Wednesday, March 24, 2021

A "Springy" Hodgepodge


I always miss not participating in Joyce's Hodgepodge but I've missed the past couple of weeks and am so glad to be back with it today.  Thanks Joyce for always "showing up" with the questions.


1. "Hope springs eternal"...discuss. 

Hummm........Where in the world would we be without hope? And, for the Christian it truly does spring eternal, doesn't mean that our hopes are always going to come together but it does mean that HE will see us through when all hope is gone. And, some of our hopes may well not be HIS will for us.  I'll leave it at that.

2. Last time you needed to 'spring into action' or 'spring to someone's defense'...explain. 

Can I just say that as the overseer of my Dad's daily care it seems that I am pretty much springing into action or coming to his defense all.the.time.  I'm not complaining but I'd be lying if I said that I don't tire of it.  Have mercy, if folks would just do their job this entire world would be such a better place.  Don't even get me started...............

3. Tulips or daffodils? baby birds or baby bunnies? The cherry tree or the dogwood tree? Jelly beans or peeps? March madness or spring training? Peas or carrots? 


Well, I love tulips and daffodils, I LOVE birds but baby bunnies are soooo much cuter than baby birds. Cherry trees and dogwoods are equally pretty to me.  I'd refuse both jelly beans and peeps. Ugh!  And, I care anything about March madness or spring training.  Think that carrots win out over peas but I do eat both.

4. I read an article here on the South's best cities on the rise. They are-Baton Rouge Louisiana, Fayetteville Arkansas, Greenville South Carolina, Huntsville Alabama, Lexington Kentucky, Norfolk Virginia, Tulsa Oklahoma, Waco Texas, Wilmington North Carolina, and Winston-Salem North Carolina. Of the cities listed how many have you seen in person? Which one on the list would you most like to see? Have you spent much time in the southern states (USA)? Any spring road trips on your calendar? 

I'm pretty sure if I include travels from my childhood that I have been to everyone of these fair cities.  And, since we live in Louisiana guess I can say that I have spent a whole lot of time in the southern states.  And, may I say, there's just nothing quite like the South.  We will be leaving next Wednesday headed to see our Oklahoma family.

5. Tell us how your outdoor space needs sprucing up this spring? Which do you enjoy more (or hate the least-ha!) yard work or house work? 

Our outdoor space was all spruced up last week with fresh pine straw, weed pulling, trimming bushes and the such.  Hubby hired some help and he supervised and it's looking very nice around here.  I enjoy housework much more than yard work.  I enjoy getting the porches and patio ready for spring but that's enough dirt on my hands for me.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 


Our hearts were made so very happy this past Saturday when this awesome young lady was elected overwhelming to represent our district as our Congresswoman.  As many of you know her dear husband, Luke, had been elected in the fall election and just days before he was to be sworn in he died of complications from Covid at the age of 41.   Both Julia and Luke went to school with our kids and we have known them for what seems forever.  They have always been the finest and I knew they would both go far.  We were beyond devastated over Luke's death and knew without a doubt, when Julia announced she would run to fill his seat, that she was more than capable of filling the position.  She has a 3 year old son and a 1 year old daughter so she has her hands very full.  Thankfully, both her parents and Luke's parents are alive and well and back her 100% in this and will give her their full support.  She's just another example of how God can use tragedy for His glory.  Julia has been so forthright in her Christian convictions and values and I just know the Lord will use her in a mighty way.


Thursday, March 11, 2021

My Etsy Finds



Surely anyone reading this post has browsed through the Etsy website.  If not, you should.  I have been a fan of Etsy for a few years but especially recent years.  It is full of such great artisans and there's not much that you can't find there.  And, when you purchase from these folks, you are supporting a small business owner.  The following are a few of my favorite purchases from Esty.


PERSONALIZED  SCRIPTURE CARDS


I have probably given 8-10 sets of these as gifts.  Most often it has been for someone that needed encouragement or comfort.  And, everyone I have given them to has told me how very much they meant to them and ministered to them.  There are several vendors that sell these and I have bought from 2-3 of them.  The ones pictured are my most recent purchase. And, they come nicely packaged and ready to give.



FLORAL  RESIN  BOOKMARKS


These are gorgeous and make the nicest remembrance for someone's birthday are a "just because" happie.  I've also given several of these.  I know a lot of folks use electronic devices for their reading now but there's still a lot of folks that enjoy holding a "real" book and need a bookmark to keep their place.  And, this gal's packaging is awesome.  They are in a nice box ready to give or, if you so desire, they could be enclosed inside a card and mailed. Suit yourself!

ETSY


HANDMADE  POTTERY


I LOVE handmade pottery and this vendor does beautiful work.  This is my most recent purchase from her and it is my third piece of her work.  There are many artisans on Etsy that do handmade pottery and I have bought from a couple of others and their work is perfection as well. If you like decorative pottery then you should browse through some of the shops.



ENCLOSURE  CARDS


If you need/want anything to do with enclosure cards, calling cards, note cards or stationary of any kind, then I can pretty much promise you that you will find just what you are looking for and more.  I just ordered these cute enclosure cards for myself and for a friend as a birthday gift.



PERSONALIZED  BOOK  MARKS


And, here's some more bookmarks that are soooooo CUTE!  I gave these to my grand girls as a part of their Valentine basket.  The colors are so vibrant and as I said, these are just so cute!



BAKED  WITH  LOVE  STICKERS


If you need a sticker of absolutely any type then look no further, Etsy will have exactly what you need.
I do a whole of baking and I give a lot of it away and I like to have cute labels to put on them. 




ART  GALLERY  WRAPPED CANVASES


I have at least 6 pieces of Salley's wrapped canvases.  She has done 2-3 custom pieces for me  that I love dearly.  She is so easy to work with on her custom work.  She has something for everyone, from far out pieces to more conservative pieces.  


This is just a smattering of the items available on Etsy.  Etsy is just like any other shopping website, just put what you are looking for in the search bar and it will bring up all the shops that carry the item you are looking for.  

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




Sunday, March 7, 2021

Sunday Stealing - Fun Questions and Answers



It has been many, many months since I have linked up with Bev for her Sunday Stealing questions.  When I saw this weeks questions I had to participate.

1. Do you put ketchup on hot dogs?


NO! NO!  As far as I'm concerned a hot dog was made for mustard, chili, onions and jalapeno peppers and topped with grated cheddar.  Oh, I can taste it now!

2. How many TVs in your house?
Well, we have wayyy too many!  We have 8.  When we built this house we had the spaces for our TV's prewired in the walls and all of our TV's, except for 1, are hung. 

3. Do you put salt on watermelon?


Indeed I do, can't imagine eating it without salt.  AND, if you are interested, I eat sugar and butter on my grits.  

4. Can you swim?
Well....it has been many years since I have swam and I'm not sure I could anymore.  If I were in a dire circumstance and my adrenalin started pumping, I might be able to  swim a short distance to save my life.  I sure hope I'm not put to the test.

5. Are your parents still alive?

               My Mom died on Dec. 1, 2008 (this picture was taken in 2004) at the age of 78.  My Dad is 91 and lives in an assisted living facility about 5 miles from me.
                                                                                           
6. First car?


I certainly did not have my own car before I was married.  Mine and Hubby's first care after we married was a 1971 bright blue Ford Pinto.  Oh, my goodness, I imagine we thought we were "hot stuff" riding around in this beauty. ~chuckle~

7. Surgeries?
I had a hysterectomy in 1987 and I had shoulder tendon surgery about 14 years ago.  I'm so thankful that is all and pray I can say that for many more years.

8. What do you drink in the morning?

I head straight to the coffee pot when my feet hit the floor every morning.  There's just nothing like a freshly brewed cup of hot coffee to start your day.  I drink mine from an insulated mug so that it will stay hot longer.  I do not want any part of lukewarm coffee.

9. Can you do 100 push ups?
Well, that would be a big fat NO!  I dare say that there has never been a time in my life that I could do 100 push ups.  My arms have never been that strong.

10. Can you change a tire?

I'm afraid I'd look abit like this gal if I attempted to change a tire, a bit out of my comfort zone.  That's why we have roadside service on our insurance. ~chuckle~


11. Tattoos?
Not a one and have no desire for one.  I do have permanent eyeliner and lipliner and I think they use the same process for that as they do for tattoos.  And, can I just say, it is so PAINFUL!

12. Do you wear sunglasses?

If the sun is shining at all I will have on sunglasses.

13. Do you have a phobia?
I don't know if this is a phobia or not but it drives me crazy when I am talking with someone and they invade my space.  I do not need anyone to talk in my face, I need for them to be a respectable distance.  This has nothing to do with Covid, I've been this way all my life.  If someone happens to do this to me, I start backing up to put space between us and hope that they do not move forward.  I'm pleased to say that this seldom ever happens.

14. Do you have a nickname? 
Does my grandmother name count?  If so, then it would be CiCi.  If not, then I do not have a nickname.

15. Are you a picky eater?

Some might say that I am because I do not eat anything with seeds such as strawberries or tomatoes. I am funny about the texture of some food, such as banana's.  Yuck!  But, I love strawberry nut bread, strawberry cake, tomato sauce, rotel, salsa and banana nut bread.

And, I'm pretty sure our nation would be a better place if we all did this............


Tuesday, March 2, 2021

March Prime Purchases



And, another month has come and gone.  They seem to go faster and faster but that's probably just due to my age. ~chuckle~  But, for now, let me share my "Prime Finds" and see if any of them interest you.

FOOD  STORAGE CONTAINERS 


I think these are most often used for meal prepping but that's not what I got them for.  They come 50 to a carton and I use them for a host of things.  Their great for leftovers to share, cookies or such to share with a neighbor or friend, just put a cute sticker on top and their ready to give.  And, let me tell you, the lids fit really, really tight.  I do believe you could fill it with liquid, turn it upside down and nothing would spill. ~no joke~ I think they are just handy to have.  The ones I got are round but you can get retangular or square I do believe.  And, mine have no compartments.




MAGNETIC  TWIST TIES 


If you remember I had the small magnetic twist ties in my last month's post and mentioned that I wish they made larger ones for bigger cords.  Well, a friend informed me that they do indeed come larger and shared the link and I ordered them right away.  I am fixed up now and they work like a dream. I now have a size for smaller or larger cords to keep them wrapped tightly and out of the way.



REED  DIFFUSERS


These little reed diffusers are not only cute but smell really good.  They are the perfect size for smaller rooms.  I use them in my laundry room and their citrus smell is so pleasant.  I'm not sure just yet how long one lasts but I wouldn't think more than a month or so.  They would also make a great gift.



SPORT  SUNGLASSES

I took a chance when I ordered these sunglasses and I am so thrilled over them.  I have the hardest time finding sunglasses to fit, they are all just too wide for my face.  But, these fit perfectly and I like their matte finish.  I have both the tortoiseshell and black pair.  And, they are reasonably priced.



SHEET  SET


I have not had printed sheets in at least 30 years.  For the first 20 years of our marriage all we had were printed sheets, from flowers to stripes to everything inbetween.  But, then I began using solid colored sheets and until I bought these that was all we had.  I decided that I wanted to get some printed sheets and began "the search."  These come in sooooo many prints but these colors work well in our master bedroom.  They are a brushed cotton and so, so soft and so, so pretty.  And, the price is crazy good!  I'm tempted to order another pair.  We shall see.  I do wish that the print was on both sides of the top sheet.  But, I just put the print down so that when I turn the bed back the print shows both on top and bottom.  



SATIN  PILLOWCASES



Both Hubby and I like satin pillowcases on the pillows we sleep on.  I have had silk pillowcases but much prefer satin.  These are so nice and thick and come in an array of colors.  They wash and dry beautifully.  And, they have a zipper so there 's no struggle to keep it on the pillow.  And, ladies, they say that satin is better for our faces, doesn't pull our skin when we turn on our pillow.  These would be even more beautiful monogrammed. 



SLEEVELESS  TUNIC


I was trying to find some sleeveless tunic length tops to wear under shorter jackets.  I looked several places in person and online to no avail.  Then I remembered Amazon might just have some.  Well, they have lots and lots, it's just a matter of deciding which style you like the best.  This one is chiffon,  looks really nice and comes in several colors.  They could easily be worn without a jacket but I have long since quit wearing sleeveless tops without a jacket or sweater.  

AMAZON


PRAYING THE SCRIPTURE FOR YOUR ADULT CHILDREN



I saw this book and was so intrigued by the title that I ordered it.  Folks, it is such a fantastic book and if you have adult children, you need to order it.  It will add such a new dimension to your prayers for your adult children.  And, this same author has one Praying the Scripture for your Children and Praying the Scripture for your Teen.  It will be a book that I will refer to often once I am finished reading it.


And, there you have it, my Prime Purchases from last month.


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