Super Delicious & Healthy Chocolate Non-Oatmeal Cookies

I discovered this recipe out of a DEEP love for Chocolate Oatmeal Cookies!! It's great for a snack or a protein rich breakfast and it's GLUTEN-FREE, too!!

My version of Chocolate Non-Oatmeal Cookies:

3/4 cup coconut oil
1/2 cup honey
stevia to taste (I used the liquid and gave it a good squirt!! :)
1/2 cup cocoa powder or carob powder
1 1/2 cups raw nuts (I used almonds, cashews and walnuts mixed)
1/2 c. peanut butter (I used a mixture of cashew butter, almond and peanut butter)
1/2 c. or more of unsweetened, flaked coconut

Put all ingredients in a skillet and slowly warm it up until all is melted and mixed well. Let it cool for 10 minutes and then spoon mixture onto wax paper with a large tablespoon. (You can add oatmeal if you would like) These cookies are fabulous and it's hard to keep the kids out of them....since they are nutritious, I let mine dig in!! :)

Everyday Light

Everyday Light is a beautiful devotional given to me by a friend years ago. The pages are worn now and as I look over at it I'm reminded of a unique and special fellowship that God gives to us when we find His Light for everyday :) Over the past week or so, I've been reading through the book of John. I'm still in chapter 1. It never ceases to amaze me as I read each verse again....and again... His Book is water for the soul. Are you thirsty? ... I know where to find Water!!

Something to ponder on...:0)

There is no better place to be on a hot, steamy summer day than swimming in a deliciously refreshing swimming pool!! (No matter if it's 2 feet deep or 12!!)

Today, Anna and I were blessed to have the unique opportunity to have a "girlie swim" in our generous neighbor's beautiful pool!! We laughed, talked and soaked in the Vitamin D together! :) I mused to myself as I watched her doing all her "aquatic acrobats" in her cute, flowing dress! It took my mind back to just a few years ago.....

My little Lan-man made his personal decision of modesty at around 5 or 6. He began feeling a "need" to dress himself in privacy, being very careful that mommy and Anna didn't see too much! :) I respected that and did the same. In fact, his new found conviction affected the entire way our family operated around each other. That has included the attire we choose to swim in. Are we having just as much fun in the pool? You bet!

When my children ask me what the Bible says about dressing modestly, I usually point them to the scenario when Jesus delivered the demoniac of Gadara. (Mark 5:1-20) This poor man ran around naked in the tombs, cutting his flesh and screaming. Then Jesus came and brought him peace.

My question to my children is this, "What is the first thing the man did after Jesus took the devils out?"......can you guess? Yes, that right, the man put on clothes. In fact, when the towns people found the man, the Bible says that he was clothed and in his right mind!!

Hmmmm....now that's something to ponder on!! ;)

Happy Birthday Daddy :)

To the man who is full of tickles, enthusiasm, a good sales pitch, politics, Murrell Ewing classics and Rifleman magazines.

To the man who has worn the same hairdo for as long as I can remember (that is, until I cut it too short a few years ago!), is a Sales Man at heart, generous with his family, has a passionate love for his wife, children and grandchildren, loves watching his grandson play baseball, still plays cards with his kids, just as content driving a jalopy as he is a brand new Mercedes Benz, loves a good nap, enjoys Louis Lamour books, a good game of golf, Sarah Palin and anything Republican, prefers hamburger over steak and eats eggs every morning for breakfast.

To the man who brought me a corsage each year at grade-school for Valentine's Day (until I told him not too for fear of embarrassment! No one else's dad did that!). To the man who continues to hug and kiss his grown kids as if they were still children, who believes prayer, a good vitamin and oil of oregano will cure anything, who loves to travel across the country, who holds the longest record in our family for being "glued to the..." (OK, never mind!) He is a confident man! One that will never be confused by gender distinction or the popular "unisex" trend....just ask him about it!! ;)

To my daddy, who, when I went through those rebellious teenage years didn't criticize me, condemn me or disown me....but lovingly corrected with tears and prayers. My daddy's tears have meant more to me than words can say. I've discovered that his tears are a reflection of his heart. Before our wedding ceremony, Daddy privately thanked Randy and I for staying true to the Lord during our 14 months of dating. He walked me down the aisle with grace and gave my hand to my future husband with confidence. And he was the one that held me close as I gently wept and released my childhood only moments after saying, "I do".

Tender...compassionate...loving. Yes, he can raise his voice and threaten like the best of them!! He can be demanding and impatient...just like all of us. He can make wrong choices, say the wrong thing and be too bold at times. But deep inside...that spirit of his is truly humble, childlike and profoundly wise. The older I become, the more wisdom I see there and the more I listen to his words.

You see, (without trying to sound judgmental) too many men now days have found personal accomplishment in sending their children to the finest colleges, wearing the best of clothes and sporting around the newest vehicle. While those things are all really nice, my Daddy gave me the unique privilege of something far better. He raised me to consistently live for the Lord. He taught me how to love truth and the Word. He prayed in our home. He loved my momma and still does. He has shown me that you can't out-give the Lord. If someone around you has a need, do something to help them! My dad is not greedy! He would give you his last dollar if you needed it! All these are values that will out live the sports cars and bypass the intellect of this age. In fact, it will last far past retirement years! As my twins say, "To infinite and beyond!"

He is a man that I am most proud to call "My Daddy". I wouldn't trade him for the world :) What a wonderful blessing I have had, not only as a child, but as an adult as well!! Happy 64th Birthday, Daddy!! I love you!! ~Darla