our little visitor

Little L spent last weekend with us.

She smiles a lot, but not so much for the camera!

So, I pointed and clicked, clicked, clicked...

... and caught her looking pretty cute!

She's a sweetie and we enjoyed having her

all to ourselves! :-)

reminder of a promise

I don't have anything blooming in my yard,

but my daughter and SIL have this lovely

Japanese Magnolia in theirs...

Aren't the blossoms beautiful?

I just love the shape and the color 

and look at that gorgeous blue sky!

A pretty reminder that spring is coming...

one of the promises God always keeps!

Thanks to my daughter for the photos...

great job!

Happy Thursday!

wednesday hodgepodge

Giving Wednesday Hodgepodge another try this week!

1. What is something you'll never forget about the age you are right now?


We are planning a "redo" of our trip to Alaska that got postponed last summer, So, hopefully that will happen in Aug. That's a pretty big event for my 60th year!

2. What's a household chore you've never done? How have you managed that???

I've never cleaned or polished hard wood floors...because I've never had them!!


3. Does nature shape our personalities more than nurture? Explain?

That's a toughie and there is certainly a lot of debate over that question. I know we are born with inate personality traits, but I also believe that nurture shapes those traits. For instance, a strong will nurtured positively can create a good leader rather than a rebel; creativity directed toward solving problems and be a help rather than figuring out how to cheat or steal without being caught, etc.
We have three adult children who are alike in many ways, but who also have their own special traits and abilities. We are so grateful that they are mature, responsible spouses and parents Nature or nurture...we give God the credit for that!

4. Friday (February 28th) is 'Something on a Stick Day'...funny because Zoanna over at A Penchant for Pens recently sent me an idea for a question relating to this topic. What's your favorite food eaten on a stick?

I think I have eaten three things on a stick...suckers, ice cream and corn dogs. These days, I rarely eat any of those, but if I could...it would be the ice cream. Growing up, I loved Fudgesicles!

5. Which of your five senses do you treasure most, and why?

Sight! I am so thankful to be able to see the beautiful world God created and the faces of my children and grandchildren. What a wonderful gift from God! I think the others pale in comparison to that.

6. What's the best music, theatre, or sporting venue you've been to? What made it great?

In 2008, I attended a Passion Conference at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. The worship times were led by Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, Matt Redmon and others. Being in the midst of 30,000+ college students (and a few older folks like me) praising God was unbelievable. It gave me a taste of what heaven is going to be like!

7. It's the last week of the month...in five words or less bid adieu to your February.

Thanks for the snow day!

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Found out Monday that a sweet young man, that is like another son to me, is engaged to be married. His mom and I have been "bosom buddies" for 35 years so I have known him his whole life. I am looking forward to helping his mom with their part of the wedding. She's been the mother of the bride twice... this will be her one and only opportunity to be the mother of the groom. Having two married sons, I have some experience in that area, so maybe I can give her some pointers! :-) He has been faithful to wait for God's choice for him...I am so proud of him and very happy for him!

Joyce does a great job with this every week! I am happy to participate! Thanks for dropping by!

bow the knee

The ladies ensemble sang this in our worship service yesterday.

It is beautiful! I pray it blesses and encourages you today!

snow? #2

To answer your questions,

this....

is what they got into!!

The bagged "snow" I put around my snowmen.

I  know I am asking for trouble every year

when I put it out, but I love the way it looks.

So, believe me, this was not the first time I had to 

sweep or vacuum "snow"... but this was the messiest! :-)

They sure had fun and my good old Hoover cleaned

it up in no time.

I look forward to telling them about this when

 they are teenagers!

Thanks for visiting and for all your comments!

Each one of you is a special blessing in my life!

Hope you have a wonderful Sunday!

snow?

Yesterday, my daughter and I were in one of our bedrooms with 

the baby. We heard Little E and Little L laughing and squealing.

 It made us laugh to hear them having so 

much fun playing together.

Then, we walked into the family room and this

is what we found...

It may have been warm outside, but it snowed in Gran's house!

I had wondered how old they would be when they started

getting into trouble together!! ha! ha!

Thanks for all the sweet comments about our home re-do.

Our contractor and his team did beautiful work

and we are so grateful for the results!

Hope you have a wonderfully, blessed weekend!

who thought of that?

Google image

A few years ago, my daughter and I were scheduled to sing

at our church. As I was looking at the sheet music,

I began to wonder...who thought up musical notes?

Who decided what symbol would represent which sound

and what that sound would be called?

Last week, a co-worker brought in a baby blanket she had

crocheted for her new granddaughter.

Later, as I was thinking about it, I wondered who figured

that out? Who thought about taking yarn, knotting it and making

blankets, scarves and sweaters?

Yesterday, C.W. and I drove by the Museum of Aviation

at our Air Force Base. He saw the planes and asked,

"How do they make them so big, Gran?"

I said, "I don't know, but what I really don't understand

is how that multi-ton plane flies. How does that

very heavy thing stay up in the sky?"

My friend, Kim at My Field of Dreams

just had surgery to remove cataracts.

After months of having trouble, she is seeing clearly.

Who figured out what cataracts are and that removing them

would not hurt the eye but would actually make it better?

The list could go on and on. There are so many amazing

things in our world that are just there and we don't really

think about what precious gifts they are.

Gen. 9:6 says. "God made mankind in His own image."

He gave us intelligence and the ability to reason.

And, I believe, God divinely inspires His creation

to be creative!

"But it is the spirit in man, the breath of the

Almighty, that gives them understanding."

Job32:8

donuts and a date

A week or so ago, I posted the recipe for

the  chocolate doughnuts.

I told you I would let you know how they turned out.

Well...

 

 

they turned out nicely!

Hubby and daughter really liked them.

 

I haven't talked about our Valentine celebration.

Our plan was to go out Thurs night and beat the crowd.

We went to two restaurants...an hour wait both places!
Geez...I guess everyone had the same idea.

So, we went back home and warmed up leftovers!

I had my heart set on steak... nothing else sounded good.

So, we waited until Sat and went at 4 o'clock!

We were given a gift card to Outback for Christmas.

Didn't intentionally save it, but it worked out well

to use it for Valentine's.

 The Doc gave gave us gift cards to Coldstone Creamery,

so we had dessert covered, too!

I told Hubby, this Valentine's, I was a "cheap" date ! :-)

We brought our huge cup of chocolate

ice cream with Snickers mixed in home

and shared it while watching the Olympics.

It was a nice evening ...worth the wait!

I had planned to participate in Wednesday Hodgepodge,

but after I had typed my post and was getting ready to save it,

most of it disappeared!

I just didn't have the heart to try to remember

 what I said and re-type it. :(

So, I will try again next week!

 

Enjoying spring like weather here

after having freezing rain just a week ago...

typical Georgia weather!

Saw some jonquils blooming yesterday...

woohoo! Spring is on it's way! :-)

 

 

 

 

before and after...a year late!

Some of you know that a little over a year ago,

we built an addition onto our house and did some

some other remodeling.

I promised (a couple of times) to show pictures.

Well.....at first I was waiting to get the furniture in place. 

I was re-purposing some pieces, so it took 

some time. Then I was waiting to get some things on the walls.

And then.... I just never did it!

So, because I know it is important to do what you 

say you will do and because I am so happy with the results...

here you go!

This was our old living room...

a nice sized room , but long and narrow.

This is taken from by the front door looking

toward the hearth and wood burning stove.

 

 This one taken from the hearth looking toward

the front door on the right.

Our kitchen and dining room... to the left.

This is the new family room added to the front of the house...

from the front wall out...400 sq ft.

 

We moved our dining area to the space that was the 

living room.

The buffet is where the piano was and the window

on the right was where the front door was.

The area by the hearth and stove is now a sitting area...

nice place to read and have our morning coffee .

This is looking from the new room back to the old living room.

Kitchen to the right .

The wall behind the black cabinet is new.

It was open to our old dining room....

which is now our new study/office. 

 This picture taken from the same place as the one above.

 

 The white door opens to kitchen and that's

a bay window on left.

This is the new pantry in my kitchen...never had one before.

It's great!

You see the door to study there on the right.

Dining area is to left.

 

We enclosed the back porch , and for the first time 

in 36 years, I have a laundry room!

I have a sink, storage and our freezer is in there, too.

I loved the brick floor so we kept it and they did put a sealer 

on it which gives it a little shine.

This is what our house looked like before...

 

 This is the after...with a little snow! :-)

We are enjoying it all so much. It still makes me smile

every time I pull in our driveway and walk through

the front door.

I told someone recently...it's big enough when everyone

is here, but not too big when it's just the two of us.

I guess that means it's just right!! :-)

pick a pocket

When Hubby and I married back in1973,

costume jewelry was popular...big colorful beads,

big earrings. A few years later, styles changed and it 

was gold or silver chains, hoop earrings.

So, I gave away my old stuff.

In the last couple of years, the trend has turned back

(surprise, surprise!!)

to colorful accessories.

I have two medium sized wooden jewelry boxes

which are perfect for small things

but there's not room for bigger pieces.

So, a while back I bought an organizer

that hangs in your closet at Ross for 10 bucks.

This afternoon, I finally started to fill it up!

The pockets are small at the top and get larger as

they go down. And it's two sided, so there's twice

as many pockets to put stuff!!

It was kind of fun figuring out where to put each piece...

and it's nice being able to see the top of my dresser again! :-)

It's a beautiful day here in middle Georgia!

Hope it's nice where you are, too! :-)

who says?

Who says you can't buy yourself flowers?

I bought these a week ago at Kroger for $7...

and they are still beautiful!

Here are some quotes I have seen recently.

Not sure who said them, but they are pretty good.

What do you think?

If you want to get something done,

stop talking about it and get busy!

Courage doesn't always come with a roar.

The South: where ya'll is a pronoun, the tea is sweet,

 macaroni and cheese is a vegetable, and

summer starts in April.

Hard work is better than being talented

when the talented won't work hard.

and...

What if I can't find my big girl panties? ha! ha!

Hope you are enjoying your weekend! :-)

the message of love

The Message of Love

 If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love,

 I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate.

 If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries

 and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says

 to a mountain,  “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing.

 If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned

 as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. 

So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do,
 I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up.
Love cares more for others than for self.
Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have.
Love doesn’t strut,
Doesn’t have a swelled head,
Doesn’t force itself on others,
Isn’t always “me first,”
Doesn’t fly off the handle,
Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others,
Doesn’t revel when others grovel,
Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth,
Puts up with anything,
Trusts God always,
Always looks for the best,
Never looks back,
But keeps going to the end.

I Corinthians 13:1-7 

Happy Valentine's Day to you and all those you love!

meow!

We don't have a pet now and haven't had one for a few years.

But for most of our marriage, we have had one or more dogs....

mutts, mostly, but we also had a Cocker Spaniel.

 We've also had parakeets and fish and we even took care of

some baby squirrels who were separated from their mama.

One pet we have never had is a cat.  I think they are pretty to look at,

but have never cared to own one, (Can you even own a cat? ha!)

I have a friend who LOVES cats and when I visit her, her cats

are very affectionate...which I'm not that crazy about!

Something about them just makes me "antsy"!

My friend says they know that and that's why they do it! :-)

Well, it seems there is one from down the street

that would like to live with us.

He/she spends her days in our yard...

watching and chasing the squirrels and birds,

keeping guard over our fish pond (which is covered

with a net for the winter so, right now she can't get to the fish!),

and greeting us as we come and go.

He/she is a pretty cat and looks well taken care of.

We've never fed it or encouraged it to stay, so I'm not sure

what the attraction is. Hubby says it is the "critters"!

The owner's yard doesn't have trees like we do...

or a fish pond!

Maybe she is a reminder from God to be kind to strangers

and to love those people you aren't that "crazy about"!

To be tolerant and accommodating and patient...

to share what we have...even our yard! :-)

wednesday hodgepodge

1.What makes love last?

Selflessness...putting the other person first.
You can talk about a lot of other things...
respect, honesty, commitment...
but the basis for all those is selflessness.

2. The Beatles made their US debut fifty years ago this week.

 Are you a fan? If so, what's your favorite Beatles tune?

Well, I was a fan way back then...just like all my friends were.
I watched them on Ed Sullivan.
We all picked our favorite...mine was George.
I had some of their records and my favorites
were "Hey Jude" and "Yesterday".


 3. Valentine's Day-your thoughts? Do you celebrate in any way?

 Do anything special for the people you love? 

Expect anything special from the people who love you?

Hubby and I usually go to dinner. For years, we exchanged gifts,
buy we don't do that much anymore.
Sometimes (if our daughter prompts him ha! ha!) I get flowers
at work. He did ask me last night what I would like...
so I think we just may go shopping together to find a little something.
I do something small for the grands...it's fun surprising them!
And sometimes, I surprise my co-workers with
goodies.

4. Steak or burger...you have to choose. 

Now that that's settled, how do you like it?

Steak...medium!

5. The Hodgepodge lands on the birthdate (February 12th) of Abraham Lincoln,

 16th President of the United States of America. Lincoln is quoted as saying,

 'Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test

 his character give him power.'  Do you agree? Why or why not?

 Yes, agree. I recently heard that the main responsibility of someone
 in power is that they use their influence and many resources to help people.
So, I guess that would be the test...does he use his power to do good
for others or to benefit himself.


6. Honest Abe's image is featured on the US penny (1 cent coin) so

 I'm wondering...what do you do with your pennies
 (or your country's equivalent)?  

It's been suggested the US stop making the penny,

 and two bills have been introduced proposing just that,

 but neither were approved. What say you?

I spend them!! Not sure how it would work not to have them.
They would have to change sales tax...probably increase them.
Not crazy about that prospect!


7.  Do you think pop culture deserves serious study?

Hmmm...not sure what that means! Guess I'll have to pass!


8. Insert your own random thought here.

I am really enjoying watching the Olympics. As always,
 the favored are not necessarily winning and the underdogs
 are rising to the occasion and are making it to the podium.
I feel so sorry for Bob Costas. He is such a fixture at the
Olympics and it is such a shame that he has this severe
eye infection. Seems like his meds should be working by now.
I understand Matt Lauer (not my fav) will be filling in
for him for a day or two. I know he must be disappointed.
Praying that he will be better soon!

facelift

No, I didn't have a facelift...

but my old hope chest did!

My parents gave me a Lane hope chest for

my 17th birthday.

I came home from school and it was sitting just inside
 the door with a huge pink bow on it!

I was so surprised!
For a couple of years, it held dishtowels, cookbooks...
you know the kind of things you put in a "hope" chest...
hoping you will need them one day!

After my "hopes" came true and I was using those
things in my own home, it held wedding pictures,
photo albums, and keepsakes.
Then, the children came and it held baby blankets,
and baby books. And as they grew, honor roll certificates,
 baptism records, mother's day cards, report cards
 and hand-print pictures.
A few years later, it was yearbooks, diplomas...
and their wedding pictures!
Then, some of those baby blankets came out again to
be passed on to their babies!

After 43 years, the chest was looking a little sad...

So, I tried my hand at the new "chalk paint".
The name brand is pricey, so I found a recipe on line
and made my own. It worked well and I am pleased with the results!

I knew I wanted to put a cushion on the lid, so I found
 the fabric at Joann's and a tutorial on line.
With some hot glue, a staple gun and Hubby's help
we got it done.
The new knobs are from Hobby Lobby.

So, the outside looks new, but what's inside
is still old and precious...
baby books and diplomas, report cards
and mother's day cards...
hopes replaced with memories! :-)

"sew" done!

We have had a beautiful weekend...

sunny and warmer temperatures.

Spent some time outside yesterday working

on some projects.

 

But, today I was determined to finish something

at my sewing machine.

If you remember, I went to a quilting class back in August.

That's what got me interested in quilting.

Well, the quilt I started at that class had gotten

put aside so I could make one for the grandson.

Then the holidays came and then I made one for my friend.

Last night, I pulled it out and while I was watching the Olympics

I finished stitching it.

Today, I put the binding on...

 

 

It was a difficult pattern for a beginner. I would have

given up on it if it had not been for my sweet friend, Danna.

She came over to help me with the piecing and she

encouraged me to finish it.

My plan is to hang it...I have a piece of wall

that needs something!

 

I feel good about finishing it...

there's something to be said for persevering!! :-)

art and war

.

Saw this at the movies today.

It's the true story about a part of WWII history

that I never knew. There were 7 men

(five Americans, one Frenchman, and one Englishman)

whose job was to retrieve art and atifacts

stolen by the Nazis and return them

to their rightful owners.

Thus, "The Monuments Men".

They recovered over 5 million pieces.

It was very good...some funny lines,

some touching moments.

And it stars George Clooney, Matt Damon,

and Hugh Bonneville...Lord Grantham for

all you Downton Abbey fans!!

It's not often that you can go to the movies

and actually learn something...

but I did today!

d is for doughnuts!

A friend of mine made these and posted this picture 

on Facebook. Seems her husband said they were

better than Dunkin Donuts...even

without the frosting!

I plan to make them this weekend.

Doughnuts

Yield: 12

2/3 cup cocoa
 1 3/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
1 1/4 cups lightly packed light brown sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon baking soda
3/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
2 large eggs
3/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
2 teaspoons white vinegar
1 stick (8 tablespoons) melted butter

Chocolate icing
1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
4 tablespoons milk or half & half

Directions:

To make the doughnuts:
Preheat the oven to 350°F. Lightly grease the wells
 of two standard doughnut pans. In a large mixing bowl,
 whisk together the cocoa, flour, sugar, baking powder,
  baking soda, salt, and chocolate chips.

In a large measuring cup or medium-sized mixing bowl,
 whisk together the eggs, milk, vanilla and vinegar.
Add the wet ingredients, along with the melted butter
 to the dry ingredients, stirring until well combined.

Remove the batter to a zip-top plastic bag or piping bag,
 cut a hole in one corner, and pipe the batter into the
 doughnut molds, filling them between 3/4 and full.

Bake the doughnuts for 12 to 15 minutes,
 or until a toothpick inserted into the center of one
 comes out clean. Remove the doughnuts from the oven
 and let cool for 2 minutes.
Loosen their edges, turn the pan upside down over a rack,
 and gently let the doughnuts fall onto the rack.

To make the icing:
Combine the chocolate chips and milk in a
 microwave-safe bowl or measuring cup.
Heat until the milk is steaming and starting to bubble.
 Remove from the microwave, and stir until the chips
 have melted and the icing is smooth.
Dip the top of each doughnut in the icing;
 or spread icing on the doughnuts.

I don't have a doughnut pan nor does my friend.
She found this at Aldi...

a mini bundt cake pan.
I went quickly on Monday morning to get my own.
Can't wait to give it a try...
I'll let you know if mine turn out as well as hers! :-)

makes me want to shout hallelujah...

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Are we always responsible for our actions? Are there any exceptions?

Yes, always...no exceptions.

2.  Has anyone from your home town become famous?



We have had several young men go to the NFL, one young man to MLB. Our Little League Boys Baseball and Girls Softball Teams have both won the World Series, and Bobbie Eakes, the actress is from here.

3. January was National Slow Cooker month. Do you own a slow cooker/crock pot? Did you use it last month? What's a favorite dish you make using a slow cooker or crock pot?


Yes, I have a slow cooker and I use it quite often. I cook my roast in it, several chicken recipes, soup, and chili.

4. How do you feel about private companies collecting data about you?


Not crazy about it, but I think it is a sign of the times.

5. The Games of the 2014 Winter Olympics kick off with their opening ceremony this coming Friday....will you be watching? Which Winter Olympic event would you most like to see in person? Have you ever been to Russia? Any desire to go, Olympics or otherwise?

I love the Olympics. We had the opportunity to go when they were in Atlanta in1996. I will watch as much as I can. I am usually sleep deprived during the two weeks of the Olympics...summer and winter! I would enjoy seeing the figure skating. There are lots of places in the world I would like to go, but Russia is not one of them.

6. Share a good or bad sports related memory from your childhood or teen years.

My brother was an All American High School football player and was recruited by several big colleges. So, they invited us to come for weekend visits. We went to their games and were treated like royalty for the entire weekend. As a family we did not travel much or eat out much, so that was quite a big deal for me at the age of 12.

7. What's a must have song for you on a work out play list? If you don't work out, run, swim, bike, walk, or anything else that could be construed as 'exercise', then what's a song that motivates you to at least get up off the couch?


"Your Grace is Enough" by Chris Tomlin.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

This is my first time doing the Hodgepodge. I just hope I am doing it right! :-) Look forward to meeting some new friends! :-)

a "super" weekend

I spent the day with my daughter at her house Friday.
At lunch time, she made Little E a cheese quesedilla
to go with her veggies.
When she asked her what it was, she said,
"Quese-dada!!"
We laughed out loud!!

C.W. spent the night with us Sat after we went to
the circus. Sunday morning, he woke up at 5:45.
When he came in our room, I said it was too early
and told him to go back to bed.
He was back at 6:15....I repeated myself.
At 6:50, he was back and, this time, he said
"Gran, I know it's time to wake up now
because I heard the birds "cheaping."
I pulled him to me, gave him a kiss and said,
"Chirping, sweetie, chirping!"
He smiled, said "chirping" and I got up!! :-)

The week before the "big" game, I heard on the radio

that the top three foods at Super Bowl parties are

pizza, wings, and nachos.

Well, at our house (for the third year) it was taco salad.

Our friends, the Deans, came for dinner and the game.

It was fun and, because, we weren't pulling for either team,

it was very relaxed.

It was a busy weekend filled with family, friends,
fun, laughter, and good food! :-)
 

it's circus time!

So, it was off to the circus for C.W, and I on Sat!

We made the drive to Macon where

Ringling Brothers Barnum and Bailey 

was waiting for us at the Centreplex.

I bought our tix on line so we didn't have to stand in line,

but I had no idea where our seats were.

They show you a chart, but it is difficult to figure out.

So, I just clicked on "best available" in the price range

I was interested in and bought them.

Wonder of wonders...they were great seats...

close to the action!

It was a good show and we had fun. 

I mostly enjoyed watching C. W.'s reactions.

He laughed at the clown's antics and marveled at

the daredevils feats.

He was impressed with the animal's tricks

and he thought the 20 minute intermission was way too long! 

Here we are waiting for the show to begin!

If you got there early enough, they invited you back stage

 to see the animals up close.

This isn't a very good shot, but you can see (barely!) 

Sophie, the elephant, in the background.

  

Our seats were just a few rows behind this sign...

first level above the floor.

I was impressed and grateful that the ringmaster sang the 

Star Spangled Banner at the very beginning.

The tight wire troupe did a great job.

The camels and horses (and there were dogs, too!)

did their tricks...

as did the elephants!

The last performance was the motorcycle riders

taking spins in this...

 

Scary...I know!

There were other acts as well...which made for about

a 2 hour performance. I wouldn't say it was

"the greatest show on earth",

but it was an adventure and we did it together!

That's the stuff memories are made of! :-)