Wednesday Hodge Podge

               Hosted by Joyce!

1. Just your weekly mid-week reminder that it's fall y'all and it's my favorite. I love nearly all the flavors of fall but let's weigh in with an either or today...pumpkin or cranberry? hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte? cinnamon or maple? apple or pear? ginger or sage? carrot or butternut squash? Yes you have to choose. What's a favorite dish made with one of the flavors listed here? 

Pumpkin of cranberry?   Definitely cranberry. I use them so much in savory and sweet!

Hot apple cider or pumpkin spice latte?  I love hot apple cider  and apple spice tea...  funny to say as ,much as I love coffee, Ive never really gotten to much into  designer coffees. I do not want to spend the money!

Cinnamon or maple?   Cinnamon most of the time but ,  I love maple nut chews..apple or pear?   ginger or sage?  carrot or butternut squash?  These are all  toss up! They each  share an important role in  fall cooking!!

                                                           My favorite fall candy!

2. Do you miss traveling? In this season of almost no travel do you think you've grown anxious or fearful about traveling again? Or has all this staying home not going anywhere made you restless to get out and see the world? What book have you read or what movie have you watched that has inspired you to travel? 

I didnt get  to go see our girls this year, and probably will not see them on the holidays...  which  bums me as we are getting older and we have only usually seen them a couple of times a year!  But when I found out our two best coupole friends  were  vacationing together at a   quiet SC beach,  we  chimed in on it and are actullay getting to go  very soon!    I need this trip very badly!!

3. A time you felt like you were 'flying by the seat of your pants'? Explain. 

A group of friends  had set up in advance for a gal who sang old standard s and who played her own guitar  to come and  perform for the folks at my mother's nursing home for a Valentine party.  We gals  got the  food together  and   everything was set,  until   a worker came to tell us the  entertainer couldnt come.  The   patients were  coming in  to the    dining hall now  for the party  and  I was flummoxed about what to do.. I felt so responsible,  that I rounded up a solitary hymnal  and  sang hymns  by my self  for an hour.  Thankfully, the  Spirit   came upon me   and  helped give me strength and breath, as I walked among the tables  hugging  and  addressing each  one  with love and   kindness My friends attended to their dining needs,  while this traveling troubadour  shared the love of God among the people. I was exhausted when it was over,  but I was  at the same time elevated in Spirit as I  felt that  in  that  relatively simple act, I was doing God's business and He supplied the need!

4. Do you struggle with road rage or are you more of a 'Sunday driver'? Do you like to be 'in the driver's seat (literally and/or figuratively speaking) ?

No I don't struggle with road rage.I  do not like drivers who  poke along in the passisng lane of the Interstate  creating more of a hazard  than anything.   We both, try to find   our place  in oour  travel lane and let the faster cars go on by.  We    hardly ever get into  a gaggle of cars that way! I used to commute  30 miles to work so driving was my forte,  but I've been retired now for  several years, and I'd just as soon  ride along!

5. Something you've recently 'put the brakes on'? I can not stand all the  angst regarding  politics.  I avoid  social media  post or news report  .. anything...  too much deception and inequity!

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

I cannot wait to  get settled in our vacation condo and  get my water color paints out and  get started.  I am hoping for some wonderful  seascapes!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra!

♥♥The Weather♥♥

Cold nights, cool mornings warming to temperate days..  it's definitely fall!

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

Now I know my sore tooth was  TMJ  flare up  which explains ,my head aches, too.   Anyway,  all is well,  and  nothing  alarming going on for me!  Hubs is doing well, too!    It is a wonderful day!!!

♥♥On my mind♥♥

Lots to do this week as we  prepare for  our trip...  Hubs complains that it is ike setting up  a household... but with co-vid I do plan to do  a lot of the cooking  there at the  condo..so I plan to take  the staples needed to create a meal!

What better place to dine anyway!

I can't wait to  sleep here with the  door ajar listening to the ocean!

♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥

Cup of coffee and fruited yogurt  earlier.. 

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥

In His Image, Jen Wilken.

Wonderful book, so well written..  almost poetic!  

Exemplifying Christ is what we are called to do, and since  He only did what he saw the Father doing,  we  can see God's communicable attributes played out on earth among people!  It is incumbent on us to know  Jesus Christ  through the scriptures. It  may take our lifetime to get it right,  but  that is our calling!

♥♥On my tv♥♥

Youtube videos, Laramie, Hallmark movies,HGTV  The Create channel,  (a PBS station)

I am completely charmed by   the set of videos I read about on Sandra's page 

( Our hostess) You really must  try  it out...I think I am hoping  a bit of  the Fairyland Cottage  will rub off on me.

Start with the tour of the cottage,  then  there are scads  of videos found on the blog and  then on to   Youtube  of how she   lives so simply  leaving no footprint..  

I love  her videos, I watch about  5 or more of them each evening  in bed before I go to sleep..  so  calming!!!

PS the one below is another vlog I found sort of on the same topic... But I had seen where some folks might be expecting an early winter!

♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday - sesame chicken dinner (frozen)  Hubs wants us to use them up !!!

Tuesday - chef salad

Wednesday - dinner out

Thursday - dinner out

Friday - sandwiches

♥♥From the camera♥♥

Yesterday morning when I stepped into the dining room I  saw immediately we had a surprise visitor!  Tinkerbell must have flown in down the chimney to surprise us.. I can't wait to  share this with the girls!

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

A tiny house tour for  clues of autumn!!

♥♥New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed♥

Do not have one today~

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥

5 more days~

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥

Our president and Melanie , for their recovery and recovery , regained strength wisdom, courage, clarity , and a definitive win come Election Day

For our government (William Barr) for justice to be applied to the corruption that has plagued our country for some time. Protect him as  the indictments become known.

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 have come to understand that the protesters, are really only wanting to disrupt and destroy our nation.. I speak to the evil one behind this and say, "Stop! in the name of Jesus! You have no dominion here. get out! "

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. All of this is for political reasons and yet people's lives have been ruined for that? 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 distruction!

Oh, Lord, evil runs rampant in our nation.. the worst kind..straight from the pit! Oh Father, may your Spirit speak to your Children to pray more, pray specifically! We have government saying child moleststion is ok, we have men and women in high placing practicing it!We have evil men and women roaming our streets looking for unsuspecting people to attack, maim. even kill. Then they have so little respect for life they taunt for their death.. We have abortion running rampant .The respect for life and for your young people , our children, has evaporated all to appease the vile desires of the flesh. Our schools teach obscenities and lies trying to turn the minds of our young people. Oh father, we need You! We see a small outpouring of revival sparking.... may it ignite all over this nation and bring everyone to their knees! In Jesus Name!!!!

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;

Saturday 9

Welcome to Saturday: 9.

Hosted by Samantha.

1) The lyrics refer to "sweet destiny." Do you believe in destiny?

As a christian I know my days are numbered,    and God's purposes  will be accpmplished through me one way or another.  He  controls all things in His sovereignty!

2) This week's artist, Mariah Carey, has something to fall back on. She studied cosmetology and worked as a hair sweeper in a salon. When you get your hair cut, do you socialize with the stylist?

Over the 5 yers I ahve  seen my stylist,  we have become good friends and we love to catch up with  each other's lives.

3) She isn't likely to turn to cosmetology any time soon. Mariah is currently on the best seller list with her autobiography, The Meaning of Mariah Carey. Was the last book you finished fiction or non-fiction?

Fiction, an Irish mystery.

4) So far, more than 800 people have reviewed Mariah's book on Amazon. Do you review products/services online?

My reviews are limited to  places I have stayed or dined on Trip Advisor

5) When she was a high school student, she was nicknamed "Mirage" because she skipped class so often. Did you ever play hooky?

Only in college, I missed a class or two.

6) Mariah doesn't apologize for spoiling her dogs, who have been known to travel by limo. Do you know anyone who treats their pets like people? 

Oh, yes, both of our best  couple friends have   two  miniature dogs,    one Yorkies, and one dachunds: Each  treat their dogs like beloved children!

7) In 1990, the year this song was popular, Martina Navratilova won the Wimbledon Women's Singles Tournament. How's your tennis game?

I played a little  as a youth..   But  I dont really play!

8) Also in 1990, Pope John Paul II toured Mexico. Have you ever visited our neighbor south of the border?

No, but my senior year,  my Spanish teacher was  planning to take us  (her 3rd year students)on a senior trip and we even paid our money,  but at the last minute, the trip fell through!   I was terribly disappointed.

9) Random question(s): There are Gofundme campaigns for many purposes. Have you ever solicited funds online? Would you?

No, I havent, and I can not imagine I would! 

FFF

Hosted by Susanne!

Today I am sharing some great photos from the past...A throw back post you might say!

This first photo was taken about 10 years ago.   I was about 60 and  was  a  new member of our senior group at church where I met some wonderful friends. Below  we  toured Sevierville, Tennessee, where then recent past President Bush was  a keynote speaker ..  The main speaker for the weekend was David Jeremiah..  What an amazing speaker  he is, too. I remember Chonda Pierce was there, was well. Below  I am seated with my  very  best friends, Dottie and Gerri.  We are actually  going to the beach soon   together,  we three couples.  I cannot wait!  

That year   we drove  to Maybry Mill to enjoy the  autumn  beauty!

This was a venue just along the side of the Blue Ridge Parkway!    

Also, that year I had my parents over to dine with us on Thanksgiving. Our times together with in our house for a celebration were numbered at this time.   I love this photo..  

The next year we had our whole family together  for Thanksgiving. Our daughter and her hsuband, Joshua, were finishing up their post  grad degrees at Virginia Tech and would be soon moving to Massachusetts.My poor mother had  very debilitating  arthritis  and  she actually fell soon after this and broke her back.   Following that they  both moved into Assisted Living.  This began the most difficult  period of my life as an only child.  We lost dad in 2013,  and momma the next year,  both at Christmas time.!

This was taken that same year...our leaves are just beginning to turn.  I hope to see some vibrant  colors like this one!!

October Sunset

Visit  our host at Skyley.

Happy Homemaker Monday

Hosted by Sandra!




♥♥The Weather♥♥

We have had a soggy weekend and  it is cool and foggy this morning.

Should  clear up some tomorrow!

♥♥How I am feeling this morning♥♥

I've been nursing a sore tooth all weekend..  Have an appointment tomorrow! 

♥♥On my mind♥♥

Halleluja! My mammo  came back NORMAL!!!  I love that word!!  

♥♥On the breakfast plate♥♥
Cup of coffee and fruited yogurt  earlier.. just had 2 boiled eggs.

♥♥On my reading pile♥♥

In His Image, Jen Wilken.We actually begin our study on it  next Sunday! 

Highly recommended!!

♥♥On my tv♥♥

Youtube videos, Laramie, Hallmark movies,HGTV  The Create channel,  (a PBS station)


♥♥On the menu this week♥♥

Monday - fish, slaw,  tators
Tuesday - chicken salad  salad plate
Wednesday - soup and sandwich
Thursday - dinner out
Friday - Not sure

♥♥From the camera♥♥
Church during  Co-vid 19.  We try to attend the face to face  meetings each Sunday. Otherwise, they are held on  Youtube. There

are about 10 couples  who faithfully  come out each week, mask in hand. Interestingly, we have 3  medical professionals with us in person each week.. We feel perfectly safe!


Below is our Apologetics class where you can come out

person to person or zoom.Our wonderful pastor is an outstanding teacher. He teaches at Liberty University, as well.  We are so fortunate!

♥♥Looking around the house♥♥

I finally redecorated the dining room table for  October.. 

I had found  some cute kittens  that my mother had  made during her  crafting  career in her retirement. I thought they would like to frolic around the table!

The only really scary thing about my table setting are those rather ghoulish looking napkins popping out of the glasses!

♥♥New recipe I tried last week, or one that we really enjoyed♥

I watched on Create  a show  with  Jacques Pepin.  Oh, my was everything delicious looking.  The show was called  Heart and Soul, the episode was Autumn Leaves. The recipe is Apple Galette. The trick it the crust is a simple  thawed frozen pizza crust....   it  looked amazing!  

https://www.kcet.org/shows/jacques-pepin-heart-soul/episodes/autumn-leaves

♥♥Something I want to share♥♥

Less than two weeks until I’m wading in the surf!

♥♥On my prayer list♥♥
Our president and Melanie , for their recovery and recovery , regained strength wisdom, courage, clarity , and a definitive win come Election Day

For our government (William Barr) for justice to be applied to the corruption that has plagued our country for some time. Protect him as the indictments become known.
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 have come to understand that the protesters, are really only wanting to disrupt and destroy our nation.. I speak to the evil one behind this and say, "Stop! in the name of Jesus! You have no dominion here. get out! "
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. All of this is for political reasons and yet people's lives have been ruined for that? 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 distruction!
Oh, Lord, evil runs rampant in our nation.. the worst kind..straight from the pit! Oh Father, may your Spirit speak to your Children to pray more, pray specifically! We have government saying child moleststion is ok, we have men and women in high placing practicing it!We have evil men and women roaming our streets looking for unsuspecting people to attack, maim. even kill. Then they have so little respect for life they taunt for their death.. We have abortion running rampant .The respect for life and for your young people , our children, has evaporated all to appease the vile desires of the flesh. Our schools teach obscenities and lies trying to turn the minds of our young people. Oh father, we need You! We see a small outpouring of revival sparking.... may it ignite all over this nation and bring everyone to their knees! In Jesus Name!!!!
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 ::

God told the Israelites to  build a  memorial of stones  to remember   what he had done to deliver them from their Egyptian captors and slavemasters. (Parted the Red Sea)  Fear does not mean be frightened of  but it means to revere and  know how awesome He is..  Nothing deserves the  descriptor of "Awesome" except God Himself!

Saturday 9

One Night Standards

Welcome to Saturday: 9. 

Hosted by Samantha!

Saturday 9: One Night Standards (2019)

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

1) The video for this song takes place in a motel and the story is told from the point of view of the desk clerk. Have you ever worked in a hotel, motel, or bed-and-breakfast?

No, but I love to stay in bed and breakfasts.

2) Ashley McBryde sings that she's not Cinderella, a reference to the fairy-tale heroine warned to return from the ball before midnight. When did you recently stay up until the wee small hours of the morning?

I usually stay up  very late  talking with our daughter and son-in -law  when we visit them or  they come to visit..  So much to catch up on.  They  are   night owls, anyway.  My problem is I usually get up just as early as I regularly do to  work on breakfast here,  or    can't sleep after  6  when we go up there.. The  grands  are very early risers!!!!

3) Ashley had been working hard as a singer/songwriter for eleven years before she was discovered and proclaimed one of County's best new artists. What was your life like 11 years ago?

I had been fully retired  for a year on my own,  Hubs was not retired, so I had the house to myself.  I played music and really  enjoyed    oil painting  and  doing my own thing.  At the same time my parents were in their mid 80's, and lived nearby  so I, also, was spending a lot of time with them.  taking them places,    keeping them going!

4) Ashley is from Mammoth Springs, AR. One of the most popular stops on Main Street -- for locals and tourists alike -- is Spring Dipper Ice Cream. More than 20 flavors are made right there on the premises, from Jamoca Almond Fudge to French Vanilla. When confronted with such a wide selection, do you tend to order your familiar favorite or try something new?

I usually stick with the familiar!

5) In 2007, she moved to Nashville to pursue a music career. Have you ever relocated for a job?

No

6) Whenever Ashley hears a Carpenters song, she thinks of her mother, who loved Karen Carpenter's voice. Tell us a song that reminds you a loved one.

I loved the Carpenters,  and I had  two songs played and sung at my wedding,  Close to You, and We've Only Just Begun.  My senior year of college,  HUbs,  my fiancee  was  in Germany over Christmas  and I remember  up until Christmas break I would lie in my bed in the dorm   and the most  popular song was  Merry Christmas Darling. I would in bed singing along and weeping at the same time.  I love to  hear it now,  but it is  on rarely.

7) In 2019, the year this song was recorded, Notre Dame Cathedral was damaged in a fire. Have you ever visited Paris?  No, Paris isn't even on my bucket list.  I am a Britain type of gal!

8) Also in 2019, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex (aka Harry and Meghan) had a baby boy. Is anyone in your life expecting a baby? Not that I know of.

9) Random question: Do you always want to hear the truth about yourself?

Yes, I do.    and if it is  unbecoming I want to  work on  it!