Thursday, May 31, 2012

This and That Thursday

Good morning,
I don't usually post on Thursday because there is no label over in my collection for a Thursday post....but I do have This and That so that is what I'm using.
Wonder Boy and I went out to lunch yesterday at O'Charley's for his Birthday....That is his favorite place to go and I like it too. He is now 14....can't believe the little tyke I used to spend my days with while his Mama worked, could be this young teenager....I pray we will always have this bond we formed back then. He was much more of a talker in those early years than he is now....I remember how upset he was when I moved to Memphis......
The Princess came after school...it was her last day of 5th grade and she ended the year with an all A average....when I drove them home, she wanted to show me some things she'd made using her new sewing machine(a Christmas gift)....it warms my heart that she enjoys these domestic arts. I gave her a Children Quilt book and she wants to do a star quilt in bright colors.......She asked me how many I had made (quilts) and I had to show her the tops I have that haven't been quilted yet.
We worked on the puzzle a little bit.....its at that stage where it isn't too interesting and mostly involves trying lots of pieces to see which one fits....I hope to finish it in the next day or two and then I'll post a picture.
My son and his family are moving to Georgia, from Texas, in a few
 days....they will be nearer to us than they've been since we lived in Pennsylvania and they lived in Maryland....I'm hoping this means we'll see more of them and Honey Bear and I are already planning a trip for the latter part of July.....I may have to bite the bullet and drive through Atlanta so that I can go visit them on my own.....I know one doesn't really drive through Atlanta but the bypass is scary also with all that traffic.......
As I mentioned, I will have a give-away when my followers reach 100.....I'm keeping a watch but I might miss it, so if you're number 100, please let me know..........
Well, better get on with my day......
Mama Bear

Wednesday, May 30, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook

From Mama Bear's Journal.....
FOR TODAY...Wednesday, May30, 2012, 7:37am

Outside my window...its   66 °F , (19 °C)  and partly cloudy...I sat outside for a bit this morning with my coffee...there were two Squirrels in our Maple tree scampering around, a male Tohee on the ground under the feeder, Robins in the yard and Mr Froggie sitting on a lily pad in the pond...what better way to greet the morning than with God's creation...

I am thinking..."Its a beautiful morning"

I am thankful..for time spent with family...answers to prayer: Ashley has adopted a beautiful baby girl, Cathy has gotten the news she is cancer free......phone conversation with my son

In the kitchen...we've been eating leftovers since Saturday but I'm planning to cook squash/zucchini, and cabbage from the garden along with peas and cornbread for dinner

I am wearing...pink pajamas

I am creating...nothing new: I recently have had a sore finger and haven't been able to stitch...I crocheted 3 dish cloths and have been working on a puzzle........searching books and thinking about making a Christmas candle mat

I am going...to lunch with Wonder Boy this morning about 11

I am wondering...why I can't get motivated 

I am reading...Cutting for Stone (Still) this is a long book plus I've not been reading during the day and can only manage a page or two at night before I fall asleep...

I am hoping...to get some sewing done today

I am looking forward to...visiting our son's family in July after their move from Texas to Georgia


Around the house...all is quiet and fairly tidy.....Smokey is asleep behind the chair......Honey Bear has his earphones on listening to something on his laptop.....coffee's hot

I am pondering..these words from My Daily Bread
"He cannot fail, your faithful God;
He’ll guard you with His mighty power;
Then fear no ill though troubles rise,
His help is sure from hour to hour. —Bosch"
With God behind you and His arms beneath you, you can face whatever lies ahead of you. —Ward

One of my favorite things...having coffee on the porch in the early morning

A few plans for the rest of the week:Book club and salad luncheon on Friday


From my photo file....across the pond

Monday, May 28, 2012

Monday Again?



1. Finish this sentence - The thing I dislike most about shopping is....If it's grocery shopping, I'd have to finish the sentence with: loading and unloading the car, putting the items away............any other kind of shopping, not much to dislike about it, except at Christmas time, then its the crowds.

2. What is your favorite flavor of jello? Strawberry which I use to make Strawberry Pretzel Salad

3. If you could trade places with anyone in the world for one day who would you be and why? I can't imagine.....I do sometimes envy people with servants to do everything for them...I think I could enjoy that for a day....then again envy is like coveting which is a sin...
I'm pretty happy with my life, I don't have to go out to work, I'm my own boss, no employee review, no disgruntled co-workers, AC, plenty of food, my own transportation....and someone who loves me....pretty much perfect!

4. Who changes the lightbulbs at your house? I do, of course!

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around! (answer in the comments)
5. What summertime food do you look forward to the most?

Me? That would be fresh tomatoes for BLTs

Hop over to Heather's place and play along.

Thanks, Heather for hosting today.
Honey Bear went to work so this seems like any other Monday to me. I am looking at crafting books, thinking about projects to start for Christmas gifts.....I'll, most likely, make the bed, get dressed, and then putter around the studio some before lunch...

I will remember that this day is a day to remember those who have died in service to our country, protecting the freedoms I enjoy so much. 

Hope you're having a super morning....

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Sunday Morning Coming Down

Honey Bear and I decided to stay home from church this morning..Both of us intended to sleep late but were up by 6:30am. It has been a very busy couple of weeks with us going to the play last Saturday night, to church and his brother's for lunch last Sunday, then my sister visiting last week and the cook out and family gathering until 9:00pm last night.


I really enjoyed having my sister here for 3 days...we shopped, dined, worked on a puzzle, attended the Princess's graduation, and just enjoyed the fellowship of spending unhurried time together. She has been estranged from her husband now for 20 years and found out that he passed away this week. She will be able to receive some or all of his social security which will help her financially. She was on vacation from her job while she was here but found out she may be laid off soon.
This is the puzzle I finished before last week. I put it away on Monday and we began another one on Tuesday. I really enjoy the process and will pass through the room, sit down and before I know it, 20 or 30 minutes have gone by.
We had a total of 9 for the cookout last evening and made two freezers of homemade ice cream with lots of toppings. There was also watermelon. With the leftover lasagna and quiche from meals this week and burgers/wieners from last night, we have enough food for a week unless I decide to freeze some of it.
The Princess graduated from 5th grade and received many awards. Wonder Boy will graduate from 8th on Tuesday of this week.


Do you see that I have 98 followers now? If and when I reach 100, I am going to have a give-away.


Happy Memorial Day....

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Captured this baby Robin's photo
last Saturday as he sat on the rim of our 
keg fountain on the front porch.

I hope your Saturday is looking like the
perfect day....
It is going to be a hot one here!

Friday, May 25, 2012

Fuuny Friday

Good Friday Morning, Everybear
Wil here....

Mama has decorated with the patriotic theme
she will leave up until the end of Summer...
She says this is Memorial Day
Weekend, when we pay tribute
to all those who have given 
their lives in service to our 
country: The USA
I thought I would get into the spirit...

I'm one of the decorations on the front porch...
Can you find me?
Anyway, Mama and Papa
have invited family for 
a cook-out on Saturday evening...
We'll also be celebrating May Birthdays
and Graduations....
Are you celebrating?
Wil


Hello everyone...
Mama Bear here...
My sister has been visiting this week
and we have been very busy so not much time for blogging
or visiting...
Yesterday, we went to my favorite thrift store
and one of the things I brought home was this bag...
I've already given it a wash and removed a spot which
was on the front (I hung it out under the canopy to dry)....this is a Vera Bradley
bag for which I payed $5 ...
Have you gotten any bargains lately?
Have a wonderful weekend.....

Monday, May 21, 2012

Monday Quiz About Me



1. Finish this sentence - The last book I read and enjoyed was....The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts....I'm enjoying the book I'm reading now but thought this question probably meant the last book I finished.

2. Do you have special Victoria Day (Canadian) or Memorial Day (US) traditions?  If you don't live in Canada or the US, what is the next holiday that you are celebrating where you are? We usually have a family gathering which includes hamburgers & hotdogs grilled and sometimes homemade ice cream with toppings of your choice....I decorate patriotic.....this year we'll have our gathering on Saturday and will also celebrate Wonder Boy's 14th Birthday.

3. If you could invent something to make your life simpler, what would it be?
a robot that cleaned the house to my specifications and did the laundry also.

4. What is your favorite recent blog post? I have to confess that I'm way behind on my reader list of favorite blogs' recent posts but I always enjoy those offered by Patricia here....she is a wonderful nature photographer.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!
5. What's blooming in your garden?

Thanks to Heather for hosting MQAM each week......
Java has no MMOM post up this morning.

Tuesday, May 15, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook

I should probably warn you that this is a long post so grab a cuppa of your favorite beverage and spend a few minutes with me. I hadn't done much blogging in two weeks and found I had a lot to say...
From Mama Bear's Journal.....
FOR TODAY...Tuesday, May 15, 2012, 9:35am

Outside my window...sunny with mild temperatures of  71 °F,(22 °C) with a predicted high of 82. We've been having afternoon thundershowers but the humidity has remained low so it has been quite pleasant to sit out by the pond in the late afternoon. We usually feed the fish around 4:30 so it provides the perfect opportunity to sit and reflect on our day while spending some quality time together. We call it our Happy Hour. We have a lot of bird activity with blackbirds hanging around eating most of the seed. I really dislike Blackbirds except the red-winged ones. We've seen a few Goldfinch now that Thistle are blooming. The bunnies are more plentiful, we've discovered two different ages of offspring and sometimes catch a glimpse of several at one time. Honey Bear leaves the clover when he mows and they are hidden when they're eating unless they raise their heads....Squirrels: we have too many but Smokey enjoys watching their antics.

I am thinking...How nice it is to have the house to myself....Honey Bear worked out his notice at the Veteran's home and went to work for a home health organization. For two weeks now, he has been waiting for a client. Although he has had plenty of work to do around the house and garden, he has been in and out during the day. I've left him here and gone about my own activities but this is the first day I've had home alone.

I am thankful...that we get along so well...having him here with me is a blessing....I am thankful that God has given me patience in the autumn of my life.....I am thankful that we attended Sunday School and worship at the church which was our church home before we moved away, it was a blessing even if we had to leave home so early Sunday morning.....I am thankful Daughter graduated from Nursing School on Friday, it has been a stressful and exhausting two years for her especially with the ending of her marriage in the middle and having to support herself with the challenge of providing a second home for her and the children....I'm thankful the adjustment has been so smooth for those children..they seem to have weathered the storm well....its been a year and a half now since the storm began.....I'm thankful that their Father is cooperative and they have both worked so hard at making it easier for the children....God is so good!

In the kitchen...Zucchini, Zucchini, and more Zucchini! I have to look up recipes so I can use more of it.....which means Zucchini Quiche and Zucchini bread are on the menu for the day....I'm also planning menus for next week when my sister visits...........On my to-do list is kitchen clean-up (the major kind).

I am wearing...a pink T-shirt with Snoopy on the front with black and white pajama pants.

I am creating...the best friends block for the "My Favorite Things" quilt....we finished the Teapot puzzle yesterday and will begin a new one in the next few days.

I am going...to stay home today....Honey Bear is working 10-2 which means he leaves home before 9:30 and returns between 2:30-3:00...Daughter has my van as her car is in the shop having the AC repaired as well as an engine tune-up. She had to work today and also take the Princess to school early this morning. Rather than me having to get up way too early to chauffeur them both, I loaned her my van. She'll be off tomorrow and we should be able to go and get her car...the Princess will come here after school as usual on Tuesdays, although she has come more often lately....I love having her get off the bus here...

I am wondering...how soon we'll have ripe tomatoes in the garden...if everything is a month early then perhaps we'll have them by the first week in June...Yum!............I am wondering if I can hand quilt my sampler...

I am reading...Cutting for Stone....this was on the 2011 Book Club list but I didn't read it then....recently Daughter and I swapped Kindles so we could read each other's books. This is on hers...it is a good book which takes place in the 1950's in Ethiopia at a mission hospital.

I am hoping...to accomplish much housework today but work in some fun time in the studio, also.

I am looking forward to...the hours of my day.....catching the next episode of "Survivors", a BBC series I'm watching on Netflix.

I am learning....ways to survive if there is a global event which changes the way we live now.....what sort of supplies to stockpile for an emergency......learning to operate on less income now that Honey Bear doesn't earn as much ( we have his Social Security and a small pension) plus whatever he earns as a CNA.

Around the house...dusting in master bedroom and living room, wiping down baseboards, chair rails, cabinets and appliances in kitchen as well as moping the floor and vacuuming....laundry.....cooking...


praying for...Ashley's adoption(a healthy and uncomplicated birth)...full recovery after surgery for Mary, Annie, and Genece....safe and easy move for son and family in June....

I am pondering...ways to finish up the patriotic table runner and Fall candle mat.......

A favorite quote for today... God is big enough to care for the smallest needs.

One of my favorite things...walking barefoot through soft, green grass


From the garden...Zucchini and the occasional harvesting of Spinach....

A few plans for the rest of the week: Just the ones already mentioned plus spending some time with Daughter and Granddaughter......grocery shopping.....Book Club on Friday at Panera Bread to discus State of Wonder
From my picture file: 


Daughter receiving her diploma from Nursing School....not a very good photo since I forgot my camera and the Princess had to use my iphone. 


The idea for and the prompts used in this daybook are the creation of Peggy at The Simple Woman.

Monday, May 14, 2012

Meet Me on Monday/Monday Quiz About Me

Java is calling this weeks blog hop: A Mother's Day
Meet me on Monday. Hop on over to her place
to play or just read everyone's answers.


Questions:

1.  For Mother's Day I went to Church, ate lunch at home and took a nap.

2.  What is your favorite dish that your Mom makes? I have several of Mother's recipes which we always requested she make for us on special occasions. Her Chicken Dressing at Thanksgiving and Christmas is a must and we all love Mama's Gooey Coffeecake. She used to make these cinnamon rolls with a creamy pudding surrounding them. They were wonderful and I failed to have her write the recipe down. Most of what she prepared had no written recipe but always turned out just right.

3.  Who are you a "Mom" too? Only my son & daughter....

4.  What did you have for Mother's Day dinner? Orange Chicken and Rice

5.  What is your fondest memory of your Mom? I have so many that it is hard to narrow it down. She had a wonderful sense of humor and we spent much of our time together laughing and talking about a variety of subjects. She loved being surrounded by family and making them happy with her cooking. She was also a wonderful seamstress and could often copy a dress after just a glimpse in a shop window. She always made me feel special and very much loved. I miss her every day.
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And now for Heather's weekly Meet and Greet.
Visit her to play along or to meet other participants.
And now for this weeks Questions:

1. Finish this sentence - The best thing about this past weekend was...just hanging out at home.

2. When company drops by unexpectedly what do you serve? I don't really appreciate people dropping in for a meal unannounced. If they come near the dinner hour, I just serve whatever I had planned. On a Friday night, Honey Bear's Brother and Brother's wife dropped by after I had put our pizza in the oven. We just sat down and ate with them. We all managed to have at least two slices. It was a wonderful meal because of the fellowship. 

3. How old were you when you got your first cell phone? 45, I think. It was a bag phone which was plugged into the cigarette lighter. We stopped having a land line phone in 2003.

4. Where do you blog? At home, in my recliner, using my laptop.

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!
5. Who pays the bills at your house?

Friday, May 4, 2012

Funny Friday


Good Friday Morning, Everybear
Wil here
 I had some outdoor adventures recently



Frog, What Frog? Me, out by the pond

I'm Looking Over a Four Leaf Clover
the bunnies love these.
presently we have 4 baby bunnies
And picking Strawberries, Yum!

Hope you have a wonderful weekend.
Wil

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Wednesday Hodge Podge


Humpty Dumpty sat on a Hodge Podge Vol. 76
Joyce asks:
1. My daughter2 is graduating from university this month and plans to teach elementary school. What are three qualities you most want to see evidenced in a teacher? Patience, Stamina, Sense of Humor

2. You can tell a lot about a person by_the company they keep_. I know, I know but that is what came to mind...

3. What song makes you think spring? I don't know: Green Green Grass of Home; Walking on Sunshine; You Don't Bring me Flowers.

4. May 1st is Mother Goose Day...share your favorite nursery rhyme. Little Miss Muffet...never thought about it so I just picked one

5. What makes someone unforgettable? Love

6. Should music and/or art be part of a well rounded education? The key word here is well-rounded so I'd say yes...

7. What social situations make you flustered or nervous? speaking before a group....I'd rather fade into the background

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

A Simple Woman's Daybook/ Monday Meet-Ups

Scroll down for MMOM and MQAM
 From Mama Bear's Journal....
FOR TODAY....Tuesday, May 1, 2012, 9:03am....I'm back, did you miss me...I didn't intend to take that much time off, life got in the way, I guess....I'm going to list the questions for my Monday blog hops at the bottom of this post....Thanks to Java and Heather for continuing to host them...I enjoy answering...makes me think.

Outside my window...partly cloudy skies, temperature:  70 °F,  (21 °C) its going to be a hot one...lots of bird activity and a baby bunny...

I am thinking...actually, what I was thinking was that I need to get up and do some housework...today was our club's Habitat work day but I needed to stay home and do some work because yesterday, we had Women Walk the World where we walked to raise money for ACWW...we combined it with trash pick-up along our Adopt-a-mile....I got dehydrated or overheated and felt rotten the rest of the day so didn't get anything done at home....

I am thankful..that cooler temperatures in the past month meant a lower utility bill......and thankful for sticking with our budget..

In the kitchen...I put together a few meals, for Honey Bear, from leftovers while I jump start some weight loss strategy by eating Lean Cuisine....tonight, I'm planning to make Chicken Pot Pie with leftover chicken......we have lots of veggies right now to munch on.

I am wearing...black capris with pink polka-dots and a pink T.


I am creating... May blocks for SAL...looking at other projects...

  

I am going...to fertilize the Daylilies this morning....and grate Zucchini to freeze and then use for quiche or bread...

I am wondering...why I feel guilty for missing Habitat Work Day....I can't do everything but as president, I feel I should.

I am reading...Blood Brothers by Nora Roberts 

and...  
I am hoping... the Boonsboro Inn book comes today....

I am looking forward to...a field trip to Nashville for a craft show on Friday (my Birthday)

I am learning...creative journaling and thinking about a gourd painting class....

Around the house...bed linens to change....laundry to do...floors to vacuum, ugh....I'd much rather be reading or crafting...

I am pondering...Romans 12.......

A favorite quote for today... “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.”  St. Catherine of Siena 


One of my favorite things... catching sight of migrating birds like this Rose-breasted Grosbeak...elusive and hard to photograph, thus the blurred photos. They've been around a few days....we've seen two males and one female.

 

A few plans for the rest of the week:housework this morning, the Princess is coming after school and we're starting a new puzzle if time permits and she doesn't have much homework......field trip on Friday.....Woman of the Year luncheon on Saturday (my first), they say it is an initiation and secret...hmm


From my picture file...Daughter and the Princess at this year's Mother/Daughter Tea....

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1. Finish this sentence - The last movie I saw in the theater was...Hunger Games

2. Do you have any idiosyncrasies? I agree with Heather's answer here...I don't like wasting time waiting so I usually take along the book I'm reading.....Honey Bear says I emphasize a point I want to make in conversation by a nod of my head...

3. What is your favorite clothing store to shop at? Coldwater Creek or Kohl's 

4. What fun things do you have planned for the week ahead?  A Field trip to Nashville with a large group from my club on Friday and my first Woman of the Year luncheon on Saturday.

Heather asks us to add a 5th question of our own for folks to answer in the comments...
5. What type of milk is in your fridge, whole, 2%, skim?

********************************************




Questions:

1.  Tomorrow I am _________going for a walk.

2.  When is your birthday? May 4

3.  What are you currently excited about? Every Day is exciting as its a gift and I don't know what it holds....always blessings from above..

4.  Do you have any secrets? Not too many....

5.  What do you normally eat for lunch? not the same every day, naturally, Smoked Turkey Wraps from Publix Deli........grill chicken sandwich made at home with classic chips........this week, since I'm trying to jump start a weight loss program: yogurt and 100 calories packaged crackers at home.......yesterday at Applebee's I had Tilapia, red potatoes and steamed veggies (I only ate 1 1/2 potatoes and they were small)
If you have a chance visit the hosts of these weekly Meet/ups. You'll find the link in the first paragraph of this post.