Summer Photo Fun Continues: Dessert-Fest!

July 11, 2012 by 14 Comments

I’m not sure what comes over us, but when my girls and I get together, we go dessert crazy. We love to have fun when we’re together, and part of that fun is spelled C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e! And if we’re forced to branch out, any S-W-E-E-T will do :)

My visit to my daughter Kristin’s a couple of months ago turned into a regular dessert-fest. One evening we settled for some Breyer’s ice cream with some of my homemade brownies, but the next couple of evenings we went all out—two large gelatos (Butterfinger and Belgian Chocolate) from a neat little Italian place there in Little Rock and then cupcakes from a yummy speciality shop. The cupcake flavor? Chocolate, of course :)

The photo above shows how proper we can be with our forays into dessert splurges, but the photo below comes closer to capturing our true selves :) Hope you enjoy this peek into my chocolate weakness. I didn’t think Summer Photo Fun would be complete without it :)

“A longing fulfilled is sweet to the soul . . .” Proverbs 13:19a

*Time to fess up. Do you have a chocolate weakness, too?

*The next issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter, will come out in August. Sign up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: chocolate, family, photo fun

Confessions of a Chocoholic

April 13, 2011 by 4 Comments

This piece first appeared in a special humor issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter/ezine. The next issue will come out the first week in May. If you’re not already receiving Life Notes, sign-up is free and to the right!

I might as well be honest about it. I’ve loved chocolate longer than I’ve loved my husband. And that’s a pretty long time now, given the fact that we’ve been married for 35 years. I guess you could say chocolate was my first love. Sorry, honey.

Since chocolate and I go back such a long time together, I think it’s about time I acknowledge my favorite chocolaty treats. I’d say it’s time they got their due, wouldn’t you? So in no particular order—because I don’t think I could make a choice where some of them are concerned—here are My Top Ten Chocolate Loves:

1. Harry & David Dark Chocolate Truffles. If these don’t turn you from light to dark, nothing will.

2. Brownies with Chocolate Chips. Hot, cold, hour-old, day-old, week-old. Any will do.

3. Chocolate Sheet Cake. Best with homemade ice cream, but I can handle it all on its own.

4. Peanut M&Ms. Yes, I can be healthy and have protein with my chocolate.

5. Chocolate Cream Pie. I’ve never met one I didn’t like.

6. Fudge. It’s not just for Christmas anymore. Well, at least not in my dreams.

7. Molten Lava Cake. If Chili’s ever quits serving this, someone just slit my wrists.

8. Chocolate Shakes. I wonder if Braum’s would consider instituting IV drips??

9. Fudge Brownie Ice Cream. I’ll take mine in a dish. After all, a girl’s gotta watch her calories.

10. Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies. Too much of a good thing? Never!

And we lived happily ever after…

“God…richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment.” 1 Timothy 6:17b

*Are you a chocoholic? If so, what’s your favorite chocolate indulgence? If not, what kind of “oholic” are you? C’mon and fess up — it will be fun! :)

*Flickr photo by shimelle, Creative Commons License

Filed Under: cheer, chocolate, fun

Godiva Winner Plus Sweetness for the Soul

February 13, 2011 by 3 Comments

A happy Valentine’s Day week to all! And a yummy Godiva week to the winner of the “I Love Chocolate” Giveaway! That would be you, Liz! Congrats! I’ll get the gift card to you right away so you can enjoy your sweet treat in the days ahead. Think of me while you savor a dark chocolate truffle — or something equally as good :)

I have a sweet treat for the rest of you as well. Some sweetness for the soul straight from the Word of God. I pray that one of these verses or passages will provide a touch from the Lover of your souls this Valentine’s week. A sweet touch that you can savor in the days and weeks ahead. Be blessed, dear friends!

“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song…” Isaiah 12:2

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.” Psalm 34:18

“When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said, ‘Don’t cry.'” Luke 7:13

“I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD.” Psalm 40:1-3

“One thing God has spoken, two things I have heard: that you, O God, are strong, and that you, O Lord, are loving.” Psalm 62:11-12a

And so, dear valentines, what sweet thing has the Lover of your souls done for you lately??

*Flickr photo by kimberlykv

*It’s not too late to receive the current issue of Life Notes (my quarterly inspirational newsletter). Sign up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: chocolate, comfort, giveaway, Word of God

"I Love Chocolate" Giveaway!

January 30, 2011 by 28 Comments

If you’ve visited my blog within the last week or so, you know we’ve had some sad times at our house. I’d say it’s time for something fun to balance things out. How about an “I Love Chocolate” Valentine’s Day Giveaway??

You know me. I love chocolate, and I’m not ashamed to admit it. Well, maybe a little ashamed, given the depth of my affection for it :) You can learn more about my chocolate obsessions by reading my pieces in the Life Notes issue going out this week (if you’re not yet receiving it, sign-up is free and to the right).

Everyone who leaves a comment on this post by noon (CST) Feb. 13 will be included in a drawing for a $15 gift card to Godiva. If I don’t know you personally or can’t contact you via your own blog, you must include your email address in your comment to be eligible for the giveaway. For fun, tell me how much you love chocolate, and if you don’t love chocolate, spill the beans on the tasty treat you do love.

Something else I’m not ashamed to admit? I love Jesus. He died so that I — and you — might live. I pray that my affection for Him grows deeper with each passing day. Anyone else?

“This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

*Flickr photo by lovejanine

**Thank you so much for your prayers for our family during our loss of Don’s mother. God blessed us in so many ways. I appreciate each one of you!

Filed Under: chocolate, fun, giveaway

Extra Sweet Winner, Extra Sweet Promise

May 9, 2010 by 4 Comments

Someone’s Mother’s Day is about to get a little sweeter! Time to announce the winner of the Extra Sweet Giveaway. The $15 gift card to Godiva goes to Teri! Congratulations, Teri ! Heavenly times ahead, huh?

As for the rest of you, try not to feel too left out. After all, we who’ve given our hearts to Jesus have heavenly times ahead, too — and I’m not talking chocolate. I’m talking eternal life in heaven with Him.

Just look at these promises from the Word of God:

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Jesus said, “‘In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.'” John 14:2-3

And finally, recorded in the Word of God is what was revealed to the Apostle John:

“I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.’ He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'”

Ah, the hope and promise of heaven… You can’t get much sweeter than that!

*Flickr photo by Jeff Belmonte

*It’s not too late to get the current issue of Life Notes, my quarterly inspirational newsletter. Sign-up is free and to the right!

Filed Under: chocolate, giveaway, heaven, Word of God
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