One person got it right!!!

Welcome to Huey's in Memphis

Home of the most AMAZING burgers and the BEST onion rings you will ever eat!!!

And Tori was the first and only one to guess it!!

Huey's is also famous for.........

shooting toothpicks into the ceiling while you wait for your food!!

How fun is that?!!

I have to say that I was pretty good at it!!!!

the best part was watching people who didn't know of the tradition react...

we had one couple get up and move tables from us!!!

come on people.....loosen up and have some fun!

This would be what the floor looked like!
See, they don't always "stay" in the ceiling!!!

Which also means that you need to protect your drinks!!!

We had a lot of fun here..this is our kind of restaurant!!!

But I do believe it really is one of the best burgers I have ever eaten!!!

Of course, it could also be that I was famished after walking a bazillion miles that day in triple digit heat......just sayin'!!!

Can you guess?

Can you guess what we are doing in the following pictures?

If you are from Memphis, don't give it away!!!

It's Monday after vacation......nuff said!

To say that I am having a hard time getting motivated today would be an understatement!!!

We had an awesome weekend in Memphis (pictures posted on FB) and seeing Wicked was the cherry on the top!!! It was amazing! The best part was hearing my youngest son ooooh and aaaah and laugh out loud throughout the production!!


I thought I would edit yesterday's post with the pictures....but am too tired!! so sorry.

However, I want to make an announcement........

I AM SO LAME!

Yesterday, was our 1/2 way through point on Project 365.........and I MISSED it!!!

I am going to blame being on vacation (it's a good and valid excuse.....it is!) and being frustrated with the slow internet at the hotel (also a valid and good excuse!). However, I had promised, in this post, a giveaway. And not just any giveaway, but a super dooper giveaway.

So here's the deal.........next week will kick off our 2nd half of Project 365. I will be drawing a name from all those that link up and that lucky person will win..........

........are you ready?!!!!

a $20 gift card to Blurb!!!!

yep, I promised super dooper and I think that fills the bill!!!

There are some rules that apply......

....ok, just one. This must NOT be your very FIRST post on Project 365!!

I want to encourage everyone to start this project any time you can....it is wonderful!!! BUT, I want to reward those of you that have really committed to this (even if you joined us part way through!) I looked back at the first posts of this project and we had over 20 people that started with us. On yesterday's post, 13 people linked up. I know there are a few of you that have kept up but didn't link up yesterday too.......those percentages are pretty great!!!

It hasn't always been easy remembering to take a photo every day....and I think most of us have missed at least one day somewhere along the way.....but it has been one of the best projects I have ever been part of! I love it!!

So, keep that camera close at hand this week!!!! And be sure to link up next Sunday!!!

Project 365 - Week 26

hey guys! I am currently on vacation and the internet service, while free, is exceptionally slow. My family can not wait any longer for me to "try" to upload my pics. So, I will send you to my...

..... Project 365 blog

to see my weeks pictures for now. When I get home tomorrow, I will try to edit this post and add them here.

We are having a blast in Memphis....even with the SCORCHING HOT weather!! We have had great BBQ, gone to a ball game, visited the zoo, toured the Gibson factory, toured the Sun Studios and walked our little tails off!

oh yea, and have sweat about 10 pounds of weight...BONUS!

For now, we are off to Beale street and hopefully some more amazing BBQ! And tomorrow we see Wicked!!!

Hope you all have had a great week. Please link up and let us see!!!

Friday Fill-ins

1. She had a great and inspiring faith in Jesus Christ, my Aunt.

2. My camera, since the start of project 365, is by my side, always.

3. I know this: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners -- of whom I am the worst" I Tim 1:15

4. Be still and know that I am God. Psalms 46

5. These words apply to me: I am sinner saved by grace.

6. Yesterday was HOT and the sun was shining.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to driving to Memphis with my family & going to a baseball game, tomorrow my plans include the Memphis zoo, great BBQ and jazz and Sunday, I want to thoroughly enjoy the last day of our vacation and seeing Wicked with my family!

If you want me as your customer.......

......then SHOW UP!!!

It's really pretty simple.

I have spent 3 days in the last week waiting for AT&T to show up at my house. Have scheduled the whole afternoon to be stuck in the house because they said they would be here between 12 and 2 and then it would take 4 hours to install Uverse in my house.

I don't like to be stuck in my house.

It all started with the salesman that came by our house.....he was very good, I have to admit. He made promises of saving us $60 a month and that with adding some wonderful features.......

*fiber optics
*HD included (not a big deal to me, but my husband was drooling)
*recording on one DVR in the house, but being able to watch the show on ANY TV in the house! I was excited about that one
*faster internet
*everything in your house on one bill

They were all great promises, but what sold us was the savings. So, we scheduled a date.

They never showed up.

We scheduled another date. they showed up, but had to leave to get things they needed to make it work.....

......and didn't come back. We scheduled yet another appointment.

They never showed up.

Yep, I am done. As one of my friends put it, I refuse to beg a company to be their customer.

It took me OVER an hour to cancel the order.........because for some reason I had to REORDER my phone service, which was with AT&T in the first place......and oh, it is going to cost me more than it did 5 days ago when all this started.........ya, not happy.

So, I got on the phone last night and upgraded my Comcast package to:

*HD included
*everything in the house on one bill
*faster internet
*the DVR feature I wanted they don't have, BUT they are working on it for the future!

And guess what? It is all cheaper than AT&T!!! I'm sticking with Comcast.

Last night I was sitting on the sofa watching TV and I get a call.......a sales call from AT&T trying to sell me Uverse........

..........that poor guy got an ear full and I don't think will ever call my house again!!!

WYAW and Random Praises!!

Before I get to WYAW, hosted by Linda, I have a few random praises that I just needed to share:

* got a call from the vacuum repair shop. Even though the vacuum sat for over a week (in a sealed bag) before they got to it (I don't even want to think about what it smelled like when they pulled it out of the bag).....they got ALL the smell out and I don't have to buy a new vacuum!!!

* How amazing is it when one of your son's friends (who has practically lived at your house) comes up and asks you to please give him some chores to do to make up for all the food he has eaten!!! I love that boy!! His chore: to keep him and my son out of trouble!!!! :)

* we received an email that my son's visa for Brazil has gone out and we should receive it by the end of the week!!! With one week to spare! whew!

* I received another email yesterday that my son had signed up to bring fruit for 20 people when the youth go to feed the homeless under the bridge tonight. when I asked him about it this morning, he said "yes, but I was going to go by the store and buy them myself"!!! wow! Not long ago, I would have been told that he needed for me to get the fruit 10 minutes before he was to leave!!!

So great to see God working all around me this week!!


Now to WYAW. All my questions have something to do with my summer:

1. What is your favorite kind of smoothie?

2. Have you ever gone on a mission trip? If yes, where.

3. What is the first "comfort" place you stop at when you go home to visit?


My Answers:

1. My favorite is Mango-a-go-go from Jamba Juice. But seeing as we don't have Jamba in LR, I have to say anything with mango in it from tropical smoothie or from home!! We drink a lot of smoothies in the summer....LOVE them!

2. Yes, I took my daughter on her 1st mission trip to St. Lucia where we distributed food to poor villages on the island. I also went to Romania last year to help staff a summer camp for orphans. My boys will be leaving next week to head to Brazil on a youth mission trip.

3. Eegees. A restaurant on in Tucson. I am going to visit my parents while my boys are in Brazil and the first stop from the airport will be Eegees to get a grinder and a pina colada slushie...it's not really a slushie, but not quite a smoothie.....hard to explain....but so, so good!!!

Have a wonderful Wednesday!!! And now head over to Linda's!

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me....

I am leading a bible study this summer on Ephesians. In studying the beginning of chapter two and God's mercy, the author sent us to the Psalms. This is what he had to say:

If the Lord is the shepherd who leads the flock, goodness and mercy are the two sheepdogs that guard the rear of the flock. Goodness and mercy. Not goodness alone, for we are sinners in need of mercy. Not mercy alone, for we are fragile, in need of goodness. We need them both...

Goodness and mercy---the celestial escort of God's flock. If that duo doesn't reinforce your faith, try this phrase: "all the days of my life."

What a huge statement. Look at the size of it! Goodness and mercy follow the child of God each and every day! Think of the days that lie ahead. What do you see? Days at home with only toddlers? God will be at your side. Days in a dead-end job? He will walk you through. Days of loneliness? He will take your hand. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me --not some, not most, not nearly all--but all the days of my life.

And what will he do during those days? (Here's my favorite word.) He will "follow" you.

How awesome is that?! I needed to hear that this morning......I needed reminding that God will follow me with goodness and mercy each and every day. And because He is following, I won't get lost, He sees me.......no matter where I turn or what comes into my path!!!

As I look at the days ahead, it can be frightening and worrisome.......teenagers driving, kids going on mission trips in other countries, kids going off to college, hard times in ministry, economic and financial issues, health issues..........but what a comfort to know that God is not only before me, but hemming me in behind with goodness and mercy!!

I don't know about you, but that brings a sweet smile to my face today!

Beer Butt Chicken....who knew?

Who knew that my posting on my FB status that I was cooking Beer Butt chicken would en licit so many comments!!! I really am surprised at how many people have never heard of it!

I do admit that it is not the most pleasant sounding title.......some might call it Beer in the Rear Chicken......that really doesn't sound much better......but I must assure you that it is.....

the.best.chicken......EVAH!

Some of you may not have heard of it because you don't drink beer. And you might not try it because you don't like the taste of beer. Let me tell you that when you eat this chicken, you would never know that beer was involved unless someone told you......I promise!

You MUST try it!!

If for no other reason than the title........it is pretty funny!!

Just look at that picture.......dee-lish!! Can you see the can of beer on the right that the bird is sitting up on.........hence being called Beer Butt Chicken!! That is how it cooks on the grill.

So here you go, the recipe...........you may thank me later!


INGREDIENTS

* 1 cup butter
* 2 tablespoons garlic salt
* 2 tablespoons paprika
* salt and pepper to taste
* 1 (12 fluid ounce) can beer
* 1 (4 pound) whole chicken

1. Preheat an outdoor grill for med heat.
2. In a small skillet, melt 1/2 cup butter. Mix in 1 tablespoon garlic salt, 1 tablespoon paprika, salt, and pepper.
3. Discard 1/2 the beer, leaving the remainder in the can. Add remaining butter, garlic salt, paprika, and desired amount of salt and pepper to beer can. Place can on a disposable baking sheet. Set chicken on can, inserting can into the cavity of the chicken. Baste chicken with the melted, seasoned butter. you can also rub chicken with any seasoning you would like.
4. Place baking sheet with beer and chicken on the prepared grill. Cook over medium heat for about 1 1/2 - 2 hours, or until internal temperature of chicken reaches 180 degrees F (80 degrees C).

Enjoy!!!!

Project 365 - week 25

Week 25. We are so close to half way!!! I wasn't going to tell you this yet, but...oh well...........

........for those of you that make it to the 1/2 point, I will be drawing a name for a super duper prize!!! What prize you ask? Well, I am not sure yet, but it will be super duper!!! So hang in there!!!!

And just to warn you....there seems to be a lot of food in this weeks pictures! Is that an indication of how I am doing on the 30 x 5 Challenge? .....maybe.

Enjoy my week!

Sunday

This little sweetie was so excited to come into church Sunday and say her verse so she could wear her "Pin of many Colors"

By the end, her pin will have all colors of beads on it!!

Monday

Alyssa and I went shopping for shoes for her today.
She is going to a wedding this weekend...aren't these cute?!

Tuesday

We had our family portrait made this evening outside...
...we picked the HOTTEST day to do it...yuck!

So after, we all went out for the BEST burger in town!
Arkansas burger company

Wednesday

Wow! Look at this amazing dinner!!!
My great friend and neighbor made this for us tonight!
scallops in roasted orange pepper with pesto...
Oh my word, it was so good!!!

Thursday

Jason had a friend for dinner...
....I made beer butt chicken...YUM!!!

Nice face Jason..

Friday

Tonight was the wedding rehearsal for my sweet friend, LeAnne.
My husband is officiating the wedding and I have
the privilege of praying over the couple during communion.

We are so happy for them!!


Saturday

A beautiful wedding today!!!

I so enjoyed being part of it!!

And I am very happy for LeAnne and Lee!!!

What's happened in your week?!!

Guest poster - Happy Father's Day

Today, I have the honor of sharing my blog with my son as he honors his dad......

Good mornin’ to all!

Happy Father’s day to all male…bloggers…uh…pass that message on to your husbands.

Holidays are special. We have them to celebrate important people. Infact almost every holiday honors that guideline: Christmas, Columbus Day, Independence Day, Martin Luther King Day, etc. These people who are celebrated are those who have accomplished great things! Those who are strong and persevere to the very end! Who battle their way through storms, and fight their way through political fire and religious controversy! These people have earned their holiday.

So has my dad. HE helps me fight those storms, HE’s there to lift me up, HE’s there to lean on, and He’s there to fight to the very end. My dad is (as corny as it sounds) my role model. The way he lives his life: the way he humbles himself and puts others first always, his morals, the way he rules his household, how he will always hang out with me and my family no matter what!

But most importantly, the way he is a man after God’s own heart.

And I plan on following in his footsteps.

My dad has earned his holiday.

Happy Father’s Day, Dad.


To all dad’s and husbands,

Jason Bowyer

(The son of the lovely Sara Bowyer) I did not pay him to write that! :)







I love you too honey, with all my heart........our children are so blessed to have you for their father!!

Friday Fill-ins and the vacuum

I have a crazy busy weekend this weekend......what's new, right?!

My daughter is leaving in the morning to drive to Houston for a friends wedding. She will be on the road 10+ hours Friday and then 4-5 more on Saturday. Please pray with me for safe travel for her!! It's so hard when your children get old enough to do things like this because you never quit worrying about them!!

Just an update on my vacuum.......I called the store to see how it was going and the lady said that they would not be able to get to it until next week, there were several others in front of it! I asked if they knew what the problem was and what it smelled like and she said "oh yes! I wrapped it in several bags"

Ok......so don't you think that if that were the case you might just move it up a notch on the to do list?!!!!

What is it going to smell like when they get to it?!!!

.............I'm sure now I will be getting a new vacuum.........great.


Here are my Friday fill-ins:

1. All children alarm their parents, if only because you are forever expecting the unexpected.

2. Show me a good loser and I will show you the ultimate winner.

3. Eating the chocolate cake our youth pastor just made for us is like eating an entire box of chocolate liqueurs at one time absolutely amazing!!!

4. Too bad that all the people who know how to run the country are busy successfully running a company and making a profit.

5. I have yet to hear a man ask for advice on how to combine work and being a dad.

6. It is impossible to think of any good meal, no matter how plain or elegant, without bread or dessert in it.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to a rehearsal dinner, tomorrow my plans include being part of a beautiful wedding and my husband officiating and Sunday, I want to enjoy church and then pamper my husband!

Happy Father's day to all the dads out there!!!

No Words and WYAW

I don't know if you've noticed or not, but I have not been posting much other than Project 365 or memes.

I am not really sure why, but I have just not had any words that seemed blog worthy.

My summer has started off crazy (not how I had hoped)! I am working hard on our Children's program at church and leading 2 bible studies. By the time I get to the computer and finish reading all your wonderful posts.....it just seems I am done......no words to add.

So, I apologize if you have come by only to find the same ole thing for the last couple of weeks.

It's just where I am.

*******************************
But, I always enjoy doing Linda's WYAW!! So, here goes!


1. What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?

2. When you paint a room, do you tape it first or wipe-as-you-go?!

3. Would you ever sky dive?

My Answers:

1. I am an ice creamaholic!! I love most flavors of ice cream, but my all time fav is english toffee from Baskin Robins......which I am finding they are not making any more.......very sad!!!

2. I am definitely a wipe-as-you-go person! I will be painting my bedroom in the next week and that fact drives my detail husband a bit crazy!!! I also never measure when hanging a picture, just eye ball it!

3. Heck NO!!!

Project 365 - Week 24

So here we go into week 24. It has been a great week here...aside from the tornadoes and high speed winds that went through at the end of the week!!! Gotta love tornado season.

The highlight of my week (insert sarcasm here) had to do with my vacuum. Turns out my son dropped a large container of feta cheese on the floor the other day. Being the good kid that he is......he proceeded to clean it up.....by vacuuming it up!!! Now, just imagine feta cheese stuck up in your vacuum (since it is wet it doesn't quite make it into the bag) for a few days.......ya.......BAD!!!

I could barely get it to the vacuum shop with all the windows rolled down without gagging!! The lady told me they would not be working on it till at least Monday.........hmmmmm........better seal it in a bag, because you won't want to come in here on Monday if you don't!!!!

So what are the odds I'm getting a new vacuum?

Take note.....tell all your children that you NEVER vacuum up cheese or wet items!!!

Now on to my week:

Sunday

We started a new curriculum on Joseph for Children's Church today.
We had so much fun!!
...and I think all the kids did too!

Monday
Well, today was crazy busy. I spent most of the afternoon going from the bank to the post office and back again (twice!) trying to get all the items together for Jared's visa to Brazil. My picture should have been one of those, but I was so flustered the whole time I didn't think about it. So here is a different picture.

This is my neighbors yard. Do you see the cat at the corner of the deck?
Do you see how high it is off the ground?
She is just hanging there sleeping!!!!

Tuesday

Family fun in the pool!!
Why am I not in there, you ask?

I am grilling the dinner....

Wednesday

Alyssa's and my favorite show!!!
(ok, when 24 and LOST are not on)

We are so excited for this to be back on!!
When I get to heaven, I will be able to dance like this!

Goofing off during the commercials. We are so silly.

Thursday

This drives me absolutely CRAZY

especially when the the distance from the counter to the dishwasher is not even a step!!

Friday

We thought this looked like the end of Jared's pool party...
...but it blew through in like 45 minutes and so the party went on!!

Saturday

This dinner was AMAZING!!!
I got this recipe from the Proud Italian Cook
Oh my word, the scallops are wrapped in prosciutto and then grilled on a cedar plank....you have to try this!!!

This is our sweet Lily's favorite spot.
She can view the whole neighborhood from here and protect us!!!

Now let's see how your week has turned out!!