HAVING FUN WITH GRANDMA.........

OUR LITTLE "SWEETEST GIRL" WANTED TO HELP
GRANDMA WATER THE FLOWERS AND CLEAN
OFF THE FRONT PORCH.....BUT SOMEHOW THE
WATER SPILLED ALL OVER THE SIDEWALK..!!!!!
OH THE FUN WE HAD SINGING AND SPLASHING
IN ALL THE WATER...........
SHE TOOK THE BROOM AND MADE SURE EVERYTHING
WAS PICKED UP............LITTLE DETAILS ARE SOO
IMPORTANT TO LITTLE PEOPLE.........
SHE LOVES TO "SMELL" GRANDMAS PRETTY
FLOWERS ( SHHH I DIDNT TELL HER THEY REALLY
DONT HAVE MUCH A SMELL BUT SHE LOVES TO TRY.
THE "WATERING PITCHER" THAT POURED
EVERYWHERE INCLUDING THE FLOWERS...
LIFE ISNT PERFECT.........AND WHEN ITS NOT WE
CAN TAKE THE MOMENT AND TURN IT INTO
SOMETHING FUN AND FULL OF JOY..........
I AM SO GLAD GOD GAVE ME A GRANDCHILD TO
ENJOY "LITTLE MOMENTS" OF LIFE............



"JUST BECAUSE THE PATH IS BUMPY DOESN'T MEAN YOU ON THE WRONG ROAD!

WELCOME TO MY MONDAY MORNING...

SUNDAY WAS SO GOOD AND SUCH AN ENCOURAGEMENT
AT CHURCH...BUT ITS THE START OF A NEW WEEK
AND I START OFF WITH MY "PLANNER"AND WHAT
I HAVE PLANNED FOR TODAY....OF COURSE FIRST
OFF IS MY BIBLE TIME AND COFFEE...........
THEN I STEP INTO THE "OLE WALKING" SHOES
AND TAKE OFF FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES ENJOYING
THE TREES ; SUNSHINE AND THANKING GOD FOR
ALL HIS GOODNESS.........
COFFEE IS STARTED AND MY HUSBAND AND I
SOMETIMES GET TO SIT OUT ON OUR FRONT
PORCH AND ENJOY THE BIRDS... ( NOTICE THE
BINOCULARS HE BOUGHT FOR US TO SEE OUR
LITTLE FEATHERED FRIENDS.....
I HAVE ENJOYED THE "COOL CRISP MORNINGS"
BEFORE THE HEAT OF THE DAY.........
OFF TO THE GARDEN WHERE THE "BOUNTY" OF
TOMATOES KEEP COMING.....WE CANT WAIT TO
SEE HOW MANY AWAIT US. WE ARE CRAZY BUT
WE REALLY ENJOY IT!..........MORE SALSA
MY DAUGHTER AND I VISITED THE "FARMERS MARKET"
SATURDAY AND THE LITTLE RESALE SHOP. I FOUND
A BEAUTIFUL "CHRISTOPHER AND BANKS" SKIRT AND
TOP TO MATCH FOR NOW OR FALL. I ALSO FOUND
TWO BEAUTIFUL DESIGNER SHOES THAT LOOKED
BRAND NEW . ONE IN BLACK AND ONE IN BROWN ...
THESE WILL BE NICE FOR FALL...
A SWEET BESSIE PEAS PRINT FOR MY DAUGHTER
TO HANG IN MY GRANDDAUGHTERS ROOM FOR $3.
A "SIMPLE TOTE" THAT WAS WELL MADE FOR $1
TO LEND A HAND BACK AND FORTH TO THE LIBRARY...

I PRAY YOU HAD A WONDERFUL WEEKEND.....

MY HUSBAND LOVES...HIS SUGAR-FREE BLUEBERRY PIE...

I LOOKED AND LOOKED FOR A GOOD SUGAR-FREE
BLUEBERRY PIE RECIPE....I ALSO WANTED IT AS
HEART HEALTHY AS POSSIBLE AND THEN TO LOOK
AND TASTE DELICIOUS!! I FOUND A COUPLE AND
THEN CHANGED IT AROUND TO FIT FOR HIM!!
HE LOVED IT!!!!! AND THAT MAKES ME GLAD!
FIRST I TOOK MY FROZEN BLUEBERRIES OUT OF
THE FREEZER AND DRAINED THEM AS MUCH AS
POSSIBLE..... ( REMEMBER THE FRESH EASY TO
FREEZE BLUEBERRIES FROM JULY?)
I PUT TOGETHER THE SIMPLE WET INGREDIENTS
ADDED THIS TO THE DRY INGREDIENTS AND
THEN FOLDED IN THE BLUEBERRIES...
I HAVE TO ADMIT I COULD HAVE MADE A HEALTHIER
PIE SHELL IN TIME BUT THIS "FROZEN" ONE WAS
LOWER IN CALORIES THAN GRAHAM CRACKER SO
I CHOOSE THIS ONE FOR THIS TIME....
I THEN POURED THIS MIXTURE INTO A THAWED
SHELL AND MADE THE "CRUMBLED TOPPING"
( IT WAS VERY EASY) AND SPRINKLED IT ALL
ALONG THE TOP..( I ADDED ABOUT A TEASPOON
OF SPLENDA FOR SHINE ON TOP OF THAT!)
READY FOR THE OVEN...........OH DID THAT MAKE
THE HOUSE SMELL SOOO GOOD.............
IT BAKED AND MADE THE HOUSE SMELLED SO GOOD
MY HUBBY AND I LOVED THE FLAVORS. I ENJOYED THE
CRUNCHY PECANS ON TOP AND A LITTLE WHIPPED
CREAM...............


SUGAR FREE BLUEBERRY PIE

INGREDIENTS

1 C LIGHT SOUR CREAM
2 T FLOUR
3/4 C SUGAR ( I USE SPLENDA)
1 t SALT
1 EGG, BEATEN

2 1/2 C BLUEBERRIES
1 UNBAKED PIE SHELL

DIRECTIONS:

MIX WET INGREDIENTS TOGETHER
MIX DRY INGREDIENTS TOGETHER AND COMBINE BOTH
FOLD IN BLUEBERRIES

POUR INTO AN UNBAKED PIE SHELL

PECAN TOPPING

3 T FLOUR
3 T BUTTER ( I USE SMART BALANCE)
3 T CHOPPED PECANS ( MAY USE MORE FOR MORE CRUNCH)

PUT INGREDIENTS INTO A SMALL BOWL
TOSS TOGETHER AND BREAK UP INTO PEA SIZE PIECES


BAKE PIE AT 400 DEGREES FOR
25 MINUTES .............THEN SPRINKLE TOPPING OVER TOP
AND BAKE 10 MINUTES LONGER OR LIGHTLY BROWN..........

ENJOY!!!!

DADS SALSA...............

OUR TOMATOES ARE FINALLY COMING IN...........
WE LOVE THAT AROUND HERE BECAUSE THAT
MEANS "FRIED GREEN TOMATOES"; TOMATOES
ON A HEART SANDWICH; OR FRESH DAD'S SALSA!!
I KNOW THERE ARE MANY RECIPES OUT THERE FOR
SALSA BUT WE HAPPEN TO LOVE MY HUSBANDS..
WE START WITH FRESH TOMATOES; RED ONIONS;
JALAPENO; CILANTRO; AND FRESH SQUEEZED LIMES
WE THEN SERVE IT WITH ALL SORTS OF THINGS
SUCH AS LIME CHICKEN FAJITAS; EGGS; OR
FRESH BAKED TORTILLA CHIPS...............

ENJOY!!!

DADS SALSA

4-6 MEDIUM FRESH TOMATOES ( AS MUCH AS YOUR FAMILY CAN EAT)
1 LARGE RED ONION
1-2 JALAPENO ( AS MUCH HEAT AT YOU NEED)
1-3 MEDIUM LIMES (SQUEEZED)
1/2 BUNCH OF CILANTRO
1 T OR MORE (ADD MORE FOR FLAVOR)

1. CUT UP TOMATOES INTO BITE SIZE PIECES. I PUT THIS IN A LARGE COLANDER
AND LET DRAIN BECAUSE THE TOMATOES THEMSELVES MAKE ALOT OF JUICE.
2. CUT UP REST OF INGREDIENTS INTO SMALL PIECES.
3. TOSS

MIX TOGETHER AND ENJOY..........( REFRIGERATE FOR AT LEAST ONE HOUR
THE MORE YOU LET IT SIT THE BETTER THE FLAVOR!)

SUMMER PROJECT..REDECORATING MY BEDROOM....

I FOUND THIS CHENILLE BEDSPREAD LAST SPRING
FOR $5 ! I WAS GOING TO WAIT UNTIL FALL TO
CHANGE MY ROOM FOR THE SEASONS ....BUT
AFTER MY "TIME WITH MY HEALTH" I WANTED
SOMETHING FRESH AND NEW.... MY HUSBAND
MENTIONED HE WOULD LIKE TO RE-PAINT OUR
ROOM SO I CLEANED OUT; CHANGED SOME THINGS
AROUND ; AND WILL END UP WITH A NICE NEW
ROOM TO BEGIN FALL.............



I LOVE THE DETAIL OF ALL THE INTRICATE WORK
AND THE FRINGE ALONG THE BOTTOM....
HERE IS A PICTURE I FOUND IN THE EARLY SUMMER
WITH JUST THE COLORS OF THE "NEW ROOM"
THE AWNING IN THE PICTURE IS A PRETTY" EGG
WASH BLUE.........."
ANOTHER PICTURE FOUND THIS SUMMER AT A
TAG SALE I ENJOY... AGAIN THE COLORS OF GRAYS;
CREAMS AND SOME BLUES WILL FLOW TOGETHER..
THIS SMALL PILLOW I PICKED UP FOR $2. I LOVE
THE "TOILE" DESIGN AND THE PRETTY TIE.....
I ALSO FOUND THIS LITTLE "DUSTY SAGE" TABLE
THIS SUMMER AND MOVED IT RIGHT UNDER MY
WINDOW. THIS MORNING I SAW "BLACK EYED
SUSANS" IN BLOOM RIGHT OUTSIDE MY WINDOW!
I ENJOY THIS LITTLE LAMP MY SISTER AND I FOUND
LAST WINTER. IT WAS AT A FLORIST SHOP CLEARANCE
SALE..... IT HAD THE SMALLEST SPOT ON THE
LAMPSHADE SO I GOT IT FROM $30 TO $5. GOD
IS SO GOOD TO ME.......
I DONT HAVE ALOT OF "LITTLE THINGS" SITTING
AROUND BUT I DO HAVE A "FEW FAVORITE THINGS"
I USE ; PUT AWAY; AND BRING OUT ANOTHER
FAVORITE THING TO ENJOY. THIS IS A SIMPLE
LITTLE BOX AND CANDLE SITTING ON MY BEDSTAND.
I LOVE "BASKET" . THEY HAVE SO MANY USES.....
I USE THIS LARGE BASKET TO STORE BOOKS;
ECT... THAT WE MAY USE FROM TIME TO TIME...

I HAD FUN WITH "STAMPING" ONE DAY AND MADE
LITTLE TAGS FOR SEVERAL OF MY BASKETS....
WHEN I HAD CLEANED; DUSTED; SWEPT; AND
REORGANIZED MY NEW ROOM..... I THOUGHT
IT NEEDS SOMETHING..... " A FRESH SMELL"
I COULD HAVE LIT MY PRETTY CANDLE BUT
SAW THIS "NEW LAVENDER AND VANILLA SPRAY
MY DAUGHTER HAD PURCHASED..... I LOVED THE
AROMA AND SO DID MY HUSBAND.....

COME WALK WITH ME..........

This morning as I set out for my morning walk I couldnt
help being thankful.......The wind was cool and crisp
and the quietness of the morning gathered around me...
I could see the sun barely filtering in through the leaves
making a glittering array of sunlight......

I could see the beauty of God everywhere. Flowers planted
by others for me to enjoy. Each step I could hear alone
STEP STEP STEP................
I could hear the morning doves....Cooing with their
morning songs...............
Isaiah 15: For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of
Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness
and in confidence shall be your strength; and ye would not.

Sometimes are burdens are to be taken in the quietness of a morning....and
we then can rest in Him........

ORDINARY DAYS............

Friday I went and got a fresh new haircut! I loved it and
so did my hubby. It always feels so good to have my
hair trimmed and easy to style.
. But...........as I was sitting in the chair
my beautician asked me this question....SO WHAT
WILL YOU BE DOING SPECIAL TONIGHT????

Its funny because I have been asked that question many
a time as I was having my hair done. I felt as if the answer
I was to tell would have to be one of great importance
and exciting...........But...........I just said " I am going home
to make dinner!" " Oh she replied and went on to cutting.

I began to listen to women along side of me chat on and on
about vacations; their husbands; or anything they could
dream up. .....

I had to STOP and think..........WHAT IS WRONG WITH ..
just ordinary days..............

I am thankful when I wake; get up; make coffee; set out two
cups for my husband and my coffee. We then meet in our
front room or the porch and then sip our coffee and chat
for a moment. Breakfast is made; cleaned up; time in my
Bible; my hubby leaves for work; then beds are to be made;
clothes put in the washer; exercise; shower; tidy the house;
water the flowers; tend to the garden; lay dinner items out;
make lunch; tend to things that come up; make supper; clean
up supper; straighten the house; read and get ready for bed.

To some that may sound soooo boring......... The same routine
to an ordinary day..............

But.........I LOVE IT!!!.......Now no day is perfect around here
but the day to day rituals of life are part of Gods balance.

There are days when we have to go places; meet others; enjoy
time with our family or a friend but I love the
ORDINARY DAYS..............

Days when I can see the sun rise; when I hear the birds sing;
Days when I smell the coffee brewing ; days when I hear the washer swishing back and forth;
days when the sheets are flipping in the warm windy skies
Days of little crayons and papers lying on the table where my granddaughter
just finished drawing her grandma a beautiful pictures; days of white
fluffy clouds; days of dishes washed and cleaned; days of laughter
and squeals of little children; ...................ORDINARY DAYS

given...............BY GOD!!!!!!!!!!! THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!