Wednesday Medley

1.  The Circleville, Ohio, Pumpkin Festival starts today.  All things pumpkin are everywhere. What is your one very favorite pumpkin flavored food or drink?  Do you wish it was available all year or do you only want it in the Fall?

I make a Pumpkin Bread with walnuts that is absolutely delicious and one of my most favorite.  I think it makes it more special because we view "pumpkin things" seasonal and I always look forward to fall and eating all things pumpkin.

2.  What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?

If you have been reading my blog very long then you know that I am a "straw snob" and all the talk of banning plastic straws has me concerned.  So, I have a nice stash of them right now and will continue adding to that stash for as long as I can. The thought of paper straws just does not set well with me.

3.  What is the most interesting thing you have seen online this week?

Humm....I can't think of a particular item but daily I marvel at any and everything that is available online, from information, to shopping to viewing.  It's unbelievable!

4.  Is it better to be a "big fish in a small pond" or a "small fish in a big pond"?

Well, guess that might depend on the situation.  I can see advantages to both at times but, for the most part, I'd just as soon be a small fish in a big pond. ~grin~ 

5.  My Joe has become obsessed with playing chess on the computer.  Do you play chess?  Are you good at it?

I do not and never have played chess online or otherwise.  I enjoy Solitaire if I'm in a Doctors waiting room but never play it any other time.

6.  Tell us something random about your week.

We will be heading out in the morning, as mentioned in my last post, pulling a U-Haul to Oklahoma. We'll be spending time with our daughter and family and then we'll come back home through Northwest Arkansas.  We'll be visiting dear friends there and enjoy the beautiful fall foliage.  I'll be back with you dears sometime next week.

Remember to be a blessing!

A Bit of this and That

It's been a while since I've caught you up on all that's been going on and since I knew you were curious, I decided it was time to fill you in.  It's all over the board too, but that's what keeps life interesting isn't it.

A couple of weeks ago the assisted living facility where my Dad lives had a dress up affair and invited the residents families to attend.  Daddy really enjoyed getting all spruced up and I thought he looked so sharp.  Here he is with Miss Jimmie, one of the sweet ladies on his hall.  I'm so thankful we have this facility nearby and that he enjoys living there. NOTE: I guess the lens on my phone was dirty, thus the reason for these less than stellar photos.

Isn't this table just gorgeous!  This, my friends, was mine and Hubby's first ever kitchen table (we bought it 42 years ago) and chairs.  It is made of  Ponderosa Pine and served us well for about 30 years.  It has been in storage at Hubby's office until recently.  Our daughter decided that she would like to have it and since it had a lot of character marks and bruises she decided to have it redone.  There is a gal here that does the most gorgeous refinishing work and we carried it over to her so she could work her magic on it.  She did a mixture of chalk paint and stain.  The chalk paint is a light taupe color but comes across as gray in the pic.  The stain is a mahogany.  We will be picking it up this Wed. and taking it to her in Oklahoma.  Meanwhile, the gal that redid it has had it on display in her shop and I'm pretty sure she could have sold it many times over.  Perhaps Bridget and her family will have it for another 42 years.  I sure wish that I had thought to take a "before picture" so you could really see the difference. 

Last weekend I helped with a shower for a young couple.  I have known the groom since he was born. Everything was done in true "Southern" style with such flair.

We had good food, good fellowship and enjoyed celebrating the couple.  This is the grooms mother in the picture with me.  I have known her since she was 12 years old and it doesn't seem possible that she could be a Mother of the Groom now. 

I have been on a cooking binge the past month.  I always make and give fudge during the holidays and always begin making it early.  I have been making this fudge for close to 30 years and, even if I do say so, I've gotten really good at it.  I already have quite a stash in the freezer.  It freezes beautifully and it sure does help to be "one step ahead" when the holidays roll around.

This past Saturday I made my first batch of gumbo for the season.  When I make it, I make a whole, whole lot.  It's just as easy to make as lot as it is a little.  I had never made gumbo until about 10 years ago because I was afraid of making the roux base.  A friend of mine introduced me to the Cajun Gumbo Base and I've been making it ever since.  We had it for dinner Sat. and then I put 10 large containers in the freezer for us and to share with friends.  I absolutely love having ready made food in the freezer.

Coleman's daycare center has a cute pumpkin display and he wanted his Momma to take his picture by it.  This child can "cheese it up" better than any kid I know.  He smiles with his whole face!

These girlies, along with their Momma and their other Grandmother went to the beach for Fall Break last weekend.  It just so happened to also be Hanna Beth's  birthday last Sunday so she had quite the celebration.  They both love the beach and had a wonderful time.  

And, this guy has been in a "winning mode" recently.  About 3 weeks ago he had his first sheep show of the season and he won first place and the following weekend he played in his first ever golf tournament and guess what, he won first place in it too.  He is the most committed 10 year old I've ever seen.  He works his sheep everyday and practices his golf swing with any time that he has left over afterwards and he's a top student.  I guess we could call him a sheep showing golfer. ~wink~



And, come this Thursday we will be headed out, towing one of these, to Oklahoma.  We'll be taking the above mentioned table and chairs and a couple of other pieces of furniture.  I think, if I remember correctly, that we said the last time we pulled one of these that it was our last time.~we're eating our words~  Hubby is quite good at towing but it makes me a tad nervous.

Well, you are all caught up now.  Have yourselves a great week and
 remember to be a blessing to someone everyday.

Sunday Stealing

Bev always seems to come up with such interesting questions and today's are most interesting.  It's all about phones and pancakes.  What a combination!!!

1. Your phone rings. Who is the most likely caller?

Well, 75% of the time it is this gal and I never tire of hearing from her.  She may live 8 hours away but I'm not sure we could be any more in touch with each other even if we lived in the same city.  She calls on her way to school every morning and on her way home. That way I get to share in her and the boys days.

2. How long do you chat on the phone each day?
I would say that most days about an hour but I'm sure there are days that it's more than that depending on what's going on.  I generally have a purpose when I make a call and that purpose may be nothing more than checking in with someone but none the less, it's important to me. ~and that's all that matters~ I'm never just chatting on the phone though, I'm generally multi-tasking while I'm talking so it works for me.

3. Who do you speak to the most?
On the phone, it would be my daughter as referenced in #1.

4. Do you often not answer if a certain person comes up on your caller id?
No, the only calls I do not answer or the 800 numbers or some call from a really strange number.  Those generally always happen around the noon hour.

5. Do you phone friends at work?
I don't really have any friends that work at this stage of my life but I would not call them at work unless it was an emergency.  No time for chit-chatting when someone is at work.

6. Do you make personal calls at work?
This question is not applicable to me but when it was I did not.

7. Who do you always say “I love you” at the end of the call?

It varies, but it's always a family member

8. Do you use a landline or cell more often?
I use my cell phone 100% of the time and we would not even have a landline if it were not for my husband's business.  As long as he has his insurance agency he will have a landline so that his clients can find his number in the phone book and call him.

9. Who in the blogosphere that you haven’t chatted with but would like to?   


I met Andrea about a year ago through our blogs and she is one of the sweetest gals and such a joy to know.  She leaves the all time best comments, just seems to have all the right words.  I would love to chat with her and perhaps one day we'll get to do just that over a good ole glass of sweet tea. She lives in Indiana and me in Louisiana, so it would definitely have to well thought out. ~smile~ You can find Andrea's blog here. And, might I add, there are many others, such as Lisa, Stephanie, Joyce, Katie, Barbara, Theresa and the list goes on and on.


Pancakes...


1. Scratch or mix? Buttermilk or plain?
Oh, I have used a mix and they really are good but they just aren't that difficult to make from scratch.  I don't even remember the last time I made pancakes but I use to make them quiet often when the kids were at home. The recipe I use makes them very light and fluffy and not packy in the least.  Just the way I like them. 

2. Pure and simple, or with additions cooked in?
Pure and simple with butter and syrup only.  Just do not care for "stuff" in or on pancakes.

3. For breakfast or for dinner?
Breakfast with a side of crispy bacon and a hot cup of coffee. ~yummy~

4. Preferred syrup or other topping? How about the best side dish?
Guess I just answered this in #2 and 3

5. Favorite pancake restaurant?
I don't generally have pancakes when I eat out at breakfast but IHop does have some mighty good ones.

Bonus: Any tasty recipes out there, for pancakes or other special breakfast dishes? Bring 'em on! 

Here ya go!  This is so very good and so very easy.


OVERNIGHT FRENCH TOAST BAKE

Ingredients

1

can (11 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crusty French loaf, baked as directed on can

1

cup packed brown sugar

1/4

cup plus 2 tablespoons butter, melted

6

eggs

1 1/2

cups milk

1

tablespoon real maple syrup

1/2

teaspoon vanilla

1/2

teaspoon ground cinnamon

• 1

  Bake 1 can (11 oz) Pillsbury™ refrigerated crusty French loaf as directed on can. Cut into thick slices. Mix 3/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1/4 cup melted butter in 9-inch square pan. Line pan with sliced bread.
• 2

  In medium bowl, beat 6 eggs, 1 1/2 cups milk, 1 tablespoon real maple syrup and 1/2 teaspoon vanilla with whisk. Ladle mixture over bread in pan, making sure to soak each slice of bread.
• 3

  Sprinkle top of soaked bread with mixture of 1/4 cup packed brown sugar and 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon. Drizzle 2 tablespoons melted butter over top.
• 4

  Cover tightly with plastic wrap; refrigerate at least 8 hours but no longer than 12 hours. Heat oven to 350°F. Before baking, remove from fridge; uncover, and let stand while oven is heating.
• 5

  Bake 30 to 40 minutes or until golden brown

Have a wonderful Lord's Day!

Saturday 9

It's Saturday 9 and I have heard this song. ~shock! shock!~ And, I like it too.  Lets see what kind of questions came out of this song.

Saturday 9: Unbreak My Heart (1996)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) Songs like this are enduringly popular in part because each of us has had our heart broken. Give us the name of a heartbreaker from your own life.
Well, it's a very long story, much to long to tell, but Hubby broke my heart 2-3 years before we were even thinking about marriage.  Well, before he was thinking about it.~smile~  It really wasn't intentional on his part but I was young and immature and he had no idea how badly I would be hurt.  But, it all worked out in due time and that was only about 50 years ago.  Yikes, that is a very long time ago!

2) Toni Braxton sings that "nights are so unkind." What did you do last night?
We met up with friends at a local restaurant to celebrate one of our "groupies" birthday.  We always have a good time and it's especially fun when we get to celebrate another birthday.

3) While this song has Toni singing the blues, in real life her love life is happier. Now aged 50, she's engaged and has been sporting a diamond on her left hand. Do you believe that a bride is ever too old to have a big wedding?
Well, that's up to the bride and I don't think age really has anything to do with the size of the wedding.  I do think that often weddings have gone "over the top."  

4) Growing up, Toni Braxton's parents severely restricted how much TV their children could watch each day. Ironically, today Toni and her sisters participate in a reality TV show on the WE-TV network, so TV cameras are a big part of their daily adult lives. What TV show do you try not to miss?
I'm not a big TV watcher but I do really enjoy The Voice and do try not to miss it.  I always have the DVR set but most of the time I watch it "real time."

5) She is prone to dry skin and applies Kiehl's Hand Salve to her hands and arms throughout the day. Tell us about a product you're brand loyal to.


It would be CeraVe!  I've been using it from head to toe for 4-5 years and it is just the best at fighting dry skin.  I highly recommend it!

6) Toni admits to being "a bit of a germaphobe," and always maintains a supply of hand sanitizer and wipes. What is always on your shopping list?

Dasani water is ALWAYS on my shopping list.  I drink at least 4 of the 16.9 oz. bottles a day and often 5. I find that I just will not drink that amount of water out of a glass, or container.  It's just the easiest way to keep track of the amount of water I drink daily.  And, I've tried refilling the empty bottles with tap water and it.just.does.not.taste.the.same! So, I treat myself to this great water daily.

7) While she is not shy about her body, and has worn revealing outfits on the red carpet, Toni Braxton refused a 2011 offer from Hugh Hefner and Playboy to pose nude. What's the last thing you said "no" to?
Humm,all I can think of is a jacket I saw in Chicos this past week.  I resisted the temptation to buy it because I simply did not need it.  I'm trying to learn to say NO to more of that type of want.  Other than that, I can't remember. 
8) In 1996, the year this song was popular, Mattel introduced a Star Trek Barbie and Ken set. Have you ever fantasized about space travel? 
There is nothing about space travel that interests me.

9) Random question -- Would you (or did you) invite an ex to your wedding?
I have never had an ex and can just about guarantee I never  will.    I think it's hard to say what you would or wouldn't do unless you are in that situation. 

Why?

This is a very random post but I thought my readers might enjoy some of the things that I often ask "why" about.  More than likely there will be a few that you've ask "why" about as well.

  *Why do stores put sticky price labels any where except on the bottom of any item?  I recently bought some glasses and the price label was on  the side of each glass and I not only had to use "Goo Be Gone" but also had to soak them in very hot water before I got them completely off.  I was not a happy camper!  It would have been so easy to put these on the bottom of the glass.  And, some labels are sort of like a Post It Note and just peel off simply with no residue.  There's needs to be a law that all stores have to use that type of label.  I'm just saying, it's a huge pet peeve of mine!

*Why do many restaurants serve such HUGE portions?  I mean, there's just no need in anyone eating that much and no need in anyone serving that much.  No wonder there is such an obesity issue here in the US.

*Why can't all peoples live by The Golden Rule?  Can you even imagine how differently our country/world would be?

*Why can't we all just live as Americans and all want what is best for our country, not as blacks, whites, Republicans, Democrats, Independents, etc. ?

*Why doesn't everyone and every hotel put liners in their bathroom trash cans? ~I told you this was random~  I mean I guess it's everyone's business but I just do not get it.  
Every.trash.can.in.our.house.has.a.liner!  It's so much cleaner that way and after all, cleanliness is next to Godliness. ~smile~

*Why does most everyone, except me, work front to back rather than back to front? Example would be loading the dishwasher, or filling the trash and a bunch of other stuff.  We have two pull out trash bins and I always fill the back one first and I always fill my dishwasher back to front.  It just makes sense to me to do it that way but perhaps I'm the weird one. ~chuckle~

*Why do some folks post what they post on Facebook? ~just wondering~ Thankfully there's a choice to block someone without unfriending them.  And, why do folks ask for prayer for an unspoken request on Facebook?  I mean, all that does is cause folks curiosity to go slap crazy.  Those type of requests should be shared privately with their personal friends, not on FB. ~just my humble opinion~ Now, if someone has a specific need that they can share openly, that's a different story. ~in my opinion~

*Why  do some folks insist on driving slow in the left hand lane?   I am not a speed demon by any stretch of the imagination but I want to be able to use the left lane for passing if I need to.

*Why can't everyone just obey rules and laws?

*Why doesn't everyone that has heard the Gospel believe in Jesus Christ and accept Him as their personal Savior? It makes the work of those of us that are Christians all the more important for sure. We need to be about sharing "the good news" of Jesus Christ! The most important news anyone will ever hear for sure!

Okay, that's my "why's" for today.   There are basically no answers for any of them other than "just because."  But, it sure was a fun post to compose.  So, I'll just keep asking "why." 

Saturday Nine

Saturday 9: Treat You Better (2016)




Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here. 
I am very unfamiliar with this week's tune.  I listened to it and have no recollection of ever hearing it.  But, I don't ever listen to this type music so it's really not surprising that I've never heard it.
This song was chosen because October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month. Please share this information about The National Domestic Violence Hotline. Let's spread the word that there's help out there.

1) In this song, a young man advises his neighbor to stop wasting her time with a guy who makes her cry. What is something you regret wasting time on? (It doesn't have to be a romance.)
Fretting.  I find that the things I fret/worry/express concern over, are generally not worth all the time.  I try to remind myself that prayer is soooo much better, take it to the Lord and leave it there.  HE's got it all under control.  But, I often think HE needs my help. 

2) Much of this video takes place in a very sparely-decorated apartment. Because Shawn Mendes and the girl he’s singing to both appear young, it’s easy to assume they are both in their first apartments. Tell us about the first place you ever rented.
Our first apartment was a  small one bedroom  that was partially furnished.  It was nice as nice goes and served us well for a few months until we could afford to rent a larger place.

3) It's clear he can hear his neighbors' conversations and arguments through the walls. Are your neighbors quiet? Do you consider yourself a quiet neighbor? 
There are only 10 homes in the area where we live and it is very quiet with no loud neighbors.  We are definitely quiet folks and respectful of our neighbors.

4) This song received a lot of attention and airplay because it was used in a Southwest Airline commercial. When you last visited an airport, were you traveling yourself or meeting someone?

Hubby and I flew to Virginia just 3 weeks ago so we were at the airport leaving ourselves.

5) This week's artist, Shawn Mendes, was a serious skateboarder during his high school years. Sam has never even set foot on a skateboard. How about you? 
Our son had a skateboard about 30+ years ago and I might have tried it out but I cannot remember if I did or not.  I know better now for sure! I'd  break my neck or worse.

6) Shawn is happy eating cold cereal with milk for every meal -- breakfast, lunch and dinner. He prefers cereal with almonds in it. What about you? Do you have a favorite cereal?


I don't eat much cereal but if I do, I love Special K's Vanilla Almond.  Yummy!

7) He says he started eating cereal beyond breakfast because it's convenient, and it helps him avoid "junk food" when he's in a hurry. Do you often order your food "to go?"
It isn't often but sometimes I will run through Sonic and get a small order of their popcorn chicken and a cherry/vanilla Diet Dr. Pepper.  It's one of my guilty pleasures. ~smile~

8) In 2016, when this song was popular, a German shorthaired pointer named CJ won Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show. Is there a dog who holds a special place in your heart?


I am not much of a pet person but my brother and his wife had a Goldendoodle, Tater, that I dearly loved.  He was the all time best dog and really didn't know he wasn't human.  Sadly, earlier this year he passed away at around 11 years old.  It was a sad, sad day.  


9) And this week, we're trying a random fill in the blank: I wish someone would create an app that _____________________________________.
Well, I have racked my brain and thought and thought and I cannot think of one that isn't already available.  But, I bet after reading other's answers I will say, "why didn't I think of that."  I am constantly amazed at the apps that are available.  There seems to be one for everything.

The Wednesday Medley

I'm linking up with my new blogging friend Terri over at Your Friend from Florida.
She asks the questions and we provide the answers.  These type of memes really help out when my brain is lagging for subject matter.  Hope you enjoy!

1.  October 3rd is National Boyfriend Day.  Ladies, who was your first boyfriend?

It would be a boy named Dennie.  He went to the church that my Dad pastored when I was about 9 years old.  One Sunday night after church we went out behind the church and grabbed a quick kiss.  Lordy have mercy, funny how some things you just NEVER forget.  And, I was the "preacher's kid." ~I am ashamed~ 😊

2. Who was your first celebrity crush?

Oh, no doubt about it, Paul McCartney of the Beatles. I thought he was sooooo cute!!  I just saw him interviewed this past Sunday evening on 60 minutes and it's so hard for me to believe that it has been over 50 years since the "Beatle craze."

3. What is the strangest thing you’ve ever eaten?

Well, I do not  and have never eaten strange foods.  I am not and never have been real adventurous when it comes to food.  I truly cannot think of any strange food that I have eaten.  I don't even try strange foods.  Just one of my whirks.  ~grin~

4. What famous artist, dead or alive, would you want to paint your portrait?

I love the works of Claude Monet and he did works from portraits to landscapes to still life and I'm pretty sure he could have done a portrait of me that I would have been very proud of.

5. What Are You Most Likely To Stay Up All Night Talking About?

It would be definitely be health issues. The only reason I have stayed up all night in the last 45+ years would be because I was caring for a loved in the hospital or the emergency room. ~and that's the truth~ 

6. The new Fall season has begun on TV.  Which show are you most looking forward to seeing?

I really enjoy The Voice and am really enjoying this new season.  The talent is generally outstanding and the judges interaction is very entertaining.

And, I leave you with this.......