Christmas 2013

Click on the title to view the complete blog post here.  Lots of photos.
This is our real tree with old and new traditional ornaments from the first year Gary and I married adding a few along the way.  I opted to tone down color this year with gray and white, green small trees and snow.  This year I painted 2 accent walls in our living area with Restoration Hardware's gray as is in their Baby store on Westheimer, Houston.

Clear lights, chevron rustic burlap ribbon and silver.

This year's tree came from Houston Garden Center, Sam Houston Parkway South.

This was the first year I had to do this alone.  With my now working/college kids,

time just did not permit a time to do so.  The weather this day was calling

for rain, which we had lots of this season plus cold temperatures.  Once

home, Aaron helped me get it in and in the stand.

This was one of 5 trees, not including the tiny ones.  Our live tree is always our 

traditional one.  Wrappings were using paper by the yard at a teacher supply shop

and ribbon from Craftex.

Our niche is one my favorite spots to decorate.  The antlers is a recent find at a flea market in 

Winnie, Texas.  The art photos are thrift store finds, old, rustic and the gray background

makes a perfect backdrop for this scene.

Hannah and I attend the music party.  She is a choir member/praise singer and I sub on the organ.

This season included a wedding of my husband's 2nd cousin, Kinsie Gurley.  Thought you would enjoy seeing a special feature...the wedding cake.  Beautiful wedding for a great couple.

One morning, drinking my coffee, I could not resist taking a photo of my view.

We hosted 3 parties this year in our home.  #1 was a small group of friends who all were ministers in our church plus the maintenance director and wife who we have worked close with this year in decor projects in our church. #2 We had our small group Gary and I are leaders of for TNT, "Together in Triumphant", 40-60's age group.  #3 A simple breakfast with Gary's 3 sisters and their spouses.

With great food left from our first party, I fixed 3 box lunches for Gary, his mother and myself.  We took the ferry on this beautiful day.  I had to check on a job in progress in Channelview, so we decided to make it a special time for Mom to ride with us.  We ate our lunch as we waited on the ferry.  Special guest:  Frosty, Mom's constant companion.  

Cheese Soup, Tarragon Chicken Salad Sandwich, Pasta Salad, Cream cheese on a cracker with pepper jelly, candies with hot apple cider and whipped cream.

Always interesting to see the water traffic.

A shopping trip to the Galleria with my Hannah.

A fun day at Salt Grass Steak House with my hubby.  It was a very cold day and this setting was perfect.

Aaron and Hannah go shopping...

Special memories include a trip with my sweet Abigail wrapped up to go and see Christmas lights right in our own neighborhood.  She is such a sweetie!

This is Abbey's little tree in our kitchen window with all pics of her and our family.

A few TNT party pics.  Simple menu:  Southern Home Made Vegetable Soup, Cornbread with Sharp Cheddar on top and Jalapenos, Tea, Coffee, Cider and desserts.

The tree in this room was decorated with college interior design first year work, or should I say, I little of that year's work.  Loved it all.

Thank you Jennifer for bringing Savannah's Bakery sugar cookies...my fav!

Hannah's room, done by her.  She has a love for vintage style.  This Thanksgiving evening we lost our family pet, Teddy.  Her tree this year featured tons of photos of her pet for 8 years, Teddy.

Hannah's first piano recital, just before our church concert.  Instructor, Lisa Davis.

This is Abbey, the queen of the table for the day.  This was our special Christmas time with her.  We opted for a breakfast casserole, fresh fruit and danish rolls.  Then a time around the tree with her gifts from our family.  

Now...Christmas Eve night with the Madden Family.  We met at my sister in law's daycare after school

room made so nice by her hubby.  Food, great togetherness and always gifts to open.  Here are just a few

pics I took.  More on others Facebook pages.

Momsie, Gary's mother.

Hannah and friend, Blake.

Rod may kill me but...the two oldest people there. : )  Gary's "big" brother.

Mama kissing Santa Claus. : )

All the grandchildren.

Then....the Saturday following Christmas was my "Walston" family party in my mother's home
in Alexandria, Louisiana.

Decor by my mother.

With a variety of creative people in the family, you never know what kind of creative
gifts just may be there.  These were large boxes with special items
right out of Judy's home.

 and another little flare of what I think is "cute" and playful.

Linda's gifts were garnished with real greenery, berries and home grown cotton right

out of her own yard.  Inside was 3 kinds of home made jellies.

Our parties always includes lots of door prizes.  This year, Linda brings gourds and

loofahs grown by her in her many gardens.

I decorated the table using a rustic vibe with mix match plates, fresh rosemary, holly and berries

right out of my Mother's yard.  The apples were wooden and the gourd is one that Linda

grew and made into a ladle.

My "first" plate...I'll admit, too many starches, but, oh so wonderful.

Daniel and Thomas from New Orleans.

Hannah and cousin, Andrea.

Kevin and Rebecca, my nephew and wife.

Formally known as "the Walston girls".  

My "little" brother, Kenny.

Typical modern day kids at family gatherings.

My great niece, Madyln.

Judy and me.

"Selfie" with my Mom.

Our last stop before heading home was Tamp and Grinds for a latte' and a white mocha coffee.

So thankful for this wonderful season.  Our immediate family agrees that the highlight of this entire season was the Christmas Concert at our home church, The Church Triumphant.  What a blessing that 

Hannah was able to be such a part of the sign team, special solo part and choir.

Hannah, Victoria and Krislyn

Our fabulous band.

Because He came, we can live a life of freedom and "great joy"!  So happy

not only to have 2 wonderful families but our church family that

we love dearly.

Wise men still seeks Him today.

I hope your season was bright!

The Christmas Song (jazz piano)

Christmas Party for your "small" TNT Group!

Hello everybody!  I know this is a super busy time of the year for all of you, but, we would love to have our "small group" TNT members, YOU, to our home.  Nothing warms your home more than friends at Christmas time.  I know this will most likely be a conflict for some, but it is the only night that we have open. Even if you come late or stop by for just a few minutes as people are arriving, we would LOVE to have you!

Who:  La Porte/Baytown and Area Members

Mathilda and Joseph Alphonse, Gwen and Tim Dotson, Sandra and Mark Kincaid, Maggie and Keith Marcion, Lori Adame, Brenda and Wade Davis, Yadira and Edwin Hinojosa, Yvonne and Randy Lout, Elizabeth and Rick Sanders, Deidre and Neil Escareno, Dianne and Lobo Del Sol

What:  Christmas Party for Gary and Donna Madden's TNT (Together In Triumph) "small group".

When:  Thursday, December 19 at 7:00

Where:  10023 Rustic Gate Road, La Porte, Texas  77571  Please text or call to let us know if you plan to come.  281-222-3423 or Gary, 281-222-3924

Please bring 2 or 3 servings of dessert or a little something sweet for a sweet ending.

Hope you are able to come.  So anxious for us all to meet each other and kick off our small group.

"making the season a little brighter."

Enjoy a special Christmas piano solo here.

YOU are invited!!

Who:

A few friends from The Church Triumphant:  Basilio and Anna Calvar, Justin and Lisa Davis, Jennifer Villagram, Nate and Crystal Dehoyos, Juan and Tonya Herrera, Cheryl Kehanek, Robert and Shelly Toney, Bro. and Sis. Lopez and Jason and Kimberly Sciscoe!

What:

A little get together to warm our home with friends we love and want to get to know a little better.  The holidays are just not the same without friends and apple cider.

When:

Monday, December 16, 7:00

Where:

Gary & Donna Madden's Home, 10023 Rustic Gate Road, La Porte, Texas  77571 281-222-3423 or 281-222-3924  Please text if you are able to come. 

Please bring a sample of a little something sweet for a sweet ending.  Not a whole dessert, just a couple of servings.

Hope you make it!

ok, you decide...Taco Soup Recipes

Hannah's Taco Soup

8 Can Taco Soup

I have a different recipe for taco soup that I've loved making for a while now, but it is seriously nothing compared to this. And my old recipe is twice as much work too! Weird. At less than 300 calories per cup, this stuff is awesome. You wouldn't think a cup would be very much, but I can barely finish it. It's so good! {Be sure to check out another awesome 8 Can Taco Soup recipe from Big Red Clifford!}

Ingredients:
·                     1 (15 oz.) can black beans, drained and rinsed
·                     1 (15 oz.) can pinto beans, drained and rinsed
·                     1 (14.5 oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, drained
·                     1 (15.25 oz.) can sweet corn, drained
·                     1 (12.5 oz.) can white chicken breast, drained (I used rotisserie chicken)
·                     1 (10.75 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
·                     1 (10 oz.) can green enchilada sauce
·                     1 (14 oz.) can chicken broth
·                     1 packet taco seasoning

Directions:
1.                   Mix all ingredients together in a large pot.
2.                   Heat until warm, stirring occasionally.
3.                   Serve with tortilla chips.

My Taco Soup, I think I am still loving it best:  I served this soup when I did Box Lunch Deliveries when I first started my business.  Here is a pic of one of the lunches. Served with Southern Living's Brown Sugar Coffee Cake.

1 can black beans

1 can pinto beans

1 can red kidney beans

2 cans of stewed tomatoes

1 can Rotelle tomatoes

1 can corn

1 pkg. Ranch dressing, dry

1 pkg. Taco Seasoning mix

1 - 1 1/2 lb. lean ground beef

1 can of water

optional: chopped onions 
optional: cumin seasoning

Brown ground beef with onions, drain any excess liquids
Add the seasonings and water
Add rest of ingredients, simmer for about 30 min. on low heat

Serve with a dollap of sour cream, grated cheddar cheese and tortilla chips.

Crossing Over

There is a peace, a calmness, a sense of nostalgia, and a thankfulness sweeping over me the last few days.  How long have we talked about breakthroughs, dreams that really will someday come true?  I just know I am on the threshold of something really big that God is birthing in our lives this very day.  I can just see a small crack in the walls of poverty, wilderness living and the flood gates that are beginning to open is causing this old life to be only a memory.

Pastor Sciscoe preached the story of Gideon.  The enemy came in year after year and destroyed, stole all of the crops they had planted.  Each time this happened, Gideon and his family retreated.  They actually became very good at living large on little.

When Kimberly Sciscoe, wife of Pastor Jason Sciscoe of  The Church Triumphant asked me to speak to the ladies, I threw out some subject matters I knew well and knew I could relate to the women of our congregation, one of which was "Living Large On Little".  This one leaped out to her as she knew it could bless many.  I somewhat cringed as I allowed myself to open up and share how well I, like Gideon got really good at living on little.  What I really wanted to share is how to become greatly blessed with abundance in every area of your life.

I do not ever want to forget my years of ministry, my struggles, my living large on little and never forget to reach to those who have not had their break yet.

In decorating, I have learned that the things you surround yourself with define the person you are.  When we examine those things around us sometimes they say tired, "my old life", so so, cheap, and so on.  I look around me and see wilderness life and making my home beautiful on very little. But, if I were to give my main living space a song, it would be "To God Be The Glory" for the things He has done.

In spite of the wilderness journey, the thing that makes my life wonderful is the thing that money can not buy. I have had time to spend with my 2 wonderful children God so graciously blessed us with, my wonderful husband, be a keeper of my own home, and to be able to bask in the wonderful presence of Him that makes a house a home.

At "Because of the Times" minister's conference this year, in January, we were on a 21 day Daniel's fast.  We had 3 major areas that we were seeking God for the answers.  During one of the mighty moves of God in the last night service, a young minister came down from the balcony.  In our area, there were wonderful break throughs all around us and crowds of people praying.  He told us he looked down from the balcony and saw an angel standing there.  He told his wife, we must go down and see what is happening.  When he got down, the crowd had cleared and there was just Gary and me sitting there.  He said he felt this was an angel of strength.  He told Gary, I want to give you my number because something really big is about to happen in your life, and, when it does, I want to know about it.

So here we are, almost 5 months later.  Surely God has strengthened us and kept our faith to know He IS working ALL THINGS out for us.  Isn't that just like God?  HE knew the wait was a little longer, and He sent strength through an angel to help us make it through!

So, as I begin to shed these old garments and move forward toward my victory, I will thank the Lord for ALL He has done.  This song I declare will always be a true part of my foundation:

" Let my eyes grown dim, Let my tongue silent be, But dont' let me forget what the Lord has done for me!  Let my friends all fail, Let my future pale, But don't let me forget what the Lord has done for me! "

Link: It is well with my soul!

Video Production of Hannah's 2013 Graduation

I am thankful for the beautiful presentation artist/film producer, Benjamin Gradwell produced of our daughter's high school graduation service at our home church, The Church Triumphant, Pasadena, Texas.  Hope you enjoy.  Whatever you do, please watch the ending, it is a great wrap up of the day.  Blessings! 

Click Here To View.  
Note:  please make sure video starts at beginning.