Wednesday Hodge Podge

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1. Speaking of endings....at your wit's end, at loose ends, a dead end, burn the candle at both ends, all's well that end's well, or no end in sight...which 'end' phrase might best be applied to your life lately? Explain. 

Praise the Lord I can truthfully say  my life is finally  at the  lovely  stage of "all's well that ends well".. And with Christ at the helm I  am steering right along with joy and  pretty good health!

2. What was a must have accessory when you were growing up? Did you own one? If so tell us what you remember about it.

The very first things that came to mind were these...

I loved my saddle oxfords...mainly because I  was not last to be picked for kickball  when I wore them.. man I could kick a ball, and besides that they, along with my bobby socks, looked so cool....  and were comfy, too!!! 

Later in high school and college I loved my add a pearl necklace  and signet ring, sadly I've lost both!

3. Something that made you smile yesterday?

I asked my hairdresser for a  bit of a change..  my bob was  getting a bit boring...  so I wanted  something to  sort of flip out  and turn under... She  did it!!  That put a smile on my face

4. January 30th is National Croissant Day. Do you like croissants? Sweet or savory? We're having chicken salad for lunch...would you rather have yours served on a croissant, a wrap, a bagel, bread, or a roll of some sort?  I love croissants especially  with  Eggs Benedict...  

one of my favorite breakfasts, but  chicken salad is so yummy,  I  would just eat it on a nice lettuce like they serve it at the White Oak Tavern   Tea Room we frequent!  I love their home baked bread and balsamic dipping sauce, too!!

5. Sum up your January in fifteen words or less.

January, full of sniffles and coughs slipped away on the wings of Mercury.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

I am doing Beth Moore's Bible Study the Quest and we are only on  week 1..  I got a call yesterday asking me to lead the discussion on day 2  which  sad to say I hadn't done the homework for at that time... I said I would    but I had  trouble with a couple of questions...  I  thought about it at length yesterday and finally,  hopefully understood what  they were getting at...and it is  a rather deep subject on ungodly beliefs we all have .. mindsets we develop just through our family traditions and  actually generational curses.  I did a study and a personal deliverance prayer therapy you might call it a few years ago to  rid myself of  mainly the ungodly beliefs.. generational curses that come down through  generations back  can be  more  ingrained and we can live  a normal life without realizing we have them,  but  they are able to twist our thinking just a shade that if not  eradicated can skew  our thinking  and acceptance/understanding of all of God's  Precious Word! 

Happy Homemaker Monday

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The weather:::

Dreary, dreary dreary with rain!

As I look outside my window:::

I am pleased to know the ground is saturated because  we so badly needed the rain, but the day is  very gray! There is a chance of snow later today..  winter  certainly isn't over yet!

Right now I am::: 
I just finished my  fruited yogurt dearest  fixes for me each  morning, and  I'm  savoring my first cup of coffee  while I  post!

Thinking and pondering:::
I have quite a bit to do today, especially a bit of shopping,  but for the life of me at this moment I can't remember  what I needed...  I hate it when my thoughts fly out of the window!
I do know one thing though and I am borrowing this from a dear  friend who is  deeply inspiring me in my bird  attraction  hobby...

Lois's blog
She attracts  many  different  species   with her delectable  homemade suet..  made out of cheap peanut butter,  mixed with a bit of  cheap shortening, and  flour. I am definitely   putting these items on my list!We do have  snow in our  upcoming forecast so a bit of suet would be appropriate!

On my bedside table:::

A reading lamp,  the phone,  tissues, meds of all kinds, eye drops,  silicon gel tubes for my poor  reconstructed nose...  

On my tv:::

Because I am taping Victoria I havent watched it yet,  so last night I watched a film we saw at the theater years ago...  and I cried  like a baby.. it was so good... August Rush, on Netflix.

On the menu for this week:::

Monday -Beef stew

Tuesday -Tomato  Basil Soup and  sandwiches

Wednesday -Frozen dinner..  lean cuisine

Thursday - dinner out

Friday -I'm going  on an adventure with the  my prayer Sista's and we will eat  a celebratory  meal..  but it all depends on the weather where we go...  so right now it's a toss up!

Saturday -Friends in for Spaghetti

On my to do list:::

Finishing laundry  (whites) and putting it away

Working on  The Quest Bible Study this week... Seeking to have  an Intimate relationship with God 
I've been asked to lead the discussion on Day two of the homework so I need to bone up on that!

marketing
visiting my  hair salon and  perhaps trying a new do... rather  tired of this  bob...  also getting  bit of color...  my  dull blond  washes out after a while and I look like I have  a  pile of straw on my head.
A dear aunt passed over the weekend.. I so hope the funeral will be Wednesday or else  my schedule will prohibit us from being able to go, as it is out of town....  we have appointments we must keep!

My simple pleasure:::
Still the same

I love to watch B/W old movies on Youtube

Lesson learned the past week:::
It takes much less energy to keep a positive point of view than to dwell on the negative...  at this stage in my life I need all the energy I can muster!

Looking around the house:::

Time  to  change out the blues in the dining room and  bring out the red and white transfer ware...  it  is almost February after all..

From the camera:::
I was perusing some January photos and  ran across this one...taken  after my mom  broke up housekeeping and  was  bed fast  the last year of her life...This  was her pewter coffee set  her sisters gave her for their 25th wedding anniversary  and I  used it a while  before packing it away....  I think I will bring it out again...I love having Mother's things around me!

Prayer List:::

 The Bible tells us to, first of all, pray for our  nation and leaders  that  we can live peaceful lives in harmony...  we certainly need  that!  So...Our country..  the division,  the  deception, the  social issues that seek to  destroy families and  individuals, that our government would govern for the sake of the people not for their political gain!

I know of several precious saints who have gone on to glory this  week.  Praying for their families as they deal with this loss.

Several friends  at my church struggling with debilitating illness.

A couple of family members plus all who  are serving our nation overseas

Bible verse, Devotional:::

Some  beautifully thoughtful quotes form Martin Luther King, Jr

I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear. 

Love is the only force capable of transforming an enemy into a friend. 

Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. 

We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools. 

Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly. I can never be what I ought to be until you are what you ought to be. This is the interrelated structure of reality.

Our Jane Austen Tea was a Huge Success!!!

Today was the day...  I had been planning  my Jane Austen Tea party  for a couple of weeks and today it finally came to fruition!

(Each place card had this lovely welcome )

Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favourite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,
My friends there’s always time for you.

 I had  created  some table  decorations  whose inspiration came from pinterest..  the Jane Austen theme and menu was inspired by  the December issue of Tea Time magazine.. And  my  very special friends and prayer pals  got together this morning to  enjoy the pleasures of tea, and fellowship...  It was  marvelous! 

First of all, I created these bookmarks   and  got them laminated at Staples  for each place setting~

This photo  graced the table 

As well  as, Mr. Darcy, who was also present! 

There, as well, you can see the place card with a delightful poem   decorated with blue transfer ware which I understand was  Jane's favorite. 

    I took this photo to send to our  sista'  who  has  recently moved to Utah...  We had never had a gathering without her....  We miss you, Colleen!!!

 These darling  silhouettes  are found on pinterest, too!

There were 5 of us in attendance... and  life's  complications  had kept us from  getting together for a few months.. Today was  just awesome...  the sharing,  the  edifying and prayer  was  amazing!

 One of the  items  suggested in the magazine was chocolate  meringues...  with a recipe...  they are nothing more than Mallomars so I just  bought a package  and  called it done!!!  No way was I going to make them!!!

I was  rather dismayed all week because our local grocers  didn't carry the cinnamon chips anymore  for my Cinnamon scones...  but I finally found them yesterday  at a smaller  market in town....  They were  delish slathered in Devonshire Cream!

My favorite item was  this platter of Mini Victoria Sponge cakes with raspberry preserves and  raspberry creme in the middle... YUM!  and the  cake  could be baked the day before which was a great help this morning getting it all together!!!

These Egg  and Cress canapes were super easy to  put together..  toast rounds,  a schmear of Dijon and mayo mixture. .. a slice of egg and  a garnish of Italian parsley!!!  They were a huge hit!!!The  Cress was  way to pricey and I had to purchase a  truckload of it so  a .99 package of parsley  did the trick!!! I was so pleased to locate the super thin sliced  Pepperidge Farm bread!

source  Tea Time

All in all it was a glorious morning with great friends and they all  went away feeling greatly  loved, appreciated and  with happy tummies!!!

For this tea I used Barry's Scottish  blend!

Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

Friends Sharing Tea


Tuesday Cuppa Tea

Share Your Cup

Table Scape Thursday

Thursday Favorite Things

Home Sweet Home

Grace at Home

Wednesday Hodge Podge

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1. January 24th is National Compliment Day. Is it easy or not so easy for you to accept a compliment? Share a recent compliment you've given or received.

I  Have always felt  rather self conscious  over  compliments...  I'm sure due to my low level of self esteem I had as a child. I am better about it now, thank goodness..  I have always been one to see the good in people and share  compliments.. not a form of flattery  but sincere words of affirmation.  Recently I complimented a relative  (a cousin)who has always in times past been very   much a special part of our lives, but our  adult years  lives have  brought  long  periods of  separation... yet she reached out to  my daughter and grands  with a  wonderful visit that endeared her mightily to her newest family members..I complimented her  for the impact her visit had on  us all... This visit  was  exceptional...  over a thousand mile visit,  very precious! 

2. Ten little things you are loving right now.

1) blogging 2) how the  scale  keeps it's downward momentum 3) the many faith based podcasts I get to listen to so easily 4) watching old movies on line.. last night  I loved watching How to Steak a Million.. with Audrey Hepburn and Peter O'Toole... what a cutie!!! 5) Getting ready for  my upcoming tea party.. I find that  small projects like these are so missed.. it reminds me of the  multitude of projects I prepared for while teaching.. productive creativity is good for the soul! 6) Listening to Hubs clear away breakfast and wash the dishes 7)  reading my new book Bill Bryson's, The Road to Little Dribbling.. extremely  hilarious 8) my new  pastime of sitting at the window and  watching the birds and  researching how to  attract more and more... planning new  plantings and  areas   of feedings

9)Being this far long in my  skin graft  recovery and  seeing the improvement  everyday!10) The good reports I have repeatedly received from the doctors I have  visited lately..  followups and check-ups...  one to go... the dreaded mammo.. coming up! I am truly blessed!!!

3. Would people describe you as a positive person? Do you see yourself that way? I read here a list/description of eight things positive people do differently-

Positive people find something to look forward to every day, they celebrate the small stuff, they're kind, they stay busy, accept responsibility for their actions, forgive themselves, know when to move on, and resist comparisons

Which action on the list would you say you do regularly? Which action could you add to your life to give you a more positive outlook? If you're a positive person, what's something you do regularly that's not on the list?

I think I am a positive person.. I mean I can    become  upset of  things like  the impossibly long wait for my blood work in the lab yesterday.. But I do wake up each morning  looking for God's tender mercies each day and am thankful.  I am not a  busy person l in fact over the last  year or so I've had so many  small things  wrong physically I have allowed them to take over my life  in that I  use them to give me permission to just  do nothing much. I   struggle to  get moving...  I need to be more active and  now that I have such a good  outcome  form doctors I really need to get active!!!

4. Homemade chicken soup, beef stew, or a bowl of chili...what's your pleasure on a cold winter's day?

I enjoy a  tasty bowl of  chili, or homemade veggie beef soup!

5. The best part of my is my 

morning with my coffee.. checking  computer,   reading  devotionals,  watching birds..   possibly ....having face time!!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Nothing to say  at this time!

Happy Homemaker Monday

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The weather:::

It is currently 54*  and  much needed rain is in the forecast... I hope it washes all the  salty chemicals  away!

As I look outside my window:::

The sun was slow to make its entrance today as we  traveled across town for my  yearly check up..  But as we  were leaving mid-morning to come home  the sun was piercing through the    thin clouds  but  rain is definitely in the air!

Right now I am::: 

I am enjoying a glass of iced tea  as I concentrate on my    tea party plans  and  how to share about them  below!

Thinking and pondering:::

A couple of weeks ago while blogging I decided to  plan a Jane Austen Tea party  just because I love her books so, and  she is synonymous with tea.Upon my initial research I found a treasure trove of information on pinterest. From that I was able to create a bookmark favor that I still need to get  laminated and a few  decorations.

I also found  online several photos  that showed her using blue transfer ware  in her teas,  so I was delighted to  bring out mine..

“There  is no charm equal to the tenderness of heart” Jane Austen

The December  Tea Time magazine was my inspiration on the menu..

I tried to find cinnamon chips but alas they were not to be found so we're having Salty Caramel scones.

 These amazingly simple savories  of sliced  egg on  toast square with  mustard  sauce topped with  a cress leaf.

Victoria Sponge mini cakes with raspberry sauce and would you believe they  showed how to make Mallomars.. uh.. I bought mine!!!

I'll share recipes later.

On my bedside table:::

Tissues, meds of all kinds, eye drops,  silicon gel tubes for my poor  reconstructed nose...  This season of my life finds me    with  this cold, and    surgical procedures,  and   the consequencs of all  with a loaded  bedside  table...

On my tv:::

Yesterday I watched on Youtube Alfred Hitchcock's  Rebecca with Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier.  If you've never seen it, it is  awesome... They don't make films like this anymore!!!

Victoria

On the menu for this week:::

Monday -Chinese leftovers

Tuesday -Tomato  Basil Soup and  sandwiches

Wednesday -Frozen dinner..  lean cuisine

Thursday - dinner out

Friday -pizza

Saturday - Soup and salad night with our club

On my to do list:::

Finishing laundry and putting it away

Attend my first session of The Quest Bible Study this week... Seeking to have  an Intimate relationship with God 

Finalize decor,  table setting and menu prep  for tea party on Thursday

shops for the  large salad I'm taking to the soup and salad night

What I am sewing, crocheting, knitting or creating:::

Continuing to create  decorations for the tea party.  I have  some  photos with  Jane Austen's quotes on them to  determine how to incorporate into the decor... I think they would make great  conversation starters.

My simple pleasure:::

I love to watch B/W old movies on Youtube

Lesson learned the past week:::

As I sat  in the waiting room waiting for my  blood work in the lab, I  struck up a conversation with an elderly man who  seemed to be just  waiting for someone to complain to about doctors.. I mean I heard all about all of his  md's.. I tried to turn t he conversation to the marvels of medicine and   technology as  he and I shared some of the same ailments, including glaucoma. I was reminded of my own dad  who at that same  age  would  complain  about things not going  the way he thought they should,  so I, for at least that moment in time, committed to really try to   put on my rosy colored glasses and try to  see the whole picture and not get   caught up in my own personal issues,  but learn to go with the flow and be content in all circumstances..  For to complain endlessly is not very attractive and no one really wants to hear it!

Looking around the house:::

I think Hubs may be napping it is so quiet upstairs and  I think I may go join him!

From the camera:::

Our two favorite folks... what a blessing!!!

Prayer List:::

I know of several precious saints who have gone on to glory this  week.  Praying for their families as they deal with this loss.

Several friends  at my church struggling with debilitating illness.

A couple of family members plus all who  are serving our nation overseas

Our country..  the division,  the  deception, the  social issues that seek to  destroy families and  individuals, that our government would govern for the sake of the people not for their political gain!

Bible verse, Devotional:::