Coffee time...and cake!

So as a family living in Costa Rica we have found many places we love to visit.

And since Mr. Sweet and I

enjoy drinking coffee each day,

We needed to find our favorite coffee shop

with fresh roasted coffee.

Coffee beans are dried in the sun and turned every 15 min.

The first week after living here we found it...

our favorite coffee comes from a little shop

in Central Market,

that roasts their own coffee.

While drinking a fresh cup of coffee one day

sitting at Cafe Central

my husband mentioned that I make cakes.

So for more than 8 months everytime we go for

coffee

they ask,

"Where is our cake?"

Yesterday, Mr. Sweet delivered

their CAKE.

They were super excited and were showing

all the other venders

around them.

And in return they gave me a large

burlap coffee sack.

Yes, that made me happy!

Coffee Break

If you were joining me for coffee today

we would be drinking some of the best

coffee in the world!

We would also be enjoying it in my

new "home"

with the mountians of Costa Rica surrounding

us. 

We are adjusting to life in Costa Rica and

are finding things to do like

walking to the mall and

walking to the grocery store and

walking to the park and

walking to our friend's house and...

...you get the idea.

Unless we take a taxi or the bus

we are walking because we have no car.

We have also been trying new fruits

even if we don't know the name of the

fruit.  Mostly they are sweet and yummy.

We have a couple weeks

until school starts and so in

our free time we are trying to bake some

brownies and cookies

so we will have them for lunches in a couple

weeks.  But it seems my family is eating

them as fast as I can make them.



My cheery kitchen.

So if you were joining me for

the best coffee ever

what would you tell me?

What are you adjusting to?

Can you believe school will soon be starting?

The hardest part is believing that I

will be sitting in school every day

and learning a new language.

WOW!!

Linking up with Amy

Coffee break...

Here it is,

one week before we

move our family to another country

for a year!

If you were joining me for coffee

I would tell you that the packing is in

full swing and

fun family outings are

thrown in the mix and all

last minute things are being taken

care of, and there are even some teary

goodbyes happening.

We continue to be amazed at Gods

provision for our needs as we follow

His call.  He keeps the little miracles coming

and when I doubt or am struggling to get it

all accomplished, He reminds me ever so gently

that He is still in control and He is ever

FAITHFUL. 

I will share a little miracle that happen.

As I was gathering school supplies to take

along for our year in school, I needed

some notebooks and so off to Walmart I went

and they were all sold out.  I was a little annoyed

because it is just the start of school shopping and

they are out of notebooks already.

Well my family was helping at our church that

night and guess what they came home with?

Yup, notebooks!  Given to them by a special friend.

So was it coincidence that Walmart was sold out?

NO, I don't think so!

That is just one example of
how God cares for his family.  The list is
LONG!!

Blesssings to each of you,

I am off to a day filled with packing

suitcase and boxes.

Enjoy your day and join me over at

Virtual Coffee with Amy.

Coffee break...

Hello Friends,

Today is virtual coffee with Amy and so I'm adding

virtual coffee to the list of coffee breaks today.

My day started out with

breakfast and coffee with my mom

at a local coffee shop.

Although it was HOT we ate out on the patio,

'cause well

we liked the atmosphere.

Then we walked around the quaint little

town of Lititz and visited

a couple shops.

Then around 1:00 I met

Robin for another

cup of caffeine

and chatting.

(I would insert picture here

but I forgot about my camera)

 It was another cute little coffee shop.

So many coffee shops,

so little time!

And now I am drinking

a cup of decaf before I

retire for the day.

Just so happens that I have been featured on

another blog.

I think its kinda exciting!

Check it out here 

Coffee break...

If we were sitting down for coffee today
I would tell you I am really
looking forward to a good cup of
Costa Rican coffee.
The wait is getting shorter and shorter.

In less than 1 month I will call
Costa Rica, home.
Am I excited?  You better believe it!
Is there a lot to do until we board that
early morning flight on August 2nd?
Y~E~S!!!!

If you were enjoying a cup of coffee with me
I would ask how your holiday weekend was
and tell you that our weekend was great
but not completely packed and crazy.

I really didn't think I would be seeing any
fireworks on the 4th but
my Mr. Sweet got off work
earlier than expected and we
headed out to the local park for
the fireworks display.  It was so fun
just our little family of five.

July 4th to me marks the middle of
summer and time keeps moving
along at a fast speed.
So today I am trying my best
to live in the moment.

One day at a time,
sweet Jesus, give me the strength,
to live, one day at a time.

My lovely daughters...

...and the men in my life,
make each day a new adventure.

Thanks for stopping by
for a coffee break,
enjoy life
one adventure at a time.

Linking up: Virtual Coffee

Coffee break...

A gorgeous day outside.  Blue skies,

a wonderful breeze and a vanilla bean latte!

If you were joining me for my afternoon cup of

caffeine I would tell you that summertime and warm temps

make my heart happy.  It also makes my life

a bit busy and with less than 2 months until we

move maybe a little stressed.

We are looking forward to moving.  I have one suitcase almost packed that

will be making the trip a few weeks early with a friend who is going to be

flying to CR next week.  For those of you who love a challenge, I have one for you;

try moving a family of five out of the country for a year and only taking what will fit in

your luggage and carry-ons.  I'm realizing just how much stuff I have

and how unnecessary some of it is.

With summer in full swing

I didn't need another full time job

making sure the kids did their jobs around

the house.

 So it was time for a family meeting and

we came up with a system that will hopefully work for us.

Week one was a success but we are into week 2 and it may

need a little tweaking.

The kids each have a jar and the goal is to fill

the jar with glass pebbles so they can earn a reward.

They get pebbles for each chore they complete. 

We made a list of chores and gave each a "pebble" value.

They choose what chore and when their jars are full

they have options.

$10.00 ~ a date with mom or dad(they still think its cool)~ or having a friend for a sleepover.

Cleaning out the dishwasher - 2 pebbles

Cleaning out the van - 5 pebbles

etc, etc.

Happy Tuesday you all, I'm

off to another ball game

and join me for virtual coffee here. 

Coffee break...

Its time to take a break and enjoy a

coffee before I am off to another

ballgame this evening.

If you sat down to join me for coffee,

what would you tell me?

Would you bring along some homemade

cinnamon rolls for me to taste?

I am a good taster and would let you know if they

are delicious or I might need a second one to

know for sure.

I would tell you that our family

is moving and

I will become a full-time student,

for the next year,

with my family at

a Spanish language school

in Costa Rica.

So many of my days are spent trying to figure out

what goes along and what

stays here in storage.

Figuring out the details and trusting

God to answer any questions we have.

I am so completely amazed at

His provisions already.

His timing is perfect.

I am totally loving the weather we

are having and even

though I am not outside as much as

I would like,

we have ballgames every evening this week,

and I enjoy the beautiful evenings,

and evenings always have great light for

taking pictures.

I'm excited for tomorrow!

Its D-day - that is short for dentist.

Excited may be a bit of a strong word but

I am ready to go.

My tooth is killing me and

Advil and I are becoming fast friends.

My cup of Panamanian coffee with its

cream burlee creamer is finished and so

good evening to you!

And join me over here for more coffee.

Coffee break...

Hello, Tuesday!

If you stopped by for coffee this morning,
it may be accompanied by eggs and toast.

Actually, there is some cookies you could have but
I'm just having sugar in my coffee this week.

We had a fabulous weekend with some friends from MD
but ate too much, so its time to say "no" to Easter candy
and all things baked and sugary.

Orange Cranberry Muffins.


If you were sitting here with me you would smell
a turkey roasting in the oven.
I am feeling a bit pioneer-ish,
'cause it is a turkey that Mr. Sweet
shoot yesterday during 'spring gobbler' season.

I would also tell you that I am enjoying the spring weather.
Our pool will soon be filled with lots of kids
splashing and laughing and making memories.



I'm thinking about Mother's day and
wondering how I am impacting my kids lives.
Is it more positive than negative -
or the other way around?

We had a big brush fire to burn the other
evening and so we invited the neighbors over
to roast hot dogs and marshmallow over the fire.

The heat was so intense that it was almost too
hot to roast the jumbo marshmallows,
but they hid behind the log so it blocked some of the heat
and soon they were eating smores.

A fun time and memories made.

What would you tell me if you joined  me for coffee?
Anything exciting happening in your life?
Or, not so exciting?

And one more sign of spring....

Thanks for stopping by for
virtual coffee.  Enjoy your day!

A special occasion...

I was saving it for a special occasion.
My last bag of coffee from Costa Rica,
but not any more.

Today is a special occasion!

I am healthy,
I am alive,
I am free to be me,
I am a daughter of the most high God,
the creator of the Universe.

Today IS a special occasion,
today is a GIFT.

I am blessed and I am having a cup of my favorite coffee.
I can smell its rich aroma,
I can feel the warm coffee cup in my hands
and I can enjoy the taste of coffee from the mountians of
Costa Rica.

Last Friday,
I spent the day on a coffee break
with Mr. Sweet.

It was a gift.
A day spent together drinking coffee,
sharing a soft pretzel from the local farmers market,
stopping at garage sales along the way
and just being friends.

Today is a gift!

Have a great day!

Join me for coffee here

Coffee break...

If you were joining me for coffee this morning...

I would have so much to say and you would probably have to

interupt me to get your chance to talk.

First off,  I would tell you that IF

I have updates on my blog any day

then you will know that I have spent at least

10 minutes exercising that day.

Yup, its my new plan,

no exercise - no blogging.

I would also tell you that

my husband and I celebrated

our 16th wedding anniversary

this past weekend.

He brought me flowers and

I made us a little cake,

and then we went out for dinner, Friday night.

And Saturday was a rain out so I got

to stay home all day

and create this.

I would also tell you that our family is moving,

we are moving to a place where the

coffee is plentiful and also the

mangos

bananas

passion fruit

avacados

and

coconuts.

Our family is moving to

COSTA RICA!

more on that later.

But I really would like to know

how you are, too.

I would ask what is new with you

and what you are looking

forward to.

Are you looking forward to warmer weather
as much as me?
I need warmer weather so
my son can wear shorts
'cause he don't have too many
jeans left that don't have holes in the knees.



These were for Ted's Sunday school class
for his birthday.
People have told me that
Ted loves paper and so paper inspired
cupcakes was Ted's birthday treat.


Be blessed today and may the PEACE
of our risen Savior be your
strength!



Before and After

Today if you were joining me for

coffee we would be meeting at

a local restaurant and I could introduce you

to my amazing friend who would be

joining us as well.

Days like this is when I remember the phrase,

April showers,

bring May flowers,

and I am content to have another cup

of coffee and enjoy the pitter-patter of

the rain and enjoy the company of a friend.

I would also tell you that my bathroom is well on the

way to being transformed with some paint and

hard work.  I think I'm liking it!

And my husband is proud of me

because there were days when he was

having his doubts about my vision.

So many times I have a before and after picture

of a project I am doing.

And hopefully it is an awesome transformation.

So I was thinking about the

before and after

of Jesus in my life.

Before Jesus,

My day is overwhelming and stressful

After spending time with Jesus in

prayer and bible reading.

I can do all things thru Him.

Before the rain and sunshine
no flowers.
After the rain and sunshine,
Beautiful, amazing flowers.

His design in my life and
in His creation is evident every day
if I just stop and spend time
with Him.



I found a new setting on my camera and was
 trying it out on the flowers around my house.



I would also tell you that you have until Friday

to enter my CUPCAKES & CHOCOLATE

giveaway, just click here.

Enjoy your day,

I'm off to have another cup of

coffee with my friend,

and you can join the rest of the

ladies over at

virtual coffee.