Vacation Time!

My vacation started yesterday. My last day of work, now three days to pack and we're off. Looking so forward to the beach, family, food, relaxation, fun, food, sun, ocean, shopping, oh and did I say food?

Every year we head to the beach for our week vacation. We go with my mom, sisters, and nieces. It's become our family tradition to go to the Outer Banks, and this will be our 13th year! My job at the beach is to cook for everyone. I have been named Top Chef, with my sister Christy being my Sous Chef, and my Mom and the kids filling in as Line and Prep Cooks. My sister Di is on clean up duty, and she's fine with  that. Any one who knows me knows that my life revolves around food. I think most Italians revolve their lives around food. Someone gets married, we eat. Someone dies, we eat. Someone has a baby, we eat. Holidays... eat. Friends coming over... eat. Sad... eat. Happy... eat. Mad... eat. Am I forgetting anything? well, just eat.

There is something very sacred about the beach. It was my peace of mind as I was growing up. We spent every summer in Ocean City, MD. We had a beach house in Fenwick Island and I have so many happy memories of family, the beach, our boat, crabbing on the bay, and all of our summer friends that we grew up with.

I'm looking forward to the peace, tranquility and inspiration that the beach brings. 

Now it's time to do the dreaded packing :(

Middle Class Housewife

So, my Mom emailed me this video....

Pictures...that's all

I am getting ready to do a 30 day pictorial called Picture Summer. So to get my creative juices flowing, I thought I would post some pictures I took from a recent family wedding.... 

Everything Beachy

I love this Blog... and she's giving away this necklace... enter to win, just click the Simpledaisy picture above.

Beauty

Last spring, every Tuesday evening, my home was invaded by a bunch of girls ranging in age from 11-21! 

We talked about finding our inner beauty. 

We talked about how the media and our peers distort our view of ourselves.

We talked about how we subscribe to the worldly view of beauty...

and forget who our true Author is.

I think it's time to do it again.... 

Peace

Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.  

Finally, brothers, 

whatever is true, 

whatever is noble, 

whatever is right, 

whatever is pure, 

whatever is lovely, 

whatever is admirable

—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy

—think about such things.

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. 

Philippians 4:4-9

Paul wrote this letter from jail to the Christ followers in Philippi. He was thanking them for their support of him. Paul hoped that he would be set free, but he also lived with the very real possibility that he may be put to death. It's a short little book, about half way through the New Testament of the Bible.

Content?

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want.

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

 Philippians 4:11-13

This verse really spoke to me today. 

I've been there with much. 

I've been there with little.

I don't know if it is maturity or God has finally made a break through, but I've realized that no matter what

He is always there.