Sometimes we all just need a moment to catch our breath, a moment just to sing, to shout, to just give praise. This week, instead of sharing a ministry, I decided to share Chris Tomlin’s Sing, Sing, Sing. It’s an awesome, inspiring song….I hope it will encourage you, as you go out, ready to shine your light and sing, sing, sing!:) The world needs to hear us sing!

Happy Tuesday.  Enjoy some time reading up on some great posts, and link up your giveaways below.

The Pioneer Woman has a great post, What To Do When Your iPad Screen Shatters.

The Farm Chicks has one delicious looking recipe for Red Velvet Cake and another simple tip on Sifting.  Who doesn’t love Red Velvet Cake?

The Crafty Crow shares some great ideas for Fourth of July Crafts & Fourth of July Treats.

The Blessed Nest has great ideas for A Favorite Summertime Treat; then she shares 10 Things…Quick & Easy Ideas for a Tidy Home.

The recipes are just looking so good this morning; Take a Megabite has another delicious looking recipe for Banana Snack Cake+Honey-Cinnamon Frosting.

Link up your giveaways!

Out of all the chefs and cooks out there to watch, I have to say Paula Deen is my absolute fave.  She’s so hilarious, she’s so down to earth, and her story amazes me.  She’s fun to watch, and in fact, I’ve told my husband that meeting/cooking with Paula Deen some day is on my bucket list.:)  Ok, so enough gushing….but truly, if you’ve tasted any of her mouth-watering recipes that are oh so good…..you’re right there with me.:)  I get the eye-roll when I stand in the grocery aisle line, drooling over the latest recipes in the Paula Deen magazine.  I can’t be the only one out there who does that.

Anyway, Paula Deen, together with Philadelphia Cream Cheese, are getting ready for a live event in Savannah, Georgia, a cook-off between the finalists who have been competing in a nationwide contest, The Real Women of Philadelphia.  You can watch the finale this Wednesday, June 30, at 8pm EST on http://www.realwomenofphiladelphia.com/rwoplive.  Right now there are 16 finalists, and only 4 will earn the name, The Real Women of Philadelphia.  The 4 winners will receive a $25,000 talent contract, not to mention the  opportunity to be in an upcoming cookbook and host their own online cooking show.  I think the best part for me would just be to meet and cook with Paula Deen.

Check out this finalist with her Butterscotch Cannoli recipe….yum!

Don’t miss Paula Deen and 16 finalists go head to head this Wednesday!

FOR TODAY, from Mel’s Daybook….
Outside my window…the sun is coming up, and it’s looking wet from all the rain.
I am thinking…that this week is going to be a busy one.
I am thankful for…Dan and Jacob and Jaden.
From the learning rooms…we moved our schoolroom to the dining room last night, so Dan could bring his computer in.  I’m not quite finished moving stuff, but we’re getting there.  We’re just enjoying time off for the summer right now.  Of course, the huge SHEM used curriculum sale is tomorrow, and I’m getting ready to order Jacob’s 3rd grade curriculum from My Father’s World this week.  I’ve never done a package like this, so I’m really excited, especially for the lesson plans that are already done for me.:)
From the kitchen…tonight, we’re grilling burgers.
I am wearing…same ole same-o right now.
I am creating…still working on my kitchen and hoping to Mod Podge my kitchen utensil crock this week.
I am going…to help a friend from choir move today and then take Jacob to sparring this evening.
I am reading…Sixteen Brides for a review.
I am hoping…to stay on top of things this week and possibly get the MamaBuzz forum up and running, or at least closer.
I am hearing…silence right now.
Around the house…have tons of laundry to catch up on.
One of my favorite things…hanging clothes out on the line and then just the fresh, clean smell of everything that comes in.
A few plans for the rest of the week: Take Jacob to Tae Kwon Do, choir rehearsal for 4th of July concert, garden work, errands/library, MamaBuzz/writing work, Mom & Dad coming overnight for Dad’s surgery, etc.

Here is a picture for thought I am sharing…(Our garden is growing like crazy….we decided to let grass grow back in between the rows, and just keep our actual plant rows weeded; so much easier that way; we just weed-eat down through the middle because our tiller is too huge to fit.)For more Daybook, visit The Simple Woman’s Daybook.