• 04.30.2010 Come Home
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    Our sweet dog is missing. We think she slipped out in the hustle and bustle of our six family members running in and out the front door yesterday. She did not have her collar on, and we have yet to see her on the local websites for missing pets. We’ve had our Lu-girl since before we even started having children. Deemed a neighborhood indiscretion, she was offered for free in front of a grocery store as a week-old pup. We thought she was the sweetest thing we’d ever known, and happily welcomed the work and sacrifices required to bring her into our family. She lived at our first house, and has welcomed every one of our rambunctious boys into our lives. And, today, I’m missing her. And as we work on all possibilities to bring my dog home, I’m thinking about what Jesus said concerning the lost sheep that “wandered […]

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  • 04.29.2010 A Little Site Tour, Part 2
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    I’m so grateful to all of you who pop in and read this blog. My hope is that it’s a place of encouragement, inspiration, community, and perhaps, even a useful resource. If you read the site tour last week, you may now be familiar with how to comment, how to get the posts on this blog to come to you, and how buying on Amazon through this site, can support GraceLaced! Today, we will finish up the site tour with a few more features you may be interested in… I’ve now included two ways you can access your favorite posts quickly. 1) The first is the “Readers’ Favorite Past Posts” button. Whether you are new to this blog, or are a loyal reader, this button will take you to a whole collection of memorable posts from the past. For those of you who are new, it’s kind of like GraceLaced […]

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  • 04.28.2010 Spiced Rum Grilled Pineapple
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    Dear Grill-Master, When grilling out this summer, I humbly request that you review my qualifications and add me to your repetoire. I ask that you look past my pompous exterior and remember I’m sweet on the inside; to consider the tediousness of my pointed flaws but a small inconvenience compared to the versatility of my tender nature. I work well with other grill regulars, and have no problem sharing skewer space. Perhaps you will consider me for a lesser known role at the grill–dessert. I’m highly qualified as my greatest strengths exude when under fire, and my biting edge mellows. I’ve been known to show up to work highly inebriated; however, the heat of the workplace quickly takes care of all the negative side affects and I’ve often received my greatest reviews as a result. You will unregrettably find me an asset and ally in all your grilling efforts. Thank […]

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  • 04.27.2010 Tips for Rising Early
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    Yesterday’s post about rising early resulted in a huge number of page loads, and only a few responses so far…so, hopefully that means many of you are still prayerfully considering the challenge to prioritize time alone in the Word at the start of your day. For those of you who joined in, how did you do? I had a terrible night with a three yr. old who continues to struggle with leg cramps at night, but praise God, I found myself actually joyful to be up…with coffee, and these tips from Shopping for Time Place your alarm clock in a strategic location, preferably on the other side of the room from your bed. Set your alarm for the same time every day. Never, never, never hit the snooze button or lie back down to catch a few more winks. The second your alarm goes off is the most critical moment […]

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  • 04.26.2010 The 5:45 Club
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    Today’s post is a call for change in my life and yours. I’ve been up since 5:45am. Even as I write this, I empathize with all of you who may have slept fitfully last night through many disruptions by young ones in your home. You may have endless tasks before you today, of which I can empathize as well. You may feel overwhelmed, and the day has not yet even begun–I’ve been there, and praise God, I want to share a little bit of encouragement with you. What we treasure and prioritize is evidenced through how we spend our time. While we seek to have time in the Word each day, sometimes we can lack the sweet fellowship of communing with Him as a steady means of provision, rather than a dutiful reaction to the hectic pace of our lives. I’m perennially burdened for the desire to seek first the […]

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  • 04.24.2010 Mango Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
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    I thought I’d pop in over the weekend, and leave you with a recipe for my new favorite BBQ sauce. You are already familiar with my homemade go-to for pulled pork sandwiches and sauce, but now I’m jazzing it up a bit with spring-beckoning mangos. Make a dry shredded pork in the slow-cooker as I usually do, or follow this recipe here, and cook it with balsamic vinegar and mango pits…you’ll have to see the recipe. {grin} Add the following recipe for sauce, and what results is a mouth-watering, spicy and sweet version of your favorite BBQ sauce. Just in time for all the family barbecues coming your way… Mango Bourbon Barbecue Sauce 2 mangos, peeled and cubed 1 tsp. chipotle chili powder 1 tablespoon honey 1 (1.5 oz) jigger of bourbon whiskey 2 (8 oz.) bottles of favorite BBQ sauce cracked pepper brown sugar to taste Puree cubed mango […]

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  • 04.23.2010 Friday Funnies
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    A little something to remind us what is not quite so grace-laced. {grin} Compliments of my father-in-law. Have a great weekend! *The people involved in this post are only actors. The couple above is not my in-laws. {smile}

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  • 04.21.2010 5 Guy Ride
    8 Comments

    I really adore a man who will hit the trail with his entire brood.

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