Saturday, July 25, 2015
I Sang a Song with Warren Buffet
Sloane and I attended, for our first time, the Pampered Chef
National Conference 2015 in Rosemont, IL just outside of Chicago. The
excitement of the general session soared when Warren Buffet took the stage to
play the ukulele and sing "Happy Birthday" to founder Doris
Christopher. That's the day I sang a song with Warren Buffet! Did you know he
owns Pampered Chef? He recounted his story of buying the company 14 years ago.
Mr. Buffet attended his first Pampered Chef Kitchen Show where he participated
in an apple peeling contest and lost! He says "I didn't buy the apple
peeler/corer that night. I bought the company!" Needless to say, I
was impressed with his insight and wisdom but overwhelmed with his humble yet
charming kindness. His message is "Love what you do and who you do it
with."
During the sessions with the executives of Pampered Chef, I felt like endeared family. I attended the conference with my typical cynical attitude thinking I'd skip the workshops and general sessions, as I usually do with all conferences, because nothing would be of value. WRONG! First time ever I sat through every last second of the conference sometimes on the edge of my seat and sometimes out of my seat on my feet! What was so special about this conference? The people! Doris Christopher is a jewel! So humble although so rich. Her eyes dance like a kid at Disney World full of wonder at what she's created. Rightfully so!!! There were 3500 attendees. She has touched so many lives.
The close of the conference brought tears as consultants shared their stories of free vacations, how the opportunity has changed their lives and how their friend invited them to join their team. Every testimony ended the same thanking their friend saying "We're glad you ask!" More consultants and their friends were spotlighted sharing their incredible stories. Doris ended the conference with her team surrounding her at an empty kitchen table, looked into the camera with genuine caring and said "There's room at the table for so many more!" Gave me chills. Don't just take my word for it. Watch the moving video here.
I learned many things to apply to my Pampered Chef business but here's the biggest takeaway I got from the conference...
Am I sharing the opportunity of Jesus Christ with everyone I can? Will I have people that stand up after they take their free trip to heaven and say to me "I'm glad you ask!"
We were given a mantra for recruiting into the business. "There's a recruit at every show but is there a recruiter?" It made me consider this. "There's a seeking soul at every show but is there a witness?"
Luke 22:29-30 Jesus says, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom..." Jesus also said in John 21:12 "Come and dine..." I got the message. Did you?
During the sessions with the executives of Pampered Chef, I felt like endeared family. I attended the conference with my typical cynical attitude thinking I'd skip the workshops and general sessions, as I usually do with all conferences, because nothing would be of value. WRONG! First time ever I sat through every last second of the conference sometimes on the edge of my seat and sometimes out of my seat on my feet! What was so special about this conference? The people! Doris Christopher is a jewel! So humble although so rich. Her eyes dance like a kid at Disney World full of wonder at what she's created. Rightfully so!!! There were 3500 attendees. She has touched so many lives.
The close of the conference brought tears as consultants shared their stories of free vacations, how the opportunity has changed their lives and how their friend invited them to join their team. Every testimony ended the same thanking their friend saying "We're glad you ask!" More consultants and their friends were spotlighted sharing their incredible stories. Doris ended the conference with her team surrounding her at an empty kitchen table, looked into the camera with genuine caring and said "There's room at the table for so many more!" Gave me chills. Don't just take my word for it. Watch the moving video here.
I learned many things to apply to my Pampered Chef business but here's the biggest takeaway I got from the conference...
Am I sharing the opportunity of Jesus Christ with everyone I can? Will I have people that stand up after they take their free trip to heaven and say to me "I'm glad you ask!"
We were given a mantra for recruiting into the business. "There's a recruit at every show but is there a recruiter?" It made me consider this. "There's a seeking soul at every show but is there a witness?"
Luke 22:29-30 Jesus says, "And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father appointed unto me; that ye may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom..." Jesus also said in John 21:12 "Come and dine..." I got the message. Did you?
THERE'S ROOM AT HIS TABLE FOR SO MANY MORE!
#Happy Spoon,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Check out my Pampered Chef website and outlet prices at www.pamperechef.biz/tammystafford. Place your order right online!
Check out my Pampered Chef website and outlet prices at www.pamperechef.biz/tammystafford. Place your order right online!
Friday, July 10, 2015
How to Obtain Greatness
I've meditated and asked God for years about homosexuality. He showed me it is like any other sin. Before you gasp, inhale too much saliva and choke, please let me try to explain. Ask yourself this question: Do I sin with Jesus in my heart? The answer is "Yes, you do." But, homosexuality is repeated sin. I don't keep repeating the same sins. If gay people were truly saved, they'd turn from that lifestyle and please Jesus. Right there, I want to say "Point out someone else's faults and run the risk of having all yours exposed!" Numbers 32:23 But if ye will not do so, behold, ye have sinned against the Lord: and be sure your sin will find you out. My girls heard this verse many times AND believe it!
I've been thinking of Matthew 18:3-4 since the gay marriage ruling. Jesus talking "And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Glance back at the picture of my beautiful granddaughter Lisette. That's a picture of humbleness, so innocent and unknowing. Sometimes I get lost in her undemanding, unselfish love! I remember a line from the old song Blessed Assurance that says "Filled with His Goodness, Lost in his love." If you've got a grandchild you've probably experienced being lost in love. Have you ever had the same feeling for Jesus?
As I contemplated writing this week, I wondered if Jesus would be pleased with me saying homosexuality is just another sin in a long list that we all commit. I always want some blessed assurance from him that I'm sharing His Truth. I got it! I've been in VBS this week with seven Kindergarten boys. Last night, we studied about the fiery furnace and trusting Jesus. I asked the young sprouts whom they trust. They gave me great answers; Mom, Dad, Grandpa, Grandma, my uncle, etc. Then Javier looked at me with big brown innocent eyes magnified through his adorable glasses and tenderly said "I trust everyone." What faith! What compassion! What love! What humbleness from a child. If we could only see through their eyes, speak with the kindness of their tongues and love out of the abundance of their hearts, we could obtain greatness in the kingdom.
Humbly,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Wednesday, June 24, 2015
The Moral of the Story
Pete the Cat walks down the street singing "I love my white shoes, I love my white shoes!" He steps into a big pile of strawberries. OH NO! Does Pete cry? Goodness NO! He starts singing "I love my red shoes, I love my red shoes!" He walks on to step into blueberries and mud. You get the picture of how his shoes changes colors. Eventually, he steps into water turning his shoes white again but now they are WET! Does Pete cry? Goodness No! Because "He loves his wet shoes, He loves his wet shoes!"
Pete's story can be applied to our Christian lives.Let's imagine Pete's shoes are our hearts. Do we love the condition of our heart? Is it happy and singing a song or miserable and weighted down? Is it black with sin or white as Pete's shoes? Isaiah 1:18 says "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." We step into situations every day that turn us one way or the other. Do we keep singing or let small things interrupt our journey? Does our sweet song turn to rage and contempt?
Pete stepped into water to clean his shoes. We must step into the forgiving blood of Jesus to clean our heart. The moral of Pete's story is: No matter what you step in keep walking along and singing your song because it's all good! Romans 8:28 "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose."
Another moral of the story is: No matter what...Watch Your Step!
Carefully,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Tuesday, June 23, 2015
Pinterest Recipe Review: Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa
Pinterest Recipe Review: Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa
- Save time ( always great recipes)!
- Save money (no wasted ingredients)!
I found the recipe for Fish Tacos with Watermelon Salsa at dryhyman.com. I pinned it. This recipe intrigued me so much I made it the day after I first read the ingredients. The dish turned out beautifully, so colorful and delicious!
Find the recipe here. I did not make a single modification to this recipe. The salsa is very easy to make with a combination of taste from sweet to tangy. I used white flaky grunts caught in Panacea, Florida by my brother and sister-in-laws. Dr. Hyman's Special Seasoning added to the flavorful enjoyment of this gluten-free dish. I used my Pampered Chef Grill Pan to put a sear on the fish. Marking this one as a healthy family favorite!
Tammy's Taste Stats for Flavor =
1 =save your time, 2 =try if you got the goods, 3 =just so-so, 4 =close to Mom's and 5 =grab a recipe card
Preparation Difficulty =
1=kid proof, 2=easy, 3=worth the time, 4=difficult and 5=enroll in culinary school
Easy Mediterranean Chicken is a FIVE for flavor
and
2 for E.A.S.Y.
Took about 15 minutes including cooking the fish!
Never buying a fish taco again.
Making it myself,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
Friday, June 12, 2015
How to Make your Living Room look like You Paid a Decorator
I started with my inspiration picture...
TIP: Be sure when duplicating a room setting that your room is similar to the one you're lusting over. For example, compared to the picture above the similarities in my living room are:
- the fireplace
- TV over the fireplace
- window to the left side of the room
- open space to the right
- similar room shape; square to rectangle-ish
- wood flooring
- a multi-light chandelier
Let's get started with
How to Make your Living Room Look Like You Paid a Decorator!
I'll explain each of the numbered elements in the room that I recreated. (Please refer to the numbered picture above.) These are the things that attracted me to this room setting:
- Black Fireplace Mantel. The black accent in the inspiration room is a powerful statement color which according to HGTV, never goes out of style. I painted my mantle black leaving some white to resemble the fireplace in this picture.
- Wall Color. I selected Valspar Aspire paint from my local Ace Hardware store. The color name is "Fog Rolls In".
- Black Bookcases. I positioned mine on the outside wall due to lack of space on my fireplace wall. Feel free to make some modifications when needed confidently knowing you'll get the same end result. I bought tall, skinny bookcases from sears.com. You can find them here.
- Bright White Ceiling. I've always used an off-white ceiling paint but this time I chose a brilliant bright white to mimic the ceiling in my inspiration room.
- Black Light Fixture. My existing chandelier is simply gorgeous after two coats of black glossy spray paint. I'm excited about upcycled chandeliers. Check out another one of my projects here.
- Striped Accent Fabric. Two wing back chairs boldly add a striped statement to my room. Again, take some liberties and don't think you have to be so exact. I didn't have a place for benches beside the fireplace so I embraced the stripe with accent chairs instead.
- Gray Sofa. My search for a gray sofa left me exhausted and unsuccessful. I went with a natural earthy beige fabric sofa. I found mine locally (and the rest of my furniture) from Cochran's in Ringgold, Georgia. Their selling point was Laura Bush has five in her home. The selling point for me was comfort!
- Orange Throw Pillows. Love, love this accent color. Got my orange pillows!
- Artwork. Everything I found similar to the inspiration room was too pricey for my budget. I decided on a homey, modern feel with wooden signs.
- Warm Vibe. The ambiance of the inspiration room invites me to come in and sit down. My goal was to recreate a warm, welcome room using all the elements that inspired me.
You tell me...how did I do?
 |
| Taken at Christmas |
 |
| Love how the fixture turned out! |
 |
| My "Laura Bush" sofa and new wall pieces |
I'd love to know what you think. Leave me a comment. Please share with a link or photo a room makeover you are proud of!
Feeling like a decorator,
Tammy
The Happy Handicap
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