Friday, March 30, 2012

Funny Friday


Good Morning, Everybear
Wil here
with my Funny Friday post
Its Official, I am going to Camp Good Bear
with all my friends.
I'm so excited!
Mama Bear has been shopping for 
essentials for 
the camp...

One more week until Easter
Are you guys ready?
Mama says she has a menu to plan
and extra food to buy
We'll have a special dinner with Family 
and Friends
after church
then an egg hunt....
Love the Egg hunts be-claws Mama
puts candy and prizes inside.
Have a special weekend....
Wil

Wednesday, March 28, 2012

Wednesday Hodgepodge

On My Honor its the Hodgepodge volume #72
and Joyce is our host.

1. What's the last job you did that required elbow grease?
That's easy....Monday, I spot cleaned the carpet in the areas where Honey Bear and I sit in the living room....there were some stains that required scrubbing with a nail brush but I managed to get rid of it.

2. March Madness, aka the men's Division I basketball championship, is nearing an end. What sort of 'madness' has your house seen this month?

Nothing much out of the ordinary has happened in our house this month...

3. What's your favorite shop for browsing?
I haven't found a substitute for the Antique Mall in Memphis since I moved back....these days browsing the thrift shop or the hobby shop will have to do.
4. Is there ever a time when giving up makes sense?
In a disagreement where you know you're right but can't prove it, its best to agree to disagree.

5. What's a song you love that contains the name of a city, state or country in its title?
That's easy: God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood and My Home's in Alabama by the band Alabama

6. When did you first begin using a computer?
1990, Daughter went away to college and on a visit, Honey Bear and I visited the computer lab where he had me sit down and get acquainted..I was afraid that I would somehow destroy the machine....we got our first home computer shortly after that and it took me a while to get familiar with the Word Perfect program which I used for writing. Our program had a few bugs and what showed up on the screen was not necessarily what came out on the paper...I don't think I used Internet much until we we closed our business in 1999.....by that time, I'd become efficient in computer use....still, until I got my first laptop, I didn't spend too much time on the computer.

7. Did you buy girl scout cookies this year? What's your favorite? 
No.....I didn't have the opportunity......I've always enjoyed the Trefoil (shortbread) and I loved the lemon sandwich cookies (they discontinued them this year).......Honey Bear likes the chocolate covered mint and the peanut butter.

8. Insert your own random thought here.
This seemed to be a random set of questions where usually we have some sort of theme.....

Thanks, Joyce for continuing to host and provide questions which make us think....

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's Journal
FOR TODAY...Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Outside my window...The sun is shinning, it is  62 °F,  (17 °C), and expected to reach 81 degrees this afternoon, there is a nice breeze blowing...everything is green. 

I am thinking...Well, I've been out for 4 hours since I began this post...I'm thinking I need to finish it up and post it.

I am thankful...for the beautiful Spring we're having and for having a mild Winter...praying we have no more tornadoes this year

In the kitchen...Lots of leftovers: Rotisserie Chicken, Ham/vegetable casserole, potato salad....hmm...maybe we'll have leftovers for dinner.

I am wearing...a purple 3/4 sleeve T with olive green pull-on pants...I've already changed out of my good clothes...Do you do that?

I am creating...strips for the SKOW quilt I'm doing with SAL.....I bought some scrapbook paper today for a new genealogy book...also gonna do some T-shirt transfers and tomorrow is our club's workshop to make the pillowcases and drainage bag aprons.

I am going...to rest for a while and read....the "grands" here are on Spring Break so the Princess and I went shopping and had lunch....Friday we're going to see the movie: Hunger Games with Wonder Boy and my Daughter....

I am wondering...why I tire so easily these days....must be age...

I am reading...Alter of Eden by James Rollins

I am hoping...to squeeze in a short nap

I am looking forward to...a short nap

I am learning...to make paper Christmas baubles

Around the house...things are mostly tidy....I cleaned the living room and kitchen yesterday

I am pondering...an exert from a poem by Shelley: Love's Philosophy 
See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;--
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me?


A favorite quote for today...
Spring makes its own statement, so loud and clear that the gardener seems to be only one of the instruments, not the composer.  ~Geoffrey B. Charlesworth 

One of my favorite things...afternoon naps as long as they don't interfere with sleep at night

A few plans for the rest of the week: sewing workshop and hair appointment tomorrow....movie on Friday

I've been watching a British television program on netflix (live streaming on my laptop): Inspector Lewis.....Its been quite interesting.....takes place in Oxford, England....that's where I heard the poem above....and learned that the Mary Shelley who wrote "Frankenstein" was the poet, Shelley's wife.


From my pictures file....bunnies in the yard are part of Spring
Hop over to The Simple Woman's Daybook to check out other's look into the simple things of their week. Thanks, Peggy

Monday, March 26, 2012

Meet Me On Monday


Monday Morning has rolled around once again....
Time for MMOM with Heather
1. What movie or movies do you have to watch when they are on TV? (submitted by@rndmcrftyGAgrl)

Can't think of a single one...
2. When you have out of town visitors, what fun places do you take them to in your town?  (Or where do you play tourist in your own town?)
There's a little catfish cafe off the beaten path with no frills where we like to go when we're in the mood for some fried catfish....Our Botanical Gardens is a good spot for a picnic....then there's the Space & Rocket Center but we usually let visitors go there on their own.
3. What was the first album, CD, Download you ever bought?
I'm sure you didn't mean for me to go back to when I was a young woman and my music came on a vinyl record so we'll say the first CD....when we moved to Pittsburgh, I had sold my stereo in a yard sale, I still had a cassette tape player but hadn't graduated to CDs. On New Year's Eve, Honey Bear and I went to Walmart and bought a boom box (a floor model that was reduced)...we bought a few bargain CDs of instrumental music to listen to right away: Richard Clayderman on the Piano, and some classics music as well. And for a while, I bought sound tracks mostly: Titanic, Mission Imposssible, Sleepless in Seattle, Philadelphia, to name a few....I still listen to that boom box in the studio when I'm working there (18 years later)...I listen to Country mostly, now.
4. Do you speak more than one language and which ones?  If not, what language would you like to know?
No, although, I learned enough Spanish to get my point across to wait staff, etc when in Costa Rica...I suppose Spanish would be my choice if I had the opportunity as we seem to have an increasing population in the states, who only speak that language. When Wonder Boy was in preschool, I learned to count and name our family relations in Spanish.....then there's the language of love which I speak with Honey Bear.....we finish each other's sentences these days.
5. What is your dream job?
the one I have now.....I'm my own boss....I follow my own schedule

Friday, March 23, 2012

Funny Friday

Happy Fri-Day
Wil here
It is very wet outside....
so beary happy to be inside...
We've put away the Saint Paddy
'stuff'
and gotten out all the Easter 'stuff'
I don't have an Easter outfit and
Mama says she isn't going to 
get herself one this year...
she says she'll wear something from a
previous year...
Okay, Mama wants me to include
her recipe for:
Copper Pennies
1 16-ounce package carrots (prepackaged sliced works)
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup oil
1 10&3/4 once can tomato soup
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 cup sugar
2 teaspoons mustard

Peel and slice carrots, place them in a saucepan and cook in salted water until tender. Drain and pour in a large serving bowl. Set aside.
In a skillet saute the onion in the oil. Drain the excess oil from the skillet. Prepare the soup according to directions on the can. Add 1 cup of the soup, the green pepper, vinegar, sugar and mustard to the onion mixture. Bring the mixture to a boil and remove from heat. Pour the sauce over the carrots and blend well. Serve hot or cold. Makes 6 servings. Freezes well.
This recipe is taken from
The Table at Grey Gables
cookbook
************************
Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Wil

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Spring is in the Hodge Podge Volume #71


1. The first day of spring is here...do you enjoy working in the yard? Weeding, raking, mowing, planting-your favorite springtime garden chore? How about your least favorite?

No, I do not....I had way too much of that growing up and also during the years we had the farm......I enjoy growing flowers in planters on the porch.....The last several years I've had to water the tomatoes planted in tubs and pick Okra....this year Honey Bear will be here to do that.....my least favorite would be weeding if I had to do it.

2. What puts a spring in your step? 
There is definitely a difference in the light as Spring arrives which makes me feel perkier.

3. Describe a time when you had to spring into action?
Read Joyce's answer....that is what came to mind for me, whenever one of the children had an accident.....there was also the arrival of our first Foster Baby....I had been to the Orthopedist with my son and arrived home to find the case workers there with a baby....she only had one bottle of formula with her so we had to make a quick trip to the store for that plus some other essentials, although, I had prepared a nursery ahead of time.

4. We're having carrots for dinner...would you prefer yours raw or cooked?
Either way is fine...I'd say we eat them more raw than cooked but I like Copper Pennies and so does Honey Bear

5. Do you take the shampoos and other sundries from your hotel room when its time to check out?
Of course....I'm sure I paid for them.

6. What's the most enjoyable team or club you've belonged to and what was it that made it so?
That would be AHCL...Alabama Homemakers and Community Leaders....I've been a member since 1989...my local club is Rainbow Mountain Homemakers and the county one is MCHCL...I love the service work we do for our community and the world but I also enjoy the friendships I've developed through the organization. I've been a member of similar organizations in other states during the time since I joined. RMH has 23 members currently. We work well together and also enjoy our fun times. They are a great group.

7. Is cloning a sign of progress? Not really

8. Insert your own random thought here.
Drop by and visit Joyce for more of this weeks Hodge Podge.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook

Happy First Day of Spring, everyone!
From Mama Bear's Journal...
FOR TODAY...Tuesday, March 20, 2012

Outside my window...Pine tree pollen and Maple tree seeds litter the porch and the porch furniture...I can see the plants I carried out yesterday, the Poinsettia and the Coleus give a lot of color (so happy to have them all out of the kitchen)...discovered this morning that the Rabbit has become a pair. She has been living under the porch for a while now so I guess this is her mate. They love the Spring grass, just hope they stay out of the garden...Our Strawberries have small green berries already and we have to cover them pronto or the Birds will eat them all...It is 71 °F,(22 °C), and expected to reach 87 today with wind which will be blowing that pollen (looks like a dust storm) but maybe it will blow it all off the trees...we're supposed to have some rain Thursday which will help. 

I am thinking...I need to pay a visit to the nail salon for a pedi before I start wearing sandals...I have a gift card that was a gift from my friend, Rene, at Christmas, to  use.

I am thankful...for so-o much....our son's family is moving to Georgia this summer which feels much closer than west Texas....I have a play date with my Daughter tomorrow (I've lost track of how long its been since we had a day together...this is her last semester of school so hopefully we can go back to a day a week after she finishes)....Honey Bear has planted most of the garden and we have all those fresh veggies to look forward to...I'm thankful to have him here every afternoon....

In the kitchen...Easter decorations and clean countertops..I need to run the dishwasher....I'm planning to make a Pineapple Upside Down Cake....for dinner: Crowder Peas, Corned Beef Hash (with the leftovers from our St Patrick's Day meal), Corn Bread, and maybe some Spinach.....not sure about my lunch menu, maybe a frozen entree or some Tuna.

I am wearing...my pajamas, still, I need to wrap this up and get a shower.

I am creating...the patchwork that connects those blocks I showed you last week....crochet squares for "Hope" blankets....plans for other projects..

I am going...nowhere today

I am wondering...whether I should clean house or work in the studio today..

I am reading...State of Wonder....Book Club selection for May....I'm getting too far ahead on my list of books so I need to read something other than books for book club,  next.

I am hoping...to finish uploading this stack of CDs

I am looking forward to...the Princess coming after school...spending time with Daughter tomorrow

I am learning...ways to run an efficient home

Around the house...floors need attention, Master needs dusting (I only did half last week.....seasonal clothes need swapping between my closet and the one in the guest room......seeds and bulbs need to be planted...the porch needs to be cleaned....I'll try to forget all this while I work in the studio (more fun).

I am pondering...words from today's devotion at RBC Ministries about the "Long Awaited Reunion".

A favorite quote for today...
All creatures of our God and King,
Lift up your voice and with us sing, Alleluia! Alleluia!
Thou burning sun with golden beam, Thou silver moon
with softer gleam! O praise Him! —St. Francis of Assisi

One of my favorite things...going bare foot outside

A few plans for the rest of the week: The ones previously mentioned....A district meeting and lunch on Thursday in Hartselle......


From my Photo album....the view from Arrington Winery, Tennessee.


As usual, we would like to credit: Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook for the prompts in this post.

.






Monday, March 19, 2012

Meet Me On Monday

Good Morning, and welcome to another addition
of MMOM
with Heather as our host.


1. How do you like your eggs?
Scrambled with cheese, most often, but occasionally, over easy.
2. Who is the last person you spoke to on the phone?
The membership person at the Botanical Gardens when I renewed (Friday)...I have texted since then.3. Do you have a place you keep 'junk' in your home? 
Too many.....I try to keep a check on clutter, though.
4. What is on your 'spring cleaning' list?
My closet...I was just thinking this morning that I need to sort my clothes and swap seasons as it looks like we're finished with winter....I planned to clean the garage while it was still cool but alas, it is too hot now....I've already cleaned the bedroom curtains but I need to do the ones in the kitchen and living room....also, I plan to clean the light fixtures over the vanity.
5. What blog post have you written recently that you'd like more people to know about? (don't forget to link it up)
Well, I would like everyone to stop by my blog....I've not written anything great and wonderful, though...its been a while since I've done a nostalgic post.

Sunday, March 18, 2012

Sunday Morning Coming Down

St Patrick's Day has come and gone...Its time to redo my background and header picture...We've been having some unseasonably warm temperatures and Honey Bear has the garden well underway...I haven't turned the AC on yet but am thinking seriously about doing so...Its hard to get to sleep when it is so warm in bed at night.


I haven't done much visiting in the last two weeks...I hope you can forgive me...I miss all of you and wonder what is happening in your corner of the world...I've been spending a lot of time on Club work and hand sewing. I finally finished all of the blocks for March/April on the SAL quilt. Now I have to do the patchwork and get them attached....Our club is making 10" crochet and knit squares which will be part of "Hope" blankets.....At retreat, we cut out 46 pillow cases and around 20 drainage bag aprons for cancer patients. We'll have a work shop this month to sew these and also to make Easter Baskets for our local CASA clients.


Honey Bear and I love to watch the wild life in our backyard. Recently, the Bluebirds have been building in the birdhouse on the back fence. I have a couple of planters on the back porch which are lined with coco fiber....Mama Bluebird makes regular trips between this and her house...She works hard to pull out the fiber for nest building....The Cardinals are building their nest in the boxwood beside the front door....The Wrens keep trying to build in the garage. Whenever the door is left open for a few minutes, they come inside and always go fluttering out whenever someone interrupts them. They get very annoyed at these interruptions. 


Well, it is almost time to dress for church. I hope you have a blessed day.
Mama Bear

Wednesday, March 14, 2012

Hodge Podge

Lucky for you, Its Time for Wednesday
Hodge Podge
Volume #67
I'm hooking up with Joyce for:
1. St. Patrick's Day will be celebrated this coming Saturday...what's a favorite article of clothing you own that contains a touch o' the green?
Since Green is my least favorite color, there is very little of it in my closet....I do have shamrock earrings and a light Turquoise shirt that I wear around this time of year.
2. What's a favorite 'green space' in the town, state, or province where you live?
Ooh, that is tough because I really love the Botanical Gardens but I also like walking on the nearby Greenway.....then there is Green Mountain where we like to walk in the Fall....
3. Do you wish you were taller, shorter, or think you're just about right in the height department?
I am 5'6 so I think I'm just about right.....I wouldn't mind being short if I could be a size 6 petite.
4. What's the surest way for someone to pick a fight with you?
First of all, I can count the times I've been in a fight on one hand, but I get defensive if someone says something negative about my children.
5. Broccoli-Spinach-String Beans-Peas...of the four, your favorite green veg? (Or the one you dislike the least if that first option's too hard. I just know there's some veggie haters out there.)
I like them all....I'd say Green Beans and Spinach would be tied for #1.
6. March is National Women's History Month...besides friends, neighbors and the women you're related to, who's a woman in history you admire and why? Women who have faced diversity and physical handicaps and still achieved success.

7. Keep Calm and march on.
You fill in the blank.

I'm also joining Susan at A Southern Daydreamer for Outdoor Wednesday....Its been a while since I've done a post for OW and I thought I'd share photos of a Raptor we had in our yard on Saturday. We have a pair of Hawks that regularly visit us. In a way, it makes me sad that they eat the smaller Birds but that is part of God's plan.....This time, it seems the female captured one of our Mockingbirds. Since Mockingbirds pair for life, the partner will be looking for a new mate, now.



Our best guess after looking in our bird book, is this is a Sharpe Shank Hawk.

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's journal...

FOR TODAY...Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Outside my window...the sun is shinning....there are lots of clouds, though, so it doesn't stay out long....Our Maple tree is shedding the little red seed pods all over the porch and green is showing here and there on the tree...the grass is getting long but we've agreed not to mow  until after Easter so there will be more hiding places for the eggs....the Butterfly Bush looks so healthy....there's been a red bellied Woodpecker on the feeder this morning along with a Purple Finch.....We've thinned the fish population by 6 as we gave relatives some for their pond..

I am thinking...I feel so sluggish after all the sinus and asthma days recently and just seem to get so little done.

I am thankful...that I am fleeing better, not coughing as much

In the kitchen...Someone needs to buy groceries, badly.....I'm eager to get the plants, sitting in the breakfast nook, out on the porch

I am wearing...black pajama pants with a pink thread running though them and a pink T.

I am creating...



 more blocks for the SAL quilt


I am going...nowhere

I am wondering...what to make for dinner

I am reading...Leah's Wake

I am hoping...to clean both baths, dust the Master furniture, vacuum and mop today

I am looking forward to...having a day to spend with my Daughter soon...it has been too long...

I am learning...to let go of what I can't accomplish....I learned to play Mexican Train Dominoes last week and can't wait until I can play again.

Around the house...trees, bushes and vines are blooming

I am pondering...how my children can be the ages they are

A favorite quote for today... "A friend is someone who knows the song in your heart, and can sing it back to you when you have forgotten the words." 
- Sent by Donna Roberts 

One of my favorite things...spending time with friends....I went on retreat for a few days last week....we accomplished much but also laughed and talked a lot...we went here...

A few plans for the rest of the week: The Princess is coming after school today....Grocery shopping tomorrow...Workshop on Friday

From my photo album....





More photos from Gaylord Opryland Hotel 

The prompts for Daybook are brought to you by The Simple Woman

Monday, March 12, 2012

Meet Me On Monday


I know it is really Tuesday but....better late than never....I'm joining Heather for this blog hop.

Here are today's Questions:

1. What are your plans for St. Patrick's Day?
Last year we went to a pub for green beer and dinner....since its on Saturday this year, I'm sure it will be standing room only so we might just celebrate at home. I'll make corned beef sandwiches (grilled) and we'll wear our St. Paddy hats and beads.
2. What is your favorite room in your house?
My studio....I'd like it better if I had a reading corner in there.....I've been thinking of adding one then it will be perfect.
3. What 'gadget' do you have that you can't live without?
I can't say there is a gadget that I can't "live" without, however when we had no electricity, the thing that bothered me was not having enough light to read by when it got dark.....In the kitchen, the coffee pot is the most important
.4. What will your first thought be when you learn that you won a lottery? 
How much the taxes will be? I don't play the lottery.
5. Other than Acting Balanced and your own, what is your favorite blog to read?
I wouldn't want to hurt any one's feelings.....my reader list has gotten so long....I love the blogs with tutorials or patterns to share in areas I'm interested in and I love reading a blog with humor....but the ones I enjoy most would be those written by blogging friends in other countries. Its like having a pen pal. I love to read about life in their little corner of the world.

Friday, March 9, 2012

Funny Friday


Good Morning
Wil here...
March is the month for St Patrick's Day
so I've put on my green hat...
Spring has definitely arrived here.
This is the Carolina Jasmine
outside Mama's bedroom window..



We brought two scrawny pieces
with us from the last house 3 years ago...
And this is how they have grown.
Mama went to a retreat this week...
we stayed home to keep Papa Bear company...
What's happening in your area this day?
Wil

Friday, March 2, 2012

Funny Friday


Happy Funny Friday to all
you 
Bears and Hares out there....
That should be Freaky Friday, Mama says...
She said she has a sense of deja vu, whatever that
means...
she says it is just like that Wednesday 
morning of April's fury
in 2011....
We have been under a tornado warning
for hours now with the alarms going
off and there is already news of
touch downs and damage 
not too far away...
I feel like snugging down under the covers
and hibernating all day....
We hope your day is much better 
than ours...
Wil

Thursday, March 1, 2012

What's On Your Nightstand?

You'll find the linky at 5 Minutes for Books.....Jennifer says:
There are no rules. Just write up a post, link up, and then visit around if you can to see what others are reading. Put the link that goes directly to your post in the linky. If it’s your first time, include that in the linky description so we can give you and extra warm welcome.


This was on my nightstand last time and you can read the post
I enjoyed this book...it was interesting to see how the incident on the morning train changed each of the main characters' lives.

Into the Wilderness by Sara Donati is a work of historical fiction set in the year 1792, in upstate New York...Elizabeth's father has brought her and her brother, from England, to his home...He is deeply in debt and hopes to make a good marriage for her which will be advantageous for himself...This is a story of struggle to survive in the untamed colonies as well as a love story....Although the book is 800+ pages, it is an enjoyable read and one which is hard to put down....it is also the first in a 3 volume saga.

Miss Peregrine's School for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is my Book Club's March selection...I was not far into the book before I began to realize it was written for young readers and on investigation, learned that it is for 13-adult. Still, I enjoyed reading it....it reminded me a little of A Wrinkle in Time.
Here is what Amazon has to say: As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive. 
Once Upon a Time, There was You
is the story of a divorced couple who are brought
back together  when tragedy strikes their only child...
Can they discover what brought them together 
in the first place?
This book was on my nightstand last time.


I have read all of Nevada Barr's Anna Pigeon's books
The central character is a gutsy female park ranger
who spends time in most of the nation's parks
where she inevitably becomes involved in a
mystery....As Anna's life progresses from one
novel to the next, I recommend newcomers
to her books begin with the first one....
Here is what Amazon says about The Rope:
In The Rope, the latest in Nevada Barr’s bestselling novels featuring Anna Pigeon, Nevada Barr gathers together the many strings of Anna’s past and finally reveals the story that her many fans have been long asking for. In 1995 and 35 years old, fresh off the bus from New York City and nursing a broken heart, Anna Pigeon takes a decidedly unglamorous job as a seasonal employee of the Glen Canyon National Recreational Area. On her day off, Anna goes hiking into the park never to return. Her co-workers think she’s simply moved on—her cabin is cleaned out and her things gone. But Anna herself wakes up, trapped at the bottom of a dry natural well, naked, without supplies and no clear memory of how she found herself in this situation.
I can't wait to read this one and will most likely start it today.

My 11 year old granddaughter has been asking to read
The Hunger Games.
I've read all three in this series and really enjoyed
them....I would be interested in hearing from other
Mothers and Grandmothers whose children have read this
book and their opinion of the content.