Limited Availability - Fall/Winter Items

As an Independent Consultant for Tastefully Simple, I  wanted to take a moment to let you know that there are many items that will no longer be available after March 11, 2012.  If you are interested in ordering these items before they are retired for the season, you can either email me your order at kymberly.duran@gmail.com or you can order them on my website at:
www.tastefullysimple.com/web/kduran

Items being retired:

* Malted Cocoa Mix - Large = $8.99, Small = $6.99

* Butterscotch Kisses Cocoa = $6.99

* Chocolate Ugly Cake = $7.99

* Amaretto Chocolate Sauce - $9.99

* Cookies & Cocoa = $19.95

* Taffeta Bag = $4.95

* Fudgy Popcorn = $7.99

* Sweet Drizzle Snack Mix = $7.99

* Peanut Butter Popcorn = $7.99

* Snickerdoodle Cookies = $6.99

* Creamy Portobello Warm Dip Mix = $7.49

* Recipes for warm gatherings = $1.99

* Roasted Onion Warm Dip Mix = $7.49

* Chipotle Queso Dip Starter = $7.99

* Bold Buffalo Blue Cheese Dip Mix = $7.49

* Wahoo! Chili Season Blend = $8.99

* Spicy Harvest Salsa = $8.99

* Apple N Pear Slush Drink Mix = $9.99

* Olive & Herb Cheese Ball Mix = $6.99

* Ultimate Seasonings - 6 Sensational Seasonings in brushed bronze-toned spice rack = $74.95

* Bountiful Beer Cheese Soup Mix = $7.99

* Chicken Tortilla Soup Mix = $8.49

* Creamy Wild Rice Soup Mix = $8.49

* Tuscany Bread Dipping Mix = $8.99

* Roasted Garlic Infused Oil = $9.99

* Home-style Biscuits & Gravy Mix = $8.99

* Savory Peach Brandy Glaze = $8.99

* Tender Pot Roast Sauce = $8.99

* Cranberry Orange Scone Mix = $7.99

* Tripleberry Fruit Spread = $7.99

* Caramel Cinnamon Sprinkles = $7.99

* Pumpkin Patch Bread & Muffin Mix = $7.99

* English Toffee Cheese Ball Mix = $6.99

Check out my website to see our easy recipes for Valentine's Day, plus get Vanilla Caramels for only $1.99 with ANY order in February.  And we have a fantastic host special this month too . . .

I have the following dates available if you would like to book a party:

                    * Saturday, February 18
                    * Sunday, February 19
                    * Saturday, February 25
                    * Sunday, February 26

                    * Saturday, March 3
                    * Sunday, March 4
                    * Sunday, March 11

Remember - you can always shop our products on my website at:
www.tastefullysimple.com/web/kduran

Have a great day.

A Question for all the pregnant people ... ... ...

NOW - everyone that knows me knows I am not about to have any more children - lol - but I have at least 10 friends that are pregnant right now and I am seeing a very big trend in their pregnancies ... that trend is "Planned C-Sections" ... WHAT?!?!?!?!?!?  This leaves me with some questions.

What happened to the days where your baby came when GOD said the baby was ready to come???  Please don't get me wrong, I know there are times where there are complications in pregnancies and for the protection of mother or baby or both, a C-Section is necessary.  I'm talking to the moms that are planning their C-Section out of convenience or because they just "can't wait" or "don't want to wait" or - this one kills me - because "I want to choose a really cool birth date and what the exact day will be" like you're selecting lottery numbers or something.

I've been a mom now for over 16 years and let me tell you ~ the best thing you can do for your child is teach them about God's Will.  Following God's Will is what will give them EVERYTHING they need to succeed in life.  But to teach your child about God's Will ~ you have to know how to follow it yourself.

I know I'm probably not making people happy right now and my intention is NOT to make you mad, but to get you to think about the true reason for your "planned C-Section".  Is it because you are having complications?  Because there is a risk to you or your baby?  Or is it for convenience?  So you know when the baby is coming - you can plan everything up to the very last minute and know exactly when you need to go to the hospital?  Just remember GOD is the giver of life.  HE is the One that put that tiny little baby in you and HE is the One the knows EXACTLY when it is SAFE for your baby to born.  I say SAFE because when I was pregnant with Micah, he was so big that every time I had an ultra sound, they changed my due date - they gave me a due date almost a MONTH earlier than should have been.  This was back before "planned C-Sections" were allowed.  Well, let me just tell you, Micah was born on my ORIGINAL due date - the one that GOD gave me with the "birthing plan" that HE designed.  If Micah would have come early - if I would have "planned" my C-Section going off what the doctors were saying and what MAN said would be okay - Micah's lungs would not have fully developed and he would have LIFE LONG complications.

Again, I'm not trying to make anyone upset and I'm not trying to tell anyone what to do.  I'm not trying to say you're a horrible person if you have your "planned C-Section" already and know the exact date when your baby will come.  I just want you to stop and think.  PRAY about this decision.  Is this something that GOD has given you the okay on or have you even asked Him what HIS opinion on the matter is???

There are amazing stories that people can tell their children about when their water broke and where they were ~ or the miracle that God preformed during their labor and delivery.  Don't rob yourself of the amazing experience and blessing He has for you in doing birth HIS WAY!!!!!  He's the God of the universe and let me tell you I would give my life to defend the fact that HE knows what's best for you AND your baby.

"Patrick" or "The Master's Voice"

From Day 15 in the "Lifetime Guarantee Devotional" at www.YouVersion.com


John 10:4-5
4 When he has brought out all his own, he goes on ahead of them, and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.5 But they will never follow a stranger; in fact, they will run away from him because they do not recognize a stranger’s voice.”


The Master's Voice

Read John 10:4-5.

Dad loved to fly fish, and it wasn't necessary for him to have a friend along. He thrived on the solitude, the quietness, the beauty, the "swish" of the line from his reel, seeing how close he could put his fly to "that dark shadow under the tree across the river -- they'll be hiding in the shade by that stump." They? The bluegill. The goggle-eyed perch. The smaller fish, but real fighters. You knew when one was on your line!

He had gone to Blackfork and was heading home . . . alone. The roads were made for four-wheel drive vehicles and would have been an exciting challenge, but four-wheelers weren't around when Dad was here, so he drove the old black Pontiac slowly, carefully, lingering, still enjoying his own private forest. 

It was then that he spotted the deserted campsite. There was a cleared place where the tent had been staked, a deep hole that had been used for ice, and a burned-out campfire. And there was something else -- a little black-and-brown dog sitting forlornly and expectantly by the pile of rocks that had bordered the fire.

Dad got out and made friends with the dog, sizing up the situation pretty quickly. The dog had no doubt been exploring and wasn't around when time came to break camp and head home. (I can imagine how they had waited and hoped and whistled and called and finally left . . . without him.) It seemed like the dog knew that Dad was his last chance, so he hopped into the car and they headed for Poteau together.

We were "dogless" at the time (a rarity), so seeing the lost dog in Daddy's arms was a real thrill for us. He was a small terrier with wiry black hair and tan feet. His tail hadn't been bobbed and the tip was tan like his feet. With his ears up, he was not over a foot tall. He let us hold him and love him, sensing perhaps that this was going to be his new home. We tried every name that we could think of, but we just couldn't excite him. He answered best to a two-syllable name, so we finally called him Sonny.

Dad put an ad in the LeFlore County Sun: "Dog found at campsite on south end of Blackfork River. Call 410 to identify." When a call would come, he would always ask the caller to describe his or her dog, but Sonny never fit the bill. We were so glad, because he had won our hearts. His master had obviously spent time playing with him and training him; one of his favorite pastimes was knocking a pop bottle around with his nose and playing with it like a ball. Sonny had accepted us and we had accepted Sonny. He was part of the Hoyle family.

Then one day Dad called to say, "Honey, we've got a young man here who thinks the little dog is his. I'm sending him out to let him see Sonny."

I was at home by myself and didn't know quite how I could face someone coming and claiming Sonny, taking him away. I put him on the back porch and closed the kitchen door.

Our front door opened into a hallway. The first door on the right was to our guest bedroom, the immediate left to the living room. The living room and dining room were one large, long room, with a door at the end of the dining area that opened into the kitchen; the door to the back porch was in line with that door. The divan had been placed as a divider between the two areas. Sonny could go around the divan or crawl under it, but it was too high for him to go over. 

A knock on the front door. I didn't want to go. I dreaded it, but knew I had to. The young man at the door stood on crutches -- you could tell they had been his lifelong companions. He introduced himself and I ushered him into the living room -- right at the front end by the piano. We talked a moment, then I suggested that he call the dog when I opened the door to the back porch so we could see what kind of response he would get. He agreed. When I opened the door, Sonny was playing with a pop bottle.

Suddenly there was a short, clear whistle and a call: "Patrick!"

Sonny froze and tilted his head to one side, the abandoned pop bottle rolling toward the wall. Then again, the whistle and that name, "Patrick!"

Patrick scratched at the linoleum floor with his little short legs, trying to get traction, and then he started running -- through the dining table legs, over the top of the divan and, with one wild leap, into the outstretched arms of his master, who was ready . . . balanced . . . watching anxiously with tears on his cheeks. He grabbed that little dog and held him so close and tight! Patrick knew his master's voice.

* * * 

I hope I did justice to that story. It's one of my favorites. Why did I tell it? Because I want to talk about who we are and who God is. We are Patrick, and we have a Master who loves us more than we can possibly comprehend. Oh, Patrick was surviving with us, but his heart was still with the person who loved him, played with him, trained him, and drove 160 miles over a crooked, narrow road to claim him and identify him as his own.

Do you know who you are? Do you know that those arms are outstretched, that He is standing and waiting, with a tear-streaked face, for you to run and with "one, wild leap" jump into His arms? Do you know that you are totally and completely loved? Oh, you may be surviving in your present surroundings, entertaining yourself with your "toys," but are you separated from the One who loves you so much that He gave His life for you?

Knowing who you are brings a confidence into your life that cannot be taken away. Jesus got down on His knees, on the floor, and washed the feet of the disciples. How could He humble Himself to that degree? Well, John 13:3 tells us: "Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God, and was going back to God. . . ." Jesus knew two things: 1) who He was; and 2) that He was passionately loved by His Father.

You may label yourself an engineer, a librarian, a business mogul, a student, an accomplished vocalist, a devoted mother, a retired banker, an executive secretary, or a wife above reproach. Any of those things could be gone in the twinkling of an eye. Now, who are you? There is only one identity that is unshakable; one identity that is for eternity; one identity that will never fail you. That is your identity in Christ.

Patrick's story has limits, I know. It's a sweet little dog story, more for children than for mature adults. But are you sure you know what the story is saying? Perhaps you need to become "like a little child." And don't look at the obvious limits; look at the incredible possibilities. Patrick knew his master. Patrick knew who he was. That filled his heart with joy, his life with purpose. 

Whatever you have in your hands, let it go. Then kind of tilt your head and listen. Did you hear that whistle? Sharp. Clear. And you recognize the voice, don't you? Okay. Start scrambling. Run. Faster. Go under and over the obstacles, no matter how tall they seem to be. Then jump! He's watching . . . He's able to catch you . . . and His arms will gather you close and hold you, and you'll be back where you belong.

Skin

So - any of you that have electronics know about "skins" to protect these "gadgets".  Now - what exactly does this "skin" protect from?  It protects from things that would damage it, ruin it and make it lose it's worth and value.  It keeps away the scratches and the dings.  It keeps them from being "broken" and unable to be used again.  See - if you drop your cell phone and don't have a skin or case on it - more than likely it is going to shatter and will be unable to be repaired - THUS - you can't use it for anything anymore and it becomes garbage.

Well, I went to our church's Christmas Eve service today, and Pastor Mark Balmer (the best pastor I've ever heard other than my Dad) said that when Jesus came to Earth in the form of a man, He was "God with SKIN".

 A trigger went off in my mind and it started racing during the service - thinking about how Jesus is our PROTECTIVE SKIN.  When we walk with Him daily, we are protected.  When we are dropped, we don't have to worry about being broken, we can be used in a better way because we didn't shatter.  Things can happen to us and we can choose to do life without the protective skin of God and we can shatter into a million pieces and can never be any good to anyone ever again - OR - we can choose to wear our protective skin and when we do fall, get dropped or even break - we are still valuable - we can be refurbished and used in ways that we never imagined.

We choose so many different types of "skins" for our gadgets - I look for the pink ones - my husband looks for those that make getting to his devices easy - some look for hard covers - some for soft - we want them to make our gadgets look even better but we have to get the one that is specific for the individual device.  We can't put an Ipad skin on an MP3.  Our job as Christ Followers is to "Make God Look Good".  The only way to do that - is to have on our protective skin - the one that fits US perfectly and uniquely thus protecting us in EVERY way - HE was made just for us.

The next time you are out or searching on line for a protective skin for your cell phone, Ipad, Kindle, MP3, etc - don't forget your Protective Skin.  It'll fit snug and even sometimes feel tight - but NOTHING will be able to harm you.

Thank You, Jesus - for coming to earth as God with SKIN.

Why we should celebrate Christmas

CCM Daily Devotions | Jesus Gave Us the Real Gift

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Jesus Gave Us the Real Gift Posted: 17 Dec 2010 04:00 PM PST Based on “How Jesus’ Birth Changed Everything, Part 2” by Pastor Mark Balmer; 12/11-12/10, Message #MB442; Daily Devotional #5 - “Jesus Gave Us the Real Gift” Preparing the Soil (Introduction):  In this holiday season we hear the Christmas story of Jesus’ birth in a stable because there was no room in the Inn.  Angels then appeared to tell the Shepherds in the fields to come see the newborn King.  But keeping the “main thing, the main thing,” there is much more to celebrate than Jesus’ miraculous birth.  The real gift of this season is His miraculous life, death, and resurrection to give each one of us the peace of eternal life!  Jesus was born to give hurting people peace and comfort, hope for broken hearts, and “light” for those who feel trapped.  But he was pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole.  He was whipped so we could be healed. (Isaiah 53:5, NLT) Planting and Watering the Seed (Growth): This is the gift-giving season, and everyone is frantically trying to find the perfect gift for loved ones.  Yet, Jesus is the one who gave the perfect gift: His life for ours.  Most of us love the wonderful Christmas season and all the parties and presents that go with it, but this same newborn King would soon become despised and rejected by men (including you and me).  We already see the rejection of Christmas in our society today.  King Herod tried to get rid of Jesus before age 2.  King Herod felt threatened that this newborn King would shine light on his darkness, and give new hope to the people.  Herod feared that he would lose his kingdom.  The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone.  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness can never extinguish it. (John 1:4-5, NLT).  Jesus was born to save us from the darkness, to show us how to have real peace and hope and to live empowered lives, not dead lives.  I am happy to celebrate His birth, but I am even more thankful for His life, death, and resurrection.  Jesus, born King of the Jews, laid down His life and died the death of a criminal in order to be a sacrifice for our sins (Philippians 2:6-8, NLT).  Jesus gave us the real gift, the gift of peace that comes from knowing we are justified and have eternal life because He died for our sins. We have the peace of mind of forgiveness of our sins.  We have the gift that we don’t have to follow all of the over 600 laws and commandments in order to get to heaven!   …he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.  He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior.  Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life. (Titus 3:4-7, NLT). Harvesting the Crop (Action/Response):  Wii, $200; Kindle, $150; flat screen TV, $500; peace of mind: priceless! There are some things money can’t buy indeed!  “I am leaving you with a gift – peace of mind and heart.  And the peace I give is a gift the world cannot give.  So don’t be troubled or afraid.” (John 14:27, NLT). Jesus was the real gift, born out of God’s love to give light to those who want to receive it.  While Christmas is usually a warm time of year for most of us, it can also be a hard time of year for those who are hurting.   As Christ followers, we have the real gift living inside of us.  Jesus left us the gift of the Holy Spirit, empowering us to be light in a dark, hurting world.  We have the power to be the compassion, hope, and peace that Jesus' birth, life, and resurrection gave to us. Cultivating (Additional Reading): John 3:16-21 JE Calvary Chapel of Melbourne; 2955 Minton Road; W. Melbourne, FL 32904; 321-952-9673 All Bible references are from the New International Version (NIV) unless otherwise noted. New Living Translation = NLT

"Cardoba House"

This is a very concise description of the New York "mosque" issue.  Newt summarizes it very well - in my opinion.  If you find yourself perplexed by this issue - please read his very clear statement.  If you agree, you just might want to pass it along.                              

                                                               

 Newt hits a home run.

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Statement on the Proposed “Cordoba House” Mosque near Ground Zero

Newt Gingrich

July 21, 2010 6pm

There should be no mosque near Ground Zero in New York so long as there are no churches or synagogues in Saudi Arabia. The time for double standards that allow Islamists to behave aggressively toward us while they demand our weakness and submission is over.

The proposed "Cordoba House" overlooking the  World Trade Center site – where a group of jihadists killed over 3000 Americans and destroyed one of our most famous landmarks - is a test of the timidity, passivity and historic ignorance of American elites. For example, most of them don’t understand that “Cordoba House” is a deliberately insulting term. It refers to Cordoba, Spain – the capital of Muslim conquerors who symbolized their victory over the Christian Spaniards by transforming a church there into the world’s third-largest mosque complex.

Today, some of the Mosque’s backers insist this term  is being used to "symbolize interfaith cooperation" when, in fact, every  Islamist in the world recognizes Cordoba as a symbol of Islamic conquest.  It is a sign of their contempt for Americans and their confidence in our historic ignorance that they would deliberately insult us this way.  Those Islamists and their apologists who argue for "religious toleration"  are arrogantly dishonest. They ignore the fact that more than 100 mosques already exist in New York City. Meanwhile, there are no churches or synagogues in all of Saudi Arabia. In fact no Christian or Jew can even enter Mecca.  And they lecture us about tolerance.

If the people behind the Cordoba House were serious about religious toleration, they would be imploring the Saudis, as fellow Muslims, to immediately open up Mecca to all and immediately announce their intention to allow non-Muslim houses of worship in the Kingdom. They should be asked by the news media if they would be willing to lead such a campaign.

We have  not been able to rebuild the World Trade Center in nine years. Now we are  being told a 13 story, $100 million mega mosque will be built within a year overlooking the site of the most devastating surprise attack in American  history.

Finally where is the money coming from? The people behind  the Cordoba House refuse to reveal all their funding sources. America is  experiencing an Islamist cultural-political offensive designed to undermine and destroy our civilization. Sadly, too many of our elites are the willing  apologists for those who would destroy them if they could.

* No  mosque.

* No self deception.

* No surrender.

The time to take a stand is now - at this site on this issue.

If, after reading this, you  agree with it, please pass it on to others. This is the most clearly stated, sensible, and historically accurate statement that I’ve read on this issue.

  

This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it.  Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or their revolutionary right to dismember or overthrow it.  ~ Abraham Lincoln, First Inaugural Address, March 4, 1861

Are we REALLY a Christian Nation?

I received the below as an email and started thinking, "What if Christians started standing up for their rights?"  "What if we fought for our Christian Nation to actually be a Christian Nation?"  I think it's time for us to take back what the devil has stolen from us.  Read the below email.  It's something that Andy Rooney quoted.  Tell me what YOU think. 

Andy Rooney says:

I don't believe in Santa Claus, but I'm not going to sue somebody for singing a Ho-Ho-Ho song in December.  I  don't agree with Darwin, but I didn't go out and  hire a lawyer when my high school  teacher  taught his Theory of  Evolution. 

Life, liberty or your pursuit of happiness will not be endangered because someone says a 30-second prayer before a football game. So what's the big deal?   It's not like somebody is up there reading the entire Book of Acts.  They're just talking to a God they believe in and asking him to grant safety to the players on the field and the fans going home from the game. 

But it's a Christian prayer,  some will argue.

Yes, and this is the United States of America a country founded on Christian principles. According to our very own phone book, Christian churches outnumber all others better than 200-to-1.  So what would you expect -- somebody chanting Hare Krishna? 

If I went to a football game in Jerusalem, I   would expect to hear a Jewish prayer.

If I went to a soccer game in Baghdad, I would expect to hear a Muslim prayer. 

If I went to a ping pong match in China, I would expect to hear someone pray to Buddha.

And I wouldn't be offended. It wouldn't bother me one bit.

When in Rome   .....

”But what about the atheists?” is another argument.

What about them?  Nobody is asking them to be baptized.   We're not going to pass the collection plate. Just humor us for 30 seconds.   If that’s asking too much, bring a Walkman or a pair of ear plugs.  Go to the bathroom.   Visit the concession stand.  Call your lawyer! 

Unfortunately, one or two will make that call.  One or two will tell thousands what they can and cannot do. I don’t think a short prayer at a football game is going to shake the world's foundations.

Christians are just sick and tired of turning the other cheek while our courts strip us of all our rights.   Our parents and grandparents taught us to pray before eating, to pray before we go to sleep. Our Bible tells us to pray without ceasing.  Now a handful of people and their lawyers are telling us to cease praying. 

God, help us.  And if that last sentence offends you, well, just sue me.

The silent majority has been silent too long.  It's time we tell that one or two who scream loud enough to be heard that the vast majority doesn't care what they want.  It is time that the majority rules!   It's time we tell them, “You don't have to pray; you don't have to say the Pledge of Allegiance; you don't have to believe in God or attend services that honor Him.  That is your right, and we will honor your right; but by golly, you are no longer going to take our rights away.  We are fighting back, and we WILL WIN!"

God bless us one and all...Especially those who denounce Him, God bless America and Canada, despite all our faults, and we are still the greatest nations of all. God bless our service men that are fighting to protect our right to pray and worship God. 

Let’s make 2010 the year the silent majority is heard and we put God back as the foundation of our families and institutions. Keep looking up.