Women Walking Wisely

One of the biggest blessings about being back at my home church has been participating in women's ministries. Our Sunday school class hosts a monthly women's study called Women Walking Wisely. This past Monday we had a potluck and it was so encouraging to fellowship with the ladies who sit at my table. I have a real neat group of ladies and a Titus 2 older woman as my co-leader. This group of ladies consists of different ages and positions in life. We are all learning so much from each other.

Since we had a special time this past Monday the leaders all provided the centerpiece and paper goods for their table.  I am not creative at all but there is Pinterest.......thank God! So, I pinned several different pins and added a "spring centerpiece board" to my account. I combined a few ideas and came up with the following:

The centerpiece was quite inexpensive and most people probably have these things on hand. I bought a wooden tray at Michael's and painted it white. I used 2 tin pineapple cans, painted them an ocean blue, and wrapped some burlap around them. I had a mason jar which I also wrapped with burlap and white ribbon attaching a pretty paper flower. The pretty white bird was on clearance at Michael's. I topped off the "vases" with fresh yellow flowers.

My paper goods matched the centerpiece.....

The best part of the evening was getting to spend it with these special ladies.......

Egg Dyeing

Dyeing eggs has become a tradition in our home. So, the day before Easter each year we set aside some time to dye eggs. I remember when the boys were a lot younger it was quite a chore......

Easter 2008 - Nathan must have been napping.

Thankfully things have gotten a lot easier now!

We only dyed about 12 eggs this year and since the boys LOVE deviled eggs we put the eggs to good use!

Whitacre Park

Yesterday we joined a few people from our Sunday school group for a hike at Whitacre Park. I had never even heard of this hiking trail but it was a great hike plus the weather was absolutely gorgeous. I do have to admit that the first part is all up hill but it was doable. Plus the boys weren't even really complaining about it. The hike has an amazing view of the San Fernando Valley and it mostly all shaded.

We really enjoyed getting to know some new friends.

I was so surprised how green everything was considering what a dry season we've had. 

 

 

At the end of the hike we found a shady spot and enjoyed a nice picnic.

Pineapple Poke Bundt Cake

Last week I baked a little something for our Bible Study. I love baking bundt cakes and this one turned out so yummy! The cake is so moist and actually tasted better the second day. Since I'm trying to get as many recipes onto my Pinterest boards, I'll be posting more recipes on here.

Pineapple Poke Bundt Cake

 1 can crushed pinapple

1 box yellow cake mix

1 pkg. (4 serving size) instant vanilla pudding

3/4 cup vegetable oil

4 eggs

2 tbsp. vanilla extract (divide)

1 cup powdered sugar

1 tbsp. butter melted

PREHEAT oven to 350 F. Spray 12-cup bundt pan wiht cooking spray.

DRAIN pinapple; measure 3/4 cup juice to use with cake mix. Reserve remaining juice for soaking mixture.

BEAT cake mix, pudding mix, eggs, oil and 3/4 cup pineapple juice in large bowl with an electric mixer for 2 minutes. Combine vanilla with cake batter.

COMBINE remaining pineapple juice, powdered sugar and melted butter in a small bowl while cake is baking. Stir in remaining tbsp. of vanilla.

REMOVE cake from oven and set on a wire rack. Poke holes in cake with skewer at 1/2 inch intervals while still hot and in pan. Pour soaking mixture over cake. Allow to cool in pan 30-40 minutes, then flip cake upside down onto serving platter; remove pan. Cool completely then drizzle with a confectioner's glaze (1/2 cup powdered sugar and 1 tbsp. cold milk whisked until combined)

Recipe by Dole kitchens

Descanso Gardens

When Jon and I were first married we lived in the beautiful city of Montrose. Not too far from there is Descanso Gardens; a beautiful place to visit year round. I think I've been there in every season but my favorite is when the tulips are in bloom.

Since it's spring break this week, I thought we'd take a day off on Tuesday and head there. I was hoping the tulips were still in bloom but since it was such a warm winter here in Southern California, the tulips were all gone by mid-March! I was a little bit disappointed but the roses didn't disappoint and made up for the loss of the tulips. The day today was absolutely beautiful and the boys behaved so well!!!

We also got in for free since the third Tuesday of every month admission is free! YAY!

The boys got to ride the train! Don't they looks so happy?

The rose garden is amazing and the second you step into it you are filled with the beautiful fragrances!

Joe Davies Heritage Airpark

 During our time in Lancaster the boys got to go check out an airplane graveyard. Even though I didn't get to go I have to admit that from looking at the pictures it looks like a cool place! The boys even got to meet a Veteran pilot who flew in Vietnam. They bought a couple of small scale jets that the pilot flew and had him sign them. Unfortunately, they didn't think of getting a picture taken with him.

Jojo was in charge of taking pictures. I may have a little photographer.

The boys love "Papa" Keith.......my friend's dad. 

One of the best parts about this place is that it's totally free! They usually have a pilot who answers questions and gives you information about the planes. Lancaster is a bit of a drive but if one is an aircraft enthusiast it is worth the drive.

Visit Natalie's profile on Pinterest.

Fun Weekend

 I can't believe I haven't been here for so long! The latter part of January and all of February our Jojo was so sick. He was dealing with some awful asthma that progressed so quickly that he ended up on a nebulizer machine.......no fun! Then Nathan got sick and ended up with an ear infection.....like always! Then in March, daddy got sick. So, we have been hanging around home a lot!

Well last weekend we headed to our friends out in Lancaster (about 1 hour away from us). We got to hang out with one of my closest friends and her family. I've known Andie for a real long time.....since she was about 11. Even though I am 8 years older than her, she is a mature young lady and I have learned a lot from her!!! We get to stay with Andie's parents in their spacious home. Her parents are also dear friends of ours. They are a huge encouragement to our lives!!!

Here's Andie on her 18th birthday party!

Andie has 4 girls and my boys love hanging out with them. The week before the weekend they kept asking.......when are we going to see "the girls" EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

I love watching them grow up together.

Here's her youngest.....such a cutie pie. Jojo LOVES her.

Movie night.......we got our fill of Frozen......I have been singing Frozen songs all week!

We also went bowling. It was the girls first time.

Nathan is my competitive one and wasn't too happy with his scores.

When we would return from Russia during the summer time visiting these friends was  always a priority. Having to say good-bye was always so hard and sad.........but thankfully we can now see each other more often and not have that sinking feeling that it will be another year before seeing them again.