Ultimate Blog Party - Welcome to my Ponderings!

Welcome! So happy to have you here! I'm Tamara, a wife and wanna-be mother, a Christian, and creativity junkie. My "niche" is general randomness...I'm not particularly writerly, but I created this little home on the web to house my thoughts and ideas and projects
and other stuff. Welcome to my crazy! What can you expect from Pondered in My heart? How about a good-ol' list format?

1. HEART THIS - Irresistable Finds from my Wanderings on the Web (a semi-regular feature where I share the linky love). Or see them all here.
2. Inspiration and Encouragement
3. My thoughts on the craziness of American Idol.
4. Things that tickle my funny bone.
5. Yummy recipes. (My whole collection is here.)
6. The occasional contest (ok, it's the only one so far, but there will be more!).
7. General craftiness and decorating.
8. Photography from our travels and adventures.
9. And here's a little more about me.

Stick around and ponder with me, won't you?

Clinging to God's Promises

So grateful this morning for God's word, for His mercies, which are new every morning. I'm claiming and clinging to His promises today.

Psalm 130:5

I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope.

Lamentations 3: 21-26; 55-58

Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, "The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him." The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.

I called on your name, O LORD, from the depths of the pit. You heard my plea: "Do not close your ears to my cry for relief." You came near when I called you, and you said, "Do not fear." O Lord, you took up my case; you redeemed my life.

HEART THIS! 03-20-09

• I LOVE this idea for a cheap, fun table light. It uses an led candle light (the kind you buy at the dollar store), thread, and fabric stiffener. Can't wait to try this!


• This recipe for Hot Chicken Salad looks delicious.


• These Easter eggs are gorgeous, and share "The Reason for the Season"!


• This looks like a really fun party idea - Iron Chef at home! hat tip to oh amanda.


• This list of classic family movies made me smile. Many of them are available at your public library. I added some to my Netflix list. Remember The Swiss Family Robinson? I loved that movie!


• Struggling with saving? I know we are. I found this website both entertaining and enlightening.


• This interesting series has convicted me. How can I show sacrificial hospitality? I love this idea, and I need to get my head out of my trials so that I can see the hurt and need around me. hat tip to life as mom.

Roasted Peeps - A springy treat!

S'more Peeps!
Originally uploaded by Rory Finneren

Last week, Brian & I were watching some Discovery/History/Food Network show...can't remember which, about the making of Peeps.
I am not a big fan of the peeps, in general. They're cute and all, but just kind of ...eww.

But on that show, they mentioned a culinary sensation that is sweeping the nation: Roasted Peeps! (Seriously, Google it and see how popular they are!) So I purchased a little package of Peeps and stuck some on a skewer and held them over the grill while Brian was grilling chicken. Ever helpful, am I. Brian wouldn't touch them...he doesn't like marshmallows under the best of circumstances. But I have to tell you, those little chickies were DELISH. The sugar on the peep caramelizes over the marshmallow part. SO good! So go pick up a package and fire up the grill, the fireplace, fire pit, candle, etc. and give those Peeps a roastin'. Yummo. Oh...and be sure to save one to microwave on a paper plate. It's very entertaining (though it's not so tasty)!

Country Night on American Idol - Top 11

I enjoy country music, so I'm really looking forward to tonight. I expect to know most of the songs, for a change!

Michael Sarver - Ain't Goin' Down - I loved it that he chose this kind of song, instead of a big power ballad. I liked seeing this fun side of him. I don't think he's the strongest vocalist, but he's very likeable.

Allison Iraheta - "Blame it On Your Heart" - Glad she holds up her fingers for "2-time" for us. Helpful visual aid. Agree with Simon on the "a bit tuneless" and "verging on precocious". She's a good performer, but I always feel like she oversings, and often shouts. Not my favorite.

Kris Allen - "To Make You Feel My Love" - Loved how he owned this tune. Sweet. Randy said, "Tender Moments from my dawg Kris." Well, that just says it all, doesn't it?

Lil Rounds - "Independence Day" - Aw, Lil, I just didn't love this. Dress was cute, but looked like a prom dress. It's good that she's trying to show her versatility, but I think she accomplished the opposite tonight. She sounded just a little square, a little awkward, and like she was afraid to be herself. I really like Lil. Hope she sticks around to bring it next week.

Adam Lambert - "Ring of Fire" - Loved it when Randy Travis said, "For me, I don't see men wearing nail polish that often..." Classic. Brian said it sounded like a drug-induced Doors song, and he thought Adam was showing too much cleavage. He said, "Johnny is rolling over in his grave." It's all a bit too Freddy Mercury for me.

Scott MacIntyre - "Wild Angels" - Wow, huge improvement with Scott's hair! Good advice from Paula about getting out from behind the piano and connecting with the audience. I liked this a lot better than last week's song choice.

Alexis Grace - "Jolene" - Such a melancholy song, and I like what she did with it. I hear Dolly, but it's fresher. I think she looks better than last week...classy. I like her less "dirty".

Danny Gokey - "Jesus Take the Wheel" - What's up with Danny? He was way off his game in rehearsal. Hmmm...I didn't love the performance as much as the judges and audience, even though I really like Danny and this song. This is such a departure for him to be so rough, I'm thinking there may have been behind-the-scenes issues...illness? stress? nerves w/Randy Travis? I expect to see him pull through and come back better than ever next week.

Anoop Desai - "You Were Always On My Mind" - Wow. Wow. Wow. I love this side of Anoop. What a nice song choice! Not a big Willie fan, but THIS I loved! Talk about a Tender Dawg! So sensitive. This was the best of the night for me! Simon said, "You just managed to go from zero to hero." I would so buy this recording.

Megan Joy - "Walking After Midnight" - Looks lovely tonight - wish I looked that good with the flu! Bless her heart! I thought the song was still a little kooky, but so much better than "Rockin' Robin".

Matt Giraud - "Small" - Gravelly and smooth at the same time. So very nice. Liked the suit. Really enjoyed this song, except for the last note, which was just a little flat.

Favorites tonight - Anoop, Matt, & Kris.
Least favorites tonight - Megan, Adam, Allison

Hope they bring their game next week - Lil and Danny

As always, BooMama & friends have a little something to say on the subject. If you're not reading them, you're missing out!

This Cracks Me Up

I was standing in the pharmacy line at the HEB (grocery store) yesterday, occupying my time by looking at all the pill boxes, arthritis aids, and braces for various body parts. My glance fell upon this package, and I just about lost it, right there in the pharmacy line. This picture is blurry...I was trying to take it surreptitiously with my cell phone camera. But check it out:



Because nothing says romance like playing footie with your feet in foot braces!

Delightfully Refreshing!

I will make rivers flow on barren heights, and springs within the valleys. I will turn the desert into pools of water, and the parched ground into springs. Isaiah 41:18

We've been in desperate need of rain. Thank you, Lord, for making all things new!

For more refreshment, please stop by Ministry So Fabulous and read this wonderful, refreshing word from Amy Beth. I love this part:

Well that girl is about to turn off her laptop, lay back down and remember that the book does not tell the Author what chapter to write next but instead trusts that no word will be forgotten.

And I believe with all my heart that absolutely no word will be forgotten in your story, either.

That, my friends, is a good word! Be refreshed today!

American Idol Top 13

OK...I totally wasn't going to do this this year, but Brian was working in the yard and I had issues with the sewing pattern I wanted to work on, so I found myself glued to AI. And since I went to the trouble of watching it, here's my little nutshell opinion.

I expect to see Lil Rounds and Danny Gokey in the finals, and that will make the whole season worth it. Oh, and if we could have Kris and Matt up until the end, that would be great too.

I thought Lil was gorgeous...and such the diva (in a good way). And Simon, I liked the powder puff thing. Loved the way she commanded the stage.

Danny was incredible. Powerful singing, adorably dorky dancing (in a good way) that just reinforced his joy and enthusiasm for making music. Entertaining without being overly dramatic. Love him. I'm calling it right now for Danny.

Kris was fun and fresh. Couldn't really hear the guitar, so it seemed more like an accessory (in a good way). I'd like to see him stick around.

Adam is a fabulous entertainer...so slick and polished. But he's a drama queen, and that gets under my skin a little. I'd like him a whole lot more if he ramped down the drama a bit (and that includes the eye makeup). He reminds me of Liza Minelli just a little (NOT in a good way).

Matt's voice gives me chills (in a good way). Gravely and soulful. Loved him behind the piano.

Sweet Jasmine is absolutely beautiful, and so graceful/gracious. Her voice is lovely, and she is certainly poised and pretty. Classy and fashionable, sweet and wholesome...a great package. I know we've seen young AI winners, but I feel Jasmine is just a little young vocally for the competition this year. I'd love to see her come back at 19 or 20.

Everybody else was "just ok for me, dawg." It's a nice group of 13, but I'm having a hard time picturing anyone surpassing Danny for performance, vocal skill, and overall likeability. So that's all I'm gonna say about AI today!

Please stop by and see BooMama and the gang for more AI reviews!

HEART THIS! Not-so-weekly Linkage

Remember me? I used to have this little bloggy and would post semi-regularly? Well, I'm finally back. Here's a bit of what I've been loving on the internet recently:

• Brian would love it if I'd whip up some of these Homemade Chewy Granola Bars. They look pretty yummy!
  

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• Speaking of yummy...Baking Bites posted this sinful recipe for homemade Samoas. It's shameful, but I can't stop thinking about them.
  

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• This is a really cool source for bottles, jars, and other neat containers. Makes me want to redo my spice cabinet!
  

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• Check out this darling centerpiece project made with old tins from We Are THAT Family. LOVE it!
  

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• Finally, I love this fun way to search flickr. Multicolr Search Lab by Idée Inc. Just select your colors of choice. Great for inspiration! Here's mine: