Wednesday, June 1, 2011

take a stand

Ephesians 6:13

Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.




Yesterday was my parents 43rd wedding anniversary.

When I was growing up my mom always had this photo of her and my dad on the bulletin board in her sewing room. This was taken when they were dating. My mom was only about 17 or 18 years old. Let me tell you what. My parents have been through some stuff yet here they stand. They've seen times of plenty and times when my mom made top ramen or mac n cheese for every meal because we couldn't afford meat. We qualified for the free lunches at school. There were stressful days. There are always good years and hard years. I've watched my mom and dad STAND through the hard years. And in watching they've taught me to stand.





This is my grandpa and grandma. Recently I had a dream that my grandma passed away and I woke up crying. My husband did the sweetest thing and arranged for them to come to my birthday party so that I could spend some time with them. My grandma is starting to lose her memory a bit and really counts on grandpa to take care of her. She's always scanning the room looking for where grandpa is standing because as long as she knows where he is she feels safe. In my ignorance I thought that this might irritate my grandpa. I half expected him to meet her searching gaze with irritation but instead I saw more love in those eyes than I could ever find words for. This year they are married 68 years. He knows their time left together is short and he showers her with love. This is another couple that has faced great adversity in their lifetime and yet I have watched them STAND. When I was going through my own hard times 2 years ago I would think of my grandparents and all that they had been through and hold onto their example as I also was learning to stand.


One blessing that has come from attending the same church for 20+ years is watching people I love go through extreme adversity and handle it with grace and dignity. I've also watched people that have become bitter or rebellious. We are always quick to give them an excuse, "well, they've had a hard life... etc." But I find myself so impressed with the ones that handle adversity and come out on the other side stronger. People are always watching. My parents and grandparents are not perfect but what I've watched since I was a little girl was how they would pick up the pieces from their mistakes and continue forward.


This summer marks my FIFTEEN year anniversary!!! There was a time when I wasn't sure we'd make it past thirteen years. Those were some hard days for us! But God taught us to stand. We've never been happier! And I appreciate my husband and my marriage so much! Do you know that I live a life completely free of fear now??? It used to completely paralyze me. So now we stand and you'd better believe my girls are watching!

Oh my goodness. I just got all choked up! Do you see the generations here? My parents watched my grandparents stand. Then I watched my parents! And now the girls are watching us!!

Maybe you don't have the same heritage that I'm blessed with. But you can be the first! YOU can STAND! And in standing, teach your children to stand! I'm not just talking about marriage! I have friends that have lost their spouse at a young age, friends that have lost children, friends that have lost everything they own in a fire, an auntie that is battling her SEVENTH round of cancer, friends that have been through tremendous difficulties in their marriages. To be around these people is a JOY! What a testimony! What an incredible example. Do you know what this says to people in the midst of the storm? It says, "I've been that way before and I'm here to show you that you WILL make it through to the other side!"

So to my parents, my grandparents, my auntie Elaine, Melissa, Leah, Cindi, Wendy, Eli, Stefie, and many many more THANK YOU for standing!! I've been watching you! You've been an incredible example to me.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011



visit my new blog to find a fun idea for cinco de mayo!

Friday, April 29, 2011



for a wonderful mother's day idea please visit me here

Thursday, April 21, 2011

learning to take better pictures



I've been practicing!

I'm excited about what I came up with today!

come take a peek!

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

new wings are meant for flying



My dear, wonderful, supportive, loyal readers!

Oh how I appreciate you! As each of you has visited my new blog by following or leaving a comment I felt your support. All day long I felt like I received little hugs from some of my faithful readers! You have had me smiling that's for sure! You never know when you begin a journey if anyone will walk alongside you or if you'll be heading out on your own with your long stick over your shoulder and your bandana of belongings tied at the end.

So Thank you! THANK YOU! from the bottom of my heart!!

Many of you have also said that this news saddens you. Take heart! While I do still plan to close this here humble pie I am most definitely still Lissa! Just a NEW healed version that's ready to jump head first into my dreams!

I've had so many inquiries as to whether or not I will continue to blog about cleaning and organization. I can't imagine that I wouldn't! That is DEEPLY imbedded into who I am (thanks to Martha Stewart!) A clean, organized house makes my heart sing! And now it just has LUSCIOUS smells coming from the kitchen to add to it's charm!

Humble pie has been through a long, deep, and personal journey. With that came a myriad of negative emails. I've never addressed that issue on my blog but they were slowly stripping me of my voice just the same. The last 6 months felt like trudging through quicksand off and on as I blogged along.

Finally I've found my true passion! And it's feeding my friends and family. It's time in the kitchen. And most definitely it's becoming a ROCKING cook! I did not grow up in a family of cooks. Fancy occasions called for that Lipton soup mix that you mixed with sour cream and Ruffles potato chips! However, I'm so THANKFUL for that upbringing!! I think it gives my new blog an organic approach to the photography and food. It's not fussy, fancy, or unattainable. Anyone can cook the food I will write about! And it will be something that you will be proud to serve to your family. I deeply hope that my photography continues to improve as well!

So don't worry! It's still me!! It won't just be recipes! It will be LOTS and LOTS of love poured out to my dear readers who I wish could sit around my kitchen table so that I can FEED you YUMMY food! And of course listen to you oooh and ahhh about what an amazing cook I've become. ha!

And one little order of business:

I've had several inquiries as to how to follow my new blog since I've chosen to keep the followers tab off of my blog. The only thing I know to do is this; when you're logged into blogger and you come to my new blog Keep it Simple Keep it fresh on the upper left corner of the screen will have a link that says follow. Just click it and voila you are following! :)

cheers!

Tuesday, April 19, 2011

my new passion!

Good day my readers. The other day my husband and I found ourselves wandering into the bookstore on our date night. I've always been a huge lover of magazines which is probably why I've enjoyed browsing blogs so much. Lately I find myself drawn to cooking magazines or articles having anything to do with being in the kitchen. I find a passion being birthed inside of me regarding gluten free cooking and converting those beautiful recipes you see in the gorgeous magazines like Donna Hay, Jamie, etc. As I find success with these recipes I would LOVE to share them with you! Many people are finding themselves diagnosed with celiac disease or discovering that they just feel better if they eliminate gluten from their diets. I've been living with this disease for 22 years and have a lot to offer in regards to eating well while living a gluten free lifestyle.

So humble pie will be closing and I hope that you will join me on my new journey to a delicious gluten free life!

http://keepitsimplekeepitfresh.blogspot.com/

See you there!

Sunday, April 3, 2011


images from Martha Stewart

Hey my sweet readers!

How did you do on your bathrooms? Did you try any of those new products?

We really need to remodel our master bathroom. It has a pink tub with a pink sink and it's just icky. We're thinking we want a walk in shower! I am crushing on these photos right now.

I am going to be taking this week off to be with my sweet little girlies (don't tell them I called them little). I will return to blogging on April 11th. I have a new order of aprons coming in but I've already sold half. Make sure to leave me an email if you want one. There aren't many left.

Have a fabulous spring break! We'll chat next week!