Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I'm very proud to announce that this year, a bunch of PA families will be very happy with the backpacks that will be going home with their children.  The grant came through and Blessings in a Backpack will be receiving funds to aide families in need. Thank you Lord! 

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year Everyone! As "2012" comes to an end I find myself looking back at the past year. Our family has been through alot of changes, some good and some bad.  As I reflect this year as Mrs PA, I can't help be thankful for the people I have met over the last few months. I appreciate each and everyone of you! Thank you,  for your support and allowing me to share your recipes and friendship.  You all will always be a friend to me and my family. 

With the approaching of "2013, I have to say that those tons of Christmas cookies and chocolate carmel covered apples I've made and consumed in the last few weeks have "not" been on my side, but.....to be honest I'm happy to sport those extra few pounds, because weight does not define someone!  As I approch the end of my rein in March, I decided to devote my time helping others as a "secret". ( so if anyone knows of someone that is in need, please send that name my way)  My husband and I are teaching the youth today to do just one thing special for someone without telling them. This could include holding a door open for a stranger, calling a friend,  taking an elder grocery shopping or simply saying a small prayer for a person.  If we all just say something nice about soemone and not judge them, think how much better it would make one's day!  I may be a country girl , but guess what, I'M PROUD OF IT!  


I would like to wish each and everyone of you a very Happy and Blessed New Year! May the good Lord bless you all!

Inspiration

Hello Readers,

I wanted to take some time to update my blog page today, with our nation in such change we need to encourage each other and learn to trust in our faith and the Lord.  We all have challenges that we go through in life, some more than others.  Right now, we need to focus on getting back to our faith and family. Please find some great inspirationl quotes from Joel Osteen that our family enjoys reading. I hope they will be an inspiration to you as well.

“You may be sitting around waiting for God to change your circumstances. Then you’re going to be happy, then your’re going to have a good attitude, then you’re going to give God praise. But God is waiting on you to get up on the inside. When you do your part, He’ll begin to change things and work supernaturally in your life.”
~Joel  Osteen

The following are Joel Osteen quotes.  I chose these quotes because it can be difficult to stay in faith and trust in God when life doesn’t work out the way you planned.  Don’t let bad experiences get in your way of all the blessings that God has in store for you.  Stay in faith.  Finish what you started and watch how God will work wonders in your life.

At times it may seem like God is not listening to your requests but that is not the case.  God sees the whole picture.  He knows what is best for you and will answer your request when the time is right.  Just be patient.  If it is his will it’s definitely come to pass.

Also remember that there are wicked spirit forces that try their best to make you lose your faith, especially when you are making steady progress.  Pray to God to give you strength at all times.  Ask him to give you the strength to stand up firm and strong in your faith.

Read these quotes when you feel discouraged and your faith is shaky.  They will encourage you to stay in faith.

 

“No matter what may be happening today, God has good things in store for your future! It may not be easy to see now, but God has already lined up a new beginning, new friendships and new opportunities for you.”

 

“Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He’s going to accelerate your times and lead you into the life of victory He has for you.”

“Remember, when you agree with God, you are positioning yourself for a miracle. You are activating His truth in your life. When things look difficult, don’t agree with your circumstances, agree with His promises because He is faithful, and He will complete what He’s started in your life!” Joel Osteen Quotes

 I hope these quotes have helped a few of my readers, as with the changing times we all need encouragement! 

Good Morning Everyone~

     Happy Friday! I'm trying to keep up with my blog pages when I find some extra time. Today I have a few minutes.  I can't believe it's August already, where did this Summer go?? Soon the leaves will begin to fall, reavealing the most beautiful time of year in PA, Fall!

Last weekend was so much fun, the Barnstorms game with the Arthriris Foundation.  Shickshinny Car show and town benefit. It was so much fun to judge the car show. (I learned from my husband to "NOT" touch the shiny cars! Thank you to all the enteries for being SO kind and letting me sit in your cars and touch all the shiny parts!!( LOL ) Next weekend at the SUPER CAR show in Harrisburg I "WILL NOT" touch the cars!;)  Sunday was the Pocono NASCAR race. Sadly a fan lost his life.  My thoughts and prayrs are with the Zimmerman family for their loss.  The positive was that the NASCAR Foundation was able to raise more awareness and funds to help more children and families in need.   I'm a huge fan of the NASCAR Foundation and the wonderful group of employess and volunteers that help in so many ways!


Since nationals in Chicago, This poem keeps appearing to me and for some reason, I'm listening to my inner voice and posting:)

Much love and many many blessings to you all,

 "Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now."
--Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

Journey- Part II

Hi Everyone!  I know the last time I blogged I was off to the Mrs International pageant.  Well....I didn't win, and that's OK.  I will say, it was a great experience! I met so many amazing women from all over the nation.  After finding myself asking the question, "what in the world am I doing her"! ( for most of you that know me, I'm pretty much in jeans most of the time.) I began to realize, "why"!

When we turn our fear over to our inner guide, we’re offered powerful, creative ways of perceiving our life.  My life is dedicated to caring for others through, "food", teaching, writing, or giving it away!  All these women had a voice to be heard and all these women had a story to be told! I  These were women who had a voice for breast cancer, leukemia, celiac disease, children with autism, children with mental health disorders, cancer survivors, heart attack survivors, but the one "beautiful" blonde woman who stood out all week was a women who was so badly burned in a helicopter accident at the age of 26, that now serves as a  voice for burn victims! Sarah Bazey, who is the new Mrs International "2012"!  I was SO proud to share that stage with each and every one of those ladies! All making a positive change in this nation and helping in so many ways!

 

After not making top 16, I took my chocolate chip, high heel sugar cookies and mini red-velvet cupcakes back stage and shared them with the other 40 women I call my "sisters"!  All of us shared so much with each other that week and had the best time! I swear, it was like we were  all meant to meet! We laughed SO hard and had so much fun! Sending much love to all my sisters from AL -to Tuva, you girls rock!!

 

Thank you, Lord for allowing me to be part of this journey! What matters most is I have a voice for the Blessings in a Backpack Organization and a great team that supports my efforts to make a difference in the lives of children and people! 

 

This Saturday, August 4th I will be in downtown Shickshinny for the local car show. Reading to children, taking photos, and sharing some of my special Mrs Pennsylvania treats!! Please join me from 1-4pm.

 

Blessings and Hugs,

 

Kimberly

Kimberly McLendon, Mrs Pennsylvania International: "Only God Knows Your Journey"

Kimberly McLendon, Mrs Pennsylvania International: "Only God Knows Your Journey": HI Everyone...Sitting here at my desk thinking of something to blog about I can't help but think of these words; " Only God Knows Your Journ...

"Only God Knows Your Journey"

HI Everyone...Sitting here at my desk thinking of something to blog about I can't help but think of these words; " Only God Knows Your Journey"!    I was at a local event a few weeks ago and a woman came up to another woman and said; "I wish I had your life"!  A few things we need to nip in the bud.  At the end of the day...we "All" have bills to pay,  have "responsibility", and no one knows any one's life, expect for that  person.
Sometimes we lose faith in friends and family because they've let us down.  Disappointment can weigh very heavy on one's heart! We are all human and we are all on this journey together.. regardless of what you have and don't have in life!

I guess what I'm really trying to get at here is we shouldn't judge others and we shouldn't want something we don't have. When you want something in your life that isn't here yet, consider this. You will still be you when it comes. You will still be you every moment if you spend your whole life waiting. Do you like who you are? Do you like how you're meeting life (meeting yourself)? NOW holds all you need to get ready for what's coming next. NOW holds all the life you'll ever have. Quit asking, Are we there yet? Ask, Am I showing up how I want to? These are the true words of a very good friend of mine. She has taught me so much about being in the moment. Although it seems hard to believe, sometimes not getting what you want can be a blessing in disguise.;-)

Blessed are the little things in life, for they have the power to keep us going when we don't think we can, until then...we shall all eat "red-velvet cupcake's"!!!!


                                    Red Velvet Cupcakes

• 2 cups all
•  purpose flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking soda
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 2 Tablespoon of unsweetened, cocoa powder
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 cup vegetable oil
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 2 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• 1-2 oz. red food coloring
• 1 teaspoon of white distilled vinegar
• 1/2 cup of prepared plain hot coffee (don’t skip this ingredient)

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 325.
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together flour, baking soda, baking powder, cocoa powder and salt. Set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine the sugar and vegetable oil.
4. Mix in the eggs, buttermilk, vanilla and red food coloring until combined.
5. Stir in the coffee and white vinegar.
6. Combine the wet ingredients with the dry ingredients a little at time, mixing after each addition, just until combined.
7. Generously grease and flour two round cake pans with crisco and flour.
8. Pour the batter evenly into each pan.
9. Bake in the middle rack for 30-40 minutes, or until a toothpick comes out clean. Do not over bake as cake will continue to cook as it cools.
10. Let cool on a cooling rack until the pan are warm to the touch.
11. Slide a knife or offset spatula around the inside of the pans to loosen the cake from the pan.
12. Remove the cakes from the pan and let them cool.
13. Frost the cake with cream cheese frosting when the cakes have cooled completely.

Good morning everyone!

I wanted to take the time to blog a few things!  As the weeks start the count down to the Mrs International pageant, I'm shifting into high gear.  


This is my very first national pageant and I'm so excited to meet so many amazing people!

My pageant prep has gone a bit like this, lots of working out, and eating healthy.  That's really the hard part! LOL  Working on my platform and job have been very easy!  Those of you who know me, know how much I love to cook and feed people.  The last few months, have been open to just about anything.  Cooking on the beach in Florida,  to making veggie burgers on the highest mountain in PA! LOL   We can't forget, delivering a giant welcome Summer snack "table" to families who are in need! I sat in the children's classroom crown and sash waiting for them to come in after recess and when they walked in and saw me sitting there with all those snacks....they were SO happy!! Since I have been blessed with the title of Mrs Pennsylvania International, I jump on every opportunity I can to let the children know that I'm someone who cares about them and their family.  Our society is so face paced and we need to stop and take a minute to let people know, "I'm here,and care and want to help"! The joy on the faces of children and their families when you give them food, or teach them how make a certain food, is absolutely priceless!   Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.   I know, this is going to be on my grave stone when I die, because this is my motto in life, I say this 50 times a day! (but it's SO true,  my dream job, would be to travel the world feeding and teaching as many people as possible  how to fish (cook)!!!


In the next few weeks, I will be heading South  to host a supper club at Viking, Lakewood Ranch center, and can't wait to see so many of my friends, and family!  The menu, as follows:

• Black Bean Veggie Sliders with Southwest Salsa & Homemade Corn Chips
• Garden Cheese Steak
• Homemade Sweet Potato Fries
• Mini Chocolate Cheesecake