As I drove to work today, the mountains that run alongside 180 were absolutely beautiful! The tops of the mountain were still covered in ice and snow. It felt like Colorado, just in PA. Gorgeous snow caps on the tippy top. The sun hitting them was just stunning! I was sitting there thinking, “God is so awesome!” From snow-covered mountains to whispering woods and waterfalls, there is just so much beauty on this earth.

Now, let’s back up about two and a half hours when I was just getting ready to get out of bed. Our dog Bear was still lying on his bed, too. He never followed my husband downstairs, which wasn’t like him. I give Chris a head start to get in the bathroom first; then I get his coffee and breakfast when he is done. It gives me time to get my morning prayer in and make our bed. Bear sat up from his bed and stretched.

“Morning Bear Bear. Come here bud,” as I snapped my fingers over off the side of the bed.

Slowly he walked over and flopped his body next to our bed. I laid there petting his big black adorable floppy ears. I then started my morning prayer. I started off by thanking Him for my dog Bear. Bear is seriously one of the best dogs, and he follows his momma everywhere! We are just so blessed to have him. I don’t thank God for him as often as I should, so it was a nice start to my mornin’ prayer. I continued to pray, “Thank you for my eyes so that I can see. My ears, so I can hear. My tongue so I can taste! Lord, please don’t let me never lose my taste! That would be just horrible!” God probably was crackin’ up. Or maybe He was grateful that I thanked him for something we normally take for granted? There are so many people who I hear complaining about how awful and how tough life is. YES. Last year stunk, and this year may not be much better, but we still have so much to be thankful for. There are more things to be happy and grateful for than being a Debbie Downer! What or where is that going to get you? Good things always out weigh the bad.

Can you imagine seeing darkness all your life? Close your eyes a minute. Imagine that’s all you would ever see!? That snack you are eating, imagine not tasting it or being fed by a tube? Those birds you hear on spring mornings or the night frogs in summer, can you imagine lying in bed not hearing them? There are people out there who deal with this daily! These are some of the strongest people, people who have the least or struggle like this every day of their lives, but they make the most out of their situations. Nowadays, we have people who whine and complain over the dumbest things. Like seriously!? Just be thankful you are healthy, your family is healthy, you have a warm home and a job. These are things you should be so grateful for and thank the Lord above!!

“Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; his love endureth forever.” – 1 Chronicles 16:34

I just want you to think about something you are truly grateful for, and next time you see or witness something that only God’s hand could be a part of, thank Him. It’s His grace why we have what we do. If you feel blessed every day and have a positive attitude, you feel happy! And happiness spreads like beautiful wildflowers! Be beautiful and spread those wildflowers!

Frozen Butterfinger Pie

Ingredients:

CRUST:
• 1 1/2 cups crushed Oreo cookies
• 6 Tbsp. melted butter

FILLING:
• 8 oz. softened cream cheese
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 cup heavy cream
• 2 tsp. corn syrup
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract
• 7 full size butterfingers, crushed

Directions:

Mix the ingredients for the crust in a small bowl and press into a 9-inch pie plate. Place in freezer while you prepare the filling.

With an electric mixer, beat cream cheese and sugar until smooth. Set aside.

In a separate bowl, beat heavy cream, vanilla, and corn syrup with an electric mixer until stiff peaks form. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture until smooth.

Reserve 1/2 cup of crushed Butterfinger. Fold remaining Butterfinger into whipped cream and cream cheese mixture. Spread filling into prepared crust. Top with remaining crushed Butterfinger.

Freeze for at least an hour.