Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning, and Happy Monday!!!

It's a great morning for Happy Homemaker Monday!

Click here to return to our hostess! 

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::

In an attempt to  unload the fridge, I  mixed up a sausage and cheese  scramble  with  crumpets and apple butter...  yum!!!

Right now I am:::: 

I am amazed at how much I have gotten done..  got my shower,,  went to salon and got my hair done and  made breakfast  and    have already eaten  and it is just 10;30. that has to be a record for me!!

The weather outside::::

Sunny and warming up...

Looking around the house::::

Everything looks  great....  I never got the  Thanksgiving table done.. will have to wait til later in week now!

On today's to do list::::

Traveling to UVA for my  skin graft...  praying it takes and heals  nice and quickly!!

Currently reading::::

Read Lynn Kurland's new book, Ever My Love..

Bible,  1 Peter

Ann Voskamp,  The Broken Way


On the TV ::::

So sad  Poldark only has one more episode this season, 
Watching videos of  the BBC series, George Gently...  good detective series...  

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

I will continue reading  Ann Voskamp's book  and practice  the Christmas music for the choir  production early December

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::

Baked turkey cutlets with pan gravy..  I just do not  do  turkeys when it is just the two of us!!!

Looking forward to this week::::

the final healing process for this long journey Ive been on since early September..

Favorite photo from the camera::::

this throwback photo  from 1956

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses::::

Amen!

Hodge Podge Wednesday

To return to Joyce's page click here

1. In a rut, in a jam, in the groove, out of sync, off balance, out of touch...which saying best fits some area of your life currently (or recently)? Explain.

Gee..  I feel like all of them... Im  in a rut  to the extent that  I'm behind in every important  area of life due to  the  process I am going through  to restore my  face  from  skin cancer  removal...  I have only been out in the last couple of weeks  to get my hair.   washed...  I've lost  touch with  what is going on in  the world it seems..I'm in a jam,and out of sync,   in that I  am playing catch up to get  our names on the  Senior Thanksgiving  banquet  that  was supposed to be  sign up for  last week and  paid in advance...  A few  phone calls and a bit of  good natured begging and  we are  almost legal again!I  do want to go because  I will have had my graft  by then..  praying  God's best for that!!!I'm  off balance   just because  I haven't really been enough exercise lately..  I'm feeling the weakness that goes along with that because I'm really in the groove with my reading.. I've read  several books and have loved every bit of it.. but  I really need to get out and  walk  once this  is all over!!!

2. What is it about somebody else's style of work (coworker/employee/shared volunteer project/household chore) that makes you crazy? Why?

I  hate to  have to say this and I really doubt it will get back to anyone  since  I've been retired for  14 years.. I retired at age  53..after 30 years of teaching.  but  I couldn't stand the daily  rants of negativity...  just made me even more tired!!!.

3. What's a tradition that always makes you feel at home?

I love planning   the  events  around the various holidays  that  involved food and  decorating..My mom was such a great planner and  she  was  so gracious a hostess  all I ever wanted to do was to be just like her!!

And she got it all form her mother. a great lady..  farm wife and  very hard working mother of 6 daughters  and a whole boat load of grands...  but  she appeared to  put on  all the  festivities  without  even uttering a sigh...  Of course, I know  how she would start weeks in advances...   I never quite have decided  just how she   did it..  for example, her  walnut brandy cake.. I know she started it  at least several days in advance.. Then in the country  almost 70 years ago  there were  many  rather  cold  areas   in her house where she could  seal up  food and allow it to just rest and    and soak in flavors. That is the only thing I suppose that would allow  her to be able to  do that... but oh, man,  was  it ever delicious.. never had anything quite like it since!!!

4. A favorite song with a girl's name in the title or lyrics? Any reason why this is a particular favorite?

Well,  the first song that came to mind  was Amanda..  the name of our daughter  and  oddly enough  she  now lies in the same town   as the name of the group that sang it.... Boston!

5. Share a favorite quote, verse, or saying relating to gratitude or thanksgiving.

For the Beauty of the Earth

For the beauty of the earth

For the beauty of the skies

For the love which from our birth

Over and around us lies

Over and around us lies

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our joyful hymn of praise

For the beauty of the hour

Of the day and of the night

Hill and vale and tree and flower

Sun and moon and stars of light

Sun and moon and stars of light

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our joyful hymn of praise

For the joy of human love

Brother, sister, parent, child

Friends on earth and friends above

For all gentle thoughts and mild

For all gentle thoughts and mild

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our joyful hymn of praise

For each perfect gift of thine

To our race so freely given

Graces human and divine

Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n

Flow'rs of earth and buds of heav'n

Lord of all, to thee we raise

This our joyful hymn, our joyful hymn of praise

This our joyful hymn of praise

6. Insert your own random thought here.

During the weeks of my  confinement   here at home,  I have so many  plans ...so many changes I  desire to  implement in  furniture  rearrangement and  decorating for the upcoming holidays,  but alas,  I am still quite unable to lift  heavy items and  hubs cant do it by himself..So  I am learning patience...hopefully.. soon!

Happy Homemaker Monday

Good morning, and Happy Monday!!!

It's a great morning for Happy Homemaker Monday!

Click here to return to our hostess! 

Breakfast time....what is on the plate this morning::::

I owe it all to Hubs!!! He fixed our  marvelous coffee, my fruited yogurt and then later  a slice of perfectly fried sausage and Crumpet with apple butter!   Yum!!!

Right now I am:::: 

I am listening to Pandora, a smooth piano jazz piece!  AH!!!!!

The weather outside::::

There is the threat of rain  today, now it is chilly, dark and drear...  a  lovely November day.. it puts me in a mood to think  the upcoming holidays!

Looking around the house::::

My early autumn decor is growing a bit stale on me....  time to be thinking Thanksgiving!!!  UMMM!

On today's to do list::::

Cleaning.....Dust, and Swiffer the hardwoods  down and up. 

Cooking....Get my homemade spaghetti sauce  going

Currently reading::::

Got back into my  fun time travel  books by Lynn Kurland... I bought  her latest novels in prep for my  recuperation  of my nasal reconstruct...  I just started Ever My Love...  very promising..  much in  the vein of   Outlander, but not as graphic.. I've read all of her time travel books and  they never  disappoint!!!

On the TV today::::

So sad to say we finished  Doc Martin over the weekend thanks to Acorn tv...We love that show so much!!!  Nothing like it!!!!
Enjoyed Poldark, and what makes it interesting is that  we  previously  borrowed and viewed  the  original series of Poldark  from the 70's... and now it  is fun to compare notes... sometimes it is hard to differentiate...  and  even though we know what is going to happen  this cast is much better!!!!

Some of the Hallmark movies  have been enjoyable. but alas, not all of them.. some are only .  eh! But Saturday I really liked this one..My Christmas Love!

On the menu for tonight::::

Home made Spaghetti.. 
 using  my special sauce  made from Cento  sauce..  woudn't use any other!!! Add 1 lb, lean ground beef,a bit of garlic, onion flakes,  thyme, Italian seasoning, salt, and a pinch of sugar..  all to taste... simmer for  a couple of hours.

Italian baguette

Tossed salad

If I have a few minutes to myself, I will::::

Sit outside and  try to capture a critter or two on film.. I understand there is a hawk in the immediate area today...  well, they have to eat, too!!!  Beware, chipmunks!  

New recipe I tried, or want to try this week::::

Chicken Marsala

Looking forward to this week::::

Later in the week  we will attend   a monthly teaching on  Prophecy today..  This month he will be teaching about the  devastating storms and  events  we are seeing  more and more frequently and  how they  line up with what the Bible says  about the times we are  now living in...  Along that line,  my thoughts and prayers go out to  the  Community in Sutherland Springs, Texas. The church really needs to wake up and  realize that this spiritual battle against it  is becoming more physical    and act accordingly in prayer and in preparation!

Favorite photo from the camera::::

The  gorgeous sunrise  the morning  last week  when we drove to Charlottesville for my  appt with my  plastic surgeon!

Devotionals, Scripture Reading, Key Verses::::

Bluebirds Abounding!

Today  I am so pleased to join in     Eileen's   Saturday  Critters party...   This is  a great  group of  critter lovers  whose  posts are  always  a delight! 

This week  the bluebirds have really been asserting themselves.. a few years ago in an effort to  see the population grow in our area, we were part of a bluebird society  whereby  we  monitored the nesting habits and  recorded  the  numbers of hatchlings, etc...  

due to    family issues   I  fell off  with this  and  didn't really  keep up with the happenings.  Then one day I checked the  bluebird box,  the  mother bird had been  killed and I was  rather  devastated.  The culprits were the  House sparrows  that  literally took over our yard! This week the bluebirds fought back..there were kamikaze raids  all around  that  nesting box!Hubs  cleared the box out and then it started to rain and  to tell the truth  we haven't  checked it out to see what the verdict is!
Meanwhile,  bluebirds have been frequent visitors in the trees  in our yard. This  wild cherry tree  has  hosted  them in the late afternoons.. I enjoyed  trying to capture them  as the sun was going down!

I know they are bluebirds because they would fly from the maple nearby where I was sitting and saw them clearly  but   couldn't  get a shot of them.. just as I was trying to focus in .. off they'd  fly!

 as the light faded  I ended with some nice  silhouettes

Then yesterday  the robins were  playing around in the dogwood.. happily eating berries.

here  there were two on the ground foraging 

 when suddenly a chipmunk ran out from under the hedge...  I barely captured his   lovely stripe!!!

This shot was purely by accident...   one must be a keen viewer to spot  nature  in its wild state...  there and then it is gone!!!! 
However, this robin posed  for quite a while to capture  his backside!!!

This weekend it is  raining and drear..  the leaves are falling  furiously and  the   before you know it  the critters will be  really  making  their  winter plans!!!  Should be interesting  as  we  spend out time  being intentional about our studies of them!!!

Friday Fave Five

You an return for Susanne's Space here!

This has been  an interesting week...for me it is definitely a week of learning... learning about myself...the world.... and  God.

1.I  seem to write  much about this journey  started  back in early September  when  it  was  found I had a squamish cc right on the tip of my nose.  For the last  two months I have had it impressed on me over and over again that that is the very worst place  for a woman to  have    any cancer..

First, of all I am extremely thankful that  it was  no worse than Squamish cc,  that it was  discovered  early,  and especially that the  MOHS surgeon only had to take 1 swipe  in cutting it all away  and telling me I am now cancer free.  But the  wound itself covers the whole top of the tip of my nose...  so  I learned  to  banish  vanity in my life and  to trust God and go with  the ebb and flow of  daily living!

2.Over the last two weeks I have had the  removal,  and  the  phase one  of  reconstruction.  I,  furthermore, have learned  to  slow my pace of living  ... in some cases  brave the world  of strangers and their curious looks,  endless explanations.. and   that it is okay to just deny myself the pleasure of running around and  enjoy the  sweetness of solitude.

3 I have, also,  learned of God's loving kindness expressed through friends cards, calls, the tangible  prayers  of  so many loved ones  throughout  this journey!It is such a sweet  reminder  to the heart  when  one goes through life  relatively unscathed  and  feeling  sometimes a bit unnoticed,   but then it  is through the trial and  suffering  that God    allows  us to   endure, that   at the same time  we are  lavished  with the  caring concerns of others.

I  pray that I will  purpose  my life to  attend to  that same loving concern  for others  during the good times of life!

4.I have learned  just how  wonderful  our loving Father  truly is..  His  strengthening presence in times of  when  without Him  we would feel  completely abandoned... I am thinking of those  solitary moments  after your family must leave you  and go to the waiting room  before  the orderlies come to wheel into surgery... That could be such a lonesome  road  to travel  without Him. Praise God I never   am alone.  And His presence strengthens us in  courage, faith, and  even,  joy  as we  march onto  the  unknown  with Him by our side!

5.  Even as I  sit here on  day 3 following   the beginning of phase two with 10 days to go...this stage   is definitely a time of growing..  the rejuvenation of  new healthy tissue... my own strength and confidence that God is still with me even when I look in the mirror and  see  the  open wound,  hoping for its bright red  color.. the color of  proper healing and life...   because it is  only covered with a clear  plastic -like  disc sewn into place.  This helps to incubate the fertile grown  being prepared for  its  graft  in 10 days.  I need God's confidence and  aid in  bearing  up under  the  tension of  not disturbing  this  new focus on my face...  not to jar it,  touch it,  cover it,, to roll over on it in the night...  not to bump into the wall in the dark of night  ... surly God is birthing  something new in me too,    as I deal with and learn from this  new focus  in living!  This may sound very trite  when others  endure so much more  in  their suffering...  for, truly, I feel no pain,  I do  have  a light at this  short travail... I suppose it is just that we become so comfortable in our lives..  one day so much like the  next.. very little in inconvenience us.  Then suddenly  things are turned  topsy turvy.... God allows it  to grow us.. to stretch us... to  mature us..  prepare us  for the next  stage  of something.. Oh, He and His Word can perfect me in such a way to please God and  demonstrate His glory  to others  on this journey He set before me!

A Cup of Tea and Thee, Dear Novel!!!

I ran across this photo on Face Book posted by
The Queen's English
"Tea pot is on, the cups are waiting,
Favourite chairs anticipating,
No matter what I have to do,
My friend(s) there’s always time for you. "

For me, today , my friends are my books... what a delicious day to fall into a great book!!!!!And I was already inspired to prepare a lovely October tea for us!!!

I would have really enjoying curling up for tea beside a roaring fire, but alas, that wasn't to be!!!

Yesterday in celebration of Hub's birthday I mixed up the  delightfully easy muffins using only   a spice cake mix and a small can of pureed pumpkin..

These are  scrumptious with a cup of pumpkin Spice tea....by Bigelow.  Today I enjoyed it in  one of my favorite mugs..  this one picked up  at one of  most memorable  B and B's,, The Bufflehead Cove Inn in Kennebunk , Me!

Soon, I was kicking back with  my  muffins and tea to read  a great book,  I've been trying to  spend time with  this month.. so many interruptions!!!  None today!!!!

 I'm in the midst of reading  Debbie Macomber's  Rose Harbor series!!!  Real page turners!

 To make these muffins a bit more special I mixed up a  tad of  powdered sugar, cinnamon, and  a few drops of water  to  create a simple spicy glaze..

 
Bernideen's Tea Time, Cottage and Garden Blog Party

Friends Sharing Tea 

Tuesday Cuppa Tea
Share Your Cup Thursday 
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