MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Merry Christmas from our family to yours. I pray each of you have a blessed new year. It's been a wonderful year for us, especially with Rob becoming a new pastor. We look forward to the new year and what God has in store for our family and our new church. In the excitement and spirit of Christmas, let us never forget and always hold dear to our hearts that the TRUE meaning of Christmas is Jesus' birthday. He is the reason for the season. He is the reason for life. If we don't have him as our personal savior and haven't repented of our sins, we have nothing. We lose out on eternal life in heaven with him. I pray each of you know Christ and if you don't, please don't put off salvation any longer. What better time to accept him than on the day we celebrate and honor his birth. The greatest gift you could ever receive is the gift of salvation. Christmas begins with Christ so keep Christ in your heart and life all year long.

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas.......

Christmas Blessings to all! I trust everyone is doing well and keeping warm now that winter is pretty much here! We're supposed to get snow this weekend-anywhere from 1-8 inches. I pray it comes later tonight b/c our Christmas program is tonight at church and I don't want to postpone it! Pray for the kids tonight. The little kids will have their program at 6 and then the teens play will be around 6:30 when the little kids are done. I work with the little kids and they have been working so hard on their songs and reading parts. I pray that all goes well for them tonight! I'm in the teens' play-I play a teenager! This weekend is the last time to get your name in for my Ornament Swap-I will draw names Monday and let you know then so that you can get it out before Christmas. I only have 4 people that have signed up, so calling all bloggers to participate in my swap! PLEASE! well-gotta go finish cleaning house and do some stuff before practice tonight. Take care and God bless!

Christmas Ornament Swap

Christmas is my favorite holiday and favorite time of year. I love decorating my house for this blessed season. It's so much fun, and even more fun now that I have a child. She's 2 and 1/2 and really into Christmas this year. She loves the lights, the trees and all that goes with it! She has her own 3 ft tree in the living room with the big one and she even decorated it herself-with a little help from mom. In light of the Christmas spirit-I would like to have a Christmas Ornament Swap. I think this would be fun. So-I'm going to give it a few days to have any interested contestants sign up by leaving me a post or emailing me at melissaluck@yahoo.com and then I'll draw the names and let you guys know so you can get them out in the next week or so. Please pass it on to all your blog buddies so they can join in. I don't have many blog friends and would love to meet many many more! Also, I challenge any who wants to either leave it on my blog or on yours or on both-what your favorite tree ornament is. I have many favorites-my most favorites are the snowmen with our names on it but I really like this crotched Santa stocking ornament that I have. It would be my fav. Also, tell what your "theme" would be of decorating your tree. My "theme" for my tree in the living room is Santa. I have a little Coca Cola tree in the kitchen b/c my kitchen is coke. Well-I hope everyone is enjoying the blessed season, keeping warm, staying healthy and being safe during the hustle and bustle of Christmas. May God bless you all and Peace be with you always! Now-go sign up for the ornament swap! please!

Season's Greetings!

Happy LATE Thanksgiving! Hope everyone had a blessed day and remembered to tell God thanks for all the blessings he's given you, both big and small, good and bad for it is only by his grace that we have what we have. I'm SO VERY SORRY that I haven't been on in an eternity. I've been subbing A LOT and the days I'm off I'm busy taking Chloe to "school", tumbling, doing grocery shopping, Christmas shopping, cleaning house-though it never seems to stay that way! you name it-It seems like time doesn't stand still long enough for me to collect my thoughts-and believe you me there's a lot of them running around up there! I hope everyone is doing well and getting ready for the wonderful Christmas season. It is very important in all of our hustle and bustle of the season to not ever forget, put last or take out what the TRUE, REAL & ONLY meaning of Christmas is...Jesus Christ's birthday-the Son of God who was born on this day to a virgin named Mary. God sent his ONLY son on this earth. He lived an incredible life of 33 years and then he was crucified between a cross and 3 nails to die for MY sins, to die for YOUR sins so that WE ALL would have the chance to believe, accept and live it so that we can live eternally in Heaven with him when our old bodies leave this worldly, sinful, wicked earth. Christmas has become too commercialized. People aren't even saying "Merry Christmas". It's now "Happy Holidays"-well guess they didn't realize that that "holiday" means "holy day". anyways-I get so tired of the true meaning being left out. it's not about presents, trees, lights, decorations or anything like that, though I enjoy all of that. It is a time to get together with your family-but I'm sure we all have family who doesn't believe in Christ or God, doesn't claim a faith or attend church who desperately need Christ so that they can be free from the eternal gates of hell- rather they realize it or not they are lost without Christ. It is our jobs as Christians to tell the WHOLE world about Christ-starting with the ones we love, the ones we're closest too-our family and friends. Don't leave Christ out of anything-your life, heart, prayers, thoughts, but especially Christmas. If we take Christ out of everything-we have lost all hope of surviving life on this earth and the hereafter. Give your loved one the best Christmas present they could ever receive-the gift of salvation. Help lead them to Christ so they too can live eternally with him in Heaven. If you are reading this and don't know him, or don't know him very well and want a closer relationship with him-don't wait another second. Pray earnestly right now and ask God to forgive you of your sins, live in your heart and life forever, live it, read your bible and pray daily and find a good bible teaching church and attend as often as you can so that you can grow in your walk with Christ through preaching, prayer, song, worship and fellowship with other believers. That's what it's all about. I know this is long, and I've probably rubbed some the wrong way, but it's the truth-God's truth-and it's my duty as a Christian to tell others about Christ and how to be saved and that's what I've done so be it if I've stepped on a few toes! Take care and I will try not to wait a month to blog again! Have a wonderful week-what's left of it- and a good weekend. Merry Christmas early and remember-JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON! God bless!

I'm still here

Hello all. I just wanted to take a minute to tell you that I'm still alive and kicking. I know I haven't been on here in like a month but I've been subbing like crazy. In fact, that's where I am right now. I will try and get on here later this week when things slow down a bit. I have thurs off so I will get back on. Sorry I haven't been on and please don't forget about me! I've got some goodies to share with you when I get the chance to blog. Until then, take care and God bless.

Not my pie

Just a side note since everyone has been asking...I cheated and just found a pic of lemon pie online to post b/c I made my pie at my mom's and let it set there while I came home so when I actually did my posting, my pie wasn't here to take a pic of! So, sorry for the confusion! Next time I promise I'll take a pic of the real thing!

When life hands you lemons...make a Lemon pie! (Or in my case-lemon instant pudding!)

Hello...I haven't been on in a few days so I haven't posted anything. I made a real easy pie today at my moms so I'm going to give you the recipe. You can use any kind of instant pudding as the pie filling. I used Lemon.

Lemon Pie

Pie Crust:
1 cup flour
1 stick of butter melted
Mix together in a bowl. Put into a pie pan, patting down the dough with your fingers. Use your fingers to brush it up onto the sides of the pan. Bake at 350 for 10-15 minutes until a little brown on the edges. If it bubbles up as baking, poke a few holes in it with a fork. Let cool completely before putting in the pie filling.

* Cook your favorite pudding according to directions to make the pie filling.

* Serve with whip cream on top...YUM-O!

Enjoy! I'm taking it to my in laws tonight for supper along with a Macaroni Salad. That's all I have time for right now to blog. I will see you Monday. Enjoy the rest of your weekend! God bless!

Tis the Season to be FALLY...FALL LA LA LA LA!

Happy Monday! I hope everyone had a great weekend. Mine wasn't much of one. Rob worked Saturday and I helped my friend/step cousin at her yard sale Fri and Sat. I made $35 which wasn't bad considering I didn't' put much in there. Rob put his XBOX in the yard sale and sold it for $100. He also sold his collection of thousands of baseball cards for the same price on the same day! Cool! Speaking of...that's me and my honey in the pics. I put pics of us b/c I have some great date ideas to tell you and they are cheap!

DATE NIGHT
Don't have a lot of time or money to go on expensive dates? Especially if you have kids-young kids-still living at home? Well here are a few tips courtesy of ALL*You Magazine (www.allyou.com).
1-Dinner & A movie-fix your hubby a nice dinner that is ready for him when he comes home from work. To make it more personal and romantic, have candles lit on the table and romantic music playing in the background. Use your good china for this special occasion. After you eat, the two of you can clean up real quick and then go sit all cozy on the couch curled under a blanket with the lights turned off and watch a movie. You can go to your local movie rental and rent for less than 4 bucks (still cheaper than going to the movie theater), or choose one that you already own. If you're like us and have a DVR or TiVo and have a movie recorded already on there, watch that. Sometimes TV channels like Fox and Hallmark will have good movies playing on the weekends so check that out. Or check out HBO for their free movie preview weekend and watch it for free! If you really want to make it feel more like the movies-pop some popcorn and drink soda! You can even buy your favorite candy bar at the grocery store and have it too! And it will be much cheaper than buying it at the movies! If you do dinner and movie on a night that you have the kids, make it kid friendly. Make a fun dinner like Sloppy Joe's and mac and cheese, and choose a family movie such as Charlotte's Web or Madagascar.
2-Have a picnic-pack a picnic basket with your favorite sandwiches, chips, dip and drinks and take a blanket outside to your backyard and have your picnic under the stars. If it's warmer weather-don't forget bug spray! Once again, you can make this a family affair and do this with your kids. If the weather permits-take your kids to the park and have your family picnic there.
3-Have a coffee date-go to your local coffee shop and drink a cup of coffee and share a pastry. If you're like me and don't go for coffee, try a latte or hot chocolate. One of mine and Rob's favorite places to go to have coffee (well him-me a Dr. Pepper or hot chocolate) and sit and talk is Huddle House. We also like to eat there for breakfast (along with Brenda's Cafe which is just up the road from our house). This can also be a cozy date at home. Set the alarm clock to get up earlier than the kids normally do and sit out on the porch sipping your coffee and watch the sunrise together. Or do this at night after the kids have gone to bed and watch the sunset! Either way-it's very romantic!

FALL DECORATING TIPS
Now is the time to decorate for FALL! We don't celebrate Halloween b/c we are Christians and it's a Pagan Holiday. So, instead of decorating with ghosts, goblins and witches I just decorate with pumpkins, scarecrows, and yummy fall smelling candles! We love to take Chloe to our local Pumpkin Patch and I buy pumpkins of all sizes there to decorate with. We plan on taking Chloe this Saturday. I've posted some pics at the bottom to show my Fall decorations.


Fun Fall Activities
1-If your town or one close by has a Pumpkin Patch, that's a cheap activity to take your kids to. Ours cost only 2 dollars and there's an animal maze and a hay ride included. Plus, there's lots of great backdrops for the perfect fall picture to take of your kids!
2-Get together with your church, family or friends and plan a hot dog roast and hayride. Our church has got one planned for November. I can't wait!

FALL RECIPE
This is a recipe that yours truly created. I had some peaches that needed to be used and I just created this recipe with stuff I had in my kitchen. My husband came up with the name. I submitted it to Gooseburry Patch and I plan on submitting it to Rachael Ray and Paula Deen. Hope you enjoy!

Peachy Pumpkin Pie Flip-Overs by: Melissa Luck

2-3 peaches, sliced

2 tsp butter

1/4 tsp nutmeg

1 tsp cinnamon

2-3 tbs pumpkin pie spice-more if needed-you really want to bring this flavor out

1 tsp brown sugar

1-2 tsp vanilla extract

1/4 cup sugar

Powdered sugar

Ginger

1 can of crescent rolls-use more if expecting more guests

In a median sauce pan add the butter, the peaches and all of the ingredients. Simmer on the stove for about 10 minutes on medium-high. After 10 minutes, put on the lowest temperature and set aside.

(Your crescent rolls can be cooking for the first 5 minutes while you are simmering the peach mix). Spray a cookie sheet with cooking spray. Lay the crescent rolls flat on the cookie sheet. Sprinkle each one with ginger-however much you want. Bake at the temperature the directions say to. Bake for 5 minutes, right as they are starting to get golden, then take out of the oven. Take your peach mix and spoon a table spoon of mixture onto each roll. Roll into a crescent and hold with a toothpick. Put back into the oven and bake for 5-10 minutes; until golden brown. Sprinkle with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Serve with your favorite ice cream for an extra yummy taste!

Happy Weekned!

Well-it's the weekend. No big plans. Rob is working today...fun fun...he doesn't have another day off except Sunday of course until next Saturday. I don't like him working all of these weird hours. I wish they'd give him his old hours back. Things are going great at Hilltop. We fit in so well there. The church has really welcomed us with open arms. They've become family to us. We've got so many ideas and can't wait to start planning things to do with the church and the youth. I'm in the Christmas play. I play a teenager. Think I can pass for one? It was only 7 years ago that I graduated high school so surely I can! It's funny b/c my friend Michelle is the one who wrote the play and is leading it and some of the lingo in it such as "loafing", "he'll can you" (getting fired), holy roller....the teens have never heard those expressions. I have...course if you knew my mother I've grew up hearing expressions that even Rob has never heard. But, it's funny b/c the teens keep trying to change the things written in there. Should be interesting when the final day comes to put on the play! Well-I made some peanut butter cookies last night. My grandma's recipe is my all time fav. Always has been my entire life. But, a few weeks ago my mother in law made some that only has 4 ingredients...and flour is not one of them...kind of weird but they do taste good...almost as good as my grandma's but hers will always be my fav! So I used that recipe last night and that's what I had for breakfast today! So-I'm passing on the recipe to you guys. Enjoy!

Quick & Easy PB Cookies
1 cup PB
1 cup sugar
1 lg egg
1 tsp vanilla

Mix ingredients together . Make balls and drop on spray coated cookie sheet. Press down with fork. Bake at 325 for 13 minutes. Sprinkle sugar on top (optional)

CRAFT IDEA For your kids or grandkids
Now that it's October and Fall is in the air, leaves are falling on the ground. Pick a few real pretty ones. Use red, orange, brown or yellow construction paper. Rub glue sticks on the leaves and sprinkle red, yellow and orange glitter on the leaves. Glue leaves to the paper. Hang on the fridge for all to enjoy! For the young at heart, you could even do this and then frame it.

Health Remedy
This is the time of year when colds, runny noses and headaches are near. My mother in law is big into the herbs and something that she's got us hooked on is Echinachea. It comes in pill form and tea form so I recommend that you do both every day. It will help fight the colds and to keep the colds away. Can't beat that!

Exercise Tip
Want a flatter stomach? Do 3 sets of 20 crunches daily. Try to exercise early or mid morning because it will help you feel great during the day! Add 3 sets of 20 leg lifts to work your lower half of your body.

Daily Scripture
"Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil." Ephesians 6:11

May God bless each of you! Keep Him first in your heart, life, marriage, family, relationships, etc and he will bless you! Live your life for Christ. If you're not living for him, you're not living at all! Enjoy your weekend!
In Christ~
Melissa

25% off Items at Etsy Store!

Hello! I haven't been on in awhile. How is everyone? All of our Halloween and Fall items are25% OFF so hurry on over to HEART2HOME ETSY STORE at www.heart2home.etsy.com and shop til you drop! My mother in law has a new blog with the same ideas as this one so visit her blog at www.cozycountry.blogspot.com If you have any FALL decorating tips, recipes, etc please post them on here. All of October and November is a FALL theme, so please feel free to leave any tips or ideas that you have. I decorated my house inside and out yesterday while Chloe took a nap for Fall. I've had two of my very favorite big scarecrows that go outside stolen. They were stolen earlier in the summer. It makes me mad that people would do that. My mom gave me one of the scarecrows...she had it for years and then quit putting it out b/c teenage boys would take people's pumpkins in the neighborhood and throw them out in the street so I took it b/c I liked it. It was a little faded so it's not like it's worth anything. Probably some teens. but still....just burns me up! Well-here is a recipe for you. I made these last night....it's really quick, simple and easy! Rob and I love the cheesy biscuits at Red Lobster but ya know it's kind of expensive there so we hardly eat there. So, here's an easy way to make the same great tasting cheesy biscuits at home. I fixed spaghetti for supper last night and decided to make biscuits too. Now, I just used the Jiffy All purpose baking mix to make the biscuits but you can use any biscuit mix or if you have a homemade biscuit mix follow that recipe and then add in the rest.
Cheesy Garlic Biscuits
1 cup Jiffy All Purpose Baking Mix
2/3 c. Milk
1-2 cups shredded cheese-any kind
A palm full (about 2-3 tbs) of garlic pwdr

Pre-heat oven according to mix directions. Mix the ingredients together. Using a tablespoon, drop biscuits onto a spray-coated pan. Bake according to mix directions. Serve warm with butter....YUM-O!

OK-so I know it's not like some gourmet recipe....I did say it was QUICK, SIMPLE AND EASY!!!! With a 2 year old around, that's how I like it! but still, they were yummy! nothing to it! and they were better than Red Lobster if I do say so myself!

Health Tip of the Day:
Want to reduce the chance of having breast cancer? Drink lots of purple grape juice! I read in a magazine the other day that drinking grape juice reduces the risk of having breast cancer. I love drinking grape juice. I have a glass every morning! So ladies, drink lots of grape juice so you lower your risk!

Exercising Tips:
Don't have time to go to the gym to exercise? Or just don't have the energy to go (like me!). Here are 3 exercises you can do right in your own home or neighborhood.
1. WALK
This is the perfect time to start walking. Fall is the walking season. Now that the nights are cooler, take your kids or your honey and go walking. Rob and I went walking the other night at my favorite walking park and then sat on the bench for awhile and talked. Though we were "exercising" it was VERY romantic. We also take Chloe in the stroller with us-She loves it. Sometimes she gets out and walk too.
2. PLAY WITH YOUR KIDS OR GRANDKIDS
If you have young kids or young grandkids, playing with them is exercise in itself. Chloe loves to exercise with me. She loves to imitate me doing crunches and legs lift. We finish by running in place. She thinks it's fun and games. I'm getting a workout and burning calories and we're all having fun together!
3. CLEAN YOUR HOUSE
A lot of magazines are really pushing here lately that a good way to exercise is to clean your house. You burn lots of calories and your house is clean! I hate to clean, so if I think of it has exercising instead of cleaning, it gets done faster! So start vacuuming and watch those calories go away!

Scripture of the Day:
Seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33


God Bless You Always!
Love & Prayers
~Melissa~

A new blog & Fall Welcome!

Good afternoon! I want to welcome you all to my new blog! I had been thinking of changing my Mel's Scrapbook blog and making it more than just scrapbook ideas-I wanted to include recipes, cleaning ideas, home remedies, crafts, and much much more! I had been thinking about it for awhile and the other day my mother in luv told me that she was starting a new blog that was kinda of similar...so I'm not really stealing her thunder-mine was still in the making before I had talked to her but I don't think she will mind if I'm doing the same thing. Our blogs won't be the same anyways. To welcome the first day of Fall and the first day of my new blog, I am having a giveaway. So, please leave a post and tell me why you love Fall and leave a Fall tip...can be an organizing tip, cleaning tip, decorating tip, favorite Fall candle or recipe...whatever you do traditionally this time every year! My giveaway will end on Friday. Happy Fall to everyone!