HOME SWEET HOME...ITS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!

HOME SWEET HOME..........ITS WHAT YOU MAKE IT!

I love to start my morning with a quick talk with God; an attitude check; and a good cup of coffee.............. How you start the Day..........means so much to you and to those you live with.........But. ....no matter how you start or what you may enjoy to eat.........I try and do it with a smile ..... It seems no matter what is going on at our home or how I am feeling physically there is nothing that cant seem to make things better than good food. Just the aroma of coffee brewing early in the morning and the smell of some good bacon ( oh even turkey bacon if your trying to be abit healthier) sizzling in the skillet...........It seems to uplift your spirits.......... Maybe you only have oatmeal or a nice bowl of healthy cereal . Could you serve it in pretty bowls or on a nice table to start your day? My husband enjoys having hot coffee early in the mornings sitting where we can see our bird feeders or in the warm weather on a front porch in our white rockers enjoying the morning sun............ Just a beautiful bowlful of fruit can get me going..............FRESH STRAWBERRIES..........smell so good and can be cut into the most delicious treats..........Springtime brings these delicious fruit here and I enjoy making sugar free strawberry jam or sliced strawberries and shortcake for dessert. I love "old bowls" ...you know the kind my mom used back in the 40's and 50's. I enjoy the crocks and using them for everything as well as on the table to hold a bowl of fresh granny smith apples to all to enjoy............Just standing in the kitchen ; bringing out the "bowl" it seems everyone wants to know what you making................. I have found these bowls at estate sales ; thrift stores for a few cents or dollars..........Mixing a batter for pancakes ( I love the Bisquick lower fat version) to have a special treat once in a while; or making up yummy chocolate chip cookies with my "grand" and flour all over the place; or cutting up apples for a Carmel Apple Pie.................... It doesnt take alot to make it "homey" and comforting....Keep small packages of ready made dough on hand in the freezer. Keep frozen apples (collect in the Fall or when in abundance) put away for a summertime pie........ If your physically not able to do alot of cooking or baking; you can find beautifully made cupcakes; salads; or even Mc Donalds on the run can be special if you make it that way.......... Its what you make of it........Home Sweet Home........

KEEP ON LEARNING EVERYDAY....

This past year I have really been "hitting the books" as they say............
I have been trying to challenge myself to read more; learn more and educate my life on
various subjects I need to apply .........Our pastor has encouraged us many times to "read" and learn more when we have difficulties in our lives.

My husband had major heart surgery 4 years ago; diabetes; nerve damage to his arm and hand and other problems that have risen......Instead of sitting in a chair wondering What I can do for him.........I have researched as much as possible these subjects. I have read; gone online; and asked questions to those who could help in this situation. My own body has had it challenges and again I have found books on this subject and researched why and what I can do to help this has helped many times.

I have also taken much more time in the Bible and taken time to read a chapter instead of trying to hurry through my "daily reading". I still do my "daily reading" but there are times I may switch over to a Psalms or another chapter and "glean from the Word that day........
I have been taught to "write down verses" and keep these verses near me to strengthen me.
I remember have several 3 x 5 cards that I had written down verses and taken these along with me to the hospital . I would read these verses and it would encourage me..........
I might even "sing verses" I had read and memorized...........

I have found books that are written on Marriage; Emotions; Children; Relationships; Joy; Schedule and such and a Christian Ladies Magazine that encourages as well.

I have also taken time to educate myself on "everyday" ways I can save money; earn money; decorate or paint or refurnish something . I have found ways clean something; fix something; or do about anything with a book.

I have also "listened" and learned from others...........Maybe a talk; maybe someone who is
good on a certain subject; or a speaker.
When our children were young ; I would go to church early (while the children were in choir practice) and sit and talk to an older lady in the church about child rearing and also would speak to another older lady about marriage.......these ladies were encouraging and helpful and taught many good ideas.....(these were never times of put down of any family members but teaching times that would encourage and uplift others)

When I was young I never "read much" but when I became a mom I would always take our children to the library and summer reading fun programs.........Now that I am a grandmother
I still love reading to my "grands" and learning all I can.

MY LITTLE CAFE...AT HOME

Do you ever feel like your kitchen should have the sign of "Cafe" in front of it? It seems that is the place where most of us spend alot of time each day.........
I can remember my mom early in mornings.........rattling the dishes in the kitchen.........
I can remember the aroma of coffee sifting up the stairs to my room and even though I wasnt old enough to enjoy coffee then the aroma sent a sign of comfort and you knew the morning was beginning............other enticements such as bacon frying in the black skillet mom used; and the sound of small juice glasses on the table being filled with orange or tomato juice...........

The kitchen............a place not only to enjoy our food and treats but as soon as the table was
cleared..........it became a place to do homework; read the paper; make a craft; roll out cookie dough; or even throw a quilt over the top and it become a "fort" for small children to pretend for hours...................

As I was rinsing and then wiping down the counters one more time today ..........wringing out the dishrag and hanging the dishtowel to dry...........I looked back at the now quiet kitchen and
that same comfort came about...............

This was a place of comfort for me..........A place I enjoyed making something with my hands to
have others enjoy........A place where my granddaughter now would run giggling through going room to room or she may stand on a stool and and "pretend" wash her little dishes.............

My husband and I sometimes talk how we would have loved to have a small "cafe" where we would have served sandwiches; soup and muffins..........that was just a little dream we shared...
but as I think of it.......we do that now..........

We try and eat as a family each night. I also enjoy making my husband a simple breakfast each morning.....but even more..........many a time the front door opens and it brings forth someone at suppertime......we just add a little more and have them join us...........Not always a fancy with candle type of meal but a nice tablecloth; a plate of goodness and a nice chat..............

I can remember when our children were teens that my son would bring his friends around
and they would all plow into whatever I had for them.........cookies; muffins; breads; cinnamon rolls; biscuits and gravy..............filled the tables.............

Now as I grow a little older .......my meals become simpler...........but the "Cafe" is always open even if its lemon chicken; baked potatoes; steamed broccoli and some strawberries with whipped cream..................

I am thankful God gives us the desires of our heart........even if we dont think they are exactly how we thought they would be..........I remember going to school to become a teacher........
I never taught officially in a school but for many years taught our children everything I could; taught Sunday School for a time and then just taught young girls some simple tasks.......
He knew my heart............

Tomorrow morning when I start my coffee..........I will think of my "little cafe" and enjoy these moments.................

A NEW ADVENTURE

A  NEW ADVENTURE...........

KATIES PLACE

   A few months ago....around December....my husband and i were out having breakfast when my husband heard someone mention that there would be a new antique mall opening next to our breakfast place.....

   He said to me " Honey isnt that something?" "You like those kinds of things"...Yes I replied....."I do" and then thought nothing of it...Next " He said " I think you should open a booth" ....." What ? .....(you see our life had been pretty busy with well...life itself".....).....Normally I would have thought why  it would not be able to work or the cost or something....BUT....nothing like that came...In fact, I had kept quite a few nice things tucked away in the basement that would work perfect.....I also know that God was speaking.....through him to ME>..

  A few months rolled by....life became busy again....I put the thought on the back burner......but then again it came up...through my husband...."He asked again>.....and we both began to get excited about this new adventure for him and I together......(why couldnt I see this as something we both enjoyed doing)

  Everything began to fall into place and in fact when I found out it was going to open soon...I quickly was able (with the help of my daughter) put together our "KATIES PLACE"...........   I told God it was His to do what he wanted me to.  God has allowed me to find "wonderful things" and it has become a HOME in itself...

  Things I love ....are put in there...Things I would use ....are put in there.......Touches of HOME...Touches of history of someones life.........My husband and I went to an auction and when we returned I began to dig through of the boxes of things....Such a history of someones life.......(Her rolling pin; Her pie cutter; Her embroider towel; a small chair used by a child; a timeline of someones hard working life........

  I stopped by an estate sale...The lady holding the sale and I began to chat....It was her mothers things...
I knew she loved them and loved her mother...I told her I knew how she felt and I could see her enjoying these things........

  So KATIES PLACE...... is a NEW ADVENTURE..........  with an old history of .....Home......and Love...

MAKING SOME EASTER MEMORIES WITH GRANDMA

MAKING EASTER COOKIES WITH GRANDMA.......

Cookies are fun anytime of the year..........but homemade Easter cookies with your granddaughter seem to taste even better..............*** Mama's cut out cookies on my recipe sidebar
Sweetest girl and I decided to make some cookies together today....The weather was so warm and beautiful outside and us girls were having "fun" inside........I just LOVE being a grandma and having God allow me to bake with my granddaughter........
She had so much fun mixing the butter and sugar together but then I had to make a quick run into the other room and when I came back she had stirred "ALOT" and had flour and such sprinkled all over the counters; the floor and chair....But you know what that was OK because
thats what happens when your baking with a little one....We just went on our way to the next step...dusting as much flour as possible into the wastecan beside us.....
She was determined and doing so well........I had put a 1940's apron on her and just smiled as I saw it dwiddle down down her waist...........
Fresh eggs; flour ; sugar; margarine..............all good together
She "LOVED" using the sifter. ....round and round she turned the handle as we watched the flour sift neatly into the bowl.............


Little hands are so precious to God............God is so precious to us!
Grandma may I have some dough to roll out??? I gave her a piece to roll; dust with flour; and cut out her cookie..............
I couldnt find my box of Spring cut outs and looked everywhere so plan B..........we used a round glass and then I squeezed them slightly together to make them oval like an Egg.....
Oh..........I just had to try one ..........It is so yummy!
Grandpa came by and I offered him a bite...........I love my Papa!

LITTLE THINGS MEAN SO MUCH...A PICK OF POSEYS

GIVEN WITH LOVE.........A PICK OF POSEYS.....

As the warm days of Spring come along; I notice patches of ground covered in small blue flowers............

I love to see these beautiful little flowers flourish everywhere on their own... No one has planted them; they are a present sent by God for anyone to enjoy!!

I remember as a young girl going out to a wooded area and finding these "little violets" and picking each one and gathering them in my hand so tightly; then running toward the house with my heart as full as it could be; reaping with love to be given to my mother.

I would then take them (usually hidden behind my back) and 'SURPRISE' I would say to my mom ; these are for you!! She would take them so proudly and gather the bunch up to her nose and say" Oh these are beautiful and they smell so nice"......and then again my heart would fill with joy of giving love and receiving her admiration.

Now our "sweetest granddaughter" picks all sorts of special little flowers for me...."When I receive them I make a big deal and praise her for this special gift and we take them right away to my blue and white teacup and fill it with a bit of water and put those poseys into the cold water and I sit them by my kitchen window to remind me of this "grand" love!
These little things mean alot...........
She would then take them in the house and put them in a nice "juice glass" filled with water and sit them proudly on her windowsill in the kitchen window. I would pass by that window throughout my day and look at those "little blue flowers" given with love and once again feel the love.

Is that how are heavenly Father feels as He strives to give us His love and gifts everyday?

He loves us so much that He wants only the best for us. We may think He has forgotten about us but He is there and waiting to hear from us.

Sometimes we may give a gift of love to someone else in the form of a good meal; a clean home; working hard on a project; praying for someone...........It is given in LOVE and OHHH the blessings we receive as we see that person smile or laugh or enjoy what was given.

This Spring stop and look at the "poseys" and to remember God loves you!

I M JUST AN ORDINARY LADY WITH AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE

IM AN ORDINARY LADY LIVING AN EXTRA ORDINARY LIFE.....

   Have you ever thought of your life as just plain Ordinary? I can remember going to get my haircut many times and as the lady would begin to wash; cut and style my hair she might begin some "small talk" as they say.... such as "So are you getting ready to go on vacation?"; "Whats your summer like?"......and as I listened around me it seemed you might here from other ladies getting their hair done..." Oh were going to a Summer Party....or " Were leaving on vacation for 3 weeks" or  many other adventures.....

  I just sat there...not wanting to say: Well ...um I am going to go home and fix supper for my family; or Im going to go work in the garden tonight. or I just came from cleaning the house and doing the laundry......no big vacation; no parties...just ORDINARY LIFE.....
 But....I have to admit there were times when I would try and think of something exciting just to tell them so I could be a part of what I thought was ..........wonderful LIFE!

  Frankly , I didnt get a haircut that much and when I did it was for my hair to have a nice style to wear everyday.......I really have to laugh now thinking of how very foolish I was.....

  I LOVE that God has given me this life to enjoy....and I mean enjoy....Yes I have gotten to go some nice places through the years and have enjoyed nice things but its the ORDINARY....DAYS...   I love most!

  Its waking up....enjoying coffee with my husband. Reading my Bible in my chair and having God show me He loves me....
I enjoy being with the man God gave to me over 30 years ago...and making him happy makes me happy.
  Its making a Breakfast of oatmeal or egg omelet and toast for my husband each morning...Ordinary? Maybe but I enjoy it.

I enjoy my grown children and cherish the times when they were young but look at them now and stand proud and even learn new things from them...
I enjoy our grandbabies so much...more than I could ever know...They bring JOY to my husband and I and its so fun to see how they grow and let mom and dad do the training...we can relax and give M and M's!

  Its keeping my home....clean; laundry caught up; fresh; well decorated....Ordinary...hard work? Yes but I enjoy keeping it. Its my job and I like to do my best at it. Then when its done there is such a satisfaction.

  To think this is a Nothing Job comes from someone who maybe doesnt know how hard it is to keep up with a home or business....I have worked home and beside my husband in our business and in other small areas...I particularly love being home.

   I enjoy planning meals; cooking and baking...I really do...and enjoy making meals to share with others as well.

  This ORDINARY LIFE.....  is not really ORDINARY> at all...in fact...Its EXTRA ORDINARY..

    Because God has planned it................I cannot believe the people that come through our front door or stop by....and meals shared......I cannot believe how our family is used to maybe encourage someone..or how many wonderful things I have been able to cherish.....
    I have a busy life filled to the brim and overflowing ....but take the times to BE QUIET....and enjoy my front porch; or rock a grandbaby; or have coffee with my hubby dates.....
     Laughter; joy; hard work; planning; my new booth; dates; yard work; church; church work; others ; family; LIFE.....all make this life so Precious!

     Last week when I got my hair done..."She asked me ...anything special coming up?  ........I said Nope ..just going home after this ...my husband loves when I get my hair done! And you know what ? She smiled...and I think she liked it.........(because I think she gets off work she goes home and makes supper just like Ordinary me!