Wednesday Hodgepodge

It doesn't seem to matter how busy life gets for Joyce, she's always going to show up with questions for the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  If you want to join in or just read more Hodgepodge, click on the button above and enjoy!

1. Share one way you think the world has changed for the better since you were a kid?
Well, I think I would say communication, even though it is used to excess now days.  But, when I was a child I lived away from all my relatives and using the phone and snail mail was our only means of communication. We didn't have the money for long distance phone calls, so it was snail mail for us.  I can't imagine how wonderful it would have been to FaceTime my Grandparents.

2. How 'bout one way it's changed for the worse?
Our society is so accepting of immoral behavior and disrepect. I could write an epistle on this, but will just simply leave it at that since I imagine most everyone of you know what I mean.

3. Starlight, starfish, starling, Starbucks...your favorite 'star'?
I'd have to say starlight.  There's nothing any more peaceful and calming that a beautifully lite starlight sky.  I do like the shape of the starfish and love the colors of the starling, but don't give me any Starbucks.  I've never understood the love affair some folks have with it and I'm a big time coffee lover.  It's just not all it is cracked up to be! ~my opinion~

4. Name a song that's overplayed, but you love it anyway.
"I Can Only Imagine" by Mercy Me.  I seem to hear it at least once, if not twice, everyday and have the past upteen years.  But, somehow I never seem to tire of it.  But, that question reminded me of the song, "Oh, Sweet Pea" by Tommy Roe that was popular in my teen years.  It was played to excess and my poor Momma used to say, "if I hear that one more time I'm going to scream." It was one of the most repetitive songs of all times! ~laugh~

5. When did you last have home made ice cream? Your latest favorite flavor?
Oh, it has been ages. In fact, I can't remember the last time. ~what a shame~ But, my favorite flavor has always been plain old vanilla be it homemade or store bought.

6. What do you think is the best way to inspire or motivate people?
Believing in them and encouraging them. Everyone needs someone to believe in them and I'm not sure we can ever have too much encouragement.

7. When was the last time you were without power?
Last winter for about 3-4 hours and I can't remember if it was because of ice or a storm of some sort.  Either way, it is a major pain! ~just a bit spoiled~

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday was my birthday and my sweet DIL fixed a delicious dinner for me.  Hanna Beth was so excited that we were going to have a birthday party and Windy let her help bake and decorate my birthday cake. It was a most colorful funfetti cake and might I add, quite tasty!  It was the perfect ending to a most fun day and sharing it with an excited little Princess was just extra "icing on the cake."

Miscellany Monday

It can't possibly be Monday again, it seems that at least a month has passed, rather than just 7 days since this time last week. It has been a week of such mixed emotions.  We can never be sure about tomorrow but I am so thankful that I serve a God that I can be sure of regardless of what tomorrow holds.  So glad that Carissa gives us this opportunity to share every Monday. 

The Cousins........

 Last Monday afternoon one of my first cousins and his wife from Williamsburg, Virginia came for a visit.  He has always been very fond of my Dad and wanted to see him and of course, ME and my family. ~smile~

 While here they wanted to see the Duck Dynasty headquarters.  We assured them that it was not an impressive place at all but they enjoy the show and wanted to go.  So, we did and us and about 500 others was there.  It was insane the folks snatching and grabbing DD paraphernalia and waiting in our hour long line to pay for it.  But, we were happy, happy, happy, that we could take them.

Hubby loaded up our boat one beautiful morning and we took them out on the Ouachita River.  They both love the water and spend a lot of time on the water in their sailboat.  My cousin has his Captain's license, so the water is pretty close to being his "best friend."  It was a fun time and we were thrilled to share a part of NE Louisiana with them.


He will be missed..........

Our New England Cruise - August 2011

Our phone rang very early last Tuesday  morning, so early that I knew when I answered that it would not be good news.  No one calls at 5:45AM with good news.  It was a dear friend calling to say that another dear friend (the man in the white shirt in the picture above) had had a massive heart attack and wasn't expected to survive.  By noon, he had gone to be with his Lord and Savior and our hearts were broken.  This is a man that looked the picture of health.  He worked out 3 times every week, was not over weight and did not look 70 years of age at all!  On Friday we celebrated his life and now his precious wife, two children, brother and friends are trying to pick up the pieces and go on with our lives.  Neal lived a life "pleasing unto God" in every sense of the word, and some of his last words were "I'm ready."  Oh, that I could have such sentiments said about me in the end as those that were said about Neal.  We all know that sooner or later our circle of friends is going to experience loss, but this was our first and we know it is certainly not our last. Oh, how quickly our lives can change!

#61

 That's right folks, today is my 61st birthday!  After last years "grand" celebration today will likely pale in comparison.  But, it doesn't matter a bit, I've made it another year and for that I am so, so thankful.  Life is so fragile that each birthday I am privileged to celebrate, it is a real blessing.  Here's to another year!

And remember to......

  

Miscellany Monday

Good Monday morning to you!  Thank you so much for sharing your day with me.  I so appreciate the many of you that stop by and seem to enjoy this little corner of mine.  I love your comments, whether here, on FB or in spoken word.  I really wish that I had started blogging long before I did, but hey, it's okay and it probably was the "right" time when I actually started some 4 1/2 years ago. Here's to the randomness of Mondays.....................brought to you by sweet Carissa!

A little fish........

This little squink-eyed boy has become quite the swimmer this summer.  He absolutely loves the water and after swimming lessons again this year, he's pretty much got it figured out.  Can you see why this little boy steals his CiCi's heart?  

Sportin' it...........

  Yep, she got that hot pink cast that she wanted.  She did not get it until last Thursday because the swelling was still too bad when she went last Tuesday.  She says that it much easier to manipulate now that she has a cast and not that big splint.  She's figuring it out little by little and said she is doing quite well.  But, that's how my girl rolls, she's nothing short of a trooper. ~they say the apple doesn't fall far from the tree don't they~ wink~  This Momma sure wishes that the many miles did NOT separate us.

Princess time.........

  The Princess spent Friday afternoon and night with me and Poppa and what a fun time we had.  She enjoyed using colors and markers on a big sheet of brown paper taped to the floor. Then it was popcicle time and then on to water the patio plants with Poppa.  Of course, after work, a cookie is always good.  And, she loves our labs and they love her.  And, she got a manicure from Poppa. How's that for a good Poppa?  And, to wind down before bedtime she watched a Woody Woodpecker cartoon on the Ipad with ear phones.  She thought that was the neatest!  Hard to believe that this little girl will soon be 4 years old. Where has the time gone?

Daddy update.........

This picture of my Dad was taken yesterday at church.  He's looking good isn't he?  When I think back to two years ago at this time and the Drs. gave us little to no hope for him, I'm still amazed.  He has had some really good days as of lately and he grows more accepting of his situation as the days have gone by.  It has been such a tough, tough journey for him but the Lord has been faithful and we continue to thank Him for his provisions for all of us during this most difficult time.  Your continued prayers are always felt and appreciated.

Added note........One of my cousins and his wife will be arriving from Virginia this afternoon and I will be busy being the "hostess with the mostess" for the next few days. So, I likely will not be visiting around, but never fear, by week's end, I'll be back with a whole bunch to share and to check in on you.  Happy week!
  

 

Five on Friday

I'm always on the "lookout" for a new meme to participate in and I ran across this one a few weeks ago and decided to "give it a whirl" today.  So, here's my first, 

"Five on Friday."

1. I have been on a search for new rugs for our kitchen and am pleased to report that after about 2-3 months of looking and looking, I finally found the "right one."

 The rugs I had before had a dark background and I knew shortly after I got them that I had made a mistake.  I mean, really, in a kitchen and eating area, who wants a dark background.  I'm thinking that this golden background is going to make this Momma much happier.

2. I had a major "cooking attack" on Wednesday of this week.  I was prompted by the fact that we are having out of town guests next week and I like to do as much advance prep as I can.  And, I was cooking part of dinner to take to a friend that had surgery, so those two things combined put me in the mood to cook.

 I did Pulled Pork and Baked Beans to take to my friend.  Then I made a Breakfast Casserole(it can be found under my recipe tab) to have on hand for our company.  I decided to do them in smaller portions and freeze them and I will pull them out as needed.  I love the aluminum pans with lids that you can get at Dollar Tree. They are 3 for $1.  You cannot beat that!  Well, I don't love them like I use to because a dear friend informed me a couple of weeks ago that I shouldn't be using aluminum pans because of the link they have found to it causing Alzheimer's.  Well, as I put the food in them yesterday I just pretended that probably a myth. Ugh! What's a gal to do??? Anyway, I also made a Crawfish Casserole and it made up 5 of these little pans.  And, I made Hubby and me Taco Salads for dinner.  I felt very productive and I just love having a stash in my freezer. Yes, I really do!!!

3. I walk every morning on a treadmill and have done this for probably 30 years.  For many years I just watched the morning shows to pass the time, but with the invention of the Ipod and then the IPad, my choices have been widespread.  As of lately I have watched some of the best movies and thought that you might enjoy these as well, if you have never seen them.  I've watched The Good Woman, based on the 1892 play by Oscar Wilde, Jane Eyre, a British romantic based on an 1847 novel, and Pride and Prejudice, a classic 1813 novel. I watch them on my Ipad with my earplugs in and float off into another world for that 30 minute walk.  I have decided that I would have so enjoyed living back in the 1800's. I absolutely love the fashion, the furnishings and decor of that era. Women were so feminine with their ruffles and lace and carefully coiffed hair.  I know, you are probably reading this and thinking, really? But, yes, really! ~big smile~

4. I've decided that we are never, ever too old to learn something new. 

While shopping with a friend the other day we ran across these tortilla bowl makers.  I have seen these pans forever and never before realized that you merely put a soft tortilla in them and bake them.  My friend told me that she uses them and then makes taco salads in the bowls.  Well, all these many years I just assumed that there was some recipe that you used to make tortillas with and then "somehow" poured them in these pans and baked them.  Now, how crazy is that?  I was so excited to learn that it was an easy process that I bought myself 6 of these little fellas.  And, yesterday, I baked 4 tortilla bowls that turned out to perfection. I can't believe that I have not been doing this for the past 40 years.  But, like I said, it's such fun to learn something new, even though I think the rest of the world has known this forever.  

5. Sometimes it's just important not to make a fuss, keep things really simple and enjoy.

 And, that's exactly what I did yesterday. I had 5 ladies over for a Chicken Salad Sandwich, chips and dessert. And, I plan to do it again.  I think we often get so caught up with what we think people expect when we entertain that we make a bigger deal of it than we should.  I went to little to no trouble at all and might I say, it was a "smashing success!"  We had the best time visiting that what we were eating did not matter. The value of friendship far outweighs making a "fuss" over entertaining. Hey! I did use really pretty dishes and that does count for something doesn't it? ~smile~

5. I'm thinking that the media really does not have enough to do and are always sticking their nose up in business that's not theirs. I'm talking about the birth of the "royal baby."  For goodness sakes, leave Kate and William alone and when that baby is born I bet that they will let "the powers that be" know.  I cannot believe all of the reporters that are camped out at St. Mary's hospital.  I mean do they think that Kate is going to stop and chat with them as she is being taken in to deliver.  Probably not!  She would probably like to spray them all with pepper spray and rightfully so.  Babies are born everyday and I was quite sure when mine were born that they were "royal babies" too. ~chuckle~

A happy weekend to you.......

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday, that means Joyce has come up with some more great, thought provoking questions for us.  I hope you enjoy!

1. Picture postcards were first printed back in the mid-1800's and deltiology is the official name for postcard collecting. When did you last send a postcard?  Receive one? Do you save postcards sent to you? Do you collect and/or send postcards when you travel?

This was referred to as a Saucy Postcard.  How funny!

I cannot remember the last time I sent a postcard but I'm sure it has been years and years and I think the same holds true for having received one.  And, no I do not save or collect postcards.  Guess I'm a real "Scrooge" when it comes to postcards. ~laugh~

2. What treat do you most like to indulge in while on vacation?

Oh, I love to eat breakfast and I never truly eat breakfast at home.  I grab 4-5 vanilla wafers with crunchy peanut butter and "call it good" at home.  But, my soul really wants bacon, eggs (scrambled only) and all the trimmings.  So, that is something I do look forward to and treat myself to when we are traveling.

3. Are you good at hiding your feelings?
Unless you are a very close friend of mine, I am.  Those that are closest to me usually know when all is not right in my world.  But, as most of us can, I can "put my face on" and go about my business and the majority will not know.

4. Does your town/city/county still deliver telephone books to your home? Do you check the yellow pages when searching for a local business number or has the internet replaced the phone book in your home?
Yes, we get new phone books in the mail but I rarely use one.  I love the White Pages and Yellow Pages apps and use them most of the time.

5. Would you rather be first or last?
Hummm.......it all depends on what it is.  If I am alive when the good Lord returns, then I definitely want one to be one of the first he receives. And, can think of some less important things I wouldn't mind being first in either.  As to last, well there's a lot of things I would want to be last in too.

6. July is National Park and Recreation Month (in America, but everyone can still play along)...where and when were you last in a park?  Did you participate in any recreational activities while you were there?
We live within 10 miles of a very lovely state park and I cannot remember the last time I have been there or any other park.  Shame on me and guess I need to get to work on changing that.

7.  What was one of your worst ideas?
When our daughter started 1st grade I was rather despondent, my life was about to change, my baby was going to school.  I had been wanting the bedrooms in our house painted and I decided that it would likely be very therapeutic  for me to tackle this painting project myself.  So, I did!  I wanted the walls one color and the trim another.  This is no project for a novice but I thought I could handle it and off I went.  Well, it was disastrous to say the least. Among other issues, I ended up spilling an entire gallon of paint on the carpet in one of the rooms.  So, it was therapeutic alright, it gave me something else to fret about for sure!  And, I have never painted since and I will not.  Lesson learned!!!

8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

 Thought I'd share a neat little recipe with you today.  It's called Pina Colada Fruit Dip and it's delicious!  I think I saw it on Facebook but if you would like to try this simple little dip, then click on my recipe tab at the top of my blog and it will be the first recipe you see.  Anyway, Hubby and I enjoyed it last night with fresh cantaloupe  and he said that he thought it would also be very good put in a graham cracker pie crust and eaten as pie.  Good idea!  But, I do think you would need to double the recipe to do that.  It's yummy and very summery!  

And, a good rest of the week to you.........

Miscellany Monday

Well, I'm not sure where last week went, but it sure went by in a hurry.  It was such a fun week, with lots of activities, so I guess that makes the saying, "time flies when you are having fun" true.  And, as usual, our sweet Carissa is always here to greet us on Monday morning!

Strutting his stuff........

I found this fella week before last on our Formidible Women trip.  Isn't he something!  He is some type of resin and can either hold an arrangement or fruit, or decorative balls.  I chose to have a dish garden arrangement (in case you are wondering, it is artificial) put  in him and I couldn't be more pleased.  He makes me smile when I pass by and isn't that always a good sign? ~smile~

Clean, clean and  redo .........

I had my "hired daughter", "cleaning fairy", whatever I may call her, come last week and we cleaned all the decorative items that find their home on the top of my kitchen cabinet.  And, might I say, it is a whole lotta stuff!!!  We've been doing this for many years and we've got it down to a science.  We get it all down and I clean each item while she vacuums the tops of the cabinets and then we put it all back up. And, next year we'll repeat the process all over. ~wink~

And, while she was here she redid a part of the wreath on the front door.  The colored burlap did not work, well, it worked, but it faded very quickly and was not making me happy.  It looks so much better now and I have learned a lesson.  Do, not use colored burlap outside unless you like a very faded look.

New and old friends.......

   Hubby and I had a most enjoyable day last Thursday.  We went to Shreveport (about 100 miles from where we live) with some new friends of ours.  And, while we were there the four of us visited with some mutual friends of both of ours.  You may recognize Libby in the center picture above, she is the author of this blog, and if you haven't paid her a visit, you need too.  Her husband served as the Minister of Music of our church for many years and they are still very dear to our hearts and it was such fun to see them.  There's just nothing like the gift of friendship, old and new.

Chicken and more chicken........

 When I learn something new in the kitchen, I feel it is my duty to share it. ~aren't you glad~  A few months ago a dear friend and I were talking about boiling chicken and preparing it to freeze so that when we needed chicken for casseroles, salads or whatever, we would have it.  We were comparing the way that we froze it.  I had always just put it in freezer bags.  She told me that she always put hers in bags or containers and then poured the broth from the chicken over it and then froze it.  She said it kept it fresher and more moist.  Well, I had never in my life heard of such, but it's my "new way" of freezing chicken now and it is so-o-o-o much better.  So, if you are one of those that plans ahead by boiling up a lot of chicken, then you might want to try this little suggestion. 

Accidents happen.........

Our daughter was helping her husband load some round pen panels into their horse trailer on Saturday.  She was simply standing and making sure that they stayed leaned up against the trailer until he got them all in and he tied them up.  He had gotten 8 of them loaded and while he was gone to get the 9th one, the other 8 somehow got off kilter and all 500+ pounds of them fell against her and pinned her to the opposite wall of the trailer.  She ended up with "only" a broken wrist and I say "only" because it could have been so, so much worse.  They were in Oklahoma and she was taken to the Urgent Care facility and they put it in a splint and she will get a cast on Tuesday when she gets back home.  They have to wait for the swelling to go down.  Did I say that it is her right wrist and she is right handed.  I just hate it for her and wish so much that she lived nearby so that I could be of help to her these next 6 weeks.  But, as she always does, she is making the best of a bad situation and thanking the Lord that it wasn't worse.  Oh, and she said she is getting a hot pink cast!  ~she's a girly girl~

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

     

Wednesday Hodgepodge

And, once again, our Joyce has come up with some great questions for this Wednesday gathering. She's such a busy woman and I marvel at her ability to come up with these questions week in and week out.  What a lady!!!

1. What's something people might ask you for help with?

Anything that needs organizing, be it an event, a Bible Study,some type promotion, etc. Organization is my gift and something that I inherited from both my Dad and Mom.  I will be the first to admit that I can and have sometimes carried it a bit too far, but, nonetheless, I am good at it. ~just speakin' the truth~
  
2. What's something you might ask someone else for help with?
I have some dear friends that are very gifted in the flower arranging department and also in the table scape department.  I have, over the years, asked for their help and I have learned so much in both of these areas because of them. 

  3.  Did your family take summer vacations when you were a child? If so, where did you go? If you're a parent, did/do you plan summer vacations with your own family? Did/do they resemble those you took as a child?
We did go on summer vacations when I was a child even though money was scarce.  For most of my growing up years we lived in Arkansas and my Mom's family all lived in Virginia.  So, all of our vacations ended up there but we would usually do something extra on the way to or from there.  One of the most memorable things that we did was go to Washington, DC  I wish that I could find a picture of us on that trip to show you.  My precious Mom made the two of us matching dresses and then made my Dad and brother shirts out of the same fabric as our dresses.  I remember thinking that was so neat!  My, how times have changed!
Yes, Hubby and I took our kids on many vacations and they were usually a bit more extravagant than those I took as a child.  I think we took them to Disney World at least 4 times, Acapulco, Hawaii and then since my parents lived in Virginia we went there a lot and always included side trips with that.  I think they have fond, fond memories of our vacation times. 

4.   Pool-lake-ocean...which one is most appealing to you on a hot summer day?
Well, if I have to pick one, it would most definitely be a pool.  I have spent many an hour with my kids at the pool when they were growing up and they were some fun, fun times.  But, after they were grown, I had no desire of my own to go to a pool.  If we had ever had our own pool, I just might have felt differently.  Who knows?

5.  Have you ever justified using the expression, 'you gotta be cruel to be kind'?  Was it really necessary or were you rationalizing?
Oh, Joyce, these type of questions really give my brain more of a workout than I can handle sometimes. ~smile~ But, at times we do have to say somethings that may sting at the moment but will be helpful down the road.  I don't like the word cruel, but I guess to the recipient of the words, it may seem cruel and yes, the few times that I have done such, I do believe it was necessary. Hummm......or at least I thought it was at the time. 

6.  The Journal of Psychology recently mentioned the results of a survey identifying the ten most hated foods as-liver, lima beans, mayonnaise, mushrooms, eggs, okra, beets, brussel sprouts, tuna, and gelatin.  Of those foods, how many do you actually hate? Anything you'd add to the list?
Well, I ate liver all of my growing up years but I would not touch it with a "ten foot" pool now, so think that means I hate it. And, beets would fall into that category as well.  Some of the other items on that list are actually things that I absolutely love!

7. What's your favorite book or movie set in a beach or lake town?
I'll just go with the first one that came to my mind, Jaws! Heavens to Betsy, that was a long time ago, 1975 to be exact and I was a mere child. ~well, almost~  To watch it now is almost funny because of the advancement in the reality of movies such as that.  But, for that time period, it was as real as real could be. It just occurred to me that the question said, "set in a beach or lake town."  Oh, well, I don't know that Jaws was set in either, but I'm leaving the answer as is and moving on..............

8. Insert your own random thought here. 

Monday I had my "hired daughter" come and help me clean all the kick knack stuff on the tops of my kitchen and family room cabinets.  She has done this for years and we make a fun time out of it.  This year we decided it was time to wash the silk greenery that is enter twined among the decor.  She took it out on the patio and sprayed it down with the water house and left it to dry.  She goes back in a few minutes to get it and hollars, "Ms. Lea, there's a snake out here."  Well, for goodness sakes, I'm not sure what she thought I was going to do besides scream, but she took off running to the shop to get a hoe or shovel. ~smart gal~ I meanwhile stand on the patio hollaring for her to hurry. ~like she wasn't~ She comes back and takes a stab at that sucker with the shovel and kills him "graveyard dead~"  We look him over and decided that he is definitely a Copperhead and take him with the shovel and lay him on the shop floor so that Hubby can tell us for sure when he gets home.  Well, Hubby gets home, goes to investigate and informs us that he was nothing more than a Chicken Snake.  Well, chicken, smicken, it didn't matter, we were scared all the same.  My "hired daughter" just became all the more valuable to me - she's a snake killer as well as a fabulous cleaner.  YEA!!!!

Miscellany Monday

I won't talk about today being July 8th (already) and how time is just passing way too fast.  No, I won't do that, I'll just get straight with the program and share my miscellaneous thoughts with you this morning. Thanks Carissa, you are the bomb!!!

Be still my heart.......

 You know, there are things in life that you have to just let go off and place in the hands of the Almighty.  And, that's exactly what I'm doing with my little cowboy and this BIG horse.  Heavens to Betsy!  It's amusing to me that these Grandchildren cause me way more concern than my own children did.  Our son was a big time skateboarder and I seldom, if ever, thought about "what could happen."  Clancy is now riding Shug in the round pen by himself, yep, that's right.  Now, his Daddy is right there but like he could stop that big horse if he had too.  My daughter says that a horse is not going to take off running inside a round pen.  So, I'm going to believe her and leave it at that. ~big sigh~

Those Formidible Women.......

Yes, those Formidible Women were at it again last week.  We were celebrating mine and one of the other gals birthday (late for hers and early for mine).  We took another day trip to Natchez. Natchez is such a lovely southern town and there is lots to keep 7 women busy for sure.  The Main Street area is full of cute shops with all kinds of temptations and neat little restaurants.  If I'm not mistaken I think we have been doing these fun trips for about 16 years.  Wow, we were mere children when we started. ~chuckle~

Doesn't take much.........

That's right, when I saw this vase, urn, whatever you prefer to call it, I had to have it!  I got plum excited because of it's color.  I love turquoise but I have nothing in our home remotely turquoise.  I knew of a spot in my kitchen that this would fit perfectly and would make a statement for sure!  And, I was right and I'm enjoying the new little "spiff" that it brings.  As I said, it doesn't take much! *Added note: I found this at a new little new shop here called, Southern Charm.  Locals, you need to go and check it out!  

These past 5 years........

I was just thinking about the past 5 years and all that has happened.  The above picture was taken of my parents on their 58th wedding anniversary in April, 2008. (They wanted to take a spin in Hubby's advertising car)  Little did any of us know that this would be their last anniversary.  Mom went to be with the Lord on Dec. 1st after a massive stroke.  Hubby's Mom also died that year.  And, the list goes on and on of the life changing and life altering situations that have happened in our lives these past 5 years.  It's all made me focus more on each day and to realize just how quickly our lives can change. Thought this quote said it best.........

Simple Woman's Daybook

Every so often I enjoy just keeping it very simple on my blog and today is one of those days.  I always enjoy reading the daybooks of other bloggers and hope that you will enjoy mine today.

FOR TODAY
Outside my window...it is another beautiful and coolish morning.  We have been so fortunate this week to have lows in the 60's of a morning and high's only in the 80's during the day. Well, yesterday it did reach 92, but otherwise, it's been in the 80's.  Unheard of here this time of year.

I am thinking...that God's timing is always perfect but I sure do have to keep reminding myself of that fact. 

I am thankful...for a God that loves me unconditionally and because of my acceptance of Him as my Savior, I need not fear the future.  I'm HIS!

In the kitchen... hum......I'm not fond of summer cooking and seem to struggle with what to cook far more than in the fall and winter. All that said, there is nothing brewing in the kitchen at the moment. ~shame on me~ 

I am wearing... my walking clothes which is white knit capris and a sleeveless Stay-Dri top.  I'll definitely be changing clothes shortly.  I would never go out and about in these ~just in case you wondered~ 

 I am creating... well, not sure it's creating, but I have lots and lots of family photos in frames sitting around our house.  I'm sort of redoing, shuffling and replacing some of them.  It's needed to be done for some time, but I just had to get in the right mood to tackle it. 

I am going... to eventually decide on new rugs for our kitchen.I'm debating decorator rugs or flat braided rugs.  I've had both, like them both and just can't decide when style I want to go with this time. What a dilemma! ~smile~ 

I am wondering... about the sad state of affairs of our dear country. Where will it all end?  But, this I do know and gives me assurance - God is still on His throne, even when we have our doubts. 

 I am reading... when it arrives, I'm going to be reading Sparkly Green Earrings by Melanie Shankle.  I've heard so much about it that I decided I had to get it and read it.  I'm still fond of the "old fashioned" way of reading books and usually still order them instead of reading them on my IPad.   

I am hoping... that this absolutely lovely weather will continue. ~hope-hope-cross my fingers~ 

I am looking forward to... our trip to the Pacific Northwest in August with Hubby's sisters and their husbands.  It's an area we've never been to, so that makes it all the more exciting.

  I am learning....that it's best to not look too far into the future and wonder how things are going to be.  Just live for today and make the most of it. 

Around the house... my African Violets are happy, happy and blooming their little heads off.  They love the TLC that I give them and this is their way of thanking me. ~don't you agree?~

I am pondering... nothing at the moment and that's a bit unusual because I can be quite the "ponderer." 

  A favorite quote for today... Norman Vincent Peale said, "The more you loose yourself in something bigger than yourself, the more energy you will have."  I love that! 

One of my favorite things... is watching my Hubby bring a bucket full of tomatoes in from his tomato patch. I don't eat tomatoes and he planted a big enough patch to grow them for our entire neighborhood.  I asked him why he grew so many and his reply was,"I like to watch them grow."  Well, so be it.  I think you call it, finding pleasure in the simple things of life.

 
A few plans for the rest of the week....none at the moment, but that could change in the blink of an eye. 

A picture worth sharing........friends sharing the 4th yesterday 

 Friends make the world go around..........

Wednesday Hodgepodge

It's Wednesday, July 3rd, and a very, very special young lady's birthday.  But, before I talk about her, I'll dig right in to this week's HP questions with Joyce.

1. What's one simple small pleasure on your summer 'to-do' list?
Well, this will sound really crazy, but next week the gal that often assists me with projects around here is coming.  We are going to tackle the  tops of my kitchen cabinets and all the decor on top of them and dust, dust, dust!  It is way over due and I am plum excited about marking it off of my "to do" list.  I truly do look at it as a pleasure. ~weird~

2. Do you have strong feelings or opinions regarding the immigration debate in your home country? Feel free to share your thoughts, but please play nice.
You know, I have strong feelings and opinions about a lot of stuff but not this.  So, I'll move right on............

3.  What's something in your home or wardrobe that could be described as 'star spangled'?
I have a really pretty patriotic scarf that, tied just right, can be quite the statement piece.  I may try to wear it for the 4th.  I also have a red casual jacket with a red striped camisole that is pretty 'star spangled' as well. It's in the running for the 4th too.

4.  Is your house set up for a party?
If the party is patriotic, then no.  But, for just a party, I could host a party most any time with little effort.  My house is generally always "company ready" and with that being said, I'd say it is pretty much always "party ready."

5. What one never-before-visited city in America, would you most like to see?
One would be Philadelphia and I've been all around it but never there.  So, I'm thinking we may need to remedy that before long.

6. Your favorite red food? White food? Blue food?
My favorite red would probably be any of the sauces that are red, spaghetti sauce, marinara sauce, and pizza sauce.
White would be potatoes fixed most anyway and blue would be blueberries and I'll take those in some muffins for breakfast. 

7. What freedom do you value the most, and why?
The freedom of speech because most all of our other freedoms are affected by it and all other freedoms would be worthless without it. 

  8.  Insert your own random thought here.

 You see this precious little girl?  Well, she is all grown up now and today she is celebrating her 34th birthday. And, can I just say that she wore bonnets like the little girls today wear hair bows.  She had a bonnet to match just about every outfit.  She was the most delightful baby one could have asked for and was a "people stopper" when we had her "out and about."  She had (and still does) such a contagious personality and generally, she had a big smile for everyone.

She has grown into the loveliest young woman and her Dad and I could not be prouder.  Whatever she is faced with, she meets it head on! When challenged, she comes through it a stronger woman.   She teaches the 5th grade and is passionate about it.  She looks at her position as a ministry opportunity as well as a teaching opportunity.  She is always looking for opportunities to further her education and at present she has her Masters in Education, her ESL designation, and she has her National Teacher's Certification (there are only two in her current school district).  And, most importantly, she loves the Lord and strives to do His will with her life, and is a super fantastic wife and mother.  Yes, in my book this gal is TOPS and I'd like to think that I had something to do with that. ~big, big smile~ Here's wishing her the happiest of birthdays!!!

Happy 4th of July!!!!

 

Miscellany Monday

Need I say that it's Monday again!  Oh, me and it's July 1st.  I'm thinking that means that our year is half over.  Well, I just won't think about how fast the days are whizzing by and will get right on to some miscellaneous thoughts with Carissa.

A bit fanatical........

Yes, that's my Hubby and this is what he does.  He cannot stand a windshield that is not sparkling clean.  Now, I'm not exaggerating!  All of our vehicles are equipped with Windex and a roll of paper towels.  Yep! that's just the way he is and I thought you needed to know. ~big laugh~ As a result, I can hardly stand it when my windshield gets a speck of dust on it.  Might you say, spoiled??

Pine Cove or Bust............

Our son, his wife and the Princess left yesterday for a week at Pine Cove, in Tyler, Texas.  They are attending family camp.  It will be a week of spiritual renewal and refreshment and a time of fun and adventure.  Tony Evans is the guest preacher/teacher this week.  I am so, so excited for them and I pray the Lord will richly bless their lives during these coming days.  Both of our kids began attending Pine Cove when they were in the 6th and 7th grades and once they graduated from high school they both became counselors there.  It had such a dynamic impact upon their lives and I am so grateful for this marvelous place and thrilled that our son is now going back with his family.  *Added note:  My DIL text me around dinner time to say that Tony's daughter, Priscilla Shirer had come with him.  Oh, my, what a treat!!!

Little Touches......

A few weeks ago I came across this metal type artwork and decided that I would use it to decorate around our patio and the entrance to our garage.  I was pretty pleased with the result.  I think it makes for a "happy look" and I'm all about happy!! ~chuckle~
  
Here they are........

   I told you when I could get my hands on some of the professional photos of my nieces' wedding that I'd share them with you.  So, here are a few.  They went to downtown DesMoines following the reception and snapped some really neat ones.  Ideas are endless these days when it comes to photography.  The happy couple is settling in to "real life" now. ~grin~