Patriotic Tuesday 4

Welcome to Tuesday 4 in memory and honor of our friend Toni Taddeo. Hosted by Annie .
This week, let's talk about the Fourth of July. 
 1. Do you think the 4th is an important holiday?Why , why not?
I do think it is important.  Many people fought and offered the  most costly sacrifice  for the founding of our nation. A 'dynasty' of  great statesmen came together  to  create a government that  set up  freedom and liberty  for all.  Many of them, also, paid dearly to   make the dream of America  a reality! Many thousands have fought, died or lost limbs to  defend  America through  the years and  it behooves  people throughout tme to  be patriotic and   love and serve her  as times of peril  come against her. As I write this  I get choked up  because there are so many in high places who wish to denigrate and destroy her.    But God bless America!

2. How do you celebrate? If you are not American, do you celebrate your nation's national holiday? I am American, some of my ancestors  were among the first who arrived on these shores.  Many came to fight for our freedom and to help build our nation to greatness. I celebrate  with a heart of patriotic love of country..  attending  parades and singing  songs! We  have usually celebrated around a red, white, and blue table   with our loved ones and friends.  We usually  go out to  enjoy  the  festive fireworks  on the Fourth!  

  
3. In the time of Laura Ingals Wilder, all Americans read the Declaration of Independence every year on the 4th and lemonade was a big treat for the town picnic. Do you read the Declaration of Independence? Or, your nations important papers? How about lemonade? Are you a fan? I do not regularly read it but I used to read and discuss it with my fourth graders.  I also had them memorize and recite the Preamble to the Constitution!  Love lemonade!!

4. Picnic, eat inside the house or eat out for the 4th?  If the weather  is nice  we'll be outside!!!

Happy Homemaker Monday

  

Hosted by Sandra!

The Weather::

DATE       

                

                      P

             H             

MONDAY6/29

89°/

67°

M. Sunny             20%

            67%

NW 8MPH

TUESDAY6/30

90°/

66°

Partly Cloudy

30%

70%

NW 6MPH

WEDNESDAY7/1

87°/

68°

Isolated Storms

50%

68%

WNW 5MPH

THURSDAY7/2

88°/

68°

Partly Cloudy

0%

75%

N 6MPH

FRIDAY7/3

89°/

69°

Partly Cloudy

20%

72%

SE 7MPH

SATURDAY            7/4

86°/

68°

Partly Cloudy

20%

63%

ENE 6MPH

Summer has definitely arrived..    and with  high humidity to boot!  UGH!

How I am feeling this morning::

Allergies are ruling my head, unfortunately!

On my mind::

We spoke with our daughter over the weekend, and  she put things into perspective for me by  telling us  we probably will not be going to see them  this year at all..  We were due to go  over Thanksgiving week,  but   she warned us that the way things are in her neck of the woods not to expect that! That is  a heart breaking reality  for me!

On the breakfast plate::

Fruited yogurt and coffee, later a cinnamon powdered donut., to finish off my coffee!

On my reading pile::

Reading/ studying the Books of James and Judges for church.

Our Sunday School teacher is super thorough  teaching.  She coordinates  each lesson  with  other texts throughout the Bible that help clarify  what we are  learning.  Many weeks we only  get   5 scriptures done.  But we all love it!!

On My TV::

We watch a bit of Create TV a PBS station on cooking and crafts..one of my favorites is Nick Stellino  the Story Telling Chef..


Designated Survivor, on Netflix, we missed it the first time around

Home shows

On the menu today::

BBQ and  hash browns   from  a huge baked potato

From the camera::
The girls making the most of their quarantine

Looking around the house::

This week I have  laundry to put away and  work on the guest room  .. I think that would brighten our aspect around the house.

What I am listening to::

David Arkenstone on Pandora.

What am I looking forward to::

All good news from all of our doctor appts. last week.  This week I have a blood test redo to check on my liver enzymes..  some  question about a medicine I'm taking. Will be glad to   find out about that! Our neighbors have been working extra hard in their gardens..  not vegetable,  but they have  a  gorgeous yard..  We were actully afraid they were  getting ready to put their home on the market,   but no, they are having a grand garden party on the Fourth.No, we aren't invited..  They a re a young couple with small children. But their party will definitely  put some excitement into our end of the block that day.  I know there will be music!

To relax this week, I will::

Drink tea and listen to  relaxing music!

Prayer Requests:

Our president for protection, wisdom, courage, strength of body, clarity 

For our government  (William Barr)  for justice to be applied to the corruption that has plagued our country for some time

For this coronavirus to stop in its tracks and not spread any more... Lord, protect the elderly and those in compromised health situations. Protect the health providers and the families where the virus is bringing suffering. I pray that this week we will begin to see a great decline in the number of deaths and the numbers o f healed will increase in Jesus name!.

I pray for inner healing in our nation regarding the ongoing problem with racism and it effects in our society. May the rioting stop in the name of Jesus..  I pray that the Antifa group would  dry up and  disband in Jesus name.  I pray for exponential wisdom  and truth to fall upon our media outlets. They seem to exist to keep turmoil riled up instead of bringing clarity to the situation. I pray they seek things of good repute to report on instead of always the bad..I pray they realize that pouring gasoline on a fire is more damaging than letting it go out of its own accord. I pray for people of every nation, color and creed to learn to live amicably together, that love would heal the divisions in our country. I pray the schemes of the devil that instill more and more unrest to stop in the name of Jesus.  I pray that the demolishing of our national  treasures will stop in Jesus name..   You can not change history through this detruction!

Special prayers for Hobert, Kohanna, Ellie, who have very special and immediate needs.

The lost in these divers places , that they will realize their need for a savior and turn to God through Jesus!

For God's mercy to hover over the earth and give people rest and the forbearance to continue to persevere in their trials and testings! 

Devotional/Bible Verse~

Hebrews 5:11-14

Warning Against Apostasy

11 About this we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. 12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food, 13 for everyone who lives on milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, since he is a child. 14 But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil.

Sunday Stealing

Sunday Stealing

Thanks to Bev for this week's questions! You can join in HERE

Questions from Thursday Thunks

1. If you could be a Muppet, which would you be? ..

I would probably be Miss Piggy!  She is a doll  and we both flip our hair!

2. Why is a chicken crossing the road in the first place?? 
She'd rather face the traffic than the hatchet!

3. What's your favorite muscle? 
I suppose it is the tongue..  I love to talk and sing and  eat!

4. Cheerios or Rice Krispies? 

I like rice Krispies, but I never eat them anymore!

5. Is summer ever going to get here? 
I'd just as soon it didn't..  I am enjoying the cool  and  rainy weather..  I detest  hot humid and  mosquit0-y summers!

6. Have you ever had a utility turned off by mistake or some other reason besides weather or nonpayment?I don't think so.

7. What was your "last day" of something? My last day of teaching in my own classroom   was  June 5, 2003 when I retired after 30 years.  I then subbed for  7 years  after that.

8. If you had to be trapped in a TV show for a month, which one would you choose?Laramie, back in the 60's.. boy, did I ever carry torch for  Robert Fuller!

9. Did you have any type of class trip, band trip, etc in high school? Where did you go, what did you do?  
My Spanish club had planned a senior trip to Acapulco, Mexico  but it fell through    right before we  were to leave.. BUMMER. Other than that,  my government class had us going to several local businesses and companies  trying to inspire us  in our vocation..  places like GE,  Hanes, Lane Furniture,  as well as, more office like companies.

10. Do your feet smell? No.

11. Do you know how to french braid? Only with long hair.

12. Two guys are walking down the street. One drops his hat and reaches down to pick it up, the other kicks him in the ass. Do you laugh? I don't think so..

13. You wake up one morning and dogs are meowing and cats are meowing - what are fish, elephants, and crocodiles doing? Scratching their heads.

14. You are going to your high school reunion. What award are you going to win? Most shy..  Im still sort of shy around my high school  people.  That is how they remember me and  I  sort of clam up unless  I'm with  special friends

15. You find yourself stranded on a deserted island. Soon you find a laptop with a lifelong battery & internet connection, then you find a cave with an endless supply of food and a spring of freshwater. A cruise ship comes along to save you - do you get on it? Absolutely, you didn't say I was a nutcase!

16. How many shortcuts do you have on your desktop? I never even look at them.  I immediately go to chrome!

17. I offer you a pie... the most delicious pie you have ever seen. You either have to eat the entire thing in one sitting or allow me to slam it into your face, which do you choose? I'd shut my eyes tightly and  scrunch up my face!

18. Are you a pen stealer? 
  Only when it comes to  the pens  Hubs lends me..  I dont really mean to,  but it just happens.  Of course,  me borrowing his pen is what broke the ice when we met.  soooo 

19. A dude from China comes up and offers you German chocolate cake, French fries, and a Boston cream pie... what color is your car? White

20. Sometimes you just have to tap your foot to your favorite song - which tv series season finale are you watching? Ive been trying to catch the Blue Blood finale..    but the  catchy song for me is Doc Martin!  I love it!!!

Saturday 9

Beautiful People

Welcome to Saturday 9. 

Hosted by Samantha!

Saturday 9: Beautiful People (2019)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song is about the fantasy of being one of the "beautiful people," but how hollow the reality can be. Do you often find yourself envying others for what they have?

To be perfectly honest  the thought has passed my mind..  I do not    want to be  envious,  and I do realize that  many times having  expensive things  often comes with  a boatload of issues!  So it is a vice I try to avoid!

2) Ed Sheeran sings that he and his girl don't fit in well because they're "just ourselves." Who among your close friends do you find it easiest to be "just yourself?"

Our bestest friends, Dottie, Bill, Gerri and David!!

3) The lyrics refer to Hummers and Lamborghinis. What's your dream ride?

I dream of owning a Land Rover, only because I read about them in some of my Scottish novels!  haha

4) Ed believes in giving back. One cause he supports is No Cold Homes, which helps ensure that everyone in the English city of Bristol has the fuel needed to keep their homes safe and comfortable. Here in the United States, he's raised funds for Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Is there a cause that's near and dear to your heart?
We love  to give to Operation Smile!  Also, we have sponsored children in India for years through Bibles for the World!

5) Ed's arms are covered in tattoos, so clearly he doesn't suffer from trypanophobia, or a fear of needles. How about you? Do you look away when the doctor gives you a shot?
Shots don't bother me..but no tattoos thank you very much!

6) One of Ed's tattoos is a bottle of Heinz Ketchup. What condiments would we find if we peeked into your refrigerator this morning?
Mayonnaise, honey mustard,  ketchup, brown mustard,

7) Ed is a natural redhead, a trait he shares with only 2% of the population. Does red hair run in your family?
My husband has the most gorgeous auburn hair..but  we   adopted.So we didnt get to see if it would pass on!

8) In 2019, when this song was released, the FDA recommended the approval of a drug for treating peanut allergies in children. Do you suffer from any food allergies, or sensitivities?

No, but our oldest grand daughter can't eat peanuts!

9) Random question: What of these do you think is the biggest contributing factor to success -- hard work, luck or talent?
I would never dismiss hard work..I feel that some of the problems of society today is that  many people do not work hard for  success.. They  expect much for little input!

FFF Yellow and Blue

Hosted by Susanne!

With Covid  quarantine, I wonder if you are like me.. I can’t keep up with what day it is... why, I even had to ask hubs last night if it was summer yet, last night! 

I have been looking forward to summer, we’ve had so much rainy, weather, we’ve looking forward to sun and clear skies ahead! 

That got me thinking about my favorite summer color combination, yellow and blue! 

I love to redo the dining room seasonally, so out came the blue dinnerware, and yellow linens. 

Some of my favorite yellow and blue pinterest ideas  are these:
  


These inspired me to  decorate for summer using  the sunshine yellow and  the skies of blue!

Another element of the design was inspired by the hydrangeas growing in my garden!



Summer is the   season of fun  so to be fun I    jazzed up the napkin folds.. I used coordinating napkins  and doubled them   to    show off over the top fleur-di-lys design..  

  Another fun way to    jazz up a table is to use mix -matched  china patterns. I have several  sets of blue and white  as I  collect  them whereever I can find them..

Now I am going off    the rules, perhaps..  I want to share  my daughter's photos she sent this week from  her garden..
The top of her hydrangea and the side...




Clearly  she takes the prize and  see... nature is into the yellow and blue, as well!!!

In the PInk Hodge Podge

Hosted by Joyce!

1. This time last year where were you?
I guess I should be  appreciative  that  we have  great health care and   insurance, bu t  I have to admit,  even as this month has been the month of every doctor's appointment we  have,  this time last year  we were deep in the throes of doctor appointments, as well.  Does that speak to our age or what?

2. In honor of National Pink Day (June 23rd) tell us your favorite pink food or beverage.   I love pink lemonade!!

Was it on the menu at your house yesterday?  No, but we did have  limeade!!

Do you like to wear the color pink? 
In spring and summer I do!
If we came to visit would we find this color in your home decor? Blush-fuschia-salmon-raspberry-your favorite shade of pink?
You find it in accent pieces, yes.

3. Stop and smell the roses, looking through rose colored glasses, a rose by any other name, not all moonlight and roses, no rose without a thorn...which rosy saying currently fits your life in some way? Explain.
Stop and smell the roses...  and I am so enjoying our rose garden Lynn   put in for us this year!!

There beyond the tree...

4.   Are you   a 'reader'? Do you tend to read lighter books in the summer months? Do you have a summer reading list? If so, give us a title or two.
I havent really gotten into a series or  an interest in    any books  this season..  Reading  doesn't appeal too much, at this time,    except keeping up with my  Bible Studies..  Toward that end I am enjoying  my new book  by Jen Wilkin,  In His Image!

5. Share with us one rose and one thorn from your weekend.
I loved  being with friends  dining out for lunch after church..  What a  lovely rose that was,  but  my thorn   is  the  terrible pain in my shoulder..  I went to   therapy yesterday and it is  not  as bad as I feared.. She called it an impingement..  but it still HURTS!!!


6. Insert your own random thought here.Need to save this..  gotta go to    get my allergy shot then off to the dentist!!  Full  day!!!!