The Bright Eyed Brunette

 Happy January 74th! Ok but really, why does January seem to go on FOREVER?! Today I am linking up with  Andrea  and  Erika  for Friday Favorites! This was definitely a favorite moment from this week!  Our 47th President, Donald J. Trump! Since Monday was also MLK day, I had the pleasure of watching sweet Wrenley.  Celebrating my niece, Ellie Kate's 15th birthday was definitely a favorite! I also watched Wrenley on Wednesday because she was a little under the weather. She had fun playing and getting lots of ice cream and popsicles! Wrenley will always be my favorite. On this day she wanted to "work" like BeBe. She's so precious, even with her little bedhead! Good Music is a favorite. Play some old-school country music and we are golden :) My favorite meal this week. It seems like forever since I made a home-cooked meal! Cajun baked chicken, corn (because Trey loves corn), broccoli, mashed potatoes with white gravy, and rolls were on the menu, and every...

I seem to read more in the winter months. Probably because I'm more of an outside person and since I detest cold weather, I just stay indoors and read! I have got a pretty good list running so far this year! Starting out strong with the Bible. I have never actually accomplished it, but for the past two years, it has been a goal of mine to read through the Bible in a year.  So far, so good! I set out to read more "wholesome" books this year, and in my efforts, I found this one.  It is a very uplifting novel. Once you start reading, you won't want to stop! But you may want to grab some tissues! "From the bestselling author of Raised to Stay comes a hope-filled, practical path forward for our churches to rebuild from the rubble of deconstruction and the discouragement of recent years and become a world-changing family of God again." With personal stories and practical ideas, she encourages and stirs your heart to see God's churches become healthy, whole, an...

It was just a typical winter weekend here on the homestead.  We didn't have a lot going on. On Friday night we had tickets to a chili and gumbo supper. We just did take-out. Trey had tickets to a fish fry, so he brought that home. We had a smorgasbord of food that night! Makena gave a presentation and speech for the Grand Prairie Historical Society. It was a presentation she gave to the museum guests in November. There were around 50 people in attendance, so that is one of the biggest crowds that she has presented to (except for when she was in college). On Saturday Carl and I had to go into town to get a part for Trey's hot water heater. We are trying everything before we finally give in and buy a new one (and it's looking more like that is the direction we are headed). We also ran into Wal-Mart, but not for long! I remember why I don't grocery shop on Saturdays!  Trey only comes around when it's time to eat! On this occasion, he had piece of cherry pie and a glass...

 If you've been here for a long time, you know I'm not a chef! My meals usually contain three elements: fast, easy, and delicious! Today's recipe is no exception. Even though this recipe only requires three ingredients, you can also add ground beef and sausage to the layers. Anything goes!   Ingredients 1 (24 oz) bag of frozen ravioli (any kind) 1 (32 oz) jar of pasta sauce 2 cups of shredded mozzarella Instructions Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and grease a 9x13 baking dish. Spread a thin layer of pasta sauce on the bottom of your prepared dish. Just a heaping spoonful will do! Arrange HALF of the frozen ravioli into your dish in a single layer. Top with HALF of the remaining sauce and about 1 cup of mozzarella. Arrange the rest of the ravioli on top of the cheese and then top with the remaining sauce and mozzarella. Cover the dish with foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and continue baking for an additional 15 minutes or until the cheese starts to turn...

Hello from the frozen tundra! It has been a frigid weekend here on the homestead. It all started overnight Thursday and into the wee hours of Friday morning.  Home sweet home Carl and I went to check things out around the community shortly after waking up.  The church always looks beautiful in the snow. The post office My parent's house The duck hunters are still here!  They must be insane to be out on the river in these temperatures! The White River at Preston's Ferry I'm ready for sandbar season! On our way back from the river we came across this little creek. So pretty but so cold! We found Trey and Maggie while we were out and about. This is her first snow💗 Carlie sent me a picture of Wrenley with her snowman. She loved the snow this year! Boone loves snow too! Boone also loves naps :) We ended our snowfall with just under 6 inches. We have loved the slower pace that snow days bring. We played games, read, and watched lots of television. My mom made cookies and peanu...

 With each year that passes, I hate the idea of making New Year's resolutions. I guess I just hate setting myself up for failure. Because let's face it, nobody actually keeps those for more than a few weeks. I have tried the whole "word of the year" thing, but that wasn't much better than resolutions. I believe that God speaks through people, and when I see/hear the same message repetitively, I take notice. These are just a few that popped in my mind. Some others may include your children, your spouse, hobbies, etc. What is the definition of idolatry? We usually define "idolatry" as making anything in your life more important than God.  However, the best definition I have ever heard for idolatry is "making a good thing an ultimate thing." Created things are ALL good things (Genesis 1:12), but when we treat created things as ultimate- something that makes life worth living- then it's an idol. The real problem with idolatry- even in ancient t...

 Happy Monday, friends! We have had such a fun weekend here on the homestead. Everything is supposed to be back to normal this week, but now winter weather is in the forecast. It is definitely not my favorite (I'm a summer girlie at heart). Anyhow, I promised a post about the Prayer Board Party I attended on Friday night, so here it goes! Ellie Kate and Makena were doing their boards on the island My mom even found Wrenley a little purple board with kitty stickers. Me and Makena were excited to get started! Eli, Wrenley, and Carlie  Wrenley wanted to show off her mommy's board while I showed mine. Ellie Kate, Wrenley, and Makena The whole crew! The party was so fun and a little chaotic. My sister was supposed to come with Ellie Kate, but she had a kidney stone and had to go home. My mom didn't get to do her board with us because a cute little toddler kept having meltdowns! Eli and Ellie Kate came from the Sonic movie and since Jamie had to leave them for my mom to pick up, ...

  Today I'm linking up with  Andrea  and  Erika  for the first Friday Favorites of 2025! Over the past three weeks, I have thoroughly enjoyed getting to spend more time with Wrenley. She is growing up so much. She is speaking in full sentences and is a clown to boot! We've enjoyed lots of naps in BeBe's bed, playing with baby dolls (one of her favorite things), and since I have to pick her up before 7 a.m. on the days she stays with me, we enjoy getting her favorites: donuts (nonuts) and hotcakes from McDonald's -not at the same time though! Snug as a bug in a rug! She loves her Ky Ky Another favorite is a clean kitchen! We have had our house in a bit of chaos like I'm sure everyone else has with all the holiday festivities (and with Carl being off). I am glad to have everything in its proper place! That ray of sunshine is therapy for my soul! The next thing on my favorites list is Carl's chili. We had it last night and will probably have leftovers for a few day...