THE HOME.........LEFTOVER BANANAS AND 15 LBS OF BLUEBERRIES

MY FRIEND LISA BOUGHT ME 15 LBS OF BLUEBERRIES
FOR WATCHING HER CHILDREN . WHAT A BLESSING!
MY DAUGHTER RUTHIE WENT WITH HER AND HER CHILDREN TO PICK THEM AT A NEARBY FARM.

FIRST I WASHED THE BLUEBERRIES

THEN I LET THEM SIT ON A DISHTOWEL TO DRY

THEN THEY WERE READY TO PACK FOR THE FREEZER AND ENJOY IN THE WINTER MONTHS TO COME.

I HAD SOME LEFTOVER BANANAS SO DECIDED TO MAKE
'THERES NO PLACE LIKE HOME' .....BANANA BREAD RECIPE

THESE SMALL LOAVES WERE PERFECT WITH A CUP OF COFFEE

This summer I am really trying to cut cost and see how I venture. Blessings of your garden; fruits and other things keep coming and coming.

How are you finding ways to save? I would love to know.

THOUGHTS........WHO ARE MY ACQUAINTANCES?

THOUGHTS...........WHO ARE MY ACQUAINTANCES?

This week at church my Sunday School teacher taught us about being good to those who are not just our friends but others we do not know or who are acquaintances. I have always tried to look out for "others" but God reminded me that I can get busy with my own ways and life and quickly forget those who sometimes pass my way.

This particular morning I noticed an older lady sitting in a seat that normally she shares with another lady who helps her. I got up ( during our greeting time) and went back and offered her coffee and a sweet treat. She said she would like that and so I got it for her. Did that make me a wonderful; kind; perfect lady? No; of course not but it was a thing that I had learned many times over.

God has allowed me times in my life as a young person to have feelings of insecurity; left out; or shy. But He also allowed me to use that many times over as an adult to recognize and help others who maybe go through the same things.

He has also taught me through example of a mother who was kind to everyone at the market where she shopped; to the neighbor where she lived and to others she would meet.

Life can get busy. We have our families ; our schedules; and we even have to protect ourselves from the uncertainly of strangers in life. But ..........those we meet everyday. At the grocery store; the library; sitting at a baseball game; at Walmart or Target; the drs office; or wherever God may put you. We can smile. We can be friendly. We can clean up after ourselves.We can even sometimes go that extra mile!

I remember when I spent many many days in hospital waiting areas. I had my list; my notes; my family to remember but I also knew there were others there hurting about their loved ones.
Now I didnt get in lengthy discussions but just asked about their situation and just listened. Then I would take the name of their loved one and told them I would pray for them. And I did.


I remember my sister and I stopping by Starbucks near my moms hospital. As we were waiting for our drinks to be delivered; I could hear loudly a couple talking about someone they loved dearly being in a coma in the hospital . Now I normally dont do this; but I quietly leaned over and told them I was listening and I was going to that hospital to visit my mother and could I pray for their loved one. They told me . I prayed all that day never to see them again.

My husband and I were out eating a nice lunch together and he leaned over and said " I think I should buy that family's meal. ( they went to our church). I thought that was a nice idea so he did! They never knew but I knew and was happy my husband cared enough about others.

The other evening at our church's "Youth Conference" my husband and I were serving Hawaiian Ice cones. The weather was hot and the lines quickly grew long. A lady came up to my line and said " her daughter was waiting and waiting" and when was she to get her cone. I quickly said I was sorry she had to wait so long. Then my friend serving next to me said " let me buy your cone" and gave it to her free!

I pray this week I can be a friend to my next acquaintance!

RECIPES...............CHICKEN SALAD

SIMPLE CHICKEN SALAD

1-2 CHICKEN BREASTS COOKED
CELERY
GRAPES
MAYO
RED ONION
* OPT WALNUTS
*OPT APPLES

. CUT UP CHICKEN BITE SIZE OR SMALLER
. DICED ABOUT 1 CUP CELERY
. HALF GRAPES ABOUT 1 CUP
* DICED RED ONION 1/2 CUP
* 1/2 CUP WALNUTS
* DICED APPLE ABOUT 1/2 CUP

TOSS ALL IN A MED BOWL THEN ADD:
ABOUT 5 TBLS MAYO; LITE MAYO ( WHICHEVER YOU PREFER)

***** SERVE ON HEARTY WHEAT BREAD OR A NICE LETTUCE LEAF ON A PRETTY PLATE!

WE MADE THIS YESTERDAY FOR LUNCH WITH OUR LEFTOVER CHICKEN FROM SUPPER BEFORE! DELICIOUS!

THIS AND THAT......WORK DAYS

SOME NOTE CARDS I MADE TO HAVE ON HAND

MY NEW WORK CENTER FOR "OTHERS" SITS ON A BOOKSHELF

I TRY AND MAKE SUN TEA EVERYDAY

USING ONE OF MY SMALL "OLD CHAIRS" I BOUGHT FROM THE HOLLY HOUSE;
HELPS AS I SIT TO PULL WEEDS FROM ALONG THE SIDEWALKS

A TRIP TO THE LIBRARY THIS WEEK BOUGHT ALONG SOME FUN BOOKS TO SEE

I CLEANED ;DUSTED; AND STRAIGHTEN MY ROOM THIS WEEK

I CLEANED OUT DRAWERS ALSO WITH SMALL BOXES TO HOLD EARRINGS AND BRACELETS.

This week has been busy with cleaning; organizing; yard work; garden work; my husband and I helping with the Hawaiian Ices Booth" at our church's Youth Conference this week; visitors who came by or stayed; and other things.

I am thankful for a good "work week" in which many things were tended to and cared for
and that God has allowed the strength and time in which to do these things.

SUMMER SCHEDULE................CLEANING; RIDDING OUT; AND PUTTING AWAY

SUMMER SCHEDULE.......CLEANING, RIDDING OUT; AND PUTTING AWAY

LINENS AND SUCH FOLDED AND PUT AWAY

CLEANING OUT YOUR DRAWERS MAKES IT SO NICE

In keeping with my summer schedule this time of year I begin to think of ridding out!
I am not a "packrat". I enjoy my summer days but if I have too much clutter filling my corners ; and I cant find this or that I know it is time to rid out a few things.

My sister has a policy that if she gets something new to wear she takes out something to give away. Sometimes too much clutter makes us look at things as overwhelming.

I once heard of a story of a man ; back in the 40's after the war who worked in a large building on main street. This man would look out at the destruction the war had caused on his town day after day. The mans spirits began to dwindle until one day he told his wife he wanted to move far away. The wise wife ; who could see his defeated spirit heard of another office that was available for her husband to move in that was located on the other side of the building. She had his things moved ( while he was out) and cleaned and organized that office. When he came back he was surprised but still determined to move. But after a few moments he began to look out that "new window" and this time he saw a city that was building and growing anew! His spirits were lifted and he decided to stay !
What does all that mean with cleaning? Taking your little space and making it anew can give you a whole different outlook on life!

These are a few things I have done this week.
. Gone through clothes that do not fit and put in thrift store box.
. Gone through my room and "freshened it" . Ridding out papers; magazines. Spraying it with linen spray.
. Gone through my "note cards; gifts; ect for others" and organized it.
. Each room I would go through daily I would see if there were things to throw out .
. I plan to...... go through my drawers ( this only takes a few minutes) and tidy.
. I plan to .....go through a closet a month

After some of these things are done I feel better. Things seem to run smoother.
These are just some of my summer scheduled days. I hope you are enjoying yours.

THE HOME...............SUMMER DECORATING FUN

It just seems after the 4th of July that summer is half gone. I have even seen school supplies in all the stores. But I want to enjoy the "season" and its glory.

I just look around the house for some bright colored plates; fun napkins and make a summer meal to enjoy with some fresh iced tea! Maybe a pretty wreath to hang on your porch or front door in summer bright vivid colors. Even taking time out to write an encouraging or thank you note to someone may brighten your or their day!

As the garden is in full bloom ; I am thinking of preparations for canning my tomatoes; making salsa; or giving a bag away for someone else to enjoy summers bounty.

This week I went to my front and back porch and swept away "cobwebs"; pulled weeds; moved things around and there it was all fresh and clean once again. Sometimes just cleaning and freshening things up can make all the difference in an area and it looks anew again!

Enjoy these last months of the outdoors and summer months and enjoy your summer decorating fun!

OTHERS......THINKING OF OTHERS

This summer it seems there are so many times I have prayed and thought of others who are ill; going through a tough time; or even celebrating a special time in their lives.

But it also seems that as my heart yearns to "do something" for that someone other things in my life prevail and time passes and nothing much is done. Good intentions can get put behind.
I told God of my desire and if He wanted me to do these things I needed Him to show me the way............

It was so simple as I read " Matthew 7:7 "Ask and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you."

Here are a few simple ideas I applied:

1. Get organized. Pull together all notecards; stamps; little bags; tissue; cookie mix ect...
2. Put these in a place where you can easily go to and retrive.
3. Use a calendar or a spiral notebook to keep names; prayer request
4. Stock up if possible on things such as small candles; cookies in freezer; cards ready to go
5. Ask God who he wants you to "encourage" in your "corner of the world"


This simple way helps me to "have a plan" to care > "My own "little Hallmark store" ha

* My friend Lisa keeps a shelf in her basement with baskets full of books; pretty things ect...
to give out when needed. Good idea!
Any ideas I would appreciate!