Friday, January 13, 2012

Mardi Gras and Cowboy Stew

It has been a good week, the first week in a long, long time that I actually had some time that was mine to do with just as I wanted.  It felt so good.

I decided to do some seasonal decorating on the porch and inside the house.  I love both Valentine's and Mardi Gras.  Well, I love the decorations that go along with Mardi Gras.  I've never been to any kind of Mardi Gras celebration and likely never will.  But, none the less, it is such a "Louisiana thing" that over the years I grown to love the festive colors and the all the fun things that go along with it.  But, it falls within the same time frame as Valentines, so I cannot decorate for both.  Red and white don't exactly go with the brilliant colors of Mardi Gras, purple, gold and green.
I was pleased with how everything turned out and it definitely brings a smile to my face and hopefully our front and back door say, "Welcome, come and sit and spell."

Yesterday was a fun day that brought a lot of joy to my heart.  Our Women's Mission group from church met in the morning and prepared some Cowboy Stew (if you are interested in the recipe, click on my recipe tab above and it will be the first one listed) to carry to those that are home bound within our church family.  We had a great time socializing as we prepared and  we enjoyed a bowl ourselves and then each of us took two or three containers of the stew, along with some cornbread and cookies to deliver.

I had three very special couples, all in their mid eighties and each facing their own set of challenges.  The first couple are both in ill health and manage to stay in their home with the help of home health.  They were so thrilled to have a meal prepared for them but they would have been even more thrilled if I had been able to stay and spend the afternoon with them.  They seemed to be so lonely and I left them with a heavy heart, hoping that my brief visit would sustain them until someone else came by.

The next couple is a situation where the husband is in ill health but the wife is still in good enough health to care for him. They have two daughters nearby that make sure their needs are met and are most attentive to them. I left there thankful that the wife is still in what appears to be  good health. 
My last stop just about did me in.  It is a situation where the husband is caring for his wife that is suffering from the ravages of Alzheimer's.  He was also thrilled for the meal but more thrilled to have someone stop by and just listen to him for a few minutes.  He is just before having to make some decisions regarding his wife's future care and it is so obvious that he is struggling with this.  I just wanted to pack them both up and bring them home with me.

I can only hope that this meal and my visit gave each of these couples a ray of sunshine and some encouragement for the day. And, I can only hope that if I am ever in a situation such as them that there will be someone that shows up at my door with a meal and a hug.
Yes, it's been a good week and Hubby and I will top it off by going to see Joyful Praise this afternoon.  I mean, can it get any better than Dolly Parton and Queen Latifa?  Really, I'm thinking I'm going to get a really good dose of laughter and enjoyment! 

I'm linking with with my two Rachel's today. Click on the buttons below for more reading pleasure!



Blessings abundant to you!
Lea @ CiCis Corner
Lea @ CiCis Corner

Hi there! My name is Lea. I've been wife to the best Hubby for 44 years....Mom to a son and daughter....CiCi to 4 precious Grans....lover of family and friends....enjoy laughter and a good time....shopper....picture taking maniac....maker of delicious fudge....organizational enthusiast....memory maker....Southern Belle...and most importantly.....a Child of the King! Welcome to my little corner!

17 comments:

  1. The decorations are lovely! Do you mind if I steal some ideas - I'm having a Mardi Gras party (G-rated, and mostly as an excuse to cook a big pot of jambalaya and another of gumbo!) the Sat. before for about twenty friends.

    Sharing a meal, even if it just a drop off, is so very much more than just food, isnt' it? Even in that few minutes we can encourage and pray.

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  2. looks like you are all decked out! i'm so glad you could serve those couples in such a tangible way. you are a sweetheart.

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  3. I absolutely looooove all of your decor! Looks fabulous, friend. You've definitely got a knack for the decorating! Your stories brought tears to my eyes--you are such a blessing to those people. I am so thankful for you and your ministry. You'll probably never know just how much you touch their lives! What a sweet spirit...God is using you in a huge way. Hope you have a wonderful, blessed weekend, sweet friend!

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  4. Oh the decorating is just what you said...fun and brings a smile to your face...you did a great job!

    Oh the couples and the meals, that hits very close to home with the fact my mother-in-law is 96, still lives at home alone, but we are needing to make decisions. Through the years I have seen how much the 80's up need people to visit them and care. What a blessing you were to all of them and what a wonderful idea. That just blesses my heart and spirit this morning.

    Hope you enjoyed the movie.

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  5. Everything looks beautiful! What a wonderful blessing to be able to share a meal with others, I'm sure you were as blessed as they were!
    Joyful noise is on our to-do list! Let us know how it was!
    Have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Your decorations are as beautiful as always!

    I know your visits blessed those families! We have a single 80+ man here that we try to do things for. He is so precious and just desperate for people to spend time with. You may never know just how much that ministry means to those people!

    Have fun at the movie, I know it will be great! I feel certain that we will not see it until it comes out in the Redbox! You can give us a review!

    Have a great weekend!

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  7. Your decorations are so pretty.
    What a wonderful day you had with your group from church. What a beautiful thing to do. Have a great weekend.

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  8. The decorations are just GORGEOUS! And you WILL be a blessing..... they will be blessed and YOU will be blessed!

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  9. I love the Mardi Gras colors too...your decorations are so pretty! I'm sure you blessed those friends with your food delivery. What a wonderful ministry for a women's group to undertake.

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  10. HOW FUN!!! I'm sure everything was a blessing to your friends. What a great moment to have to use your talents decorating and having fun to treat others. Blessings.

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  11. I love the bright festive colors of your Mardi Gras decorations! I am certain that the couples you visited this week enjoyed your time and compassion. Taking care of our church family and neighbors and friends is so important! Thank you for thinking of others!

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  12. I love all of your decorations, but especially that wreath! It is just gorgeous! I need a wreath for my front door right now....I love that you took a meal to those sweet people. My parents are soo near that situation. My mom can just barely take care of him and he is sooo slow now. I am there twice a week and my other sisters each try and go once. A meal taken in would be sooo appreciated, not only by them, but by the other family members. Have a good day! HUGS

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  13. I'm sure you were a ray of sunshine to each one of those couples. Cowboy stew sounds so yummy and I'll have to check out the recipe. My husband was born in Texas and loves meat.

    I have been to Mardi Gras and probably will never go again during that week. However, I love New Orleans.

    Blessings and love,
    Debbie

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  14. I can't imagine any decor for mardi gras that would be prettier than yours! It's a good excuse to make your home look all dressed up!

    The recipe looks very enticing, and I love the reason behind it. hat a joy it must have been for those sweet people as they enjoyed your visit and the delicious food.

    I love this!

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  15. What a beautiful blog and such lovely decorations. Your heart is enormous and you have reminded me of the joy of generosity. Thank you x

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  16. What fun decorations! I love all of those mixes of color. I am thankful you got the opportunity to be a blessing!

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  17. Morning CiCi, what beautiful Mardi Gras Decor! I LOVE the purple!
    You are such a blessing, and a delight to the people around you, Cici. I hope you know that already. Oh, that cowboy stew sounds great! I had to go check out the recipe. I hope your week is off to a great start. I'm off to find my paint brushes.

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So glad you stopped by and hope you enjoyed your visit. I love your comments and read each and every one of them and I always try to reply to them. Blessings to you this day!