My New Home

I have moved to Jody Lynne.

Summer in Iowa

My nephew Nicholas Stegmann

Headed out to the nature center on the bike path

Game night at the Mannan's, I think Lauren was losing!

Leftover fireworks, but don't tell anyone my brother-in-law

bought them in Missouri

Cookout at the Stegmann campsite...behind their house

I've taken better sunset pictures...but this was my last night in Iowa

and I wanted to capture one

 I highly recommend flying Delta Airlines whenever you need to fly.

I know if I fly with them I can AVOID O'Hare in Chicago. It could

be a bright sunny day with not a cloud in sight and you would STILL be

delayed. This is the tunnel at Detroit Airport that is quite

entertaining with the colors changing to music.

Summer fun is almost over with school starting in three weeks.

It has been a great summer.

2011 Vacation

Our vacation is almost over...for my hubby anyway. I have two more weeks with my mom on the family farm. Can't wait. Enjoy the pictures I've taken so far of Vacation 2011.

Yes, those are dancing candy bars at Hershey Park

Happy to wait for L & C, we love to 'people watch.'

Here they are eating their favorite food. Ok, maybe cotton candy isn't a food group

This rollercoast pulls the cars backwards to the top

then it careened down with many loops to follow...

...it was the only one we did, you know how old I will be next year!

Spent several hours at the water rides, this is the wave pool.

Funny story...if you know Rob well, you know he doesn't like the water much.

So, my mom asked me after I told her we had spent time here..."what did

he wear for shoes into the water?" She had never seen him without shoes, he

hates to go barefoot, but he did here! We had a great time

at Hershey Park.

On a more serious note, we travelled to Gettysburg and took a 2hour

bus tour of the Gettysburg Civil War Battlefield. Very interesting and

eye-opening making me wish I had paid more attention in history

class in high school. Never too late to learn though.

Rob & I also spent the day with friends at their camp where there is

no cell service. That is what I call a vacation! Thanks

Dave and Diane.

I'm beginning to think I need a new camera!

Remember I have moved to Jody Lynne.

Baking Frenzy

It is a beautiful day in the neighborhood today...
...so I stayed inside and baked all afternoon.
Tomorrow at Lafayette Alliance we are celebrating Word of God Sunday with a special service recognizing the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible. Pastor Rob will be preaching a message on Why I Believe the Bible is the Word of God. After the worship service we will be having a pig roast with all the fixins. Anyway...the reason for baking...
I signed up to bring a dessert. I was in a 'baking frenzy' so I put my Betty Crocker Cookbook to good use making a Triple Layer Lemon Cake.

No I don't have a lemon zester or juicer and the handle on my grater is gone...

Sour milk or buttermilk goes into this recipe

Wa la...three layers

Can I say wa la again? Triple Layer Lemon Cake with lemon cream cheese frosting

Coffee Toffee Bars, they're not much to look at but they are delissssshhhh,

I know probably not a word. The Daisy's, my favorite, are homegrown.

I made One Bowl Chocolate Cake but forgot to take pictures.

All done in the kitchen and even had time to walk a few miles at the park.

4th of July Fun

Rob &I spent a perfect day at Owasco Lake in Auburn

My favorite pastors enjoying their day at the lake

My favorite pastor's wife--Barb

Took a spin on Pastor Brian's kayak

Ended the day with ice cream and a walk at Lafayette Park

Don't forget to check out Jody Lynne and this explanation

This is why I am exercising at 49. I want to finish well.

Five Stars-A Book Review

My initial thoughts of another book about the elusive search for contentment were less than enthusiastic. I have read several books on the subject and I wondered what Stephen Altrogge author of The Greener Grass Conspiracy could add to my quest of finding contentment on my side of the fence.
After reading page one I knew this book was written for me and anyone else who has a sinful, discontented heart which Jesus says is true of all of us in Mark 7:21-23. It is the nature of men(and women) to try and find contentment outside of Christ filling our hearts, minds and souls with what the world has to offer.
 I agree with the author, the problem is me.
Mr. Altrogge points the reader in the right direction from the very beginning by explaining

"This grand conspiracy of the world, Satan, and my heart is called the Greener Grass Conspiracy. Their objective? To have me always believing that the grass is greener somewhere else, always wishing for a brighter tomorrow without ever enjoying where God has me today."

I read this book in a few hours with the content easy to digest. I was excited to see questions at the end of each chapter, enabling the reader to get to the heart of discontentment in their own life instead of breezing through another book and placing it on the shelf with the rest of books on contentment.
The author goes on to say he is not the center of the universe, nor am I. He addresses what biblical contentment is rooted in, what are some of the idols in our lives, how the gifts God does give us are meant to point us to the Giver, with additional chapters on how to endure the thorns in our lives, the evil of complaining and how to count our blessings.
This book is different from some of the others taking up space on my dusty shelf because the transparency of the author who writes in first person telling the reader he has not arrived. It was refreshing to read along with someone who is still on the journey encouraging me that it is possible to be content in Christ everyday and shake off the conspiracy of greener grass.
This book is a welcome addition to my library with chapters just right in length. I will be re-reading it going over the questions again. Anyone reading this book will be encouraged to find that contentment in Christ is attainable.
I give this book five stars highly recommending  The Greener Grass Conspiracy.