Wednesday, February 24, 2021

Wednesday Hodge Podge

From this Side of the Pond
1. Your favorite cleaning product? Do you clean your own house or hire out? Most disliked household chore? What one chore do you not mind so much? In these  days  my hubs  does the  major cleaning... my knees and back    are  not what they were... He has his favorite  cleaner...  but  frankly, I'm not sure of its name.  I  like to work in the kitchen,  cooking and   washing up and  making the kitchen look nice and  spit shined.  It is after all the first room folk  see after entering through the sunroom.  No one comes to the front door here! I  cannot vaccuum either. .. it  does something to my sinuses...  So I do the dusting on vaccuum day!

 2. It's Canned Food Month...do you use a lot of canned goods? What are the three canned items you purchase most often? Last thing you made using a canned ingredient? We really do not use that much of canned items.    I did have a bowl of  soup.. Our favorite is any type of Progresso.  I use canned veg  for homemade soups and  stews  but we dont  make that often!

 3. Can of worms, anything can happen, can you imagine?, as best I can, kick the can down the road, more than one can take, no can do, not if I can help it...choose an idiom and tell us how you currently relate.  I think  "Not if I can help it" reasonated most with me.  That seems to be my station in life at this time.  I  dont do  anything much around here unless it is  absolutely necessary.  I am very much more  involved in church work  working on the Mission Committee and fellowship mission.  and doing Bible Study.  I feel called to be doing taht work in our church and  I  save my reserves..  Not to say we live in a hovel,  but I take my time to those things I used to love to do around here. 

4.The last Tuesday in February is National Spa Day. Are you someone who enjoys a day at the spa? Last time you visited a spa? Do you have a favorite spa? Are salons open for business in your area? Have you made changes to your hair and nail routine since Corona hit? In what way? I have never visited a spa.  I do my own nails..  I  am a very  low maintenance  young lady! haha

 5. Believe it or not this is the last Hodgepodge of the month. In one sentence sum up your February.   Whew... whiz  ... where did it Go?

 6. Insert your own random thought here.
I am very excited-  we did finalize the booking and payment for a beach holiday   coming up this spring! After our trip last October   after 15 years of no trips of  that nature..Lynn has decided a regular trip to the  ocean (6 hour drive) is good for us! And it is so much fun to  travel with and  
enjoy time there with friends! YAYAYAYAYA!
                                             Where we stayed in October!

Tuesday, February 23, 2021

Tuesday 4~~Moving

Moving

Hosted by Annie!

Welcome to Tuesday 4 kept up in memory of our friend Toni Taddeo who began it

 several years ago.  She would be so pleased to see people keeping up with it!

Let's talk about moving today.

1. How far away are you from where you grew up?  We  moved  across town     to an

older and better establish area when we moved into this home. Hubs and I had  lived

 in Germany after college and so coming home we were  content to stay!

2. Families sometimes move all over the country.Do you feel that a family should

 try to stay close together?  When our daughter and son-in-law decided to move to 

 New England  after college,  (7 states away)  my heart was broken.  It just 

wasn't our tradition..Up until then families had stayed pretty close together!

3. How many times have you moved in your life and would you like to share

 when and where you moved?  As I said we lived inLampertheim, Germany,

 a village outside of Mannheim, while Hubs finished his tour of duty. Then we

  bought a homerather close to where I grew up,  but  more importantly  between

 our two  work locations. When  out daughter was school age, we moved  here

 to this home mainly to be closer to the school we desired for her to attend.

4. What brought you to where you are living now and are you happy there?

  We are very happy here.  It is close to everything we love, and  I love the style

 of our home.  My only wish is that we ahd a bedroom on the main level. Stairs

  are becoming a sort of an issue!

Monday, February 22, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

 


Has anyone bought fresh strawberries lately.. They are  huge,  yet  very tasty and sweet.. I think  they come from Florida  and  it is glorious to see they are coming in here in the states..  We buy them all through the  year for our  yogurt parfaits!  Yummy!!!

Hosted by Sandra!

♥♥The Weather♥♥ 

Monday~ 54 with  rain
Tuesday~ 57 sunny/wind
Wednesday~ 65  partly cloudy
Thursday~ 50  mostly sunny
Friday~  44  rain/snow

Rather a mixed up mess for the week!

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥  

I am doing  pretty fine today!  Glad to  say!!

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
2  thin slices of  country ham, 2 over medium eggs,  and English muffin with coffee!

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 
Chronoloigical study of the NT   using the online app  The Bible Recap...   Highly recommended!!!
Thanksgiving Journal and  tips from Ann Voskamp
Colossians

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥
Joanna Lumley, Home Sweet Home Vlog on Youtube  3 episodes of her travels around Britain.  terrific!!!!
When Calls the Heart...  always.. I love that!!  I will watch the final  episode of All Creatures Great and Small this evening.  I taped the series, thankfully!

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥  

Monday - Crab cakes and tossed salad  
Tuesday - Grilled cheese and  tomato soup
Wednesday -Chicken quesadilla
Thursday -pizza
Friday - Baked Cod and  sweet potato fries

♥♥From the camera♥♥


Snow fun  in New England!! 
♥♥Looking around the house♥♥
Well, I stripped the house of winter and Valentines, and stored it all away .. Now time to consider spring  beginning with St. Patrick's Day!    Takes me a bit longer  now as I  get  a bit more over the hill!!     A bit of inspriation from years past!


♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
I love sitting by the fire with my  hot tea, reading.... that is my most relaxing joy!

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 

♥♥Devotional, inspirational, prayer list or Bible verse♥♥
Dear  God,  nothing takes you by surprise. You know everything that has transpired in the last  few years in  our nation..  I won't take your time reminding you but please  know  that our hearts are wrenching from the  knowledge that our nation  has  fallen beyond the pale into the  hands of an evil entity  that has been brewing for  a long time,  but  who has  reared its ugly head  mightily  in the last   few months. Deception, deception, deception!!!   You know best what is to be done,  so  we wait patiently for your help! Thank you for your peace  that passes all understanding.
 Meanwhile,  we pray that the covid vaccine is   truly  safe and  leaves  NO  long lasting  problems. That  the roll out for it will be  swift and  securely  given..  That those who  have limited means of  acquiring the vaccine will be  found and  help administered.   I pray the the  virus will  run its course in due time and   I speak to the virus, "do not mutate any more, in Jesus name!... Give the scientists and  govenment officials  wisdom beyond their  usual understanding and  I pray that all politization of  health issues will be   stopped in the name of Jesus!!  God we  know that without you, we  are and can do nothing. Our trust in in you by the power of the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen

Saturday, February 20, 2021

Praise





Sing to the Lord a new song;

Sing to the Lord, all the earth.

Sing to the Lord, bless His name;

Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from day to day.”


Psalm 96:1-2

Wednesday, February 17, 2021

Wednesday Hodge Podge

From this Side of the Pond
Hosted by Joyce!

1. This week's Hodgepodge lands on Ash Wednesday which signals the beginning of Lent. Do you mark this season in some way? If so tell us more. Did you grow up 'celebrating' Lent? Is attending church part of your weekly routine? Are churches open for in-person worship where you live? I have never really celebrated Lent.  I understand the principle and it is a good one  I suppose,  but it doesnt seem to follow  the scriptures in any  specific way..  I mean I  fast  in prayer  at times, but I dont see  a reason to  do it at a prescribed  dictate of the calendar. Attending church is another thing. :   Sunday is the day of the Lord and we  spend that time in church,..  Just as soon as  the doors opened  back in the early fall,  we were anxious to get back to  being in church with  our friends.  Our church is small and  the seats are cordoned off  to  allow for  distancing and  because many havent returned but  are comfortable  watching online,    we  are easily  spread very thinly around out church.  We only have about 10 out of about 50 in attendance any week...   We  stay for small group discussion,  and  return Sunday night for  our  fabulous Apologetics class.  Our pastor is a  Doctor of Theology and teaches at Liberty University. We are fortunate to benefit from  his teachings in our  Sunday night gatherings!

We do have person to person meetings  on Sunday morning, and Wednesday evening when only about 10    come out.  Otherwise, we also have zoom  meeting opportunities and youtube    video for  all  of our meetings for those who  stay at home.

2. When is the last time you sat beside a 'real' fire? Do you have a fireplace in your home? Wood or gas logs? Favorite thing cooked over a fire?   We used to have a regular fireplace that burned wood,  but I could only ignite a 'fire' under hubs to    give me a real fire once a year at Christmas.. I longed for gas logs, and I finally got it a couple of years ago.  Nothing suits me better than  clicking the remote and having a   real flame  offering  warmth that   replaces the chill we sometimes have in our  drafty house.. We have  radiator gas heat and it is  warm if your sitting by the radiator,  but they a re always  under the window and  even with storm windows  it just seems  drafty  in this  90 year old house.  I love to sit by the fire , with my feet up on the hassock,  and read  or  study..  I  love listening to music and sometimes just drift off into a cosy snooze!

3. Something that's currently got you fired up? Well, the current government  and it's plan to eradicate the good done in the previous  administration, riles me  to the point I just can't listen to the news anymore...

4. February also happens to be National Cabbage Day. Who knew? Do you like cabbage? Is cabbage on your menu Wednesday? Of the following cabbage dishes which is your favorite-coleslaw (mayo or vinegar?), sauerkraut, cabbage rolls, cabbage soup, kielbasa and cabbage, grilled cabbage, bubble and squeak, kimchi, or haluski?  Well, actually I had have cabbabe today.. We dined out  and I  ordered a Rachel sandwich which  is a Reuben  but  with turkey and slaw instead of  beef and saurkraut.  I love cabbage,  slaw,  soup,  Chinese cooking,   except kimchi is too hot for me!!!

5. Do you hang on to pennies? What do you do with them? Last thing you purchased for $1.00? Last thing you purchased for $5.00?  I do not  hoard pennies,    I    use them as I get them,  I  dont buy anything much anymore so I  cant think of a thing!!!  

6. Insert your own random thought here. We just returned from Wednesday night service..  As always we  enjoy  it so much! The teaching is on the Sermon on the Mount   and how it demonstrates   Jesus to us... and how we are to emulate Him in our actions and heart attitude!!

Tuesday, February 16, 2021

Tuesday 4~ About Me

Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.

Hosted by Annie

About Me...          

Welcome to Tuesday 4 continued in the memory of Toni Taddeo, its 

original author.Lets do one of Toni's old questions this week.

1.   What's your favorite thing to do when you have time on your 
hands?If I feel like reading,  well, I do,   but if I don't, I really enjoy
 podcasts and  youtube vlogs.

2.   Company coming tonight for dinner what do you cook?  Stir fry
 chicken and fried rice.

3.   The weather is perfect outside, how would you spend the day?
 I would have loved to be 
able to invite my  girls friends over for a brunch on the porch.  I would
 probably  have chosen some  menus from  Entertaining with Beth
Vlog..  I love her  cooking!!!Perhaps then we could  drive out to a green
house and purchase some  wonderful flowers  and veg to plant in our
  gardens! Maybe even  Milmont!

“Build houses and settle down; plant gardens and eat what they produce."
Jeremiah  29:5
4.   It's morning and you just got up, what do you have for 
breakfast?
Hubs always  begins my day with  fresh brewed coffee and  a fruited 
yogurt. Later I will usually fix us a poached egg on English muffin 
 and juice cocktail. ( OJ and club soda) cuts the carbs.

Monday, February 15, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Homemaker Monday!

 Hosted by Sandra!

♥♥The Weather♥♥   

Brrr!   Cold, damp, and drear!!

♥♥On my mind♥♥  

I have had spring on my mind all day... I need to order a seed and plant catalogue!!

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Coffee and fruited yogurt!
     
♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 
I have been planning  for a Bible Study that is starting next week!
I signed up  online to do  a  Jesus in Me study  by Anne Graham Lotz.   THis  is a study  about the Holy Spirit.  I think it will be wonderful!!

 ♥♥On my tv♥♥
Besides All Creatrues Gret and Small,  also  I have enjoyed some the older  Hallmark  programs  they are airing now!

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥ 
Monday - Caesar salad, homebaked rolls, and fruit
Tuesday -Broccoli and cheese soup
Wednesday - dinner with friends
Thursday - hamburgers and fries
Friday - not sure

♥♥From the camera♥♥

Hubs has been working so hard in our  old  laundry room...  situated in the   storage part of our  90 year old home.  He has painted all around the room,   torn out old shelving and  purchased new  shelving from Home Depot and installed it and we are  about to replace our old  wash tubs...   He has  worked very hard this winter  and  once everything gets organized it is going to look so much better!!
   
♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
Transcribe my Bible notes from an older  NIV Bible to my new Amplified Bible...  which is a more word for word Bible!

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 


Our precious six year old grand received her own Bible in church this Sunday.  Little sister, got to present it to her!!

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥

Dear  God,  nothing takes you by surprise. You know everything that has transpired in the last  few years in  our nation..  I won't take your time reminding you but please  know  that our hearts are wrenching from the  knowledge that our nation  has  fallen beyond the pale into the  hands of an evil entity  that has been brewing for  a long time,  but  who has  reared its ugly head  mightily  in the last   few months. Deception, deception, deception!!!   You know best what is to be done,  so  we wait patiently for your help! Thank you for your peace  that passes all understanding.
 Meanwhile,  we pray that the covid vaccine is   truly  safe and  leaves  NO  long lasting  problems. That  the roll out for it will be  swift and  securely  given..  That those who  have limited means of  acquiring the vaccine will be  found and  help administered.   I pray the the  virus will  run its course in due time and   I speak to the virus, "do not mutate any more, in Jesus name!... Give the scientists and  govenment officials  wisdom beyond their  usual understanding and  I pray that all politization of  health issues will be   stopped in the name of Jesus!!  God we  know that without you, we  are and can do nothing. Our trust in in you by the power of the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen

Thursday, February 11, 2021

Be My Valentine!




If you are  in town,  stop by,  we'll put the kettle on and    share our generous repast!I set a extra place or two!

 We’ll share a box of chocolates for dessert!

 

Wednesday, February 10, 2021

Wednesday Hodge Podge



Hosted by Joyce!

  All About Love!!!!

1. Something little you are loving right now? 

  


2. Red roses or pink peonies? Pink Peonies
Red wine or pink lemonade?  Pink Lemonade
 Red lipstick or pink polish?pink polish
 A cotton candy colored sky or a fiery red sunset? Fiery red sunset
 A book-movie-song you love with the word red or pink in it's title? 
Lady in Red
I used to sing this one over and over  driving to school  back in the day!

3. What's something you currently have your heart set on doing-going-seeing-or experiencing?  I am so looking forward to  traveling to Massachusetts to see our girls...  after the threat of co-vid is past!

4. Who would you most like to have a heart to heart with right now? Is that possible? There is a guy who lives in the UK whom I have been sharing the gospel to and trying to  get him to open up about his  where he is  in the process... he  is interested and keeps the matter open,  but  all I am getting these days  is  monosyllables.  KInd of ahrd  to    having meaningful conversation over messenger.  I am praying for a lot! 

5. Write an acrostic for the word L-O-V-E. 


L- is for the life we've shared for 50 years
o- is our home we've made  and raised our family in
v- is very, very extraordinary
e- is everything we are!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Tonight we are zooming a business meeting at our church... We both are  now on our  respective  committees, so  one never knows when one may be asked  to share  from our perspective..  there is much going on  even  with  this  covid situation...  both with the property  and missions!

Tuesday, February 9, 2021

Tuesday 4! Valentine's Day



Welcome to Tuesday 4. I am sure Toni would be so pleased you are here.

Hosted by Annie


Let's talk about St. Valentine's Day.

1. St Valentine paid for the weddings of poor girls. Today weddings can cost a fortune. What do you think about wedding expenses?  Well, my  mother worked long hours to provide beautiful handmade cake table skirts, and other decorations to defray costs.  I had a beautiful wedding and reception, but we cut corners here and there...for example, I opted to have a private wedding , inviting the very closest friends and family only.  That way we used th3 church flowers at the reception.  That saved quite a bit. Then invited everyone to a wonderful reception with heavy hor’doeurves.  We danced with an amazing pianist. Friends said my wedding was very memorable, and, of course, it was 1972, but it lost less than $3,000.  



 
    

In contrast in 2005, our daughter’s wedding cost $20,000.  And  we, mother’s did an amazing amount of work to cut costs. We made the pew decor, the table arrang-
ments, and some of the chapel flowers.  Go figure! 

2. Do you or did you send Valentines to people? I like to send Jacquie Lawson online greetings to friends and family.

3. Do you find Valentine's Day to be romantic?  I do.  Hubs always take us to dinner somewhere special, but not on Valentine’s Day.. we find the menu is too limited. He always sends me roses! 

4. Do you do anything special for Valentine's Day with partners or family?  I think I partly answered this!  I am sending valentines to our grands and daughter, plus a lovely box of candy to share! 

Happy Valentine's Day folks.




Monday, February 8, 2021

Happy Homemaker Monday

Happy Homemaker Monday!


 Hosted by Sandra!

♥♥The Weather♥♥   

Winter has arrived  and it will be coming more and bitterly cold as the 

week wears on!

♥♥On my mind♥♥  

I am on the Missions Committee at our church and our group  met at Sam's  and using budgetted and donated  monies  we were able to  provide  over $500.00  worth of  food   to a  Children's  mission  in our inner city and $150.00 worth of diapers and wipes to  our Straight Street ministry.   What a blessing.!

 ♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Coffee and fruited yogurt!
     
♥♥On my reading pile♥♥ 

I am beginning a reading plan for the Bible...  it is a wonderful study and read.. called  The Bible Recap.. found for free online.. I found it on Youtube,  but  once you go to the website  there are other means to get it ..  After you read the assigned passage, then you listen to a recap (podcast)  of  what you should have gleaned from  your reading .. It focuses mainly of the character of God and Christ!
 ♥♥On my tv♥♥
I love Masterpiece Theater~ All Creatures Great and Small- true to the book and the  older PBS version whcih I loved!

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥ 
Monday - homemade beef stew
Tuesday -tomato soup and grilled cheese
Wednesday - dinner with friends
Thursday - breakfast for dinner
Friday - cod  fish and chips

♥♥From the camera♥♥

I had almost forgotten I had this wonderful dutch oven. I got it out over the weekend and made the most delicious stew!  Recipe below!

♥♥New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed♥♥
Classic, hearty Beef Stew

ingredients

Ingredient Checklist

Directions

Instructions Checklist
  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).

  • Place beef cubes into a large bowl. Season with kosher salt and black pepper. Add flour and paprika and toss until evenly coated.

  • Heat oil in an oven-safe Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Sear the beef cubes in batches until dark brown, about 4 minutes per side. Flip or stir gently with a wooden spoon until all edges are dark brown, 2 to 3 minutes more. Remove beef and set aside.

  • Add onions to the beef fat with more salt and pepper; cook and stir until they begin to caramelize, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir until aromatic and soft, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato paste and cook until it turns brown and begins to caramelize and stick to the bottom of the pan. Deglaze with red wine, scraping up the flavorful browned bits on the bottom. Let the wine reduce until almost dry again, about 3 minutes.

  • Add dried thyme, dried rosemary, herbes de Provence, and bay leaves. Add 2 cups beef broth and Worcestershire, stir, and bring to a boil. Add the seared beef cubes back into the stew liquid. Remove from heat and cover the pot.

  • Braise in the preheated oven until meat is almost tender, about 1 1/2 hours. Remove from the oven. Add carrots, potatoes, and more beef broth if needed. Cover and return to the oven to braise until meat and vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes longer.

  • Discard bay leaves. Stir in peas, fresh rosemary, and fresh thyme. Serve hot.

Cook's Note:

You can use frozen peas instead of fresh.

Nutrition Facts

 
366 calories; protein 28.1g; carbohydrates 32.1g; fat 9.3g; cholesterol 60mg; sodium
377.6mg.
        

Be sure to have some buttery bread ready to sop up that delicious broth!!!!!

♥♥To relax this week, I will♥♥
read in my new Hevbrew, Greek key Bible. I am very excited about it..

  ♥♥Something I want to share♥♥ 


                   Happy Valentine's Day!!
♥♥On my prayer list♥♥

Dear  God,  nothing takes you by surprise. You know everything that has transpired in the last  few years in  our nation..  I won't take your time reminding you but please  know  that our hearts are wrenching from the  knowledge that our nation  has  fallen beyond the pale into the  hands of an evil entity  that has been brewing for  a long time,  but  who has  reared its ugly head  mightily  in the last   few months. Deception, deception, deception!!!   You know best what is to be done,  so  we wait patiently for your help! Thank you for your peace  that passes all understanding.
 Meanwhile,  we pray that the covid vaccine is   truly  safe and  leaves  NO  long lasting  problems. That  the roll out for it will be  swift and  securely  given..  That those who  have limited means of  acquiring the vaccine will be  found and  help administered.   I pray the the  virus will  run its course in due time and   I speak to the virus, "do not mutate any more, in Jesus name!... Give the scientists and  govenment officials  wisdom beyond their  usual understanding and  I pray that all politization of  health issues will be   stopped in the name of Jesus!!  God we  know that without you, we  are and can do nothing. Our trust in in you by the power of the name of Jesus Christ our Lord!  Amen!













Friday's Fave 5

Hosted by  Susanne!                                         Does time seem to be flying by? I am getting so I cannot keep up... sos I am doi...