BUSY Week

Time just keeps on flying by, doesn't it? And that's what my fingers are going to do - - fly over this keyboard just to get you updated on what we've been up to this past week or more.

A week ago Thursday, my daughters and I went to the home of some "crafty" friends. The husband makes beads from melted glass. I have seen him do it with a blowtorch type tool and just drip and attach glass in different designs to make beautiful beads. He used to sell them at craft fairs but seems to be retired from it now. I wish I could take some pictures but I really need to take time to figure out where to take my camera to get it fixed. That won't be difficult if I put it on my list of things to do - - but it doesn't seem to be taking priority right now.

And you would think you were on the wrong blog if I didn't mention food - right? We have spent two Sundays in a row at Mamaw's! She is our son-in-law's grandmother. Yesterday was to celebrate her birthday. Last week was to celebrate mine. She makes our dessert request. Mine was yellow cake with her homemade fudge icing. She basically takes a fudge recipe and cooks it just short of it hardening. The next week, I took banana splits ingredients. At least the fruit was a bit of a balance to the syrups and sugars??!!

A week ago, our older daughter prepared Nacho Salad foods. There's another big YUM! The best part was taking the Velveeta-Rotel Dip and putting it on top of the salad rather than grated cheese. We did not check our cholesterol after any of those meals. But once again, notice that we had raw produce to balance some of that out.

Then last Thursday, the same daughter and I attended Cooking Live at our church. It is a once a month themed cooking demonstration with samples given out for five dishes. Over 50 people generally attend and it's a lot of fun plus some great information.

And regarding work, we have begun our adult reading program. I think 99 people are presently signed up. We are hoping for 200. It's fun. Most of them are regular library patrons but these promotions generally bring in some new friends for us to meet. Also, since we require everyone to read at least one non-fiction book, it encourages them to read some Christian Literature they might not usually pick up.

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a

Wonderful Weekend!

It is my birthday today - - - not something a person usually advertises --- especially when they have just turned one year less than 60 . . . . !!! How did it happen so fast? I read on an email forward or a blog that life is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer you get to the end, the faster it goes. I will confirm that feeling.

So here's what we've done the last two days. Yesterday I needed to be in Chattanooga for an appointment so afterward, I went to Hamilton Place Mall and visited a few retail businesses. Then I headed over to Lifeway Bookstore to buy some more titles for our FBC Library. Lunch was soup and salad at Jason's Deli. Going home the "back" way (rather than I-75) took me by Couch's BBQ . Take-out from there gave us great sandwiches last night.

Then I started some research that my husband completed today. Our younger daughter and her husband are still having to stay in town during the week due to the long commute around the Ocoee rockslide. They have been at his parents and enjoying it - - - - but to give them some variety and also to give his parents a bit of a break, we went out and bought a bed to go in our spare room. That room was going to be a guest room eventually and now it will be by next weekend. The walls still need painting but it has heat and a good roof and that is more important than paint.

Not everyone in the world can claim that right now. The situation in Haiti is heartbreaking and almost incomprehensible. I don't know why some of us have an easier life than others but I praise God HE is with us in any and all situations. Can I go there and help? Probably I would be more of a liability than an asset if I were onsite and people depended on me for tasks requiring stamina and strength. I tire easier and quicker than I used to. That is not an excuse I am looking for but it is the truth. It is good to know our limitations. However, I can support mission groups who are there year-round and especially an agency like Samaritan's Purse who is a GREAT first responder.

And jumping back to my personal world of celebration - - - my husband took me out for a delicious mid-afternoon meal at Heartland Grill in Dayton. We are stuffed - - - - and did not adhere to any diet today! Speaking of eating out with my husband, I caught my reflection in a mirror this week at Gardner's Market near my work and said to him, "I certainly look my age today!" Do you ever do that? You think you look like what you want to look like - - - and then catch your image unexpectedly and reality almost knocks you down?!!!!

Gray hair is a crown of splendor, it is attained by a righteous life. Proverbs 16:31

Water - Frozen & Not

No, our water pipes are not frozen. Thank you, Lord.
Yes, there is still snow on the ground but the main roads are clear and most of the surface son our subdivision roads have melted that we can get to the main roads when needed. It was interesting that it never got above freezing but still the snow and ice on the roads melted. Maybe it was because we did have sunshine for a few hours and I guess it was enough warmth to heat the dark road? If you know a better answer, I will listen.

- - - and water that is not frozen that I am thinking of, would be drinking water. Have you read what Don Colbert, MD says about drinking water? His books are great. You can find them in many health food stores as well as Christian and other bookstores. His writings are what caused me to begin taking supplements for the arthritis in my knees. Anyway, he believes many health problems can be cured by just drinking adequate amounts of water each day. Dehydration causes many problems from arthritis to heart burn to memory loss and back problems in your spine. Drinking enough each day can cause you to have more energy and even look younger. It can even reduce high blood pressure and lessen asthma symptoms for some people.

The Seven Pillars of Health is EXCELLENT. I would also recommend Eat This and Live! That one has most of the same information but is presented in a more appealing format with pictures on almost every page. He suggests keeping a record of how much you drink each day because it might not be as much as you think - - - and if thirst is your reason for drinking, then you are probably dehydrated. Your body functions better if you drink regularly and not get to the dehydration point. Or did you know all this? Even though I am very diligent about drinking water rather than soft drinks, I was surprised to find out that I was falling short of my body's daily requirements. Oh well . . . . . . one step at a time and eventually we get to our goals.

Jesus said, . . . . "Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst - not ever." John 4:14a

More Snow

This is no big deal for those of you in the northern states but for us, it is because some side roads have to melt before they are clear. Melting will not happen tomorrow since the forecast is a high of twenty-five degrees with northern winds. We have very little accumulation but there doesn't have to be much frozen on the roads to cause problems.

As we were coming home tonight, a good-looking, newer truck was in front of us getting ready to make a right hand turn. The problem was the driver got out of the main lane onto the wide paved shoulder. The shoulder was covered with snow. They hit their brakes and slid into the ditch. Although I grew up in upstate NY, I never drove on snow before I moved south. However, I know you don't hit your brakes when you are moving along at a pretty decent pace on snow.

My husband is scheduled to go into work tomorrow but I don't have to be anywhere. So I will stay home, get laundry done, etc. and read a book. If you connect to this link, you can see some of the most recent books I have completed. Hope you enjoy your weekend. Stay warm. Stay healthy.

YOU have made summer and winter. Psalm 74:17b

Restaurant Bargains

Do you like to go out to eat but it's cost prohibitive? Do you ever watch the East Tennessee Shopper on Monday night at 8 pm? If you have cable, it's on channel five. Someone without cable told me it's on 27 on her TV. The show offers coupons for restaurants. Generally it is $20 worth of food for $12. If you are one of the ones who is a first caller and gets a coupon, you go to Mr. & Ms. (hair salon) on 25th St by the recruiting office (near MacDonald's) to pay for it by Friday of the same week you watch the show. We had forgotten that it was back on but I was reminded today. So we are going to Dovino's sometime soon. - - because I was a first caller. I love their pizza. Many other restaurants were featured including Kerri's Restaurant (old Holiday Inn), Smokehouse Restaurant, and Deli Boys Sandwiches - -- among others.

That's it tonight - - - - me talking about food again. hmmmmm - -- but the good news is I have been exercising and (believe it or not) careful about what I eat which has resulted in a weight loss of about 8 pounds in about as many months!!! I probably need to lose at least 15 more - - but I will patiently continue towards that goal.

Why do you spend your money on junk food, your hard-earned cash on cotton candy? Listen to me, listen well: Eat only the best, fill yourself with only the finest. Isaiah 55:2 (The Message)

Honeybaked Ham

Someone gave us a Honeybaked Ham for Christmas. Since it was frozen, we kept it until New Year's. I will not try to elaborate and tell you how good it tasted. Delicious would be an understatement. We are not ham connoisseurs but if there was a contest, the Honeybaked would take the blue ribbon without question.

. . . . . . . and tomorrow we resume a normal work schedule. It has been a GREAT vacation but you can't have a vacation without a job - - - so, back we'll go. As I have told you before, we both enjoy our employment.

Today after church, my husband and I went to visit a dear friend who has been a wonderful mentor to our younger daughter. This woman was the coordinator/supervisor/worker in our church's preschool. She not only gave our daughter opportunities to work but also has been a great encourager to her. My husband used to give this woman chili a couple of times a year when he cooked it. That was our main reason for going to her home today. Our conversation with her and her children was truly enjoyable.

My husband thinks this recipe for chili is the best he's eaten.
Chili - - 6 Quart Recipe
6 cans Light or Dark Kidney Beans 15 oz.
1 can 28 oz Diced Petite Tomatoes
1 to 1.5 pounds hamburger browned in Skillet
3 cans Rotel (can go from mild to hot depending on how hot you want it)
1 chopped bell pepper
1 can 15 oz.tomato sauce
Jalapeno peppers diced (10 to 15 of the cut slices from the jar that can be found in the pickle aisle but they are not pickled)

Spices
Chili powder 3/4 cup (can be reduced to taste)

On the following, use a few shakes of each 5 - 10 shakes each for flavor.)
Onion powder or diced onion
Black Pepper
Salt
Paprika
Red Pepper

Mix in crock pot. Cover and cook on high until it starts to bubble. Turn down to low. Usually takes at least 4 hours depending on the crock pot.

"Give me some of that red stew - I'm starved!" Genesis 25:29b

Happy New Year

What a wonderful way to begin a new year with two more beautiful days of vacation ahead and no commitments to be anyplace other than home with my family!

And like the true Southern girl I am - - not - - - I have the blackeyed peas on the stove cooking. We will cook some greens (cabbage) later. I was raised in upstate NY but when I married my husband who was raised in Georgia, I found out about this Southern tradition. You cook those items to give you prosperity in the New Year. The peas represent coins and the greens represent folding money. Of course we don't believe that but traditions are what make a holiday special. Plus we have joked that my deceased mother-in-law would come back from the grave if I didn't have blackeyed peas and greens cooking for her son on January 1. She would always call us that day to make sure of our menu. It was a concession on her part to "let me" cook cabbage rather than collards. We still miss her even though it's been over 12 years since she left this earth.

- - - - - and I know you are going to be excited to hear this - - - - our freezer is again organized and this time - - inventoried!!!! I did that yesterday. We have a chest style freezer so it is easier for things to fall to the bottom and get forgotten. This year we have done pretty well in keeping up with what's in there. However, I did need to shuffle some meats around to get the older dates on top. I know I have told you in the past that we buy meat on sale and then vacuum-seal it in serving or cooking portions. The up side to all of it is we can definitely make quite a few menus out of the pantry and freezer until the next big sale.

I have done all this good organizing with good intentions. Someone ask me in six months - - - or even three months if I am updating my pantry inventory lists - - - subtracting & adding as things are cooked or bought! haha

And with those resolutions, let me go and exercise - - - I am so becoming one of my dear friends. She is a great role model - - - who is settling back in on the mission field again today after being home with her family for Christmas vacation.

(And my Scripture (last verse) today is a continuation of my younger daugher's thoughts.)

"I'm not saying that I have this all together, that I have it made. But I am well on my way, reaching out for Christ, who has so wondrously reached out for me. Friends, don't get me wrong: By no means do I count myself an expert in all of this, but I've got my eye on the goal, where God is beckoning us onward - to Jesus. I'm off and running, and I'm not turning back." Philippians 3:13-14 (The Message)