU/s1600-h/Chris_&_Amy_2.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273040985197962594" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 300px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix6jvLDPFAvH49h8wAFAOP4keQ_3YuGksfevwjPatAnjly1iK4grG8qEOI7a0O4YfUUzKzpsCyn3ksPIj9iJMy60HuZM150KVZWIlDhuvn4jopmVWXHc4iQguSP2oXBRuygD55k3zeFkU/s400/Chris_&_Amy_2.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for a sisterhood of friends who hold me accountable and encourage me to follow Jesus.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3FPJsWarbMBes3FifFgFjpaeIZ15QwBcHZ8pX4u4puedsPPNCLWeYbreGCev59XRZEk19pRksr-INo7euMZBY14TIuzfaIYZi0QRmHBoqpMmo4ib2aCZOS3pgUKc7YrXfqxvqjeUlbg/s1600-h/BaseGirls0705.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273040981704823218" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 269px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin3FPJsWarbMBes3FifFgFjpaeIZ15QwBcHZ8pX4u4puedsPPNCLWeYbreGCev59XRZEk19pRksr-INo7euMZBY14TIuzfaIYZi0QRmHBoqpMmo4ib2aCZOS3pgUKc7YrXfqxvqjeUlbg/s400/BaseGirls0705.JPG" border="0" /></a><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for my job and the privilege of working with some awesome ladies.<br /><div><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2a1FyN-EI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/91c5DaMiFIU/s1600-h/woman-working-weekend-job.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273040975597271106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 250px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 380px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2a1FyN-EI/AAAAAAAAB_Y/91c5DaMiFIU/s400/woman-working-weekend-job.jpg" border="0" /></a><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"><span style="font-size:78%;">(no, of course that's not me... just the only picture I could find of a woman working at her desk.)</span> <p></p><br /></span></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div></div><div><span style="font-size:85%;"></span></div><div><strong><em></em></strong></div><div><strong><em>I'm thankful</em></strong> for all my bloggy friends and their wonderful encouragement in my life.<br /></div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2gxZE3BvI/AAAAAAAACBg/vcq04h2Z6YQ/s1600-h/bloggerbutton.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5273047509126022898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 111px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 111px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SS2gxZE3BvI/AAAAAAAACBg/vcq04h2Z6YQ/s400/bloggerbutton.jpg" border="0" /></a> <div>My prayer for each of you this Thanksgiving is that your heart and home be filled with love and joy as you count your many blessings from above.</div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6998607519738513525.post-34684844484235084032008-11-18T23:36:00.028-06:002008-11-20T11:56:59.373-06:00Making Thanksgiving SpecialAs I mentioned in the <a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/11/stretching-thanksgiving-dinner.html">previous post</a>, I love making Thanksgiving a special gathering for my family. Any time we have together is precious, but especially so when everyone recognizes and is focused upon just how precious that time is.<br /><br />I usually employ my printer to make formal invitations and mail them to each household and to family friends who may be joining us for dinner. My family deserves my very best effort, more than any other guests I'll ever host, and I love creating an atmosphere where memories can be made.<br /><br />Here are some examples of past years' invitations.<br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTIofa1uqI/AAAAAAAAB-A/xm_K3zF5TEA/s1600-h/ThanksgivingInvite2005.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270558061884717730" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 252px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTIofa1uqI/AAAAAAAAB-A/xm_K3zF5TEA/s400/ThanksgivingInvite2005.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl4NyNRMe4uSxvMuJJRybU_BZkjBZtLkHhy3dPD02AYlrjYoy1OaYDaQMBPON0fmg_rymXC4dqA_fdn7qVFQZviLNkAqPwmqvc1Dcr0WzdsnU87qtPY2aYkrAINKyRqQBEr2ipIACCR4/s1600-h/ThanksgivingInvite2006.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270241975073769410" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 302px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLl4NyNRMe4uSxvMuJJRybU_BZkjBZtLkHhy3dPD02AYlrjYoy1OaYDaQMBPON0fmg_rymXC4dqA_fdn7qVFQZviLNkAqPwmqvc1Dcr0WzdsnU87qtPY2aYkrAINKyRqQBEr2ipIACCR4/s400/ThanksgivingInvite2006.JPG" border="0" /></a> This year, I didn't do invitations, but I still wanted to do something special for everyone. Every now and then I surprise myself and actually come up with a craft idea that turns out well (not my strong suit). In doing "something special" this year, I also solved an age-old problem: a way for everyone to keep up with their drinking glass! (I had a side agreement with my dishwasher to try to lighten the workload a little.)<br /><br />I bought some glass beads and wire loops to make "beverage ID" markers. Then I went on a mission to find a charm that somehow represented each member of the family. Here's what I came up with:<br /><br /><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTDOTC_RbI/AAAAAAAAB8g/BVFgecqpN9s/s1600-h/Paw.jpg"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270552114328716722" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 126px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 139px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTDOTC_RbI/AAAAAAAAB8g/BVFgecqpN9s/s400/Paw.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff0000;">Paw (<a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/06/this-day-in-history.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;"><strong>my dad</strong></span></a>, the grandkids call him "Paw") - he's been teaching the Word in Sunday School for as long as I can remember, and his wisdom and knowledge have blessed us all. </span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"></span></p><p><span style="color:#ff0000;"></p></span><span style="color:#ff0000;"><p></span></p><br /><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTDqVay6dI/AAAAAAAAB8o/ImMbWG5v-Ec/s1600-h/Meegoo.jpg"><span style="color:#ff6666;"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270552596001778130" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 132px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 131px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTDqVay6dI/AAAAAAAAB8o/ImMbWG5v-Ec/s400/Meegoo.jpg" border="0" /></span></a><span style="color:#ff6666;">Meegoo (<a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/09/happy-birthday-meegoo.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">my mom</span></a>; Meegoo is what the grandkids call her) - she's the sweet and loving heart of our family, the one whose heart feels our joy, our sorrows, and everything in between.<br /></span><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTECW5CE2I/AAAAAAAAB8w/lxVbgP6YYmk/s1600-h/Les.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270553008713896802" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 140px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTECW5CE2I/AAAAAAAAB8w/lxVbgP6YYmk/s400/Les.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#3333ff;">Leslie (Studly Man) - a) he's lived all over Texas and/or b) he's the man I had to move all the way to Texas from Virginia to find. (I looked for a dog paw charm, but they were sold out.) </span></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /><br /></p></span><p></p><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTEW0voOXI/AAAAAAAAB84/QfdWfPaC3_c/s1600-h/Jenn.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270553360324901234" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 141px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 120px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTEW0voOXI/AAAAAAAAB84/QfdWfPaC3_c/s400/Jenn.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#6600cc;">Me - I'm the family whale lover. My dream vacation is to go on a whale watching trip.</span></p><br /><br /><p></p><p></p><p></p><br /><br /><br /><p><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTE2aPtPWI/AAAAAAAAB9A/DN9iMCxRUmE/s1600-h/Joe.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270553902967504226" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 123px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 132px" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTE2aPtPWI/AAAAAAAAB9A/DN9iMCxRUmE/s400/Joe.jpg" border="0" /></a></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;">Joe (my brother-in-law) - he's the band director at a local Christian school and quite a talented saxophone, clarinet and flute player. He's also an excellent arranger and plays in a professional jazz quartet.<br /></span></p><p><span style="color:#3333ff;"><br /></p></span><p><br /></p><div><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTFPK7DObI/AAAAAAAAB9I/jp_I7EtROqA/s1600-h/Megan.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270554328351062450" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 124px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 108px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTFPK7DObI/AAAAAAAAB9I/jp_I7EtROqA/s400/Megan.jpg" border="0" /></a></div><div><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Megan </span><span style="color:#ff0000;">(</span><a href="http://casadecastro.blogspot.com/2008/10/happy-birthday-sister.html"><span style="color:#ff0000;">a.k.a. Me-Again</span></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;">, my sister) - she's the choir director at the same Christian school and is also the organist at their church. She's a private voice and piano instructor, and she sings like an angel.</span> <span style="color:#cc33cc;">She directs the <a href="http://www.singingwomenoftexas.com/">North Central Chapter of the Singing Women of Texas</a>.</span></div><br /><br /><div><p></p><br /><div><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTGi8ECX8I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/eP1yEjYwblc/s1600-h/Rachel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270555767471235010" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 128px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTGi8ECX8I/AAAAAAAAB9Y/eP1yEjYwblc/s400/Rachel.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#ff6600;">Rachel (my eldest niece) - she's our <a href="http://www.texassports.com/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Texas Longhorn</span></a>. She graduated in May with her bachelor's in biomedical engineering and is currently back at UT in graduate school.<br /></span><br /><br /></div><p></p><p></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHAveumtI/AAAAAAAAB9g/3dnJpDhFXuk/s1600-h/Cammie.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270556279489600210" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 134px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 126px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHAveumtI/AAAAAAAAB9g/3dnJpDhFXuk/s400/Cammie.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#cc33cc;">Cammie (my youngest niece) - the child can text message with her eyes closed or while she's explaining the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theory_of_relativity"><span style="color:#ff0000;">theory of relativity</span></a>. (She's a music major, following in the footsteps of her talented parents, but there weren't any other music charms!)</span></p><div><br /><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHf45sE7I/AAAAAAAAB9o/rj6G9rzgDVY/s1600-h/Daniel.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270556814594544562" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 139px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 106px" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHf45sE7I/AAAAAAAAB9o/rj6G9rzgDVY/s400/Daniel.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#006600;">Daniel (my nephew) - he's a junior in high school (yes, that same <a href="http://www.tcseagles.org/"><span style="color:#ff0000;">Christian school </span></a>where his parents teach) and is a talented basketball player. His school colors are green and gold. BTW, he's just recently been thrust into the position of point guard, but he's really an excellent center.</span> </p><p></p><div><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHz2P6zWI/AAAAAAAAB9w/pSJLoyktnlg/s1600-h/Kei.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270557157479861602" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 133px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 155px" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTHz2P6zWI/AAAAAAAAB9w/pSJLoyktnlg/s400/Kei.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#009900;">Kei (Rachel's significant other) - he's a scary smart aerospace engineer whose family is from Hong Kong. (Rach, please don't hit me if I got any details wrong!)</span></p><div><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><p></p><div><br /><br /></div><p><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTII7l9JdI/AAAAAAAAB94/8wrBgRF3TYk/s1600-h/Ben.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270557519691720146" style="FLOAT: left; MARGIN: 0px 10px 10px 0px; WIDTH: 139px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 156px" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSTII7l9JdI/AAAAAAAAB94/8wrBgRF3TYk/s400/Ben.jpg" border="0" /></a><span style="color:#000066;"><span style="color:#000099;">Ben (our dear friend and best man in our wedding) - he has the biggest heart for missions I have ever seen. He's a loyal prison ministry dedicate and has recently founded another ministry to feed villagers in Africa and Romania in a most unique way. Check out his</span> </span><a href="http://annasegginternationalmissions.org/home"><span style="color:#ff0000;">web site</span></a><span style="color:#000066;">. </span></p><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /><br /></div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5270238925664940770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 430px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 273px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_pDqDDSdI3vE/SSOmYUWx8uI/AAAAAAAAB8I/09QfPBV5h2U/s400/LabeledCharms.jpg" border="0" /><br /><div>So there you have it. My homemade beverage-ID-charms-with-significance.</div><br /><p>Now if I could just get those place cards done... Come back soon to see those.<br /></p><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div>Jenn @ Casa de Castrohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02470936467876438817noreply@blogger.com4