Sleep in Heavenly Peace

I haven't been keeping up with my blog very well and I've missed it! I really enjoy writing on here but have been so busy lately that I've put it on the back burner. One of the things keeping me busy is getting ready for Noah to start Kindergarten. I'm happy for him but sad at the same time. He's just growing up so fast. The two photos above are just precious to me. He still sleeps with at least one arm up :)

Every night we softly play the same CD in Noah's room while we're getting him ready for bed, reading a story, saying his prayer, and as he goes to sleep. I've played this CD since he was born so hearing it now just makes me weepy. The CD is called Butterfly Kisses and Bedtime Prayers. The songs are just precious. (you can listen to song samples from that link) The first song is called Jesus Is Awake and the chorus says, "close your eyes, drift away, there's no need to be afraid. The whole world may be fast asleep, but Jesus is awake." I'm so glad to know that this is true. We pray every night for God to send His angels to watch over Noah as he sleeps. I love that Noah hears us pray this and knows that his parents depend on the Lord to protect him. :)

I checked my email this morning and got a nice surprise! I had three of my layouts requested for a new idea book. YAY! Also, the August Limelight is up for Wendi Speciale Designs. I love all of the COLOR this month. Be sure to check it out :)

You know that I scrapbook out of an armoire in my breakfast room. So I recently decided that I was running out room in the armoire and needed to free up some space. What to do? Well, I took my ribbon out of the jars. I love my jars but I needed that room. I can use my jars for other things around the house, so no biggie. Well, my new ribbon storage solution really works well! It's not my original idea at all...I just decided to try it out for myself since it's so compact AND portable. The space difference is amazing! (see photo on the right...just 3 little boxes on the top shelf, left!) I just used divided craft boxes and floss/thread cards. If you're looking for something inexpensive, portable, and compact...this is it. And I can grab the boxes, turn them over, and nothing moves. LOVE that.

Today's recipe that I'll share is Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry. Yum! Our local grocery store, H.E.B., has a cooking booth in some of their stores. One day while I was grocery shopping they were making this recipe and it smelled SO good. So I grabbed the recipe card, made it at home, and have been making this for a few years. Noah loves it :)

Beef and Asparagus Stir-Fry
Courtesy of Cooking Connections, H.E.B.

Ingredients:
12 ounces beef for stir fry
12 ounces fresh asparagus
12 to 16 small cherry tomatoes
3 green onions
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh basil leaves
2 teaspoons oil
1/4 cup hoisin sauce
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon five spice powder (I don’t use this)
1 teaspoon cornstarch

Directions:
1. Combine marinade ingredients in a medium bowl or 1-gallon sealable plastic bag. Add beef; toss to coat. Set aside to marinate 10 to 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, snap and discard woody ends from asparagus, then cut into 1-inch pieces. Halve cherry tomatoes. Thinly slice white part of green onions. Cut green tops into 1-inch pieces. Chop garlic very finely to mince. Chop basil leaves.
3. Heat a large nonstick skillet or wok over High heat 2 minutes. Add oil; sauté asparagus, white part of onion and garlic 1 minute. Add beef with marinade; stir fry 1 to 2 minutes until no longer pink. Do not overcook.
4. Stir in tomatoes, green onion tops and basil. Remove from heat and serve while hot.

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Enjoy all of God’s blessings in your life today!
- Jennifer

"Joy is not the absence of suffering. It is the presence of God." - Robert Schuller