{Thank-You For Serving!!}

Hi Suede Sofa Friends!

One of my family’s TrAdiTioNs is to kick off our summer by watching the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS that honors the MiLiTaRy men and women who have served our country.  It is inspiring, PaTrioTiC, and very moving.  So, much so, that last year I was inspired to write a song and dedicate it to all the CoUraGeOuS men and women who so selflessly serve in the military.  (I’ll share it with you on Memorial Day.)

Captain Monica Riggs, KC-135 (Stratotanker) Pilot in the KS Air National Guard.

This Memorial Day Weekend take the time to say “ThAnK-yOu” to someone who serves (or has served) our country in the military.  They and their family sacrifice so much.  And if you get the chance, check out the National Memorial Day Concert on PBS (airing on Sunday, May 27th at 7 p.m. central).

Major David Young – US Army Reserve
Deployed to Baghdad & Iraq

Have a GrEaT weekend and HaPpY SuMmEr!!

:)

Robynn~

P.S.  If you would like me to put a pic of someone you know who has served in the military, send me an email at suedesofa@yahoo.com  I will try to post them today and tomorrow.  Please also send their name, branch they have served in, rank, etc.

Eric Tincher (on right) Currently Deployed overseas

Capt Eric Tincher
KS Air National Guard
Topeka, KS

Kenneth Winn

Kenneth Winn, 85, Kansas Farmer, WW II veteran, NAVY Philippines

Know Your Role

I remember when Doug and I were dating and we had to carry a heavy piece of furniture out to his truck.  After we got done I told him “goOd WoRk” and he replied with “kNow YoUr RoLe”!  It made me stop and think for a second…we all play a special role in every task and relationship that we experience.

As the years passed I realized that our roles cHaNgE depending on the situation.  For example, when he takes the initiative to call and schedule something for our family, it is my role to be quiet and not ask twenty questions to insure that he did it correctly.  His role is to take care of the matter and it is my role to trust him.  (And I know if I perform my role correctly, I will avoid potential arguments!)

Another example is in friendships.  Every relationship is diFFeRent which means your role changes depending on the person you are communicating with.  I LOVE to talk, BUT my role with some people is to be the sounding board.  I am happy to play a different role because I know it is needed to keep that friendship strong.

Maybe you’ve never given your “role” much thought.  Just remember that even though you have sTroNg qualities, sometimes you aren’t suppose to use them in every role you play.  Next time ask yourself, “What is needed the most here?  A cheerleader, follower, educator, volunteer, cleaner, etc.?” and take pRiDe in playing the role that is NEEDED most!

~Lara

Mommy Guilt

Ever feel like you are FaiLiNg as a parent? Chances are your kids would disagree with you.  There have been countless times when I have planned an activity that didn’t work out, attempted to bake brownies that came out burnt on the sides and gooey in the middle, or promised to devote uninterrupted time to my kids but got sidetracked by the phone, doorbell, email, or some other emergency that needed to be taken care of.  I truly believe we Mommies are much harder on ourselves than any jury of kids would ever be.


I was reminded of this just last week when I tried out a recipe for sidewalk paint made with food-coloring and cornstarch.  In my mind the paint was a total fail…it was too runny, made a giant mess, took me too long to make, and it stained the patio.  If you asked my kids what they thought I guarantee they would disagree with me.  They loved watching the red and blue paint turn into purple and had a BlAsT  painting each others feet with this new concoction of color that Mommy made for them.

The next time you are being hard on yourself as all of us Moms do…take a look at life through the eyes and mind of your child and you will find that you too are a SuPeR MoM!

~Robyn (Jersey Girl)

{Apple Tarts}

You may have heard the nursery rhyme:

“The Queen of HeArTs

She made some tarts

All on a summer’s day.”

Well…

This is my version of Apple Tarts!!

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Ingredients:  

  • 2 Pie Crusts
  • 1 stick of butter {2 tbsp/tart}
  • 12 tbsp. Sugar {3 tbsp/tart}
  • Cinnamon to taste
  • 4 tbsp. flour {1 tbsp/tart}
  • 2 Granny Smith Apples Or Apples Of Your Choice {1/2 apple/tart}

This recipe makes about 4 small TaRtS.

Cut out tarts.

Save the leftover pie crust for cut-outs to put on pie.

Place pie crust in tart tins.

Peel, core, and slice AppLeS.  Add apples to each tart.

Add sugar to tarts.

Add CinNaMoN to tarts.

Add butter to tarts.

Add flour to tarts.

Cut out tart tops.

Brush top of tarts with MiLk.

Cut out shapes for tarts.

Place cutouts on tarts.

Brush tarts with milk.

SpRiNkLe tarts with sugar.

(And cinnamon if you wish!)

Place tarts on a lined cookie sheet.  Bake for 30 minutes.

Voila!!  Yummy-licious!!

:)

Robynn~

{It’s Greek To Me!}

Greek Yogurt!  It’s HeAltHy and so versatile.  Try giving some of these a try:

  1. Plain yogurt is pretty tasteless to me, but if you add a couple of teaspoons of Trivia it will sweeten it up!  Or add HoNeY!!
  2. Add Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning to it and use as a vegetable dip.
  3. Add Hidden Valley Ranch seasoning & ChiVeS and use in place of sour cream on baked potatoes.
  4. Try it in this fish taco recipe.
  5. Substitute Greek yogurt for mayo or sour cream in recipes.
  6. Add fruit and a bit of sweetener then freeze for KiDdoS frozen pops.
  7. Add sweetener and use as a fruit dip.
  8. Try it in this corn bread recipe.

:)

Robynn~

What Gets Me Through

I was given a devotional a few months ago (from a very thoughtful and great friend!) and it has cHanGed my life in so many ways.  In case you are needing a spiritual boost, help with calming your anxiety, or a reminder that God has good pLaNs for you (even if you currently don’t believe Him!), this is a book I highly recommend!

SOURCE

There is a devotion for every day and I read it every morning.  The devotions are only a couple of paragraphs long–it only takes a second to read–yet it will help you ALL day long!

Here are a couple of my favorites:

January 17- “Come to Me with a Thankful Heart, so that you can enjoy My Presence.  This is the day that I have made.  I want you to rejoice today, refusing to worry about tomorrow.  Search for all that I have prepared for you, anticipating abundant blessings and accepting difficulties as they come.  I can weave miracles into the most mundane day if you keep your focus on me….”

April 16-“…When you criticize or complain, you are acting as if you think you could run the world better than I do.  From your limited human perspective, it may look as if I’m mismanaging things.  But you don’t know what I know or see what I see.  If I pulled back the curtain to allow you to view heavenly realms, you would understand much more.  However, I have designed you to live by faith, not by sight…“

This book also makes a great gift!  I have purchased this book for others by going here.  I also purchased it on Google Books so Doug can have it on his smartphone!

Maybe a good Father’s Day gift to consider :)

Blessings!

Lara

Gardening Money Saver

I love gardening, but buying annuals and potting soil can add up when you hit the cash register.  This year to save money on potting soil when planting in large containers, I started filling the empty space at the bottoms with old balls that my kids no longer play with.  This worked out beautifully because I saved MoNeY on soil, my pots were much lighter, and I have fewer balls to pick up at the end of the day (shhh…don’t tell my kids)!

HaPpY GaRdEnInG

~Robyn (Jersey Girl)

Easy {And Yummy-licious!} Cornbread

Boy do I love this cornbread recipe!!  I got it from my little {6’0} brother who lives half way around the world from me.  It is so awesome I knew I had to share!!

Easy Cornbread

  • 2 pkgs. Jiffy cornbread mix
  • 3 eggs
  • 1 can cream-style corn
  • 2 T. sugar
  • 1/2 c. oil
  • 8 oz. (1 cup) sour cream

Mix all ingredients together.  Pour into a greased 13 x 9 -inch pan.  Bake for approximately 25 to 30 minutes at 375 degrees.

Butter and eat while hot!!

:)

Robynn

A Mother’s Love

There are so many moments when I look into my daughter’s eyes and see glimpses of the past where I almost feel like I am looking at myself and am overcome with a feeling of “I’ve seen that face before.”  Then there are times when my mind shifts to a place where I wonder what the future will be like for my little princess.  This Mother’s Day, we would like to share some of our favorite MoThEr & DaUgHtEr MoMeNtS with you!

~Robyn (Jersey Girl)

Robyn & Abby
Robynn, Sophia, & Isabella
Source: Portrait Designs By Lasha

We couldn’t think of a more fitting song for such a special day…please enjoy one of our FaVoRiTeS!

In My Daughter’s Eyes by Martina McBride

HaPpY MoThEr’S DaY

You Have 2 Choices

Do you have a desire to try something new or achieve a lifelong dream but can’t muster up enough CouRage to give it a try? At the beginning of the movie “The Mighty Macs” the woman asks two questions that I will never forget:

Could I deal with rejection and temporary pain

OR

Should I suffer a life filled with regret because I was afraid to take the risk?

SOURCE

I can think of numerous times that I tried to talk myself out of trying something new because I feared negative feedback, failure or embarrassment. I have learned that these brief moments of feeling uncomfortable are well worth the satisfaction and confidence you experience by working toward something you LOVE.

I have been running my Letter Block Shop business for almost 4 years now. I can honestly say that majority of the days I LOVE what I do and get excited to watch how much it has grown. It is only a handful of days per year that I actually experience the “not fun/uncomfortable” stuff.  Wouldn’t you say it is well worth it?  The good days definitely outweigh the bad!

So, what are you waiting for? Don’t live a life filled with regret! Take the risk and start Living-It today!

~Lara