First, let me just say how wonderful it is to have freedom to live my life for what I was created for. Going to and seeing other countries really puts things into perspective and helps you realize how wonderful it is to have the freedom to have the life you desire; get an education, choose your own job, have as many children as you wish, or even just walk outside and know you are safe. For that I am thankful to the people that have given so much!

Now on to the FUN STUFF! The fourth of July brings a lot of room for fun creativity. You can make plenty of fun and colorful dishes and desserts or even decorate your backyard to enjoy the special occasion. I didn’t have much time to do anything super creative — actually the only themed items are food! Pretzel Salad (recipe below) and chocolate dipped pretzel sticks with red and blue sprinkles. The photos and links below are just some inspirational posts from some awesome bloggers and sites out there. Hope you find the links below helpful for your 4th celebration this year or next….

• Simply Creative Insanity: Awesome 4th of July Table Design
• Twig & Thistle: DIY 4th of July
• Paper & Cake: Red White and Blue Decor
• Two Hearts Together: Flag Treats
• Taste of Home: Red White and Blue Torte
• Eventagious: Party Ideas

Pretzel Salad

Layer 1: Pretzel Crust
2 C. Crushed Pretzels
3/4 C. Melted Butter
3 Tbs. Sugar

Layer 2: Cream
8 Oz. Cream Cheese
8 Oz. Whipped Cream
1 C. Sugar

Layer 3: Jello
6 Oz. Strawberry Jello
2 C. Water
20 Oz. Sweetened Frozen Strawberries (or other Frozen Berries)

1. Mix the crushed pretzels, melted butter and sugar; Spread into a greased 9×13″ pan. Bake at 400 Degrees for 8 minutes and cool completely.
2. Beat cream cheese until smooth; add sugar and fold in the whipped cream. Spread over the cooled pretzel crust and set aside.
3. Bring the water to a boil and dissolve the jello. Cool slightly (until barely steaming — I usually pour the jello into a bowl to let cool). Stir in the frozen strawberries and let thicken a little. Pour over the cream mixture.
4. Cover the salad and place in the refrigerator to set.
5. ENJOY!

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!

I hope that you all have a very blessed Easter with your families!

Just a quick reflection on what Easter means to me: Each year, I walk through the aisles of Easter candy (and toys) and can never get myself to purchase anything. While it is just my hubby and I, I cant deny the temptation to make him a basket full of goodies — but when I am there to pick it all out, I just cant! I am not saying Easter baskets are bad or that I wont do them for my children in the future… but I do know that I want to keep the reason for Easter the most important point of the day/week. Christ died FOR ME so that I wouldnt have to take on the punishment for MY SIN. That is huge! There are people I would die for… but Christ carried every single one of our sins (the entire world’s) on His back, making His death beyond anything we could ever imagine. I am so thankful for His love, that He would carry my sins for me.

If anyone has any fun ways to keep the fun traditions of Easter without taking away from the true reason of the celebration, I would love to hear them! ** Check out some fun activities at the end of this post to try out too!

Blessings to you all as you spend this day rejoicing in the Lord’s sacrifice and vitctory! I have also included a passage that I will hold on to during the day tomorrow…

Isaiah 53

¹ Who has believed our message
and to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?

² He grew up before him like a tender shoot,
and like a root out of dry ground.
He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him,
nothing in his appearance that we should desire him.

³ He was despised and rejected by men,
a man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering.
Like one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not.

⁴ Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the LORD has laid on him
the iniquity of us all.

⁷ He was oppressed and afflicted,
yet he did not open his mouth;
he was led like a lamb to the slaughter,
and as a sheep before her shearers is silent,
so he did not open his mouth.

⁸ By oppression and judgment he was taken away.
And who can speak of his descendants?
For he was cut off from the land of the living;
for the transgression of my people he was stricken.

⁹ He was assigned a grave with the wicked,
and with the rich in his death,
though he had done no violence,
nor was any deceit in his mouth.

¹⁰ Yet it was the LORD’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer,
and though the LORD makes his life a guilt offering,
he will see his offspring and prolong his days,
and the will of the LORD will prosper in his hand.

¹¹ After the suffering of his soul,
he will see the light of life and be satisfied;
by his knowledge my righteous servant will justify many,
and he will bear their iniquities.

¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great,
and he will divide the spoils with the strong,
because he poured out his life unto death,
and was numbered with the transgressors.
For he bore the sin of many,
and made intercession for the transgressors.

Easter Activites

Bunny Pops!

Rubberband Egg Decorating

Martha Stewart Table Place Cards

Peeps Sushi!

I am not a huge fan of Valentines but the one thing I adore about Valentine’s day is that there are so many fun and creative ways to make sweet treats and gifts for those you love. I have created a quick collage of some of my favorite finds this year out in blog land. LOTS of talent out there and I can not wait to try a few of these sweet ideas. I most likely wont create them all (unless I want to give my hubby a major sugar rush for v-day!!) but I am sure I will find some fun ways to incorporate these ideas for Easter treats!

All of the links to the amazing creators are below, so have fun checking out there blogs! And Happy Valentine’s Day!

• Valentine Suckers from Pleasant Home
• Strawberry Sandwiches from Parents.com
• Rock Candy Valentine from Martha Stewart
• Pretzel Treats from No Fuss Fabulous
• Heartbreaker Treats from Dana
• Mini Cupcake Pops from Mandy