The Pink House of Claremore

Ok, folks…here it is. The definitive list of top things to do while it’s snowing. Remember, you no longer have the excuse of a lack of the white stuff. We’ve gotten at least 20 inches up in Claremore and we're expecting more! :)

1. Go Sledding. Ok, I’m not wishing any broken bones on anybody, especially if you’re over 45, but sledding can be exhilarating, if you do it right. Wear plenty of warm clothes and make sure the hill you’re on doesn’t empty out into high speed traffic.

2. Snowball Fight. Calling all soldiers. Your mission, if you wish to accept it…is to vanquish your enemy by hitting him with a giant snowball. Remember, no whining or crying, and sneak attacks are allowed.

3. Make Snow Angels. This is your chance to act like an angel. Fall on the fluffy stuff and spread your wings. Short-lived I know, but it’s fun while you’re doing it.

4. Build a Snowman. Couldn’t skip this one. The trick is checking the snow to make sure it’s the right, sticky consistency.
Next, start the snowball in your bare hands and keep it rolling till you have a nice size and shape. Judge where you want it to end up or you’ll be building your snow guy in the bushes.
Make the middle section and head the same way but a little smaller, then stack them up.
Shape him up with your hands and make him perfectly round—then throw on some accessories. Twigs for arms, stones for eyes, carrots for a nose…you get the picture.

5. Make Snow Cream. My all time favorite. Alot of moms make this with snow, of course, milk, vanilla, and sugar. My suggestion is sweetened condensed milk, vanilla, and a little milk. Talk about heaven…and you’ll already be a snow angel. Ha, Ha.

Well that’s all I have for now. Let me know if you have any suggestions or fond memories of things you used to do in the snow.

Go to our Facebook Page and tell us about it.

Enjoy the white stuff,

Margo

As we prepare for Thanksgiving, I encourage us to find time to quietly say a prayer for the things we are thankful for and for those we love. We are surrounded by so much wonderful beauty and blessings in our lives. I know each of us has a story to tell of what God has done for us and the grace He gives us on a daily basis.

Finding time to convey that in a whispered prayer will give your heart joy and allow you an expression of gratitude to God. Remember He loves you so much and longs to be with you in the quiet moments of your life.

Set aside a few moments today to enjoy His presence and linger in His grace.

Psalm 111 says,

Praise the Lord.
I will give thanks to the Lord with my whole heart, in the company of the upright, in the congregation.
Great are the works of the Lord, studied by all who have pleasure in them.
Full of honor and majesty is his work, and his righteousness endures for ever.
He has caused his wonderful works to be remembered; the Lord is gracious and merciful.
He provides food for those who fear him; he is ever mindful of his covenant.
He has shown his people the power of his works, in giving them the heritage of the nations.
The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy,
they are established for ever and ever, to be performed with faithfulness and uprightness.
He sent redemption to his people; he has commanded his covenant for ever. Holy and terrible is his name!
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
a good understanding have all those who practice it. His praise endures for ever!

Happy Thanksgiving,

Margo

I was reading the Bible recently and saw this scripture that I think goes perfectly with the fall season. You’ve probably heard it before.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." Galatians 6:9.

Isn't that a great verse? I believe it’s a wonderful reminder to us, especially during this season of the harvest, to never stop doing good or listening to the voice of God.

So many of us are tempted to ease up in our faith at some point in our lives. We may even grow tired of our daily purpose and doubt the existence of good in the world. It’s only natural.

But, let me encourage you today…don’t grow weary of your life’s purpose. Stand firm in your beliefs and never forget about the goodness of God.

His harvest will come in due season and grace will abound richly in your heart.

Keep doing what’s right in the sight of Him and He will reward you with every kind of blessing for your life.

Margo

I think we all know what it’s like to go through trials in our lives. They’re never pleasant but often we come out better for having endured the hardship and seeing God refine us through our troubles and times of pain.

Here’s a story I found online that reminds me how God is always at work in our lives, especially during the challenging times. It’s called the Silversmith. Read it and really let it soak into your heart today. I think you’ll find it a blessing and a great moment of reflection for your life.

There was a group of women in a Bible study of the book of Malachi. As they were studying chapter three, they came across verse three, which says: "He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.” This verse puzzled the women and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn't mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up. He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the fire where the flames were hottest as to burn away all the impurities.

The woman thought about God allowing us to be in fires of life; then she thought again about the verse that says: "He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver." She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes. He not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left a moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. Then she asked the silversmith, "How do you know when the silver is fully refined?"

He smiled at her and answered, "Oh, that's easy -- when I see my image in it."

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire --whatever your troubles may be, remember that God has his eye on you and is refining you until He sees His image in you.

--Author unknown

Blessings,

Margo

As summer slowly drifts to fall, you may want to get out in the yard and garden and prepare for next spring. Here are some ideas for your fall gardening schedule that will help you plan for next year’s beauty.

• Begin to water trees and shrubs less to allow hardening off before winter and remove annuals that have seen their better day.
• Mums, pansies, and flowering Kale and cabbage are excellent decorative flowers to begin planting in late Sept/ Oct. for some cool season color when summer’s flowers are gone.
• Dig up and divide perennials that are overgrown and crowded or replace any perennials that didn’t quite make it after our brutal summer.
• Fall is also the perfect time to plant new trees and shrubs—giving them a better chance of getting developed and growing stronger roots.
• As fall arrives, use a good 3-1-2 slow release fertilizer on your lawn and seed or sod any bare spots your lawn has.

Remember also to weed and compost as often as possible and provide a little seed to the birds as they begin their winter migrations. Who knows…some may even stick around your area if they know they have a steady food source.

Just a few suggestions for your fall gardening. May God’s peace rest upon you as you enjoy this wonderful fall season.

Blessings,

Margo

With the summer heat, you know the kiddos will be clamoring for some cool and refreshing summertime snacks. Try these ideas to give them something you know they’ll love.   

Ice Cold Drinks

Try lemonade with a cup of cranberry juice and some fresh fruit like cherries or lime. Orange smoothies are also good with orange juice concentrate, milk, water, sugar, and ice. Just blend and serve.

Cherry Fizzes are also a favorite. All you need is sweet cherry juice and ginger ale. Mix it in a pitcher and enjoy.

Simple Treats

Popsicles are the perfect treat idea for summer. Plus, they’re easy to make. Pour fruit juice in popcicle molds or ice trays. Prop sticks up with plastic wrap for ice trays. Let freeze and you’re done.

Frozen fruits also make great treats. Wash some grapes and pull them off the stem, put in baggy and put in freezer till frozen. Kids love them—plus, they’re healthy.

And, what’s better than watermelon? Use some cookie cutters to make cool looking shapes and watch your kids enjoy. 

Snacks Even Kids Can Make

Make your own trail mix. Mix together cereal like Cheerios or Rice Krispies with gold fish, crackers, raisins or pretzel sticks. Then put in baggies for the kids to take on the go.

Another idea—Smores. Put some graham crackers on tin foil and put chocolate chips and marshmallows on them. Wrap them up and put in warm toaster oven for a few minutes or just out in the sun. The’re done when toppings are melted.  Pretty yummy.

Just a few snack ideas your kids will love. Try them this summer and enjoy.

Margo

It’s funny how certain tastes will bring back memories from the past or certain seasons of our lives. I call these memory foods because they stir up so much of the emotions that we associate with them and lead us back in our minds to a different time and place.

Take the taste of watermelon, for instance.  For most of us, it’s synonymous with summertime fun and the carefree days of childhood. There’s no other food I can think of, that so captures the heart of summer and its refreshing and relaxing vibe.

I can remember as a kid having to go outside to eat it because it was so messy to consume. You probably do too. Remember mom booting you out to the backyard? She had a good sense about the physics involved and the probability of the sticky juice getting everywhere.   

But, that’s the great part about eating watermelon. You don’t hold back. There’s no etiquette. No rules to follow. No care for appearance. No criticisms, except from mom. Nothing...just pleasure. 

You just devour it with gusto and enjoyment, and try not to hit anyone spitting out the seeds.

Icy cold…sweet…refreshing…carefree.

So often, I think our approach to life should be the same way. No holding back. We should just live life with gusto and enjoy the simple pleasures God has given us.

I think we forget how short life really is and that tomorrow quickly comes and goes. There’s no better time than now to enjoy the moment with the people we love and care for.

Remember, life is a gift from God to cherish and enjoy, but it doesn’t last forever.  

Savor the here and now like a sweet, refreshing fruit you remember from childhood.

Enjoy it with gusto…and always remember to spit out the seeds. 

Blessings,

Margo

Here they all come…those delightful sights and sounds of spring. If you’re like me, you can’t help but absolutely love this time of year.

Everything’s in bloom, and the incredible fragrance of flowers wafting through the air is heavenly. To me, spring is more than just a season after winter and an opening act for summer. It’s an important symbol of God’s renewing hope and grace for us all.

Believe me, if you’ve ever felt dead and lifeless, especially during the lost days of winter, now’s the time to start enjoying the renewing spirit of the season.

Here are a few of my tips for making the most of this time of year:

• Get out of the house. You’ve got to get out of your air conditioning and go smell some sweet air outside. Believe me, you don’t won’t to become a couch potato who only watches Oprah all day.
• Now, that you’re outside, go for a walk around the neighborhood. Run through your neighbor’s sprinklers. Say hello to a couple of squirrels, I don’t care. This is spring…you’re allowed to act a little crazy.
• Work in your garden. Helping things grow and look beautiful can do great things for your overall mindset. You’ll also avoid being called lazy by your neighbors.
• Do a little spring cleaning. They say it really helps us to relax to avoid the stress that comes with clutter.
• Sit on your patio, drink some ice herbal tea and take in God’s marvelous and wonderful  creation. You’ll be amazed how just resting and taking in nature will rejuvenate your mind and body.

I can’t tell you how these things have helped me. But, above all, take some time and thank God for those in your life that make it worth living. They are the true source of what brings us joy each day of our lives.

Blessings,

Margo