urgent prayer request!

If you've been following my Tweets or Facebook posts over the last several days, I'm sure you've taken note of the various prayer requests for Baby Gavin (he's pictured above with his mom, photographer Natalie Norton - this image is from her website). She's asking everyone to spread the word, they are desperate for prayer.

Gavin is critically ill, having been diagnosed with Pertussis... RSV... and now Pneumonia. The doctors are trying an experimental procedure tonight in the hopes of saving him. Click HERE for the latest updates. And please cover their family in prayer.

Ever have one of those days where you run around like a mad woman, frantically digging for things to dispose of/donate?

Or is it just me?

And this was just the beginning. Two of the bags had already made it to the curb and nine boxes are ready for donation on my fourth level (i.e. the basement). I finally came to the realization that Candyland and the Fuzzy Pumper Barber Shop are dreams of the past. After watching two episodes of Hoarders last night, I really felt the need to thin things out. Dried out Play Doh and markers, broken toys and games with missing parts, outdated Creative Memories business enhancers - the stuff of nightmares. You'll never guess what all of my sorting unearthed:

A prize I'd won last year on Christine's blog! Guess it's time to sit down and read it.

fun mail!

I might have to make a stop at Caribou tomorrow to test it out :)

hint**hint**hint**

A hint for the January Faithbooking Crop:

Our next Faithbooking Crop will be on Saturday, January 9th from 9:00 am-4:00 pm (or until 9:00 pm, if you choose) at Hosanna! Lutheran Church in Lakeville. The crops are FREE and include snacks, beverages, prizes, and more! Feel free to work the crop around your schedule, just let me know if you plan to attend and I'll be sure to have a spot ready for you.

caramel sweet rolls - cheater recipe

Not only were these caramel rolls super easy to eat make, they were super delicious as well. (I spent maybe ten minutes whipping them together.)

Here's the recipe:

1/2 cup packed brown sugar

1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (I had only half-and-half on hand)

1/4 cup chopped walnuts

1 tube (11 ounces) refrigerated breadsticks

2 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (I used Penzey's Extra Fancy Vietnamese Cassia)

In a small bowl, combine brown sugar and cream until sugar is dissolved. Spread into a greased 8-inch square baking dish. Sprinkle with walnuts.

On a lightly floured surface, unroll breadstick dough (do not separate). Combine sugar and cinnamon; sprinkle over dough. Reroll, starting with short end. Cut along breadstick scored lines. Place cut side down in prepared pan.

Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown. Cool for 1 minute before inverting onto a serving plate. Serve warm. Yield: 6 servings. (To reheat these sweet rolls, wrap in foil coated with nonstick cooking spray. Reheat in a 350 degree oven for a few minutes or until warm.) You'll find the original recipe and nutrition information HERE.

Then all that's left to do is dig in!

Photo Challenge Themes for January

Here are the weekly themes for December:

January 3-9, 2010: Flat Shots (images taken while resting camera on flat surface; see image above)
January 10-16, 2010: Signs of Winter/Summer
January 17-23, 2010: Textures
January 24-30, 2010: Frame Your Subject (see image below)

If you'd like to join our Flickr group for ideas and inspiration, just let me know!

the year in review

As I'm sure it did for you as well, the year 2009 had its ups and downs. Kathie inspired me so much with THIS POST, I thought I'd do the same... but when I had trouble keeping things down to less than 5,000 words, I opted instead for the top ten highlights of 2009:

10. I shaved my head.

9. Ren had his tonsils ripped out after months of illness (and he hasn't been sick a day since).

8. Meeley started middle school.

7. My Phoebe phone was laid to rest.

6. It was the Year of the Makeover - a new photography website, updated blog, and whiter teeth.

5. Campstravaga 2009 (which is just a fancy way of saying 'we went camping with a big group of friends').

4. My boys grew out their hair... big time.

3. The chicken/spinach WIN!

2. This dream came true thanks to a fall filled with wonderful clients :)

1. After three LOOOOOOONG years of waiting, my garden was a go!

Looking forward to 2010 and all it has in store. Happy New Year!