The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Earth Day Through a Lens of Faith: A Christian's Reflection As we approach Earth Day, I find myself reflecting on what it means to be both a steward of God's creation and a person of faith. While some might see tension between environmental awareness and Christianity, I see a beautiful harmony rooted in scripture and divine purpose. First and foremost, we must remember that "The earth is the Lord's, and everything in it". This fundamental truth shapes how we approach environmental stewardship. Unlike secular environmentalism, our care for the Earth stems not from worshipping nature itself, but from honoring its Creator and fulfilling our God-given mandate to be good stewards of His creation. In Genesis, God entrusted humans with a profound responsibility: to "rule over" and care for His creation. This isn't a license for exploitation, but rather a sacred duty to tend and protect. Think of it as being entrusted with managing someone else's proper...

  My greatest blessings! Trey and his girlfriend, Alana. Wrenley loves her and calls her Lana :) My big girls💗 It was at that moment that I regretted getting a white dress. Little Miss Wrenley and her wet grassy feet had me a little less than smiley :) Always stopping to smell the flowers This was from Wrenley's Easter party at school. She was proud of her creation :) She loved finding the eggs this year! At its heart, Easter is about hope, renewal, and new life. Christians believe that through Jesus’ resurrection, humanity is offered the gift of salvation and eternal life. The Apostle Paul emphasized this in 1 Corinthians 15:17, stating, "If Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; you are still in your sins." Thus, Easter is not merely a memorial of an event but a celebration of ongoing spiritual transformation. In a world often marked by brokenness and uncertainty, the message of Easter is profoundly relevant. It reminds believers that no darkness is permanen...

 Well, we came home from our little Texas adventure just in time for some stormy weather. Tornado weather to be more specific. Since Caleb is still at the Fire Academy 2 hours away, Carlie and Wrenley came and stayed with us. Makena was at a museum conference 2.5 hours away and was on her way back when the weather was getting bad here. Turns out, Carlie and Wrenley would have been more safe at their house because a tornado came through about a mile up the road. Carl and Trey watched it from our porch! Both of these pictures were screenshots from videos. In the actual video you can see it spinning, and later you can see debris flying. There was significant damage just a few miles (5 or less). While Carl and Trey were videoing and watching the storm pass through, Wrenley and I were in the bathroom with a baby bed mattress on our heads, lol! I'm looking really rough. We had just gotten out of the tub! This was just before the electricity went off. We were without power for about 8-10 ...

 Sometimes, the best getaways aren't a plane ride away--they're tucked into your own backyard (or just a short drive from it). This past weekend Carl and I packed a bag, put our boots on (not actually), and escaped to Southfork Ranch for a little reset--and a whole lot of Texas charm. If the name rings a bell, it's probably because Southfork Ranch was the iconic setting of the TV drama, Dallas . Even if you've never seen an episode, stepping onto the property feels like walking into a chapter of Americana. It's sprawling, picturesque, and just the right blend of historic and kitschy. The iconic white fences, open fields, and horses grazing lazily in the distance made us feel like we had been dropped into a country music video. We were going full tourist mode when we got out of the car and began touring the museum! We also toured the mansion, heard behind-the-scenes stories from Dallas, and even took a few goofy photos pretending we were part of the Ewings. Afterward...

"He saith to him again the second time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me ? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my sheep. " John 21:16  Have you ever felt like you failed so badly that God couldn't use you anymore? Peter probably felt that way. After all, he denied knowing Jesus three times in His darkest hour. Imagine the weight Peter carried as he returned to fishing, believing he was no longer worthy of following Jesus. But then, Jesus appeared-- cooking breakfast on the shore-- and called out to Peter, offering an invitation, not a judgment. How often do we disqualify ourselves from God's love because of guilt or shame? When Jesus asks Peter, "Do you love me?" it's not to condemn him but to restore him. Peter's three affirmations of love mirror his three denials, showing that every failure can be redeemed. Jesus then gives Peter a new mission: "Feed My sheep." It's as if Jesus is saying,...

 This was a pretty laid-back weekend. Carl and Makena both worked, and Trey worked half a day on Saturday mowing, so it was just me and the dogs. Maggie always looks happy, and Boone always looks grumpy :) Carl could get to work in the fields earlier this week; this was his first Saturday to work this year. We both know there are many more to come.  I get lots of pictures that look similar to this during the day :) I have recently discovered that I really enjoy thrifting. There is a little thrift mall in a town close by and I found this beauty: I have been looking for one of these for a while. Perfect for my jellybeans! Earlier in the week (St. Patrick's Day) Carlie sent me of my sweet Wrenley: How cute is this little turkey?! And it doesn't matter where I go in my car, or in my life, I'm always riding with a little Jesus! The weather has been very spring-like. There are some downsides to the nice weather: GNATS and POLLEN! They have both been pretty bad. Bad enough to keep...

 On Saturday night we headed to the big city of Little Rock to watch the PBR. I just love a rodeo. I like to see the cowboys riding and the people watching. Trey bought tickets for himself and his girlfriend, Alana and we bought ours a little later. We were on opposite sides of the arena!  They sent me a selfie :) Trey won a coupon for 20% off Ariat boots. It was a fun night, but I really wish it hadn't fallen on the beginning of Daylight Savings time. I definitely felt that lost hour the next day! It was so odd because they had actual rodeo clowns the last time we were at a rodeo (probably 2 or 3 years ago).  This time they had this little guy: I mean, he was entertaining and funny but BRING BACK THE RODEO CLOWNS! It was a great night of family fun! Much Love, Beth

In the South, sweet tea isn’t just a beverage—it’s a way of life. Whether served at Sunday suppers, backyard barbecues, or just enjoyed on a front porch swing, sweet tea is a staple of Southern culture. But there’s more to it than just sugar and tea. Let’s explore the history, tradition, and the perfect way to make a glass of Southern sweet tea. A Brief History of Sweet Tea Sweet tea has been a Southern favorite for generations, but its roots go back to the 19th century. The earliest known recipe for iced tea appeared in cookbooks as early as the 1870s, but it was usually made with green tea. By the early 1900s, black tea became more common, and sweet tea as we know it today took off, especially in the Southeastern U.S. During Prohibition, sweet tea became even more popular as a refreshing, alcohol-free drink. Over time, it became a symbol of Southern hospitality—something always offered to guests, no matter the occasion. What Makes Southern Sweet Tea Special? Not all iced tea i...

 Happy Monday, friends!  Since Caleb is away at the Fire Academy, Carl and Caleb's Dad, Dean took Wrenley to the Daddy/Daughter dance at school. It was really sweet and Carl said that Wrenley had a lot of fun.  Pappy's little princess 💗💗 Off they go in Pappy's dirty truck 😌 Pappy and Papa with Wrenley Pappy and Princess, Wrenley and someone's butt, lol Fun with friends! Wrenley with her bestie, Lucy Wrenley has a strong village. It is such a privilege have a sweet granddaughter to love!  Much Love, Beth