THIS AND THAT........THE VISIT

This past week I got to spend some time with
caring things for my mom and spend some
times with my sisters. The weather was nice
so we took mom out for a walk in her wheelchair
and looked at all the "New" Spring flowers ready
to bloom........ How fun!!
My sister and her husband built a beautiful apartment
for my mom to stay in at their home. We would make
a meal and then take "little trays" full of food down to
her place to eat with her...I took her this "Bunny" for
her to enjoy for Easter.....
This was a fun little snack tray. My sister made
the most delicious "dip" from cream cheese;
and hot pepper raspberries. Oh my was it good!
My sister and I always loved "moms" potato salad
so with her directions we put it together one evening
with our meal...............Its the best!!
Another sister of mine lives nearby so when she
came we made snickerdoodles cookies to have.
They were sooo good.... Does it seem all we do is eat?
I made these delicious "cupcakes" twice when
I was there. They are from a recipe from "The
Barefoot Contessa". I have never made cupcakes
from scratch and these were wonderful. The ganache
on top made it! The first time I used "foil stars" and
they looked so festive! My sister Barbara bought all
the ingredients for us to have fun!!
I was so happy to get back and be with my family.
These were sent home. My dad (now in heaven)
made all these little ducks; bunnies and chicks.
Ella had fun carrying the bag full of them and
placing them by the garden to come.......
She found a new friend with this giant Lion someone
gave to her. We had fun reading books and talking
with her friend "the Lion"...............


Its so good to visit family. If it were my choice our family would all live close by. But...thats not always the case. But its good to be able to visit and laugh and enjoy each other.

But of course; " Theres No Place Like Home" and what you put into it.......I am glad to be back; unpacked; and back into the swing of things.

I have many new projects to get to as the weather turns warm. My husband has planted our"white tomatoes" seeds in our inside beginner garden. I have much to do outside......

But........the daily sounds of your home bring comfort. The smell of morning coffee. The chatter of ducks flying overhead....... The washer and dryer helping start the day.........

When I was gone visiting with my mom...... I recalled in my mind the many days she would rise early and I would smell the coffee and many times I would hear bacon "crackling" in the black iron skillet. Now.........as I rose early at my sisters I would get up; shower; dress; and read my Bible and hurry down to her apartment. There she and her "caregiver" ( they call her mom too isnt that sweet) would be putting the coffee on; helping her dress; making her bed and she would take her now wheelchair up to her nice little table and it was "set" waiting for some oatmeal; scrambled eggs; and nice buttered toast. My sister would bring her in the morning paper and the daily letter ( sent by another sister farther away) and jumble. And........so her day
began.

Not much different from mine but her newly adapted life..........

How do we adapt? Do we gripe and complain the way our life is handed towards us or do we sweetly adapt and continue on working day to day in His hands..........

I am so thankful for lessons taught and for "the visit".

HOW GREAT THOU ART..........

HOW GREAT THOU ART............

Last week my sister and my niece decided to come and spend the night. It was such a nice time with our family as we all went to visit antique stores; have lunch out; eat dinner together and then played games in the evening. We laughed and laughed. But........as it came time to leave my sister learned of our aunt ( my moms last living family member) and my other sisters daughter in law passing from cancer.

I decided to go out of town with my sister and go to be with our family. That evening we
went to a viewing for my aunt. We took my mom and I was glad to sit with her through these
times. The next day was the funeral and my sister and I attended as my sweet mom just couldnt go and stand for the whole day. Later...that day my sister and I went to attend a sweet memorial service for my other sisters daughter in law that had fought pancreatic cancer ( she was 52). We really didnt know all the people that attended these precious events but the idea was to go in respect of others that were hurting.

That evening my mom was again invited to a birthday party for a friend who was turning 90.
It was too much for her so we again went in her instead. We took balloons; candy; and sand Happy Birthday!

As we were on the way home together I told her I felt like we were on a mission together
to all these places. ......

Later I began to think of how We are like that to God. He needs us to Be and be available
to go where He needs us to go..............

For the time...I am at my sisters for a few days. There are days when He may want us to sit by
a friend at a hospital. He may want us to care for someone who is ill or elderly days at a time.
He may want us to be a mother for young children as they grow and learn. He may want us to
visit; send; or care for someone in a special way..............

I want to be ready ....as His will for our lives prevail. I dont ever want to be too busy to STOP
and notice the little things He wants me to do. I know I fail at this many times but when the
times come that He does use me it brings to me more blessings than I could ever give to someone else.

These past two weeks I have learned of many a hurting heart. I have seen the tears fall from
the eyes of those that loved. I have seen the hearts and heard the words of those they now miss.
But .....I have gone with a smile; sometimes a prayer; sometimes a touch on the arm; sometimes
a song and brought.............Jesus and His love and hope............

SPRINGTIME DAYS.....THIS AND THAT

MY SPRINGTIME MORNING....I HAVE SEEN A ROBIN REDBREAST WITH LITTLE STICKS IN HIS MOUTH....MAYBE A NEW NEST? I FOUND TWO OF THESE LITTLE OLDER CHILDRENS CHAIRS AT THE "HOLLY HOUSE" LAST SUMMER WHEN THEY CLEARED OUT THEIR THINGS AND MOVED AWAY... I LOVE THAT SOME OTHER CHILDREN MANY YEARS AGO ENJOYED SOME SWEET MEMORIES. MY HUSBAND FOUND THIS CHAIR AT THE SAME OLD HOUSE A MONTH LATER SITTING BESIDE THE ROAD TO BE THROWN OUT BUT HE RECUSED IT AND BOUGHT IT HOME TO ME.. I PAINTED IT BARN RED AND LOVE IT...SOME WOMEN LIKE FLOWERS...I LOVE OLD CHAIRS! I WORKED ON SOME CARDS FOR THOSE I LOVE... I PUT TOGETHER THIS LITTLE BOOKMARK TO SEND IN A CARD............ ANOTHER CARD TO SEND...NOTHING FANCY BUT THEIR FROM MY HEART............ MY DAUGHTER BROUGHT ME HOME A "SURPRISE" OF MY FAVORITE CANDY FROM THIS STORE. I LOVE ALL THE LITTLE COLORS ON THESE GUMMIE BEARS. OH AND THEY ARE SO GOOD. SHE SPOILS ME ALL THE TIME..........

I hope you are enjoying these springtime days..........I hear some are getting quiet a bit of rain. but here where I live the first days of warmth are upon us............
I was watching two ducks fly into the pond early this morning. I saw Mr and Mrs Cardinal flying into the fir trees and heard them eating away with their "crack crack"....
Our guests are busy attending a conference this week held at our church. I am home taking care of things here . This morning I made batch of lemon-blueberry muffins (from No Place Like Home) to set out for our guests with some coffee as they leave very early in the morning.....
Now that the weather was warmer I was able to paint my little chairs. I will use two for my granddaughters table and chair set and the other for the corner of my diningroom with a cute spring pillow.
I WANT TO SAY A HUGE "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" TO OUR SON JOSHUA TODAY....
WE ARE SO PROUD OF HIM AND OUR WONDERFUL DAUGHTER IN LAW ; JENNY. WE LOVE THEM BOTH AND SAY "HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY"................ Are you enjoying Spring??

EARLY MORNINGS.................

EARLY MORNINGS......


I have thoroughly loved our "Spring mornings" as the season has begun a change....
I like to get up early in the morning. I enjoy the quietness of the day and the still of
the morning. I enjoy making the coffee and listening as it begins to flow and then smell
that sweet moment when it says its done .....grabbing my favorite coffee cup and settling
in the corner of my sofa looking out my large picture window waiting...waiting...waiting..
for the "Sun" to come up so brightly in the sky.

These mornings I have even begun to hear the sounds of the birds returning and the ducks as they fly in formation over the house and make their morning sounds "quacking" swooping down into a nearby pond....

I then...take my Bible in hand and turn to the verses for the day in my little devotion book given by our church in January. I read; ponder; read and listen....and try to underline or write down a verse for me to think on.....

By then; my hubby is up and getting ready. I take him coffee and we sit for a few moments if possible and take in the days events....... Breakfast to ready. Oatmeal with blueberry's; a yogurt perhaps; or maybe some simple eggs and turkey sausage and whole wheat toast.

He leaves on his way....my day begins and my morning melts away into midday........Where did it go??? I go on with everyday events and life itself.............Then as if the same sunshine that beamed into that window in the morning I am starting supper and looking out the back window..
and I notice again...........That beautiful morning God gave to me is now on its way out.....a Beautiful Spring Sunset with all the pinks; hues of yellow; and browns are setting in the West...

As....I grow older I dont want to forget those precious mornings...........I want to remember the days of promise. The days of goodness. The days of thanksgiving.

Its so easy I guess for all of us to turn on the news. Read the morning headlines via the paper or computer and become so easily discouraged with that morning. In fact, it can ruin a whole day as others we meet begin to grumble and complain about all thats wrong in our world.

Take a fresh morning.........Breathe it in! Remember all the good mornings God has given to you and enjoy!!

MARTHA JEFFERSON......

THOMAS JEFFERSON


MARTHA JEFFERSON


The third in a series of "First Ladies" is ; Martha Jefferson. 1748-1782 died almost twenty years before Thomas Jefferson became the country's third president.
Here are some brief facts about Martha Jeffersons life with Thomas Jefferson:

. At 18 she married a man from a similar background, Bathurst Skelton.

He died when she was twenty-two leaving her with an infant son.

. Two years later Martha met Thomas Jefferson, then serving in the colony's legislature.

They were married in 1772 and had six children.

. Two children survived named Martha and Mary.

. Martha shared the love of music and record keeping with her husband Thomas.

. Martha Jefferson died September 6, 1782 at the age of thirty three.

. Thomas Jefferson loved his home and his wife.

He believed that his "heart would be happier enjoying the affections of a family fireside." He was overcome with sadness by his wife’s death.

. Thomas Jefferson did not remarry.

BREAKFAST CREPES

BREAKFAST CREPES


Ingredients:
2 eggs
2 tbsp. canola oil
1 1/4 cups 2% milk
1 tbsp. honey
3/4 cup unbleached flour
1/2 cup coarsely chopped walnuts or pecans

Instructions:
Combine ingredients in blender in the order listed. Blend on high speed 20-30 seconds. Scrape down sides of blender and blend a few more seconds. Use flared crepe pan, if possible, with canola oil coating over medium heat.

Choice of Filling:
A - cheese; mix equal parts of ricotta and low-fat cream cheese, sweeten with sugar to taste, blend in rind of 1 lemon.

B - banana; slice several medium ripe bananas lengthwise in thirds, place on waxed paper on cookie tin, coat with melted butter, sprinkle with brown sugar, bake 350 degrees for 4 minutes, then 200 degrees for 5-10 minutes.

Top prepare crepes with warmed raspberries in syrup.

SPRING CLEANING.....GUESTS ARE COMING

ITS "SPRING CLEANING' ALL THROUGH
THE HOUSE....GUESTS ARE COMING
SO I WANT THINGS TO BE FRESH AND CLEAN..
HAVING THINGS IN ORDER JUST SEEMS
TO MAKE THINGS GO A LITTLE SMOOTHER....


I have been taking the last few weeks to clean; mop; scrub down; get in the corners sweep; change linens; scrub that bathroom from top to bottom; bring out lighter and brighter items; and add freshness to my home.

This is not always our favorite thing to do nor sometimes does anyone ever even notice the deeds done ...but if its part of my life then I am in charge of making sure it is done right.

Here are some things I did to ready for guests:

. The Bathroom: Scrubbed down from top to bottom. I begin with the tub. I scrub it thoroughly ( not just a shower spray) that never really seems to work for the nitty gritty.... ; take any bottles; extra soap; scrubbies all go into a basket for my own use and place it under a sink or in a closet; ( clear it all out); I scrub down the tiles ; soap dish area; and then rinse and dry making sure the fixtures are sparkling and clean...

. Next... is the toilet. I squirt the toliet bowl cleaner in and swish it all around and up and under
the rim. I then take a cleaner and wipe down all the seat; back of the seat and those little hinges;
the back of the toilet top; under the toliet all around including the back nobody sees but the dirt is back there (ha); and the sides where the little round fixtures hold it to the floor. Then... a quick swipe all around the floor area and corners in the back of the toilet.

. Next the sink and the little ledge above the sink; the mirrors and the lighting fixtures ( if any) above the mirrors; the counters all get a clean wipe down and then a polish for the fixtures to
glistening silver......

.Next, the floor. You may take a quick swiffer but sometimes I have to just get down on the old hands and knees and wipe it down to get in those little corners and spills on walls.

. Last....Fresh clean towels that look pretty. A little soap dispenser for hands to be washed.
And.......( my sister taught me this... a pretty hand towel to lie folded next to the sink for the guest to wipe down their hands)... She always had this in pretty lime greens and whites in her
guest bath.........

. Bedrooms : I make sure all carpets or floors are swept and clean. Under the bed is tidy. ( yes this is a great time to do it ha).

. The linens are fresh and clean and non wrinkled. If I have time I press the pillowcases. ( I know I know that is abit much but this is a a little luxery I do for my own bedroom and it makes things
so nice).

. I place a basket or little bag ( this time I am using a bag) with extra goodies in it such as toothpaste; mints; snacks; Kleenex; snack bars) to use while they are here. I might set some bottles of water also on a nearby nightstand. I may add some fresh flowers in a vase.

. I may make some muffins and leave them in my glass cake dish for them if they wish to have a snack or a quick breakfast to go.........

. I make sure the rest of my home is neat and tidy and de-cluttered.

. Floors swept ( that is a constant for me for we have our two adorable Springer Spaniels) ha; and mopped.

. Kitchen decluttered on the counters and clean and fresh.

. Refrigerator cleaned out and smelling fresh.

. Coffeepot clean and ready for use.

. The yard; porch and any area that will be used clean and tidy.

*** *** Most of all my spirit or attitude. I dont want to have a clean home and a bad spirit fussing at my husband or children because they didnt do their part.... I do not want to be exhausted trying to impress others and unavailable for my family........ I do not want to keep my home clean only for company...........So what do I do??? I do it unto Him! I want to my best ; not always perfect but my best
for God.
I really TRY and do this all the time for my family.

But........when guest are coming it can motivate you to push a little harder and the good thing is that it helps you to end up with a fresh and clean home that you are happy with!!

*******God gives me my home. No matter how humble a place in which you live ; your abode can be used to renew or refresh another ..........