Monday, February 28, 2011

Meet Me On Monday

Welcome to the 36th edition of 



Last week I told you that Java had decided to stop doing the MMOM blog carnival...well folks, she changed her mind and I am so glad. So here are this week's
Questions: 

1.  What are you wearing right now?
 I had an early morning meeting and have returned home now..I have on dark blue jeans, a navy and white striped top with 3/4 sleeves and a boat neckline and navy socks.
2.  Do you have any freckles? 
No
3.  What is your favorite Lifesaver flavor?
Butterscotch
4.  What is the last movie you saw in the theater? 
"Eat, Pray, Love" I think.
5.  Would you rather live without tv or without music?
Without TV
Click on the link above at the top and visit Java for links to other participants.

Wednesday, February 23, 2011

Outdoor Wednesday

It’s time for “Outdoor Wednesday” #111. 
To see some awesome photos of the great outdoors
visit Susan and the other participants.

Photos made along the Greenway on our Sunday walk.


The first photo of the flag was taken at a different location.

Below is the a photo of the flag without the zoom so you can see how far away it was...Look to the right of the trees in the distance.


Here are two different benches seen on the same walk.


Tuesday, February 22, 2011

What's On Your Nightstand?


The point of this monthly carnival is to bring booklovers together. It’s our hope that you will participate when you can, and also that you will visit around some of the others on the list. Please visit Jennifer at 5 Minutes for Books, who hosts this carnival on the 4th Tuesday of each month.

The Lost Recipe for Happiness was mentioned on someone's website and I read enough about it there to know I would enjoy it. 

Twenty years ago, Elena Alvarez, the heroine of this novel, The Lost Recipe for Happiness, was the sole survivor of a car accident that left her badly scarred and haunted by the sister and boyfriend she lost in the crash. Today, she is a chef,  trained in Sante Fe and Europe. Julian Liswood, a Hollywood screenwriter, hires her as the executive chef of a new restaurant he is opening in Aspen, Colorado. This is a romance novel with a strong female antagonist. I enjoyed the story line so much but could have done without some of the language used that in my opinion does not enhance a book or a movie.


A couple of weeks ago, I went searching on Amazon for a couple of cheap books that I could read on my kindle. Time travel has always fascinated me for some reason so that was a genre that I looked at. Both Time Patriot and The Postcard were listed under this heading. 
In Time PatriotEric “Doc” Gatlin is a man with the heart of a true American patriot. He also has one of the most brilliant minds in the country. Working in Area 51 designing and building aircraft based on technology scavenged from two crashed alien spacecraft was something he enjoyed, as long as he didn't  remind himself the things he built might be used to kill people. Everything in his life changed when he discovered a small black box in the circuitry of one of the alien spacecraft. The book puts forth an explanation of the travelers as being from an earth of the future.

The Postcard takes an entirely different turn and really can't be said to be about time travel. 
Does love transcend the boundaries of time? If two people are meant to meet, is it reincarnation or destiny that brings them together? Joe never believed in such things, until the postcard came in the mail; a postcard that was 72 years old.


Same Kind of Different as Me is the story of the meeting of a modern day slave and a successful art dealer and the way both their lives are changed because of it. This is not a work of fiction. It tells of two very different men: Denver, the Black man who grew up the child of sharecroppers enslaved to the owner of plantations in the south, becomes homeless on the streets of  Texas Towns...Debbie is the wife of Ron Hall,  an art dealer, who thinks it is their Christian duty to volunteer at a mission that feeds the homeless. She sees the person inside each of the men and women who come into the mission. She looks at the inside and not the outside just as she believes God intended.



Fireflies in December
Little does anyone realize that simple Christian charity will inflame the bigots and hatemongers in this small Virginia town. Escalating episodes of horrific violence ensue, including sexual attacks directed at 13-year-old Jessilyn Lassiter, the novel’s narrator, after her white family takes in her black best friend, Gemma, when she is orphaned by a tragic fire. This book won an award for best first novel in the Christian category.


I mentioned this book, Franklin and Elinor, last month. It is my book club's March selection. My daughter has been reading it, so I only got started on it today. It is a biography and I find this type of book less entertaining. I enjoy reading them but they tend to put me to sleep. I've heard that the book offers fresh insight into the marriage of two of history's important people. Did you know that Franklin Roosevelt served as President for 3 terms? 


The following two books are waiting inside my Kindle, sort of like being on my bookshelf.
This book by Francine Rivers I saw on someone's blog this morning and thought it would be something I would like. It is the first in a series.



This book by Fannie Flagg is my book club's May selection. I've never read a book by this author but I enjoyed the movie, Fried Green Tomatoes which was made from one of her books.



I do hope you will visit other participants of this blog hop and hopefully find books that you might like to read.

A Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...Its 50 °F,(10 °C)...cloudy...it seems to have rained during the night as there are puddles on the porch in places...the high today is supposed to be 57 with sunshine, a little cooler than the past few days but still great after the harsh winter....I'm not sure Winter is quite over here yet but it certainly is elusive lately which is fine with me...there is no bird activity at the feeder and the wind is calm.
Hearing...a quiet house...and no building noise
I am thinking...about the answer to the 3rd prompt below
Feeling thankful for...God's Blessings
I am remembering...Celebration Day on Saturday..my club won "Club of the Year" for 2010 for our county

Creating this......Tis the Season.JPG    
The gals at SAL are beginning this project in March so I'll be tracing off the stitchery projects in the next few days....GJ is on the sewing table as I am quilting it..80% finished and then I'll be binding it...I can only work on it an hour or so at a time because I have to hover over the machine to see the ditches and this makes my back hurt...I am also planning to finish the cross stitch I showed last week, and have two crochet projects to start...I want to make an 'Annie' too....adding a couple of pages to the genealogy scrapbooks: My Smith branch   
I am currently reading...Fireflies in December....Product Details

but will be starting the 'Franklin and Elenore' Product Details

soon...I finished reading 'Same Kind of Different as Me'..I enjoyed it but it got tedious toward the end.
One year ago today...It was 51 degrees...I was doing a bit of Springlike cleaning, clearing and organizing...
I am hoping...to get some more of the same done this week(organizing)...to stick with the plan...to get some projects started
On my mind...the need to tidy the studio before I start quilting again...
Noticing that...I'm feeling sleepy....woke at 6:00 this morning and didn't go back to sleep...didn't get to bed until 11:00 and read for a bit so only got about 6 hours of sleep--way to little for me
Pondering these words..."Flowers are a proud assertion that a ray of beauty outvalues all the utilities of the world." Ralph Waldo Emerson
From the kitchen...nothing much...sent leftovers with Honey Bear...dishwasher needs unloading...I put out my St Patty's Day decor yesterday...not much menu planning needed for the weekend as we are taking a road trip...I do need to clear out the fridge in the garage but it will keep
Around the house...Just need to make the bed and finish unpacking from last week's trip..repack for the weekend...sort a box of books and finish up the sorting in the guest room
I am praying for...Denise from Shortybear's Place, who is in the hospital and very ill.....Kathy's son Brad...Karen's Mom(Karen's Korner)...CeeKay...Patsy's sister...Rene's Dad...Gail's Dad...my son and his family...my daughter...and you
A few plans for the week...this is a slow week for me...I plan a trip to Walmart (need to start a package for my son)....have the van cleaned
One of my favorite things...Birdwatching (bet you couldn't tell)
From my picture file
Eastern Bluebird
Credit to Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Monday, February 21, 2011

Monday, Monday

I usually do Java's Monday blog hop.
She has taken a break.
Maybe someone else will take up the torch.
For now, I am going to ask 5 questions.
If you want to post your answers, come back
and leave a comment and I will
visit you.
I could do a Mr. Linky and a button if I knew how.

1. Did you marry your first love?
2. What was your favorite childhood game or activity?
3. Did you grow up in the city or country?
4. How many siblings do you have?
5. How many pairs of shoes do you own?

My answers:

1. No, Honey Bear wasn't my first love.



Vintage <em>Tin Toy Kitchen</em> Sink Circa 1940s Cream & Red
2. My favorite childhood activity was playing house...I didn't own one of these unless it was handed down from a more affluent cousin...my dishes were usually jar lids and other items from Mother's kitchen. My cabinet would have been a wooden plank stretched across two concrete blocks...I made lots of mud pies.

3. Although, I lived on the outskirts of a small city for part of my childhood, mostly I'm from the country.

4. I have 3 siblings....2 sisters and a brother....I am the middle sister....the one in blue in this picture.


5. I own around 26 pairs of shoes....most of mine are classics  that stand the test of time...no fads....when I find a pair I like that are comfortable, I usually buy them in more than one color. My dress shoes are Mary Jane's (red, brown and black), Hush Puppy Angel (red, Navy, Black, White, Winter White), Boots (brown, winter white, red), Sandals(light brown, dark brown, cream, brown, white)

Looking forward to your answers.
Mama Bear
:0)

Sunday, February 20, 2011

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Good Morning!
This is the day the Lord has made and I will rejoice and be glad in it!
The sun is shinning and the temperature promises to be in the 70s today...it is glorious out and we are planning to go for a walk on the greenway.

I wanted to share some about the retreat I went on this past week. This was a return visit... last March we spent one night there...we decided that wasn't nearly enough time, especially if we wanted to work on any projects. The place  is called Red Rooster Retreat and is located on Smith Lake in Crane Hill, Alabama near Cullman and just a little over 70 miles from Huntsville. Last year, 7 members of our women's club went. This year we had 10 signed up but unfortunately 2 of them had the flu so we were only 8. We had so much fun, laughing until our bellies ached, eating wonderful food, playing games that helped us get better acquainted, working together on quilts and puzzles, going for walks, reading and just bonding together into even deeper friendships....One thing we didn't do much of is sleeping..
 a few of the rooms have four beds, some have only 2
 We enjoyed all of our meals in this area, surrounded by windows that frame the treetops...3 bird feeders outside the windows provided us with spell binding bird watching activity as we dined.

 The menu for each meal is posted here prior to the dinner bell ringing at 8 AM, 12 Noon, and 6 PM.
 A challenging puzzle without the traditional straight edges and corners.
 This bar area contains a fridge and complimentary snacks for guests...coffee and ice are available at all times.
 The couple who run the retreat with the help of family members, live in the upstairs wing to the left. Jennifer, the cook/owner has an apartment for her mother in the basement.
 a view of the great room with lots of tables, lights, ironing boards, etc. for spreading out projects
 Our walks were quite a workout with all the hills surrounding the retreat....some of us enjoyed a healing massage later that morning

Tuesday, February 15, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...It is 50 °F, (10 °C) mostly cloudy, the temperature is supposed to reach the 60s today...I see a Junco, Wren, and Downy Woodpecker at the feeder...also a Squirrel or two running around
Hearing...The furnace running although I left it on 66 as it was overnight
I am thinking...about how hungry I am already and how long it is until lunch
Feeling thankful for...God's watch care over our lives....the love and friendship I share with my husband and my friends
I am remembering...the weekend and time spent with my Honey
Creating this...I have plans to work on several things while I'm on retreat...got it all loaded in my car...my ride fell through and I need to be back for after school with the Princess on Thursday so I'm driving my self..that way, I can carry anything I want to and not worry about it fitting into someone else's car.
I am currently reading...Same Kind of Different as Me.....Time Patriot
One year ago today...It had snowed 3 times in a week(guess I forgot that)...reading an Elm Creek Quilt book...we were getting ready for Celebration Day
I am hoping...the meals we have at retreat don't cause me to gain any weight...but still I'm going to enjoy myself and not obsess about it.
On my mind...finishing up so I can leave
Noticing that...the yard is full of pine cones
Pondering these words...Pretend for a moment, Nothing in life is a coincidence, that the "chance" encounter was not by chance at all. Pretend for a moment that God sends us people, to teach us one particular lesson, or possibly even two. Pretend for a moment that God sent me you. from The Postcard
From the kitchen...the kitchen is closed and I never did brown that ground round so into the freezer it has to go
Around the house...the floors need vacuuming but it will wait until after retreat
I am praying for...Kathy's son and his fiancee, my sister, my family and you....
A few plans for the week...Retreat for a few days, then, housecleaning, grocery buying...Celebration Day on Saturday
One of my favorite things...finding unexpected packages in the mail: Thanks Paulie, Denise, Fiona, and Sis
From my picture file
My precious Wonder Boy in 2000

Credit goes to Peggy for the beginning of our daybook blog hop.

Monday, February 14, 2011

Meet Me On Monday



Meet Me on Monday!!


Welcome to the 35th edition of 
"Meet Me On Monday!"
Brought to you by Java
Where we all get to know each other a little better by answering these questions:
1.  Did you get any Valentine's Gifts?
Yes, my sister sent me a package...my friend Jill gave me a homemade paper heart holder with candy inside...
I have to edit this: In the mail were cards and gifts from two sweet blogging buddies...I love you guys! 2.  What is your favorite topping on something toasted?
I can't believe it's not butter spray
3.  Do you pick out your outfit the night before?
No, unless I have to get up really early for a trip
4.  What food item do you absolutely despise?
There isn't one....unfortunately, I like most every thing. I've never tried raw oysters and don't intend to but I can't say I despise them.
5.  Righty or lefty?
Right, although I can do some things with my left hand.
There you have it for this week. If you'd like to join in, hop over to Java's place.
Happy Valentine's Day!

Sunday, February 13, 2011

Sunday Morning Coming Down


Good Sunday morning to you all, since I've posted, we've had another snow here in North Alabama. It began about 6 PM on Wednesday night and by 10 we had 3 inches. Schools were canceled again on Thursday but by noon the roads were clear and dry. This weekend it has been in the 50s and sunny. I've begun to see more bird activity. The Bluebirds have been flocking to the suet and also checking out the houses. Last night, Honey Bear and I sat outside with a fire in the fire pit just as it began to get dusky dark. We saw the Bluebirds pile into an old gourd we have hanging in one of the pine trees. Guess they are sleeping there. The Chickadees are checking out their yellow box. We moved it from Memphis, we had Chickadees nest in it there. So far, not here. Maybe this year.
Our annual Celebration Day is coming up on the 19th for the club. It used to be called Achievement Day. It is the time we honor all the hard work the clubs in the county have put in during the previous year...Daughter is planning it this year and it will be at her church. Yesterday we went out to find some items for table decorations and goody/treat bags for each place setting. We're expecting about 60 ladies to participate. The theme is "Night at the Oscars" and the speaker, from the church,  titled his speech: Best Actress Award: Mary or Martha. I thought that was fitting.
In the meantime, 10 of our club members are going on retreat this week, Tuesday-Thursday. I am looking forward to this. I still have to gather some things to work on while there.
As I mentioned, I had the February club meeting here at my house on Thursday. 18 ladies were present. It was a challenge to fit them all into my living room but we managed.

If you read the Daybook post last week, the picture was of our boxwood by the front walk, with Christmas lights on it and then the 4 inches of snow we got on Christmas Day. I think Kayren's guess came closest.

I have a question for you: "What color dominates your closet?"
Have a great Sunday....I'm off to dress for church.
Mama Bear
:0)

Tuesday, February 8, 2011

A Simple Woman's Daybook


Outside my window...Its 32 °F, (0 °C) with a wind chill of 26....It is a little cloudy but I think the sun might peak out here in a minute...Its supposed to reach 40 which is great...and at the moment I see no critters...oh but wait a small flock of Purple Finch just landed on the feeder and a Carolina Wren is down in the tube searching for bugs, with a Titmouse making quick stops for seed.
Hearing...the landscape equipment at the new houses behind me....the furnace and clocks ticking
I am thinking...mostly about the meeting I'm hosting tomorrow night and how to fit 16 ladies into my   living room.
Feeling thankful for...44 years of marriage..our anniversary is this week...my daughter told someone we'd been married 44 years and they asked, "To the same people?".....also thankful that my children are Christian and so know to lean on The Lord when life becomes unbearable and loved ones do the unthinkable.
I am remembering...that my parents had been married just one month shy of 60 years when Mother went home....
Creating this...ideas for projects, mostly...have to get the GJ to the sewing machine and get quilting...I tidied my embroidery thread yesterday, returning spools from previous projects to the case...a welcoming home for quests
I am currently reading..."Same Kind of Different as Me" sort of a Biography of two men from different backgrounds and how their paths come together...by Denver Moore and Ron Hall...book club selection for April
One year ago today...Honey Bear and I spent the weekend before at a B&B in Mentone, Alabama to celebrate 43 years together where we enjoyed walks in the woods, cuddling in our room, dining in quaint local restaurants...
the hot water heater wasn't working...I was working on this cross stitch:


which I never finished..discovered I was reading the pattern wrong and using the wrong number of threads...see the Bs.and her feet..Do you think I should go ahead and finish it, leaving the mistakes...would you know if I didn't tell you?
Also, it has been a year since the shooting in a local middle school....there is a new era of bullying in our schools with texting, facebook and Twitter...
I am hoping...and praying that things work out....I know The Lord is in charge...I just have to lean on Him and not worry about "stuff"
On my mind...plans for the day...
Noticing that...the sun has made an appearance...Smokey has gotten under his blanket beside me on the sofa...there is a Downy Woodpecker on the feeder now
Pondering these words..."No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted" Aesop
"Love is Kind" I Corinthians: 13:4........but sometimes humans aren't!
From the kitchen....leftover pork from Saturday night..I suppose I will freeze it.....making red velvet cupcakes tomorrow for our meeting...and homemade pimento cheese for little sandwiches to be served with some fresh strawberries, mixed nuts and chocolate & conversation hearts
Around the house...I have someone coming to clean on Thursday morning(hope she doesn't get snowed in)...need to vacuum chairs, wash afghans...arrange seating....change bed linens and start laundry...but perhaps I'll just watch a movie instead...its my choice after all.
I am praying for...my family and you, my friends
A few plans for the week...Accompany Daughter to an appointment tomorrow...short shopping trip for supplies...dinner at church tomorrow night...club meeting Thursday night...(also anniversary)... Honey Bear's homecoming Friday night...our real celebration will be when we go to Charleston in March
One of my favorite things...
From my picture file...Can you guess what this is?

Monday, February 7, 2011

Meet Me On Monday



Welcome to the 34th edition of 
"Meet Me On Monday!"




Every Sunday Never Growing Old will post five get to know you  questions that you can copy and paste into your own Monday post and we  can all learn a little more about each and every one of us!!
Here are Java's Questions and my Answers:
Questions: 
1.  Did you watch the Superbowl? 

I watched some of it..some of the half time show...none of the commercials...I do know who won....Pro football has never been as interesting to me as college.
2.  What is the last book that you read? 

The last book I finished was Made in the USA by Billie Letts.....I am reading two more now.
3.  What is your favorite kind of cake? 

Pound Cake. I favor it over layer cake with icing..it is the only kind I make now and I have recipes for many varieties from apple to coconut to plain...I even have a recipe for a chocolate pound cake or a red velvet one.
4.  Do you snore?

Well, I do occasionally but always wake myself up...I call it more of a snuffle, nothing like the noise coming from the other side of the bed.
5.  Do you play an instrument?

I'm afraid not...I took enough piano when I was a teen and later when I'd been married for about 20 years, that I could play some southern gospel for my own entertainment but it has been years since I've tried to do even that. Sold my piano in 1993 and used the money for a sewing machine.


I hope you enjoyed my answers to this Monday morning meme. If you're interested in joining or just want to read the answers others give, pay a visit to Java. You'll find the link up above.
*******************************************
I apologize for not visiting more last week....there is just too much going on right now that I can't reveal. I would like to request your prayers for the situation.....my weight loss plan is going well...as of this morning, I've lost 12 pounds in 5 weeks....I am doing the happy dance!  I have an address for my son  now  who has been deployed so I can write to him and send him packages............I hope you had a great weekend...right now, we have no precipitation and I hope it stays that way.......Oh, by the way, the plaque I posted last week on my day book is actually in the children's garden at our Botanical Garden and not on my walk way as some of you thought....there is a little feature there of Goldilocks and the Three Bears....last weekend was the first time I discovered it. Usually, it is just too hot and humid to explore that section outside the Butterfly House.....I couldn't resist taking a photo of 'Mama Bear' which is in front of a drawing  on a fence. The drawing has a hole where the face goes as does the ones for the other three characters....so visitors can put their own face there....I'll go back soon and make photos of the rest of the section...my batteries played out at just that moment. 
Have a good day, I'll try to stop by for a visit.
Mama Bear
:o)

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

Outdoor Wednesday


Saturday was such a beautiful day here with temperatures near 70 degrees. It was Dog Daze of Winter at our Botanical Garden where owners were allowed to walk designated sections of the Garden with their dogs. Daughter, the Princess, her friend Elizabeth, Wonder Boy, Honey Bear and I decided to take our walk there. Their dog's name is Yoshi. He is a rescued dog they've had almost a year.


I thought this looked like the Faerie swimming pool, just needed water.
 In this open area, owners were allowed to let their dogs off their leash. It was amazing how friendly and well behaved the dogs were.
 Not much was blooming in the garden other than Pansies but I discovered this. I also saw that Daffodils were poking up so it won't be long until they're blooming.
I hope you enjoyed this Outdoor Wednesday post. If you're interested, pay a visit to Susan and all the other participants.....or post your own and join in.