Miscellany Mondays

Okay, folks we only have 5 more Mondays until Christmas. Is that not insane?  How can it be?  Yes, 5 weeks from this Wednesday is Christmas Day.  Okay, enough on that..........it's on to miscellaneous thoughts with Carissa......

On that note........
This past Saturday a church in our area had what they call "A Christmas Gathering."  It is sponsored by their Women's Ministry and was an afternoon event.

 A group of ladies from our church went and we had an enjoyable time.  They had vendors selling their wares an hour before and an hour after the program started.  We browsed, visited and then went into their sanctuary where the program was to be held.

They had a segment on gift wrapping, holiday traditions and holiday decor.  Everything was nicely orchestrated and it was obvious that a whole lot of work had gone into the planning of an event such as this.

 

 There were around 500 ladies in attendance and everyone of us were given 4 very nice gifts throughout the afternoon.  The men of the church had dressed as Santa's helpers and at the appointed time handed out each gift to us.  That in itself, was no small feat.
It was the perfect start to the holiday season!

Who comes up with these????

One of the vendors at this show had tee shirts of every description under the sun.  I don't know who comes up with the sayings you see on tee shirts these days, but some of them are so, so cute!  And, of course, there are also those that are most distasteful.  I'm not really a tee shirt kinda gal, except when I'm walking on my treadmill, but I have a daughter and DIL that absolutely loves them.  They always make for a great stocking stuffer for them. Don't you just love the one about the wife???~so cute~

Be still my heart....

 I'm not sure this picture needs any words..........our Princess is growing up and I thought when I saw her in these boots that my heart would burst.  I'm just not sure I have ever seen anything cuter!  Of course, you do understand, this is a Grandmother talking.  But, it's just the plain truth!!!!

And, I leave you with this...... 

  

Friday Fragments

It's been a while since I joined in Friday Fragments, but decided today was the perfect day to share some fragments of this past week with all my "faithful" readers.  Yea! for Mrs. 4444 for hosting FF each week.
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ONE. This past Sunday afternoon, myself and 3 others of The Formidible Women took off to one of our members lake house.  If you recall, The Formidible Women is a group of 7 women (myself included) that celebrate each other's birthday by generally going on a day trip.  This time was a bit different.  We went for an overnighter.  And, it was a bit different in that 3 of our sistas could not go, so there were just 4 of us.  But, nonetheless, we had a wonderful time.

 Beth,pictured above on the far right, wanted to fix us breakfast on Monday morning and what a treat!

 It consisted of orange scones with an orange glaze, morning pie and egg white omelets.  The morning pie was something very new to us and it is cold dish.  I took a big bite and was expecting something hot and what a surprise!  But, it was very good and I really don't know how to describe it to you, but it was just perfect with the scones and omelets.  Of course, cups and cups of coffee were enjoyed along with it.

After the delicious breakfast, we got ready, loaded up and on our way home stopped in the small town of Delhi, Louisiana.  It is so amazing to me what great shopping one can find in these type places.  All of the shops were decked out for Christmas and we thoroughly enjoyed browsing and of course, definitely left with a few items.  After all, their economy is dependent upon it! ~chuckle~


It was another fun Formidible Women outing. And, this gorgeous view certainly made it all the more enjoyable.
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TWO. It has turned to all out winter here in NE Louisiana this week.  And, Rhett and Roscoe have welcomed coming inside the house for a while each evening.

Hubby started this several years ago.  We are neither one "inside dog" people.  But, I bought this comforter and they walk about 5 steps in the front door and go and lay down on it and never move.  They go straight to sleep until Hubby is ready to take them out to their kennel for the night.  As you can see from the gray whiskers, they are getting old.  They are 7 and 8 years old and that is fairly old for labs.  It was never our intention to have either of them and they both had a rough start to life, that is, until they found us.  And, let me assure you, they have quite the life here and have counted their blessings ever since we took them in. ~lucky dogs~
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 THREE. As I've said before, I really "get into" doing Christmas cards.  In fact, I get rather amused at myself because I enjoy it so much.

I cannot stand a plain white envelope so I always buy either a red or green envelope to put them in.  I've been doing photo cards for the past several years and they always come with plain white envelopes.  No, just can't do that! ~wink~  Then I go to Etsy and find cute return address labels. I have everything ready to begin the "stuffing process" when the cards arrive tomorrow.  And, of course, I can only hope that the folks who receive them do more than take a glance and throw them in the trash. ~boo! hoo!~ But, regardless, I make a production out of them because I enjoy it and that's all that really matters. ~isn't it?~
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FOUR.

 My friends, my little Clancy has just joined a wrestling team. Yes, that's right!  My little cowboy turned wrestler.  And, at his age, it's boys and girls and as you can see in the above photo, one of his first practices was with a little girl.  How funny is that?  I do know that it will give Clancy a place to get rid of a lot of that "little boy" energy.

Happy weekend!

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

It's Wednesday and Joyce has given us her usual through provoking questions. She

stretches our brains and our memory, both of which are good for us!

1. Describe a typical Sunday from your childhood.
Well, since my Dad was always the pastor of the church, Sundays were very "sacred days."  In those days members of the church usually always had the pastor and his family over for lunch. I loved it as it was usually families with children my age and we would eat and then go play.  AND, Sundays were truly a "day of rest."  We  did nothing outside of church and it's activities. 
~my, how times have changed!~

2. How comfortable are you with uncertainty? Explain.
I guess it would depend on what it concerned.  If it is something that involves me directly, then I am not comfortable with it at all. Sometimes there is something I can do about it, sometimes there is nothing I can do but "cool my jets" and just wait it out.  But, one thing for sure, much of life is filled with uncertainty.
 
3. What have you accomplished recently that might be described as crafty, as in 'arts and crafts' crafty?  If crafty doesn't work for you, how about handy? Or both?

I know it was just the other day that I did something that was really handy and I was quite proud of myself.  But, for the life of me, I cannot remember what it was.  I referred to it as "yankee ingenuity" when I did it.  Oh, well, if I think of it, I'll sure let you know.

4. Have you ever worked in a 'food place'? What did you take away from the experience?No, not a "food place" but my very first job as a 16 year old was as cashier at a Kroger's grocery store.  Not really a food place but I sure did check out a whole lot of food.  And, I did it all by punching in the numbers with my hot little fingers.  There was certainly nothing called "scanners" back then. ~big laugh~

5. Cold turkey, talk turkey, what a turkey...in recent days, which turkey phrase or idiom best applies to you and why? Click on the word turkey if you need to read more about the meaning behind each phrase. Humm.....have scratched my head, pondered and thought and cannot think of one that applies to me.  I'm quite sure I've been a turkey many times, I just cannot recall the last time right now.

6. If you could have any one guest join your Thanksgiving dinner table, who would it be?Now, this will likely be the most random answer of the day, but I'd love to have George Strait join our family.  And, perhaps he would bring his guitar and sing some for us afterwards.~be still my heart~  He seems like such a great guy and someone that would enjoy sitting around the table and being thankful to the Lord and His many blessings upon his life.  And, my family would be beside themselves if they thought he might show up.  We are big George fans and we were delighted that he won CMA's artist of the year.

7. What is one thing you must accomplish today? My Dad is having a test done at our local hospital this morning and I MUST get him there and then get him back to the assisted living facility where he resides.  Did I say that a care givers job never ends? 

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

The Formidible Women (our birthday group) went over to one of our group's lake house this past Sunday afternoon.  We spent the night and I guess you might say we had a "pallet party."  This was the sight we had awaiting us on Monday morning. It was a fun little getaway and there will be more about it in another blog post. ~stay tuned~ 

Miscellany Monday

It's Monday and I'm off having some girl fun with "The Formidible Women."  That fun will be saved for another entry. I have other things to share this morning..........thanks to Carissa!

Game day on.......

Well, it didn't work!  I all "decked out" in my LSU clothes on Saturday and just knew that our Tigers were going to beat the Crimson Tide.  But..........it was not meant to be.  Alabama is just plain good and we did give them a good game, just not good enough.  But, thank goodness, the sun continues to come up regardless! ~smile~

For a good cause.....

Our Garden Club held a garage sale on Saturday.  Garage sales are always so interesting.  Of course, all of us that worked the sale, found items that we "could not live without."  Don't they say that someones  junk is someone else's  treasure. And, there is always items that you wonder why some one would even bother to sell, why didn't they just throw it in the trash.  There are items that you look at and know that there are all kinds of memories that go along with it and wonder how anyone could part with it.  And, the item like the "toilet coffee mug" pictured above in the center.  It was new in the box and we could not even believe it. I am so sure that I could enjoy my cup of coffee out of that!!!  But, one thing for sure, garage sales are generally a good way to make money quickly.  Our monies will go toward the betterment of our community.  It's a "win win" situation.  Folks clean out and get rid of stuff and we made money for a good cause.

All grown up.....

I have known these two gals since they were little girls.  One of them was in my Sunday School class when she was in high school and they both were in my MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) class.  I love them dearly and delight in still sharing in their lives and watching them "flourish."  They are in Garden Club also and the two of them were the Chairmen of the Garage Sale.  They are definitely leaders and do an excellent job with whatever task they undertake!

A different kind of cowboy....

Clancy was an OSU cowboy this past weekend.  His Dad and Mom took him to Stillwater, OK this past weekend to the OSU/Kansas game this past weekend.  I would venture to say that he was probably the cutest little fan there! ~not prejudice or anything~ And, OSU was able to pull out a big win, so that made it all the more fun!

My Fitness Pal....

If you have never heard of this app then you need to know about it.  You can go here to learn all about it.  Whether you are dieting or not, it is a neat app to have on your phone, Ipad and computer.  It calculates your calories on any and everything you eat (all fast food restaurants are on here)and then calculates the calories you use by the exercise you do.  It is a neat, neat app to keep you "fit as a fiddle."  And, remember the holidays are coming!~big smile~ It seems that there is an app for any and everything one can imagine.

Happy new week to you!    

 

Wednesday Hodgepodge

Joyce outdid herself this week.  The questions are great and I've had a good time answering them.

Thanks Joyce!

1. My sister is celebrating a birthday today. Happy Birthday little sis! What's one way you're like your siblings?  If you don't have siblings how are you like your lifelong best friend or cousin?

My two brothers and me with our Dad at our Mom's funeral, Dec. 2008

I am the oldest and then I have two younger brothers, one is 3 years younger and one is 13 years younger.  All three of us are highly organized individuals, lead structured lives and  are disciplined.  We had two parents that were that way so it was quite natural for us to pick up those traits. And, might I add, sometimes these traits are to a fault. ~smile~

2.  What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think of yourself at age eighteen?
Madly in love ~ and I'll leave it at that~big smile~

3. Sculptor-actor-painter-dancer...if you could excel in one of these arts, which would you choose and why?
Oh, without a doubt, actor!  I enjoyed acting in high school and have done a little since high school.  And, if that acting involved singing, I'd be all the happier!

4. What's a scent that takes you back in time, and where does it take you?
Lavender......when I was about 8 years old my paternal Grandparents took me to a type of craft show and a lady was selling lavender.  My Grandmother loved lavender and bought some of it.  I fell in love with the scent at that time and have loved it ever since.  I always have a lavender candle in my bedroom, lavender sachets and lavender air freshener. I do not care for lavender lotions and such. Ugh!

5. November is for Peanut Butter Lovers (National Peanut Butter Lovers Month).  Are you a lover or a hater?  What's your favorite dish/recipe that calls for peanut butter?
Oh, give me some crunchy peanut butter and I'm a happy gal.  I like it best spread on vanilla wafers but a peanut butter pie isn't half bad either, or a peanut butter cookie.

6. What do people thank you personally for most often?
Well, I feel a bit odd answering this but.........I love to send cards, take food to someone sick, or just do a thoughtful act for someone. Of course, when I do these, the receiver is always grateful and thanks me.  Now, please know, that I do not do this near often enough but I am always blessed when I do.

7. What event this year are you most thankful for?
Hummm......the event I am most thankful for this year is not something to be shared on my blog.  Now, I am sorry about that, but, it is very close to my heart and for now, that is where it will remain.~sigh~
 
8.  Insert your own random thought here. 

I snapped these pictures yesterday while riding through our neighborhood.  It's definitely fall here and the colors are showing their faces. It makes me very happy!

Monday Musings

It's Sunday evening, here I sit, computer in my lap and pondering yet another blog entry. This makes my 552nd entry. ~yea, me!~  It is rare for me to ever sit down to blog and not already have it pretty much prepared in my head.  And, often, when I have a "blog thought", I write it down in a notebook that lays near my computer.  I most often participate in blog memes (Miscellany Monday, Hodgepodge Wednesday, Friday's Letters, Daybook, etc) and that definitely helps to get my "creative juices" flowing and it's also good for blog growth.  We all link up and visit each other's blogs and leave "comment love."  Comments are a bloggers reward! ~big smile~

And, I have had several people ask me why I blog.  Why I started blogging and why I blog now are two different answers.  I really had no idea what I was doing when I started blogging.  I wanted to share a part of my life that might be enjoyed by my family and friends.  It wasn't long that I began meeting other bloggers and friendships were made.  Now, if you are not a blogger, you likely do not understand that.  But, you do develop friendships that are very dear through blogging.  I have been  blessed to meet 3 of my blogging friends in "real life."  It was so neat and I hope to add others to that list in the years to come. As I said, if you are not a blogger, then you likely do not "get it." 

I always try to make my posts enjoyable for my readers.  I  am very careful about what I share.  I will never share certain things on my blog and do not read other blogs where the author shares wayyyyy to much information.  In my opinion, there are some things that are just NOT to be shared.  I am "real" on my blog and never want to paint the picture that all is "perfect" in my world.  For goodness sakes, that will only happen when I enter my eternal home. ~and you know that's the truth~ I imagine we could all share things that would "curl toenails" but, as I said, some things are not to be shared.~in my opinion~

You can ask any of my friends and they will tell you that I live with a camera in my hand.  I have always taken a lot of pictures, but now that I blog, I really take a lot.  I never know when I may see something that would make interesting blog fodder, so it is always close at hand.  I know that I could always use my phone, and I do occasionally, but I really prefer my camera.  I think pictures make a blog entry more interesting but I do think there is a happy medium in how many one uses.  But, that is just my personal preference.  Enough to keep it interesting but not enough to bore you.  Folks are generally breezing in and out when they read a blog and they likely only want to spend 2-3 minutes, so I try to remember that. 

The topics that I write about vary.  My blog is a glimpse into my life and that involves my family, my faith, my friends, my travels and a little of this and that.  To me, that keeps it interesting.  The blogs I enjoy the most are the ones that are varied in content.  I particularly enjoy the more personal blogs where the author shares glimpses of their life as well. 

Today is Monday and I generally always participate in "Miscellany Monday."  But, that was not working for me today, so I just sat down and began writing and the above entry was born. Now, you probably know more about me and blogging than you ever cared to know. ~big chuckle~ I just hope that I always leave you 
"wanting more."  Until next time....

Have a wonderful week!

Friday Letters

A little letter writing is always good for the soul.  So, off I go for a little Friday Letters. 

Dear November....how did you get here so quickly?  I mean there are only 61 days left in this year.  That is just not possible!

Dear Gas Prices...I could not believe that I "only" paid $2.99 a gallon for you day before yesterday.  Wow! never thought I'd be saying that was a good price for gasoline.

Dear Netflix...you are awesome!  You make my time on the treadmill so much more bearable.  I immerse myself in some of your offerings of British TV series and movies and enjoy them so much. I'm currently watching Daniel Deronda. 

Dear Google...I don't know who designs your "Google Doodles" but they are so cleaver. Some folks just have the most amazing imaginations!

Dear Billy Graham...there are simply no words to describe the spiritual impact that you have had on our world in your 95 years. I am so looking forward to your TV broadcast of "My Hope America," next Thursday evening, Nov. 7th, on TBN and Fox News.  I read where you and the producers have been working on this for the past year, all because you sensed the call to deliver one more message to the people of this nation. I'm quite sure that you never believed that you would live to see our wonderful country experience such waywardness and outright denial of all the Godly principals it was founded upon.  You are an incredible man of God!

Dear Social Media and Smart Phones...I'm thinking we would all be better off if we were without you a portion of the time.  No one enjoys you more than me, but I do sense that we are just way too connected and have way too much information. But, the only person that can do anything about it, is me, myself and I. ~grin~

Dear Duck Dynasty Empire...I cannot believe how widespread your popularity is these days.  My goodness, our kids went to school with part of the Robertson clan and the Howard clan. So, we feel extra special in that we really "know" you and live just down the road from you.  But, I just don't get all the hype about your TV show, but, I don't have to get it because apparently a bazillion others do and it is making you all  "bazillionairs." And, with your books, now a Christmas CD and your new restaurant and who knows what else may follow.  I do hope you are investing some of those millions because it's doubtful the popularity will last. ~just sayin'~ It does make me happy to see good folks such as yourself do well. Keep up the good work!

Dear Pioneer Woman(Ree Drummond)...I just ordered your new Holiday Cookbook and I cannot wait for it to get here.  You have such a way of presenting your recipes with step by step instructions and the most fabulous pictures to go along with it. Your cookbooks are real treasures and I'm thinking this one came out just in time to be a great Christmas present for some folks. Good marketing!!

Happy Weekend!