Giveaway Winner!

And the winner is…

Congratulations to Amy for being the winner chosen by random generator to win the Waechtersback Large Serving Bowl from CSN Stores and cookware. Amy commented:

I would love the brown.

Thanks again to all of you who entered! I can't wait to make my rounds and visit your blogs.

And remember, if you have a product you would like for me to review or host as a giveaway on my blog, please contact me.

Blessings!

Paige

Tuesday's List: Go-To Dinners

I came across a new blog today, and every Tuesday Jessica hosts "Tuesday's List". I am linking up a little late tonight, but hope to start including this on Tuesdays.

Today we are asked to share our favorite go-to dinners. Those easy, family favorites that are easy to make even on the craziest of days. I am going to post two today:

1. Potato Soup - I found this on a blog several months ago and it has become a quick and easy favorite.

1 bag of hashbrowns

1 can cream of chicken soup

32 oz. chicken broth

8 oz. cream cheese

Put all ingredients in the crockpot and cook on low for 6-8 hours, stirring occaionally. Top with cheese, bacon and green onions. YUM!

2. Chicken Casserole - This is one of my favorite comfort foods!

3-4 chicken breasts, cooked and diced

2 cans cream of chicken soup

8 oz. of sour cream

1 sleeve ritz crackers

1/2 stick of butter

Boil chicken breasts, dice. Mix chicken with cream of chicken soup and sour cream. Pour into a 9x13 baking dish and top with crushed sleeve of crackers. Melt butter in microwave and pour over top. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes at 350 degrees. So good!

I hope you will go check out Jessica's blog and join in on the Tuesday fun.

Blessings!

Paige

Friend Makin' Monday - The Simple Woman's Daybook

It is another Friend Makin' Monday. I love this week's idea and can't wait to make my rounds and see what others say. So pull up a chair, grab something warm to sip on and enjoy!

THE SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

Outside my window... A bright sunny morning, unlike the grey rainy skies we had yesterday! The sun is beaming in the window and illuminating my tiny room.

I am thinking... is it really already Monday again?

I am thankful... for my family and friends, my health, my job. I have really strived to look for the blessings in my life, even the little ones. I am learning to be thankful.

I am praying... for my family, for Haiti and for God to give me grace.

I am reading... my bible, the Twilight series, Southern Living and my lesson for AWANA Cubbies this week.

I am creating... a picture frame for my walls using an old frame, twine and small clothespins.

From the kitchen... Spaghetti for supper and mini chocolate chip cookies for our girls' basketball team.

Around the house... I am putting up laundry and cleaning out a closet. There are clothes everywhere.

One of my favorite things... freshly painted toenails!

A few plans for the rest of the week... Basketball senior night, AWANA Cubbies, choir practice, photographing a 16th birthday party, more basketball games, traveling home for my grandfather's birthday and spending time with my mom and dad.

Blessings!

Paige

P.S. Go and check out my current giveaway. It will end at 11:59 p.m. on Thursday, January 28, 2010.

CSN Stores and A Giveaway from Cookware.com

I was introduced to CSN Stores this week, and you are going to want to check them out too. CSN Stores is a network of 200+ online stores where you can find anything from bar stools to cookware to housewares to furniture. Thanks to CSN Stores and Cookware.com, I am very excited to host a great giveaway for my readers!

The giveaway is for a Waechtersback Large Serving Bowl in your color of choice. The bowl comes in cream, turquoise, chocolate, cherry red, orange peel, black, lemon peel, kiwi, blueberry, plum, buttercup, royal blue, white and green apple! There is a color for every kitchen. The serving bowl is made from high-fired ceramic earthenware with a 5 quart capacity. It measures 11.5" in diameter and is dishwasher safe.

To Enter: Go to Cookware.com and tell me the color bowl you would choose if you won.

(This is required before you may use any of the extra entry options. For each extra entry, please leave separate comments for each one you complete. Please leave your e-mail address in your comment if it is not visible in your profile.)

Extra Entries:

• Become a follower of my blog - 2 extra entries
• Follow me on Twitter (link in right sidebar) - 3 extra entries
• Blog about this giveaway and leave the link in your comment - 4 extra entries

You have 10 chances to enter. The contest will end on Thursday, January 28, 2010 at 11:59 CST and a winner will be chosen at random and contacted via email. I will contact the winner on Friday, January 29, 2010, and you will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. Please note that the winner will be required to provide a valid email and shipping address to receive the giveaway. This offer is open to readers in the U.S. and Canada.

GOOD LUCK!

Paige

Blog Awards

Ashley over at Life Is Beautiful bestowed on my the Beautiful Blogger Award and the Best Blog Award a few days ago. I am just getting around to writing the post about it and fulfilling the duties of receiving this award. You should go check out her blog and leave her some comment love!

With this award, I am suppose to list seven things about me that make me unique. So without further ado, here is my list:

1. I love ketchup with french fries (especially McDonald's fries), but I don't eat it on anything else.

2. I broke two metatarsals in my left foot the summer of my sophomore year in college and walked on it two weeks before we realized it was broken (I have a high pain tolerance).

3. I love to cook, but don't enjoy doing it just for myself!

4. I love to read, and have been known to finish a new book in one night. I am always a little tired the next day!

5. I love people and am very outgoing, but I find the older I get, the more I enjoy spending time by myself.

6. I want to own my own little boutique one day in a quaint little town close to the beach.

7. I love doing things for other people without them knowing. I don't ever expect anything in return and just love seeing their joy!

To accept this award I had to:

1. Post the award on your blog with the name and a link to the person who gave it to you - CHECK!

2. Pass on the award to 15 other bloggers who I recently discovered and think are great - CHECK! (even though I didn't come up with 15)

3. Contact the other bloggers and let them know they have been chosen for the award - CHECK!

4. Post 7 things about me that make me unique - CHECK!

I pass these awards on to the following bloggers - CONGRATS!

Walk With Me On This Journey Called Life

Bless Our Nest

RootsAndWingsCo

{aefilkins}

Simply Seleta

sara's art* house

Dream Custom Artwork

Grammy Girlfriend

fabulous k

Giving what I am

Blessings!

Paige

Friend Makin' Monday - Projects

Amber over at .{aefilkins}. is again hosting Friend Making Monday. If you have never participated in this, think about doing it today. Amber will ask a question that you answer in a blog post and then link up back to her blog via MckLinky.

The question today is:

With the new year here, and resolutions and organizational goals in full force, what are some of the projects on your list? Are you working on any specific projects around the house, such as purging, organizing, craft projects, home improvement projects? Share with us! (And hopefully you'll be sharing the before and afters on your blogs, so we know what we can tune in for!)

Here is my list:

1. Clean out closets and purge those things that I don't use, wear or need.

2. Finish hanging mirrors and photos in den, bedroom and kitchen.

3. Find some inexpensive shelving to use in kitchen and den.

4. Organize craft closet.

5. Repaint my bedroom furniture black for the guest bedroom, and look for a new set for the master bedroom.

What about you?

Blessings!

Paige

101 Dalmations: The Musical

Yesterday I was invited by our choral teacher, Dawn, to the musical "The 101 Dalmatians" at the BJCC in Birmingham, AL. We had front row center seats, and not only did I get to see an amazing musical, but I got to watch the orchestra pit in action. My 'band nerd' heart was fluttering when the music started. I always thought it would be a neat experience to play in an orchestra pit for a Broadway show. It was so much fun to watch them cue-in and cue-out during the show! The amount of talent that filled the tiny orchestra pit was unbelievable.

The show was amazing! The cast, scenery, musical arrangements and the use of real dalmatians in the live performance, it was amazing. If the tour is coming to an area near you, it is well worth it to take your family. There are a few parts that may not be suitable for children, but the young children who sat on my left laughed and loved it as much as I did.

Rachel York played Cruella De Vil and they could not have casted her part better. She did a wonderful job of playing the villain! Check out her interview about the musical from YouTube below:

We then went to dinner at Brio Tuscan Grille, one of my favorite restaurants in the Birmingham area. We were talking about the next performance in the series that Dawn has tickets for and she mentioned it was "The Wizard of Oz", another of my favorite stories from childhood. I casually said, "I may have to check into getting tickets to that one."

Guess what? She gave me her four front row tickets to the show. She is going to be out of town with our students on a school sponsored trip, and won't be able to attend the performance. When I offered to pay her for them she said "no need to - just promise me that you will use the tickets and enjoy the show!" Yes ma'am.. I can do that! I have already called my mom, and plan to take my grandmother and my sister with us - a girls' trip. We are all so excited!

Blessings!

Paige

I Am A Doorkeeper

Are you a doorkeeper? I am.

The verse Psalms 84:10 was shared with the volunteer group prior to us receiving our assignments for the week at Passion 2010. That verse says:

"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand

I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God

Than dwell in the tents of wickedness."

We were encouraged by Louie Giglio to be a 'doorkeeper' during the conference for the students and their leaders who were there. And that verse continued to resonate within my heart for the four days I served. As I traveled back home, I continued to hear his words to us and I have challenged myself to be a 'doorkeeper' in the house of my God. When people ask about me, I will include 'doorkeeper' in my response.

I am way overdue on a post about my experience at Passion 2010. I promise it is coming next week. I plan to write a post each day next week that will give you more information about the event, and about the twelve missions we helped during our time in Atlanta and what we did for the city of Atlanta during our time there. It will probably take a week to include it all, but I hope that you will come back each day and read about how God is moving in the lives of our young people (18-26), and what it means to be a member of the 268 Generation.

Continue to pray for the people of Haiti. The local paper wrote an article on the member of our church who is serving there. Ryan has a blog, and it gives a link to the medical clinic he assists in as well. If you would like to read it, the article can be accessed here.

Blessings!

Paige

Cool contest I found to win free groceries for a year

Hey, I just entered this contest on Cozi.com to win free groceries for a year. All you have to do is put in your email address.

Even if you don’t enter, please click the link to help me win. (I get an extra entry for telling you.) Thanks!

View >>

Go check out this giveaway for a Starbucks gift card!

Haiti

Haiti is the poorest country in the Western Hemisphere with 80% of the population living under the poverty line and 54% in abject poverty. Two-thirds of all Haitians depend on the agricultural sector, mainly small-scale subsistence farming. (CIA World Fact Book). Approximately 7.2 million of the 9 million lived under the poverty line - BEFORE the earthquake.

A member of our church and his wife have a medical clinic in the country. While at church tonight talking to our 3 and 4 year olds about missions, we got the word that his medical clinic is gone.. nothing.. destroyed. Please pray for Ryan and his medical ministry in Haiti.

My cousin, who works with the Greater Orlando Baptist Association, has two teams in Haiti. All members of the teams are fine, but their mission to Haiti just took on a whole new identity. Pray that God will use them in amazing was as they minister to the people during this devastation.

My heart is so heavy tonight for the people of Haiti. The above information was shared with me today via e-mails and on Facebook, and I wanted to re-post it for others to read. It has made me more aware of all the blessings I have in my life that I take for granted on a daily basis, and I have the yearning in my heart to do something - right now!

• A blogger has set up the site Hope For Haiti. They are going to do fundraisers via the blog to raise money to send to Haiti.
• You can text "Haiti" to 90999 to give $10 to the Red Cross (the charge will be on your next phone bill). Or you can text "Disaster" to 90999 to give $10 to Compassion's disaster relief program.
• You can also visit the Compassion site here, and make a donation to the relief efforts in Haiti. Did you know that a gift of $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week. (Wow! What do we as Americans spend a week?)
• World Vision has also set up a site for donations. You can visit them here.

I know that local communities across the US and the world are coming together to help. A local church in our area is gathering supplies to mail hygiene packs to Haiti. What will you do? It all counts and will make a difference in the lives of the people and children who survived this natural disaster.

"The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble." Psalms 9:9

Blessings!

Paige

Temporary Home

This song speaks for itself. And be sure to watch the second video to here Carrie talk about the song. Heard this for the first time yesterday, and cried every time I replayed it. Thank you God for Christian young women who are not afraid to share about their faith through their music!

Blessings!

Paige

Love the Nester!

I love reading The Nester's blog, and I visit it from my blog roll each day. Today while checking blogs, I clicked on over to see that she was having a giveaway from DaySpring products. I love their things, and visit them often to check out the new things they have listed!

They have this great feature on their site where you can create a custom sign from the Danielson Design Studio on the DaySpring site. Before you order it, you can preview exactly what your sign will look like. I love the simple design of the one below, and put in my cousin's new last name. There are all types, sizes, and even picture frames in the studio you can design and purchase.

Head on over to The Nesting Place now for your chance to enter and win a $50 gift certificate for your own sign or something else from the DaySpring store.

Blessings!

Paige

Monday Montage

Not too much to blog about today. It is going to be a crazy week at work since we missed almost two days because of the snow and ice. I am not looking forward to it, but am so thankful to have a job that I love most of the time, and I know that this week will pass and all will be well again.

I went to visit my two nephews this afternoon. Connor, the oldest. says the funniest things. Here are some of the funny things he said:

• "Aunt P - Did you know all dogs go to Kevin (heaven)?"
• "I just don't have the injury (energy) to do it."
• "I am not four. I decided I am five."

Head over to Fabulous K's blog and enter her Lisa Leonard giveaway!

Okay.. I am going to wrap up this post and watch The Bachelor. Then I am going to start reading the third book in the Twilight series - Eclipse. I never thought I would love these books as much as I do. I saw the first movie the other night, but I think that I must go see the second movie this weekend.

Mmm... mini chocolate chip cookies and some hot chocolate to go along with The Bachelor! See you all tomorrow.

Blessings!

Paige

Follow me on Twitter: EPFaulkner

Some Great Giveaways...

I came across a great giveaway blog today during the SITS Sunday Shout Outs link-up. There were lots and lots of giveaway links on today's post, as there is every Sunday, but I came across one blog that had so many different ones that interested me. I thought I would share my new blogging friend with you and encourage you to go over and visit with Leslie. According to her blog, she loves veggies and has a cute blog button you can snag for your own blog to remind you to go visit occasionally. Go check out her site and enter some of the great giveaways she has going on right now. Here are a few that might interest you:

Rachel Ray Porcelain Enamel Double Griddle

Joseph Allen Hand Stamped Jewelry

I also came came across another blog that peeked my interest. My blog needs a makeover, and I need someone to get all my blog widgets, roll list, subscription feed, etc. in order for me. Emma over at IndieChick Designs is giving away one custom blog makeover. It includes:

• Custom header
• Custom background
• Choice of 2 or 3 columns
• Custom signature
• Custom post divider
• Full installation

Proud to Be A New Jersey Wife is giving away one dozen homemade Valentine's Day Conversation Heart Cookies. What a sweet surprise for your Valentine! Go check her blog out and become a follower.

Brandy over at Craving Savings is giving away a Keurig Platinum Single Serve Brewing System. If you love coffee as much as I do, you will go check this out and win.

Jamaise over at Wishing Penny is giving away a handbag from Handbag Heaven. Go check it out and be sure to enter by January 13th.

Blessings!

Paige

How Do You Live?

I love this song by Point of Grace. I couldn't post the video (copyright), but wanted to share the lyrics. Take a few minutes to read them, and answer the question - How do you live?

"How You Live?"

Point of Grace

Wake up to the sunlight with your windows open

Don't hold in your anger or leave things unspoken

Wear your red dress

Use your good dishes

Make a big mess and make lots of wishes

Have what you want but want what you have

Hmmmmm

And don't spend your life lookin back

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

And let it all out

Cause you won't regret it

Lookin back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you lived

So go to the ball game

And go to the ballet

Go see your folks more than just on the holidays

Kiss all your children

Dance with your wife

Tell your husband you love him every night

Don't run from the truth cause you can't get away

Oh No...

Just face it and you'll be okay

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

And let it all out

Cause you won't regret it

Lookin back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you lived

Ohhhhh

Wherever you are and wherever you been

Now is the time to begin

To give to the needy

And pray for the grieving

Even when you don't think that you can

Cause all that you do is bound to come back to you

So think of your fellow men

Make peace with God but make peace with yourself

Cause in the end there's nobody else

Turn up the music

Turn it up loud

Take a few chances

And let it all out

Cause you won't regret it

Lookin back from where you have been

Cause it's not who you knew

And it's not what you did

It's how you lived

Cause it's not who you knew and it's not what

You did

It's how you lived

Blessings!

Paige

Are You Second?

Here in the state of Alabama, football is third in line behind God and family. I don't ever remember a time during the fall that our family did not gather around the television on Saturday to watch the big game. The same can be said about our Friday night routine. We traveled to our home stadium to cheer for our team, or we made a road-trip. Even in college and now as a young adult, it is a season I look forward to. It is just a huge part of my life!

Last night was no different! I had my homemade potato soup, chocolate chip cookies and ginger ale ready to go for the National Championship Game. And I was eager to watch the Crimson Tide take the field and bring the National Championship home to "sweet home" Alabama.. and they did. Roll Tide Roll!

However, I couldn't help but notice the strength Colt McCoy exhibited on the field after his injury. Or how he humbly addressed the media when asked about his injury. I was also touched by the post-game scene where he and Mark Ingram embraced one another on the field. Wow! Two remarkable young men who are role models to us all!

I came across this video this morning via Facebook and I had to re-post it. Are you SECOND in your life?

Blessings!

Paige

Show Us How You Live - New Year's Resolutions/Goals 2010

**Update: I took one of the first step towards becoming more active and getting in better shape. I bought myself one of these...

Photo taken from Conair.com

It is a Conair Weight Watchers Body Analysis Scale. I have programmed it to show my weight, body fat weight, body fat percentage, body water percentage, bone mass value, and body mass index (BMI). I plan to weigh every Tuesday morning and journal from week to week my results. Hopefully this will keep me motivated to eat well, drink water and exercise.

Kelly is hosting another Show Us How You Live on her blog. This week's topic is New Year's Resolutions. I am not one to really make resolutions because I believe we should always strive to be the best we can be all year long. I do however have a couple of goals for myself this year that I would like to reach:

• Become more absorbed in God's word on a daily basis and apply it each and everyday, not just when I am in a low spot.
• Become more active and get in better physical shape
• Give back more to my community
• Purge the "clutter" in my life and learn to live simply
• Pay off some debts
• Be more proactive with life instead of reacting to my circumstances
• Save and buy myself a nicer camera
• Be a better daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, cousin, friend, and co-worker

I hope each of you and your families had a Happy New Year and that 2010 is one of the best year's ever for you and our nation.

Blessings!

Paige

Passion 2010 and Happy New Year!

Happy New Year's! I hope that each of you and your families have a Happy New Year and that 2010 is a fabulous year for you!

I am getting ready to leave and head to Atlanta for the Passion 2010 conference. This event is an energizing movement of students and young adults from across the world who seek to worship and learn more about the one true God. Passion 2010 will feature speakers Louie Giglio, Beth Moore, Andy Stanley, and John Piper. Worship will be led by Chris Tomlin, Hillsong United, Charlie Hall, Matt Redman, and many others. The conference scripture reference is Isaiah 26:8 which says, "Yes, LORD, walking in the way of your laws, we wait for you; your name and renown are the desire of our hearts."

I am volunteering at this event, which will draw more than 20,000 college-aged students from around the world to the South for an incredible conference. My role is to be a member of the "touch" team, and we are considered the hosts of Passion 2010. My team and I will be the the primary volunteer touch point (hence the name Touch Team!) for the students during their Passion experience. Whether we are helping them check into their hotels, figure out where they are supposed to be and when, or just answering a random question, our ultimate goal is that each and every attendee encounters God and His love through us from the moment they step out of their car (or arrive at baggage claim) until the time they start their journey home.

It is hard work, not a trip of pleasure for me, but I know that this time will be incredibly rewarding and that God will use this to continue to mold me into the young woman he would have me to be. I have been preparing my heart by spending time in his word each day, and praying for the members of my team and those students who I will encounter. I ask that you pray that I will have a "servants" heart during this time, and that God will remove any hurdles or spiritual warfare that may interfere with the work of my team. Will you also pray for an expectant heart - not only in my life but in the lives of these 20,000+ students who will be a part of Passion 2010? I will be in a mission field, and cannot wait to experience what God is doing in these students' lives.

While it is going to be fun and exciting just to be a part of the event, the best part will be watching the HOLY SPIRIT move in the lives of so many people right before my eyes. I know that when I look back on this experience that I will be amazed at what God did in Atlanta, but that I will also be amazed at what he did in my life.

Happy New Year's to you and yours! I will be back to blogging on Tuesday.

Paige