Late Easter Celebration

Last Sunday, Mackenzie and I went over to his aunt and uncle's (Sharon's side) to celebrate Easter. They asked to celebrate a week late due to the fact that a boy their daughter Whitney is seeing/courting, was in town for a visit. They wanted us all to meet him. He was such a sweet guy and seemed perfect for Whitney.

We really enjoy spending time with Mackenzie's Mom's side of the family. They are such wonderful, caring, God-loving people. We've been really blessed by all of them and I've had such a great time getting to know them all better.

Here is some of the group (mainly the kids) getting ready to go on the Easter egg hunt. It was fun hiding the eggs in unsuspecting places!

Filling their plates with delicious food!

Later we took a walk down to a near by, public, football field to watch some of the guys play.

My husband decided to ride a bike next to us while we were walking. He started doing a bunch of funny tricks.

He makes me laugh!
This is a quality that I really love about him and I know that he will always keep me laughing.

The three sisters, Sharon, Kathi, and Kelli.

We saw these 3 VW Bugs lined up on our way down and I just had to take a picture. I love how vintage and rusty looking they are. It's my husbands dream to fix one up someday.

Do you remeber the bike picture from my post on Monday? This was the day I rode with him. He told me he would give me a ride on his handle bars. I was a little apprehensive at first but had fun once I got on! I'd never actually ridden on handle bars before!

And finally, as I was talking with Sharon, Kathi, and Mackenzie, I noticed our shadows and though it would make a neat picture!

Have a blessed day!

Easter Appetizers

In yesterday's post, I told you I would talk about the appetizers I brought to our family's Easter celebration! So, here you are!

First I made a spinach dip. This has always been a favorite in my family and I thought it would be nice to introduce it to my husband's family. The nice part about this recipe is that it is so easy! No cooking required. Plus the presentation in the bread bowl gives it 2 thumbs up! FYI, this is a different type of spinach dip than the Artichoke/Parmesan Spinach dip found at many restaurants. Both are very good.

You use the Knorr Vegetable Soup mix in this recipe. If you haven't used the Knorr soups in recipes yet, you'll have to try it! They have all kinds of wonderful recipes at their website.

Here's the recipe for the Knorr Spinach Dip:

• 1 package frozen, chopped spinach, drained and squeezed dry.
• 1 package Knorr's vegetable soup mix.
• 1 16oz container sour cream
• 1 cup mayonnaise
  
• 3 green onions minced (optional)
• 1 small can water chestnuts (optional...I left these out)

Mix the sour cream and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Pour in the soup mix, spinach, green onions (optional), and water chestnuts (optional). Mix thoroughly and refrigerate for at least 4 hours. Mix before serving.

For the bread bowl, just buy a round loaf of bread and cut out the center leaving a bottom layer. Cut the cutout bread into squares. Serve with bread or vegetables. Enjoy!

I also made deviled eggs (sorry you can't see too many left in this picture) and a really simple salsa over cream cheese. Everything was so tasty!

Mackenzie's family also asked me to bring rolls. I cheated on this one. I just bought the frozen ones and let them rise for a few hours in these muffin pans.

Voila! Here they are all done!

Hope you enjoy! Have a blessed day!

Family Time

I hope you all had a wonderful Easter, celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Savior!

We had a busy, but wonderful weekend!

Saturday started off with a 3 hour long worship practice for Sunday's services. Then Sharon, came and visited our place to see what new things we've done and added to it. Later, Sharon and I made a quick stop to the nearest thrift shops to try and find some treasures. That evening, I prepared 3 appetizers and rolls for Sunday. I'll share those appetizers later this week.

Sunday, we led worship for both services at church and then drove about an hour to Mackenzie's Aunt and Uncle's. We spent it with his Dad's side this year. I do miss my family as I haven't seen them since the wedding but, because they live in California and North Dakota, it's not as easy to just pop on over and spend time with them. We spend a lot of time on the phone. :) But, I am so excited because we'll be going to North Dakota this summer to see my mom and California for Christmas to see my Dad and Sister!

Here are some pictures of our time with Mackenzie's family.

Here's Sharon and I at the start of the party. Isn't her new blouse so cute? I think blue and green look so good on her!

Mackenzie's Grandma Alice and cousin Monique.

Some of the guys catching up.

The hosts, Stacey and Jim! They were so nice to open their home to us!

(Sorry the picture is so dark!)

And here we are!

I have a few questions for you all out there, what did you do for Easter and is your family near or far?

Worship and Praise Sunday

Welcome to Worship and Praise Sunday!


If you'd like to join...see here to read the first post and why I started. Also, read the guidelines below to know how to participate!

• Share a favorite worship song by either a video (i.e. youtube, etc) or the lyrics of the song.
• Share a bit about what it means to you.
• Whether it be you or someone else, please give credit to the artist who wrote it.
  
• Publish your Worship and Praise Sunday post on your blog.
• Please offer a link back to the main page of my blog, so other readers where know where to join in.
  
• Copy the "permalink" from your Worship and Praise Sunday post and add it to Mr. Linky.

• Grab the button on my right sidebar, if you'd like! I'm still working on getting you the code for it!
  

Today I am sharing "Sweetly Broken" by Jeremy Riddle.

***Please pause the music in my sidebar before listening




To the cross I look, to the cross I cling
Of its suffering I do drink
Of its work I do sing

For on it my Savior both bruised and crushed
Showed that God is love
And God is just

Chorus:
At the cross You beckon me
You draw me gently to my knees, and I am
Lost for words, so lost in love,
I’m sweetly broken, wholly surrendered

What a priceless gift, undeserved life
Have I been given
Through Christ crucified

You’ve called me out of death
You’ve called me into life
And I was under Your wrath
Now through the cross I’m reconciled

Chorus:

In awe of the cross I must confess
How wondrous Your redeeming love and
How great is Your faithfulness

I thought this song goes perfectly with Easter. Thank you God for sending your one and only Son to die for us! We worship a gracious God!

My favorite verses are "For on it my Savior. Both bruised and crushed. Showed that God is Love. And God is Just." and "You've called me out of death. You've called me into life. And I was under your wrath. Now through the cross I'm reconciled."

May you all have a blessed day celebrating the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior.

By His Wounds We are Healed

"But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed." Isaiah 53:5




May you all have a blessed Easter. Praise God for sending His one and only Son to die for us.