Friday Fave Five

Hosted by Susanne!

Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  This has been a very full and lovely week for us!  On Sunday following church  a new couple (friends) approached Lynn and I  and a long with  another couple with whom we  almost always  dine out  together after church ,  to  ask if they might join us.  We had  been asking them on occasion,  but it never  was  a good time.. It was lovely to  have Vicky and Dudley   along    and we went to Texas Roadhouse which  appealed to  all.   The conversation  was riveting ..  So many things that  matched our own lives.  I really  am rather  excited to  have  such a dear  new couple  interested in dining out together!!!

ON Monday our  best friends  and actually  the couple we always dine with invited her neighbor couple and us  to their mountain home  for   Memorial Day cookout..  She has  had us all in  now  for the last several years,  and it is perfection..  the views from her  inclosed  back porch are stunning and we always have so  much fun!  It is  a much  looked forward to treat  for us all!!!

Tuesday I went to our Bible Study group on Philippians…always terrific discussion, then from there I joined my “six sisters” from church at Mac and Bob’s for lunch. This is a group assigned by a committee to get women together for friendship and getting together in these small groups.  We are all older and really have a lovely time!

Wednesday, Lynn and I drove about an hour east of here ,  to visit my dearest elementary school friend, Vickie and her husband, Bill. We plan get togethers seasonally, She had us for a beautiful cook out on her gazebo.  It was a perfect day, and the food was amazing. 

It was a wonderful all day into the night visit!

 Thursday, today, was a rest day, and I did some cooking here. I had some fresh vegetables that needed cooking, so I fixed a lovely zero point dinner which I needed , for my weight watcher diet has been stretched to the limit this week!

Tomorrow, I will attend weight watchers but I may not weigh in.  It all depends on how things go. But the sessions are always very good! Following that, Lynn will pick me up and we go yet again to another luncheon where we meet at our favorite restaurant meeting room for America Pray Now with several men and women from various churches to pray for the nation; then we dine and socialize . It is a wonderful group that meets all around the State to pray.

 I have also been asked by a dear friend from church to come by her yard sale tomorrow. All proceeds will go toward her mission trip this summer. So..thus will conclude a wonderful week.  Things will settle down next week.  But we made some lovely memories this week.  Oh, btw, Saturday we drive about 2  hours up into the mountains to the home place of my mother’s family, to celebrate my maternal grandmother’s family reunion.. it has been years since we attended but I really look forward to going! So that’s it.  I look forward to hearing about other’s adventures!

Thankful Thursday

Tuesday 4 .. I'll Have a Taco Please!

 

Taco Tuesday

Hosted by Annie!

 Hey there... Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

I hope your week went well.  

Taco Tuesday was coined by a Taco John's owner back in 1980 when he needed to jack up sales for Tuesday the slowest day of the week.   His franchise began offering 2 tacos for 99¢.  It was a huge hit and Taco Tuesday became a big hit in America.  But it's original name was Taco Twos Day.

Could we look at Tuesday a bit?

1. Do you take part in this nationwide ritual and have tacos on Tuesday or do you like them any old time?  I  like them  anytime,  but  funny to say,  Im meeting friends at a restaurant tomorrow, Tuesday,  and  as I  perused the online menu yesterday I decided on tacos  for tomorrow.  Almostt spooky,  but I will really enjoy them even more now!

2. This particular Taco John's was in Wyoming.  Does your state have a favorite fast food place and do you like eating there?  I would have to say  I do not think  we do  have a particular fast food joint  particular to  our state  just the same ole ones  we see everywhere.   But I do have my favorites like  Firehouse Subs..   fresh yummy subs with out  the greasy   additives!

3. Taco Tuesday was trademarked in 1989 in 49 states except New Jersey where the Gregory Hotel owns that trademark.  Taco Bell wants to sue over the use of the term.  What do you think about that?  Ridiculous,  what if   all  fast food  places with  a food item in the name did that.  So   dumb!  

4. How do you like your tacos? Soft or hard shell? Hot, medium or mild salsa? Cheese? Sour cream? I prefer soft  with a medium to mild salsa,  bring on the cheese   and a dollop of sour cream.  A  bit  of fresh  salad   and tomato on top, please!  YUM!!!!

Happy Homemaker Monday

 Let’s join  Sandra at Diary of a SAHM for Happy Homemaker Monday!

How I am feeling today!:

I  am  feeling  sort of excited about this week....  it is FULL of fun events.. I just hope  I can  be present in a  happy way and not  begin to feel overwhelmed..

On my mind::

I was just checking the  calendar  and  this is what I  have coming this week!  

Monday, today  I  prepare two food items to take to a Memorial Day Cookout  up on the mountain with my dearest friends! I am making   a red  cabbage slaw and  artichoke dip  with fresh veg strips.

Tuesday I have  Bible study    in the morning in a  fabulous  Community Bible  group  studying Philippians..   Great    group!!

Then one of our group  and I hie over to  Mac and Bob's,  a  fun  restaurant in the next town, to meet with the 6 sisters group from  our church   for lunch!

Wednesday, Lynn and I   drive   an hour to   the next large city in Virginia  to  visit  best friends, Vickie and Bill  for a cookout.  We  arrive at 1  to visit and    and have  a wonderful visit  before we start the BBQ..  This will be an all afternoon  event.  Vickie was my best friend in first grade!

Thursday,  praise the Lord   I  can  watch up with myself..   and  do somethings around the house!

Friday,  I go to Weight Watchers,  hoping for the best..  hahah after all the great food!  Yikes!!!  

Then I go to  Montanoes,  my favorite restaurant,   where  the  America Pray Now  group  meets for lunch then prays for the nation!  Following this I  go to the next town to an important yard sale.. the money is helping the owner  pay her way on a Mission trip this summer..

Saturday,  Lynn and I drive to  my ancestral hometown  up in the mountains  for  a family reunion.

Whew!!!!

On the breakfast plate::

As always I enjoy my coffee and fruited yogurt  which Lynn just set before me as I type!  

On my reading pile::

I am working in the book,  Engaging God"s Word  on Philippians..  A great study,    very thought provoking questions!!!

On My TV::

When Calls the Heart  is a favorite  for    last night. Otherwise I am watching Youtube   programs . I love  home shows best.

On the menu today::

Besides breakfast I plan to scramble a couple of eggs  and toast an English muffin for  lunch  then get  busy  on preparing my Cole slaw and dip!

From the camera::

Yesterday I really enjoyed sitting out on  our  front porch and   I took these photos  .  I thought it looked  rather festive and   lovely! I never had a hydrangea in a pot on the porch and so far so good!  

Looking around the house::

I have  gotten so  I try to purchase  fresh flowers each time I go marketing..  They make me so happy  and since I am not  buying foods  that  corrupt my body  as I did in the  past  I  spend  that money on  beauty  for my soul!  How do you like my new urn I bought from Amazon!   I love it!

Lynn picked these  roses for me  .. the first  of the season   from my David Austen  rose bush in the garden!

What I am listening to::

Apple Music,   Beegie Adore playing Somewhere over the Rainbow..  She is an amazing  jazz pianist.  I love her music!!!

What am I looking forward to::

Well, today I am looking forward to  being with our  dearest friends  to  celebrate  Memorial Day  with a  wonderful cookout and   terrific  foods!>.  And  most of it will be  Weight watcher friendly   as  they are  diabetic   or on weight watchers with me!  Their home is gorgeous up on top of  a mountain   ridge  , part of the Blue Ridge,   Their back deck was  partially  claimed  to create a fabulous screened porch..  taht can also  be glassed  in and heated in the winter. It looks out over a beautiful forested gorge and onto    fields  of  grazing cattle and    much wildlife!

To relax this week, I  will::

 

Prayer Requests:

All the many beloved ones who are suffering various  illnesses  and  broken bodies,  especially little Jackie,  Aubrey,  and Cliff who will undergo serious surgery this week.

  The  terrible riots and  hate   groups  that seek to destroy our nation.   Known and unknown  world events that are  shaking  the nations  with    possible  calamity  and  unrest.

  A rapid end of the war in Israel that will  bring peace!

Devotional/Bible Verse~

Friday's Fave 5

Friday's Fave Five 

Hosted by Susanne!

Hello everyone Welcome to Friday's Fave Five.  Here we get to share the many blessings we experience during our week!  

Last Sunday we  had   fabulous   church.  We are studying  the book Of Luke , chapter 11 ,    and  we studied  the  Jesus'  instruction on how to pray.    The Lord's  prayer is our guide and  we always begin with  our reverence  to God..  We  give Him our love and adoration for He is God and His mercies are new every morning.  We  see this  through  his wonderful attributes...  for He truly is your Alpha and Omega.. the beginning and the end of all things!!!

We   then  got to dine out with our dearest friends,  Gerri and David.  This week we  went for Chinese,  hub's  favorite..  Well, mine, too,  as a matter of fact.  I love    true fellowship with good friends  .  with whom we can truly be ourselves..   After  dinner  we got to do FaceTime with ur daughter and  grands!

Here is our oldest grand  at her piano lesson!

I love to  hear her play!  reminds me so much of  the years  her momma took  and we so enjoyed  her practicing.  I miss it very much!

On Monday we had a very quiet day  which  is  so great to  catching up  around the house and  just getting a bit of  rest in, as well!  

Tuesday  was  a rather  busy day for me.  It started out  with  a new Bible Study group.  We are doing a short  book study on Philippians through Community Bible Study.  I love our small group.  So much lively  appropriate  discussion.. The hour flew by!

I barely had time to  get my lunch  eaten before I was off to the  beauty salon  to get  a body perm. This was a salon I went to about 10 years ago.  but I felt the  prices were  going a bit high.  Is I left  to another  new  and upcoming  salon and enjoyed it there  until the prices went even higher.. So  I got really    chintzy  and started going to  a  much  less older salon  mainly  it seemed for older women.  Well, I fit right in.  but I  tried to get a body perm back in January and got a granny perm instead.,  It took about 2 weeks  of working it out    before I could be seen in public.  but  I  really didn't like it a bit.  So I never went back there. So now  4 months alter  I was ready to try  for a body perm again.  My hair is so flat. Well, I am back to the original  salon because it is so close to home. the  prices were  not too bad, at all,  the staff there is smaller. But I got a lovely perm  and I  have gotten    nice compliments on my hair  so  it makes this 74 year old granny  feel  pretty  good!!!  

Wednesday was another    quiet day..  I love  weeks  that  give you a catch up rest day every other  day of the week!!!  And today, Thursday    was  quite  busy again.  Today was  prayer  day..  Our prayer team twice  a month on Thursdays , taking turn  at each other's homes.  This mouthing we met at Gerri's on her  wonderful enclosed  porch  overlooking the woodlands.  She lives   in a  development  that  gradually climbs a mountain. and her home is right on top. So glorious this  morning!  Cool with  sunlight filtering through e dappling  trees! Glorious!  We then  left  and drove to a neighboring town to treat  Gerri  for her  birthday  at  her  favorite  restaurant.   A lovely day    and  I am now  home  very soon thinking about  getting ready  to retire  to  my bed and  work on my crossword puzzle book.  

So tomorrow is Friday.. My dear friend Gerri and I  are   going to Weight watchers  together.  We started   a year ago  and both of us ahve lost  50 pounds..  and oddly enough we both are enduring a    dry period..  can't seem to get   to losing these days..  We both were on  beach vacations  last month and  we did  over do it a bit..  So it takes a bit of time to get back into the groove.  But   I have really been trying hard  to    lose    couple of pounds so  I   have high hopes for tomorrow.  

Here is hoping all a very blessed weekend  and  everyone stay well and  happy.  God bless!

Tuesday 4

 Hosted by Annie!

Books

Welcome back to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.

Books are such a big part of many people's lives. Maybe we should talk about that.

1. Do you have some books in your home? If so what subjects are they? Which is your favorite? I have bookcases of books. Mostly, I have many theological books back from the early 70’s when we were attending a church with a fabulous book store. I continued buying Christian books to this day. We have one book case for all types of home and garden books from electrical / plumbing fix it to raised flower bed gardens. Any I have a couple of bookcases with my favorite paperback  romance and time travel books. A favorite time travel author is Lynn Kurland. I LOVE  her books

2. Do you enjoy browsing around in bookstores ? Do you have a favorite you like to go to? I used to. Not so much anymore. I think .I’m allergic to dusty moldy bookstores. But years ago I bought a wonderful  old copy of the great poet, James Whitcomb Riley.  I used to love to sit and listen to my grandmother recite his  charming poems..Here is Granny

05. Granny

Granny's come to our house,
And ho! my lawzy-daisy!
All the childern round the place
Is ist a-runnin' crazy!
Fetched a cake fer little Jake,
And fetched a pie fer Nanny,
And fetched a pear fer all the pack
That runs to kiss their Granny!

Lucy Ellen's in her lap,
And Wade and Silas Walker
Both's a-ridin' on her foot,
And 'Pollos on the rocker;
And Marthy's twins, from Aunt Marinn's,
And little Orphant Annie,
All's a-eatin' gingerbread
And giggle-un at Granny!

Tells us all the fairy tales
Ever thought er wundered--
And 'bundance o' other stories--
Bet she knows a hunderd!--
Bob's the one fer "Whittington,"
And "Golden Locks" fer Fanny!
Hear 'em laugh and clap their hands,
Listenin' at Granny!

"Jack the Giant-Killer" 's good;
And "Bean-Stalk" 's another!--
So's the one of "Cinderell'"
And her old godmother;--
That-un's best of all the rest--
Bestest one of any,--
Where the mices scampers home
Like we runs to Granny!

Granny's come to our house,
Ho! my lawzy-daisy!
All the childern round the place
Is ist a-runnin' crazy!
Fetched a cake fer little Jake,
And fetched a pie fer Nanny,
And fetched a pear fer all the pack
That runs to kiss their Granny

3. Do you think real books are clutter or do you just love having them around you?

I love having them around me. I think they are beautiful. The last book I bought is a charmer.. a gorgeous book published by Victoria Magazine about the Art of Correspondence. I laid it by my chair in the living room mainly because of it’s beauty!

4. What is the oldest book you've read and what is the newest book you've read or are reading.The oldest book was one my mother had, Fox’s Martyrs which was published in the 1700’s and was passed down through the family.  We gave it to another family member because I did not want it.  So grisly! The newest book is the Art of Correspondence .I spoke of above!
 

Happy Homemaker Monday

        Hosted by Sandra!

 

How I am feeling today!:

I seem to have more energy.. At least I have gotten quite a bit done today

On my mind::

I am excited more and more about the transformation occurring in me.  Being on Weight Watchers for a year now, has really transformed my body and my life. I never before was able  to make such a life changing change, praise God He saw me through this and I am a new person! I am not perfect , I could still lose 40 more pounds, but I am from a 3x to 1x, or a 26 to an 18. I highly recommend Weight Watchers.  It is extremely cheap now compared to the 45 dollars a month last May. And with all the changes it us much easier to lose if you are committed to wanting to get healthy! 

On the breakfast plate::

As always I enjoy my coffee and fruited yogurt  the Hubs  makes for me each day!    

On my reading pile::

Reading/ studying the Books of Luke for church and the book of Philippians for my new study this summer!  I am also going through my new journaling  study  that a dear friend gave me recently!

On My TV::

My first choice is always check what is on YouTube. The problem us so many if my favorite bloggers are on hiatus or quit altogether. I watch various Hallmark movies.  Some I will  watch over and over. Then I enjoy Home Town best if all on the HGTV network.

On the menu today::

Hubs actually made a delicious egg casserole for breakfast, that with a cinnamon raisin English muffin.

From the camera::

Looking around the house::

Yesterday I purchased fresh flowers to springify  the downstairs. I had enough for two arrangements. 

What I am listening to::

Nothing special, mainly cars gearing up with neighbors going to work.  So glad it isn’t me!

What am I looking forward to::

 I will leave in a little over an hour for my summer Bible Study on Philippians.

To relax this week, I will::

 

I am doing small crossword puzzle books lately which.I find very relaxing plus it is brain healthy!

Prayer Requests:

All the many beloved ones who are suffering various  illnesses  and  broken bodies,  especially little Jackie,  Aubrey,  and Cliff who will undergo serious surgery this week.

  The  terrible riots and  hate   groups  that seek to destroy our nation.   Known and unknown  world events that are  shaking  the nations  with    possible  calamity  and  unrest.

  A rapid end of the war in Israel that will  bring peace!

Devotional/Bible Verse~

Saturday 9

Saturday 9  Hosted by Sam!

Tunnel of Love

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so-to-speak. We encourage you to visit other participants posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: Tunnel of Love (1958)

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

1) In this week's song, Doris Day tries to convince her lover to share a kiss in the Tunnel of Love. What's your favorite amusement park ride?  Wow, has been some time,  but I always loved the Merry Mixer,  but never  the Tilt-a Whirl!  Yikes!

2) In the 1950s, when Doris recorded this song, Tunnel of Love rides were popular in the US. Couples would climb into small boats that only seat two and float through a dark tunnel, accompanied by romantic music. Today less than 100 of these rides still exist. Have you ever taken a ride through the Tunnel of Love?  No,  but  have ridden similar rides..  The store at Hershey Park has a similar ride that takes you through Candyland and  there is a ride at Disney  the is a boat    for   It's a Small World.

3) This week's featured artist, Doris Day, made approximately 40 films and a TV series. She said one of her favorite things about being an actress was the clothes. She loved collaborating with the experts who created her wardrobe. Her contemporary, Betty Grable, found all the fittings boring and just let the wardrobe department do their job without offering much input. Imagine you are a performer: Would you be more like Doris or Betty?  I would  be more like Doris..  How marvelous to be so  specially treated!!!

4) There was a persistent rumor that, after Doris appeared on Bob Hope's radio show, the two had an affair. She always denied it. Have you ever been the subject of workplace gossip?  No,  not at all!!

5) Doris never liked to fly and her fear increased as she got older. After she retired, she refused to fly at all. This caused her to decline lifetime achievement awards and other events in her honor. Have you more recently extended, accepted or declined an invitation?  Last spring I sent out invitations to my  6 Sister's    from church...   to attend my Spring Tea.

6) After show biz, Doris devoted herself  to animal welfare. She used to say that we should be more sensitive to the loneliness and sadness people feel when they lose a pet. Think of a time when you were grieving. What words or gestures helped you get through the difficult time?  I lost my parents  one after the other..  Christmas of 2013, my dad,  Christmas  of 2014 , my mother..  the  kind and comment gestures of  friends and family  helped very much,  especially since I  am an only child!

7) In 1958, when this song was on the Billboard chart, "The Purple People Eater" was also popular. It's a silly song about a creature from another planet. Have you ever seen a UFO (unidentified flying object)?  I  saw  something that  certainly  appeared to be a UFO  back  in the 60's , and it was written up  in the paper  as a hoax type thing, as many had seen it.. Much later  even  as  lateas  the last  year or so,  the topic  came up again and knowing  what  it is believed today about  Extra terrestrials,  it  was  said that it wasn't a hoax after all!   I  can believe it..  It sure  seemed real at the time!!!

8) Also in 1958, Americans were watching 77 Sunset Strip. The show revolved around the LA-based private investigators whose office was at that address. Who is your favorite TV PI?I loved  Magnum, of course,  but  later  Lynn and I loved to watch Foyle's War..  a British Detective  during WWll.

9) Random question -- In the 1950s, stewardesses used to famously ask passengers, "Coffee, tea, or milk?" If asked that right now, which of these three beverages would you prefer?  Coffee and tea   equally!

Tuesday 4

 Hosted by Annie!

Good Morning!

 Note: Mister Linky has been fixed. Try again please.

It's time for Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.. just four questions each week for you to ponder and share your thoughts, likes and dislikes.  You can visit others and see their opinions and hopefully make some new blogging friends.

Can we talk about mornings? We all have them, right?

1. Do you jump out of bed or hit the deck running as I call it or are you slow to get up to speed in the morning?  No, I languish  in bed most every morning dreading to get up, mainly because my back always aches so much. Truly, I walk partly bent over for the first hour of the day until I work the kink out!

2. Do you start the day with coffee or tea?  Or do other things help you wake up like washing your face, etc.?I go downstairs , get a glass of ice water, and pour my cup of coffee: add the creamer.  Get my fruited yogurt out of the fridge and carry it all to the den where I watch Fox and Friends while I take my morning meds, and then enjoy my breakfast. 

3. Is the best part of waking up some Folgers in your cup? What brand of coffee or tea lights your fire? Hubs always picks out our coffee. We enjoy a rather dark roast arabica coffee, which we do not find in the tv advertised brews. We buy a relatively unknown coffee, Seattle’s Best,  from Krogers that  suits our taste and doesn’t cost as much as the well advertised coffees.

4. In the Netherlands toast with hefty style chocolate sprinkles are a usual breakfast.  Italy also begins the day with rolls or cookies.  Britain and America are eggs, bacon, toast, or cereal.  What about you? What is a typical breakfast for you?I begin with coffee and fruited yogurt. Many days that is ample, but like today, I, also,  had a couple of hard boiled eggs with a lightly butter toasted English muffin mid morning.  Then I ate a  bowl of homemade chili around 3:30 which was my supper. Now I did have a popcorn snack (Skinnypop)around 2 . I am on weight watchers and I  do tend to eat  smaller meals about 3 hours apart, but never eat dinner after 4:30. It just works for me.