A Much Loved Dessert

I'm in the grocery store when my son asks me to make a dessert for him to take on his weekend house sitting job. He suggested his favorite dessert--Banana Pudding. Um. I don't usually make this so I had no idea all of the ingredients I would need. The techie man child searched AllRecipes on his smart phone and found this one:

Banana Pudding IV

1 (8 ounce) package cream cheese
1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
1 (5 ounce) package instant vanilla pudding mix
3 cups cold milk
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 (8 ounce) container frozen whipped topping, thawed
4 bananas, sliced
1/2 (12 ounce) package vanilla wafers

Directions

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese until fluffy. Beat in condensed milk, pudding mix, cold milk and vanilla until smooth. Fold in 1/2 of the whipped topping.

Line the bottom of a 9x13 inch dish with vanilla wafers. Arrange sliced bananas evenly over wafers. Spread with pudding mixture. Top with remaining whipped topping. Chill.

My MIL usually makes Banana Pudding for him if she knows ahead of time we are coming over. I have rarely had to make it, which is why I didn't know what I would need. After tasting it, I'm pretty sure her recipe is different and doesn't use Cream Cheese or Sweetened Condensed Milk. But needless to say, it came out delicious and was a hit!

Do you like Banana Pudding or have a favorite dessert that gets requested?

 ~Happy Desserts~

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace" (Num. 6:24-26)

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The Long Way Around

It's been a while since I found a 'new' barn to share. On Friday last week, my husband and I decided to ride over and see his parents. They live about 40 minutes from us in a tiny town in the rural Piedmont of NC. I had received a text earlier in the week from my MIL letting me know that if we decided to come over any time soon, we would have to come an alternate route as one of the bridges on their road is under construction. That turned out to be a good thing for this photography enthusiast! We decided to take an even longer way around, winding through some of the beautiful countryside. Here's a gorgeous scene we came across.

When my husband stopped at the intersection, I jumped out and braced my camera on the roof of the car so I could get a quick shot.  

Then I zoomed in a little more...

And a little more...

It was quick because a car pulled up and starting blowing their horn at us. I mean, really. Couldn't they see I was trying to take a photograph?! You'd think out in the middle of the country people would be a bit more relaxed, but that is not the case nowadays. Impatience abounds, even on country roads. 

Maybe I need this bumper sticker from Cafe Press:

What do you think? Would it help any? :-)

Happy Snapping!

 

Psalm 147:11

¹¹ but the Lord takes pleasure in those who fear him,
    in those who hope in his steadfast love.

{Sunday} A re-posting

This verse meant a lot to me this week. 

When I feel as if I am drowning in worries, He is there in Spirit and Truth.

I can turn to Him all hours of the day or night, finding solace in his gentle arms. 

He lifts me up when I am down. He gives me strength to face life's difficulties. 

Sometimes I forget how easy it is to turn to Him instead of trying to solve things on my own. 

Do you ever do that? Try to carry the burden yourself? 

Isn't it so much better to rest in His tender mercies and lovingkindnesses?

~ Have a blessed day in the Lord ~

 I'm reposting this one because I have been thinking a lot about my daughter, Amy, and missing her beyond words. But the Lord is ever faithful to send me into the path of a dear friend who knew just what I needed to hear, and who gave me a precious hug to get me through.

Isn't He good like that?! 

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Review - In Good Company by Jen Turano

Bethany House, July 2015

About the Book

After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well-received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he's desperate for competent childcare.

At wit's end with both Millie and Everett, the employment agency gives them one last chance--with each other. As Millie falls in love with her mischievous charges, Everett focuses on achieving the coveted societal status of the upper echelons. But as he investigates the suspicious circumstances surrounding the death of the children's parents, will it take the loss of those he loves to learn whose company he truly wants for the rest of his life?

Jen Turano is the critically acclaimed author of The Ladies of Distinction Series, published through Bethany House.  Her novel, A Most Peculiar Circumstance, was chosen by Booklist as a Top Ten Romance for 2013. Jen grew up in St. Clairsville, Ohio, a small city bordering Wheeling, WVA.  Her childhood was idyllic and she spent many an hour ice-skating on a little pond, playing with friends in her treehouse, boating at the lake, and reading under the shade of numerous trees.  Read more @ http://jenturano.com/
 
My Thoughts

In Good Company: A Class of Their Own, Book Two is an entertaining comedy that had me loving some characters and wanting to bonk others over the head. But then that’s how Turano writes, and it’s brilliant!

Millie is one of my favorite characters so far. She’s cheeky and absolutely adores children even though she is hopeless as a nanny—or so it seems. Another thing Millie does that settled her as one of my favorite characters is carry around a dictionary. She gets words confused so she likes to look them up to be sure she says the right word before she opens her mouth. Millie’s not always successful at this but she is desperately trying to educate herself on her own and that is highly commendable to this former home educator.

Everett…well, he’s one I would have taken to bonking over the head. He seems intent on making the worst mistake of his life and just can’t see it. The ensuing mishaps with Millie only affirm and strengthen his idea that he needs an acceptable society wife and she just doesn’t fit that description.

With a cast of familiar characters, stepping into the pages of this story is like slipping on your most comfortable pair of shoes; they just fit! It also has a puzzling mystery to be solved, which makes In Good Company one of my favorite reads this year. I’m anxiously awaiting Lucetta’s story in Playing the Part (March 2016).

I highly recommend this series to any fan of historical Christian fiction who enjoys a story with elements of mystery, romance and faith!

My appreciation to Bethany House for sending me a copy to review. I wasn’t required to write a positive review, only my opinion of the book. No compensation has been received.

Purchase link:

Christian Book Store

(I make a small commission off the sale of the book if you purchase from this affiliate link)

And the Kitten Teapot goes to...

Random Name Picker was used to select the winner. I've sent Julie an email and if I don't hear back from her in three days, I will choose a new winner.  Thanks to everyone who came by, signed up to follow the blog and entered the giveaway.

~Have a blessed day~

Giveaway - Teapot w/ Kitten Lid

While browsing in Habitat ReStore, I saw this cute Ceramic Teapot with an adorable Kitten lid. I was oohing and aahing over what good shape it was in, no chips or cracks that I could see, when my husband said I should buy it and hold a giveaway on my blog. 

What a great idea! Don't you think?! 

It's really quite pretty with a shiny glaze and pastel colors. 

Here it is from the top. You can see how comfy the kitten is curled up on top of the calico print that adorns the teapot. It almost reminds me of an old fashioned quilt!

Isn't the kitty adorable?! 

There's a tiny sticker on the bottom that says Made in Japan. No other identifying information. I don't think it's an expensive teapot, just one that is cute and serviceable. 

Wouldn't you like to serve tea in this? 

If so...

Here are the rules.

Since I changed my blog URL over from duhpaynes to annepayne, I wasn't able to transfer my GFC followers, which is ridiculous but that's another story. 

Soooo...if you want to be entered in the giveaway for the teapot, you must be a GFC follower. Sign up is right over there in the sidebar. You must leave an email address in a non-spam format! For example: janedoe[at]there[dot]net

If you also sign up to follow me on Bloglovin', I will give you an extra entry. Just be sure and leave a comment telling me you would like to be entered in the giveaway and if you also follow through Bloglovin'.

I'm sorry I can't offer the giveaway to anywhere in the world. It's USA only. If you would like to enter the giveaway and gift it to someone in the USA, you may do so. Or if you live on the Canadian border and have family/friends in the USA that can hold it for you until you can claim it from them, you may do so. But I can only mail it to a US address!

I will draw a winner on July 20th. The winner will have three days to respond,
or I will draw another winner.

~Have a blessed day~

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Time for Treats

My chickens love treats! I mean, who doesn't, right?! With our family eating melons several times a week during this abysmally hot weather, there is a never ending supply of really cool ways to beat the heat in the summer for our chickens!

They don't mind it when I toss the rind quarters out there but what they really love is when I freeze scratch grain, melon pieces and seeds, and cut up veggies in the rind.

Aren't they pretty? The one on the left just has some various pieces of watermelon, honeydew and the seeds scooped out of the middle. I didn't even add water, just tossed the whole thing in the freezer for a few hours. The middle one sort of speaks for itself; water melon chunks and scratch grain in a honey dew rind. And then the one on the right was filled with the inner scoops from the two melons and some water, then frozen.

The baby chicks are four weeks old and not too sure about this foreign food in their pen. But once one of them tried it, they all came running and tweeting, feverishly vying for a chance at the tasty treat. Of course, the old girls know what is coming when they see one of these rinds in my hand and this day I had two! 

I love backyard chicken keeping. Even though we live in the country, we can't let them run wild because of critters. We are in the process of figuring out how to re-model our two year old coop to include these dozen new chicks. But in the meantime, I am happy with them in our front yard where I can keep an eye on them, plus they are such fun to watch! They are learning to spread their wings and fly so I have to be careful when I open the pen door or they get loose! And trying to round up a dozen wild & crazy baby chicks is not something I want to do on a daily basis. Today, I managed to entice them back in with a treat, so yeah, they know what's coming now and can anticipate the cool refreshment heading their way.

Are you a backyard chicken keeper? Or do you have other animals? What cool treats to do you make to give them during the heat of summer?

~Happy Summer~

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A Change of URL

If you have managed to find me after reading my moving post, I am so pleased you are here! I would love for you to follow Stuff & Nonsense @ annepayne.blogspot.com by signing up through GFC, Email, or Bloglovin in the right hand sidebar.

To be honest, I thought this whole process would be so much easier than it has been. I mean, the content isn't changing, just the URL. You would think Blogger would allow such a simple change. But nooooo...They have to make everything difficult. :)

It has taken me hours upon hours to get my content switched, template straightened out, pages added, and all the other headaches that came along with JUST wanting to change from duhpaynes to annepayne. 

The worst part was not being able to transfer all of you dear followers!

I do hope you will sign back up. There may be a giveaway in the future when I reach a certain number. Just sayin'. 

~Blessings~

{Sunday} Morning Worship & Praise

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

And can it be that I should gain
An int'rest in the Savior's blood?
Died He for me, who caused His pain?
For me, who Him to death pursued?
Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me?

'Tis mystery all! Th'Immortal dies!
Who can explore His strange design?
In vain the firstborn seraph tries
To sound the depths of love divine!
'Tis mercy all! let earth adore,
Let angel minds inquire no more.

He left His Father's throne above,
So free, so infinite His grace;
Emptied Himself of all but love,
And bled for Adam's helpless race;
'Tis mercy all, immense and free;
For, O my God, it found out me.  

Long my imprisoned spirit lay
Fast bound in sin and nature's night;
Thine eye diffused a quick'ning ray,
I woke, the dungeon flamed with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free;
I rose, went forth and followed Thee.

No condemnation now I dread;
Jesus, and all in Him is mine!
Alive in Him, my living Head,
And clothed in righteousness divine,
Bold I approach th'eternal throne,
And claim the crown, through Christ my own.  

Amazing love! how can it be
That Thou, my God, should die for me!

And Can It Be, That I Should Gain?

Charles Wesley, 1738 

~Joy in the Sabbath~

A Bit of Summer Reading

With so many wonderful books to choose from this summer, here are three in my 

TBR (To Be Read) stack.

Howard Books, May 2015

Melanie Dobson has quickly become one of my favorite writers. Her works are poignant, mysterious and faith-driven.


In Shadows of Ladenbrooke Manor...
When Heather Toulson returns to her parents cottage in the English countryside, she uncovers long-hidden secrets about her family history and stumbles onto the truth about a sixty-year-old murder....

Bethany House Publishers, June 2015

Jen Turano's writing style knocks my socks off! She is witty to the point of eliciting spontaneous out loud laughter. Her books are stand alone titles yet interrelated, so don't cheat yourself out of a full experience...read them in order.

  
In Good Company...
After growing up as an orphan, Millie Longfellow is determined to become the best nanny the East Coast has ever seen. Unfortunately, her playfulness and enthusiasm aren't always well received and she finds herself dismissed from yet another position.

Everett Mulberry has quite unexpectedly become guardian to three children that scare off every nanny he hires. About to depart for Newport, Rhode Island, for the summer, he’s desperate for competent childcare...

Thomas Nelson, July 2015

Susan May Warren's talent is undeniable and her stories irresistible.

Be swept away in book five, The Wonder of You...
Mortified after her semester abroad is cut short, Amelia Christiansen returns to Deep Haven, certain she isn’t brave enough for the adventures she’s dreamed of. The last thing she expects is for the man who broke her heart to cross the Atlantic and beg forgiveness...

I love both historical and contemporary stories. Melanie Dobson's book is a contemporary/historical hybrid, so I get the best of both!

All links take you to Goodreads where you can read more about the books and their authors. It's a great place to connect with other bibliophiles, too.

What's in your TBR?

~Happy Reading~

Notice the Dandelion

~Have a blessed day~

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Happy Independence Day!

The Land of The Free
Happy 4th of July!
Posted by Story of This Life on Friday, July 3, 2015

Vintage graphics courtesy of Abby @ Little Birdie Blessings

Review ~ Crazy Little Thing Called Love by Beth Vogt, with an Official Release Giveaway

 About the Book

Paramedic Vanessa Hollister has put her adolescence behind her, including the unwanted label of being the new kid in town over and over again, thanks to her father’s military career. She’s overcome what her mother called “the biggest mistake of her life” and is planning an elegant destination wedding in Destin, Florida with her new fiancé. But will the reappearance of her first husband from her what-were-you-thinking teenage elopement disrupt her dream of an idyllic beach wedding?

As a professional storm chaser, Logan Hollister is used to taking risks. However, a reckless decision during the last tornado season has him questioning the future of his team, the Stormmeisters. Coming face to face with his ex-wife eight years after their divorce compels him to confront his greatest regret: losing Vanessa. Does their past give him the right to interfere with her future?

A fast-moving, powerful hurricane throws Vanessa and Logan together as they evacuate to a storm shelter along with other residents of the Florida Gulf Coast. Forced to spend time together, the pair battles unexpected renewed feelings for each other.

Vanessa and Logan are faced with a choice: Should they accept, once and for all, their teenage marital mistake? Or is God offering them a second chance at happily ever after?

:::

My Review

Once in a while I find myself so infinitely entrenched in the pages of a book, I lose track of time and maybe a little sleep. Such was the case with Vogt’s latest release, Crazy Little Thing Called Love. Plus, I was so caught up in the storyline between Vanessa and Logan, I found myself in tears on more than one occasion.  

This line jumped out at me and I knew I had to put it on this photo of the beach. It's where I always feel God's vast and all-encompassing power the most–standing at the ocean's edge–and I know He is capable of rescue in any situation.

On the surface it appears to be a story about two people who are being reunited after divorce almost a decade earlier but it goes much deeper than that. Much. Deeper. I was completely blown away by the author’s writing. Seriously, Vogt just gets better and better. The plot is well-developed with characters who have real struggles and doubts and fears. I like how the whole story plays out on the page in a balanced manor; plenty of compelling dialogue to go with some pretty intense introspection from both characters. It flows along effortlessly and then picks up some serious emotional speed toward the end. 

The wedding scene…oh. my. goodness. Talk about romantic. Logan Hollister has got to be Christian fiction’s ultimate bridegroom ever!

Anyone who enjoys Contemporary fiction with a strong faith theme will fall in love with Crazy Little Thing Called Love. I know it has everything this reader wanted and more. 

My deepest gratitude to the author and Howard Books for providing a copy for review purposes. This is my honest opinion of the book. No monetary compensation has been received.

Click the link below to enter the giveaway sponsored
by Beth Vogt and maybe you will be a winner.

Crazy Little Thing Called Love
Official Release GIVEAWAY!!


You cannot enter the giveaway on this blog!
You MUST follow the link above.
This blog and its owner is in no way affiliated with the giveaway.


~Happy Reading~

'Vintage' Baby Girl Mini Album

It's been a while since I posted any craft projects. This is a mini album I made for my first granddaughter,
who is getting ready to turn 3!

Yes, I know. 

But I really did make the album almost two years ago so I'm only behind in posting the photos. :)

And speaking of photos, my daughter took these as I didn't have a very good camera at the time. I totally forgot about them and found them on a shared drive the other day. That's what really prompted me to post them. Otherwise, I would have happily gone through life thinking I didn't have any pictures of it to share. *snort*

I purchased a canvas mini album from the craft store. I don't remember which one as it has been so long but if I find another one I am buying it too. I really enjoyed working with the canvas!

The pearls are Prima, and most of the flower embellishments are probably Prima, but I handmade a few flowers from the scrapbook paper, too.

I'm famous for finding odd craft supplies for a discount and then trying to piece them all together.
 Another great place to buy supplies is Mighty Dollar.

Seriously.

They are cheap but name brands!

I made plenty of little pockets to slip things into, along with tags.

I love tags!

Okay, this picture looks a little green. I don't remember using green ink. 
My go-to ink is Soft Suede by Stampin'Up!

Embroidery floss is magic. Really. It makes such a pretty addition to any page!

There's that nasty green tint again. Hmmm...could have been my editing but I'm not claiming it. :)

There's a homemade flower up there^^^. Those are fun to make. Just cut out a circle (doesn't have to be perfect), dampen it with water and wad it up, let dry, unfold and layer with another one, adding a pearl or button. Voilà, you are done!

More handmade flowers!

Of course it's vintage themed because that's what I like best!

Lots of tags for journaling! Prima pearls and stamping, oh yeah!

See, it really is Soft Suede around the edges. Looks way better than green. :)

I love the side view!!!

Mini albums are my favorite craft to make. I now have several more that need putting together, so I think part of my summer will be busy. 

Oh, not for my daughter! Only one more for her baby who just turned one. 

But I have a new grand nephew, and two new grand nieces!

Have you been creating anything fun lately? Do share!

~Happy Crafting~

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