My Morning in Picture Form

Sizzling drops of mocha coffee drip onto the burnercausing steam to rise, filling my nose with the fresh scent of refreshment.

Whipping wind blows around the corner of the brick library,

as frozen tiny crystals attach themselves to windshieds.

Frost bitten fingers rubbed briskly together, unthawing the frozen flesh.

Pounding of feet walking down the hallway,

banging keys as a door opens with a creak.

Sighing in relief, the rumbling of the furnace warms chills.

Sleepy eyes blink while the screen flashes.

Another cup please!!!!

This was my morning!

Talk at you Later!

Jessica Smith

Count Down to Christmas- Pictures of Trees, Friends and Family!

A Carolina Christmas

Here are some pictures of some trees that I decorated. The first one is my home tree.

The second one is one I did a year ago at work, and the third is a flower arrangement that I did a few weeks ago for my boss. I love being creative! It's fun!

So with only two more days until Greg and I fly to North Carolina to see family, most likely I won't be able to post anything the from December 24th-Jan. 5th of the new year.

Here is a pic of one of my friends...Erin Wells, she is da bomb!

This is my father -in-law from last year at Christmas. It will be good to see him!! I have not seen them since last year!!!

Greg and Cheri (his sister) from last year at the beach!

It's supposed to be in the mid 60's when we are there! Praise God!

Erin Wells and Constance Mc. (long last name I can't spell!)

Don't forget my pet rabbit Midget! She is my baby!

She is a Netherland Dwarf, her parents were show bunnies!

She is 3 pounds, black fur, and just turned 2 years old this past Thanksgiving.

Did you know rabbits can play fetch, unlock their own cages, potty train, and yell when they are in pain? Yes, and when they are happy they click!

On an end note, as this year ends, let God give new hope and a new day. The below picture is that of an Oklahoma Sunrise I took on my way home from taking Greg to work at 6:30am.

Let God's light Shine like the Noonday in all of your tomorrows!!

Until Jan! Take Care and Be Blessed!

~Jessica Smith

What I.......

I was tagged by Melissa Kelly from http://thediaperheads-kellyfamily.blogspot.com/ with this wonderful award and meme. Thank you Melissa You know I love ya! So let's see if I can actually do this and give you some info you may or may not know about me.



Seven things I did before:

1) At the age of 16, I was hired on into my first office job.

2) At the age of 17, I worked part-time for Kroger's Grocery in Denver, Colorado!

3) I was a pre-K teacher for 2 years.

4) I was an Assistant Manager for a Used Christian Bookstore

5) I was the Production Manager for a Christian Coffeehouse.

6)I worked in catering, and for a bed and breakfast for 3 years.

7) Broke my jaw in two places when I was 9 years old, I swung off a high-bar doing a stomach flip, and the bar came loose beneath my hands. I fell, and was knocked out cold, waking to find blood running down my neck and hands. Need I say more?



Seven Things I Do Now:

1) College and Career Pastor/Assistant

2) Write

3) Blog

4) Create baskets for my online store.

5) Bus Pastor for the youth group.

6) Administrative Assistant for the McNair Program at Southern Nazarene University

7) I love to cook!!



Seven Things I Would Like To Do:

1) Go to Africa.

2) Visit friends (PD & Tara, Melissa you are on the very top of that list!)

3) Write Children's books and Inspirational Books.

4) Go to Peru and Russia for missions.

5) Go on a vacation with my husband.

6) Learn to speak Spanish well!

7) Have Children



Seven Things That Attract Me to My Hubby:

1) He is very tall! Love it! Love It!

2) He is a man of God!!

3) He sees me as an equal partner.

4) He gives out of his heart and in obedience.

5) He supports me no matter what.

6) He is loving, smart, sexy!!!

7) He's funny.



Seven of My Favorite Foods:

1) Oranges

2) Chili -that I make..sorry all.

3) Chicken

4) Carmel

5) Turkey Sandwich

6) Taters!

7) Wheat Rice..yummy!



Seven Things I Say Most Often:

1) Love ya girlie.

2) Can you help me?

3) Oh, My Lord...

4) Praise the Lord!

5) Again?

6) Sure, I'll pray for you.

7) Lov ya.



Now I am to tag seven people. This may be a little hard...since everyone I know has already done it and I had NO idea until today that I was tagged. Gosh!!!

Until Next Time..Be Blessed!

~Jessica Smith

Simple Chocolate Pecan Pie-Easy But So GOOD!

I don't know what has gotten into me, but right now I really like sharing my food ideas for the Holidays. So here is the recipe that I will be making for another Christmas Lunch. So here it is!!!

Prep: 10 min
Inactive Prep Cook: 1 hr 5 min
Total: 1 hr 15 min
Ingredients
4 ounces semisweet chocolate
2 tablespoons margarine, melted
3 eggs
1/3 cup sugar
1 cup corn syrup (light or dark)
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/4 cups pecan halves
1 unbaked 9-inch pie shell, homemade or frozen
Directions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
In a double boiler melt chocolate and margarine. Let cool slightly. Beat eggs lightly in medium bowl. Add sugar, corn syrup, chocolate mixture, and vanilla; stir until well blended. Mix in pecans.
Set pie shell on heavy-duty baking sheet and pour in filling. Bake 50 to 55 minutes, until knife inserted midway between center and rim comes out clean.
Cool pie on wire rack to room temperature before cutting.

1 (9-inch) pie, 8 servings

On another note:

This season is very tough on some. I know 12 people who have two homes at the same time, making payments on an empty house. And all their Christmas money is going to that payment or other bills. I want to remind you, that a gift does not have to be expensive to be beautiful. I am not saying this to say you are selfish, but to think creatively!! Food is a great gift, pack it into a basket with a big bow, or wrapped in love...or a homemade card with a letter inside.

What about planning on spending half of your money for someone else in need? It is amazing to see the joy on their faces when you show up bearing food and small gifts!!! Just some thoughts...

Remember that opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work!

Blessings to You!!

~Jessica Smith

Orange Sherbet Recipe!

Updates on my life, etc..

Hubby and I get to fly to NC to see his parents and sister. I have a new nephew that I have never met, and there is another one on the way. All the more for me to spoil!! *smiles*

I now have my own Etsy Store...it is http://www.simplebeautybaskets.etsy.com/

I am making baskets now and putting them online. I now have one up...and two more on the way. I have to take pictures of them. Let me know what you think!!

I made orange sherbet punch for a work party, and everyone LOVED it, so,,..

2 Two Liter Bottles of Club Soda

2 Two Liter Bottles of 7-UP

1 3 Gallon Bucket of Orange Sherbet

1 3 Pound Bag of Frozen Fruit.

Put thawed sherbet into big punch bowel.

Pour one liter of the Club Soda, then one bottle of the 7-up.

Place Frozen Bag of Fruit on top, this is used instead of ice.

Finish Pouring the Club Soda and 7-Up.

This is good for 100 people.

For 50 people, use half the recipe.

For 25 use a quarter of the recipe.

It is sooooooo goood! I promise.

Until Next Time, Be Blessed Beyond Measure and Let God's Light Shine in Your Darkest of Places!!!

~Jessica Smith

Winner of the Basket IS...............................

And the winner of the beautiful patterned basket is.......................

Drum Roll Please...okay thats better.

Cherie J.!!

You have been chosen at random, and you shall have the basket off and coming by Next Monday.

Congrats!

And thanks everyone who played!!!!!

If you desire a basket, they range from 5 dollars to 45 dollars and can be created to your heart's desire of colors, bows etc!!

Thank you and Be Blessed!

Bloggy Give-A-Way-Home Made Basket!!!

Greetings,

So, in order to enter for this basket, please leave a comment about what you like about it!! E-mail me your e-mail after you comment, simplebeauty@live.com I will mail it only with-in the U.S. and the value of this basket is $45 dollars!!!!

I hope to hear from you soon!!!!

I have a basket to give-a-way. A beautiful basket! And I need more than one person to comment, so I can do the drawing. Perferaably, 10 people. Below are some pictures of the basket, if you desire a different pattern, let me know! What would you use the basket for????

I am waiting for your comments!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And Yes, I make them and sell them.