Wednesday, February 25, 2015

I just haven't been in the mood for posting......
My grandchildren who live nearby, Wonder Boy and The Princess as they are known on here, had to say goodbye to their father on Thursday morning.....He had his 46th Birthday on Wednesday.....It has been a rough few days......my Daughter had been married to him for 16 years before the divorce 4 years ago.....neither of them had remarried although he had dated some......It has been rough for her, too...we've all been grieving and there is so much red tape and so many decisions to make The children are 14 and 16. Please keep them all in your prayers in the days ahead.

Our weather has been so crazy......snow is on the way.....school has been either delayed are closed most days for the last two weeks or more......schedules have been thrown into disarray. I changed a hair appointment about 5 times. Finally got in there this morning, early.....

I'll try to get back to blogging next week.

Mama Bear

Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Wednesday Hodge Podges


1. When did you last have to interact, either by phone or in person, with someone in a government run agency? On a scale of 1-10, how would you rate the experience? (10 being fabulous and 1 being pass the Tylenol)
I guess that would be August when I went to get our tags renewed. We have a relatively new satellite location a short distance away........I'd have to say 10. They were not busy and we had a nice chat......Having lived in other states and not having had good experiences there, I would have to say most employees here are very friendly and easy to work with.

2. The current governor of Wisconsin is considering a run for President next time around. Walker attended Marquette University, but never graduated. In terms of any candidate running for the office of President (not asking here if you agree or disagree with Scott Walker's politics) would the lack of a college degree influence your vote or no? Would that be a factor in your support of any candidate running for public office, even a role less weighty than President?
No, it wouldn't influence my decision. 
3. When did you last visit a place or site named for George Washington or Abraham Lincoln, and what was that place or site?
Well, gosh, that would be a long time.....I've been to both memorials in DC and to Mount Vernon. And isn't there a road in the DC area named for George......

4. February 16th was President's Day in the US, but did you know it was also National Almond Day? I didn't think so : ) Do you like almonds? If so, what's a food/dish/recipe you enjoy that contains almonds? 
Yes, I knew it.............Yes, I eat them every day.......Did you know calories from almonds aren't absorbed by the body? At least that is what I read.....Quaker makes a breakfast bar that is Banana Bread....not easy to find but I like them and they have almonds.

5.The television program Saturday Night Live celebrated it's 40th anniversary this past weekend. Were/are you a fan of the show? If so what has been your favorite (or one of your favorite) skits, sayings, or characters that came out of the program?
Not a fan

6. Anything purple within ten feet of you? What is it?
No

7. Back in December I asked you to submit a question for a future HP as part of a giveaway I was hosting. I grabbed this one from those entries, submitted by Zoanna who blogs over at Penchant for Pens. Thanks Zoanna!
She asks, "How often do you make your bed, and how do you like to make it-pull the covers all the way up over the pillows, tuck the covers in around the pillows, or place all the pillows on top of the covers?" 
Every Day.....I have shams so I pull the covers up to the head, turn down a section of the sheet over the spread, and load up the pillows and shams on top.
8. Insert your own random thought here. 
We got an inch of snow during the night...some roads were closed this morning as were some schools with others just being delayed....my hair appointment was rescheduled so I am staying home......Daughter is off today so she has carpool duty.......Pauline (the hen) didn't know what the white stuff was on her ramp so she stuck her head out for a while before she finally came out......lots of birds on the porch this morning........I made another pot of coffee  and took some photos.....temperatures aren't getting above freezing today and the low tonight is forecast at 9 so this white stuff will stick around for a while.

Hop on over to From This Side of the Pond to find others who Hodge Podge.

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

A Simple Woman's Daybook


FOR TODAY
Tuesday, February 17, 2014

Outside my window...
22 degrees F, Wind Chill 10 degrees but 
the sun is shinning
Lots of birds stopping by all of the feeders
bird of the day is 

The Gold Finch, although at this time of year, they
are not this brilliant color. We don't see them all that
often so I was delighted to see them this morning.

I am thinking...
I really need to start getting more exercise

I am thankful...
that I am able to help my Daughter
out with the children....just returned from giving
the Princess a ride to school.....school 
was delayed 3 hours this morning.....I'm thankful
for Honey Bear and how easy he is to 
please....thankful too that we didn't get
the ice that was forecast for yesterday....thankful
for the sunshine even on the coldest days

In the kitchen...
The chicken Tortilla Soup is back
in the slow cooker staying warm for lunch
I also prepared some Crowder Peas
from the freezer yesterday....that
way Honey Bear has a choice

I am wearing...
Jeans and a red sweatshirt
 with snowmen on front, red and green
stripped socks with fleecy black socks on 
top......I know red and green stripes
are Christmas socks but I don't care.

I am creating...
squares for the SAL project....I finished
February except for rinsing off
the blue pen markings and squaring
them up....
I've got some more of the squares ready
for the embroidery.....I need to finish
up the rag quilt I started in 2014....and work on a quilt
that one of my club members had started...
I am going...
back to school to give the Princess a ride
home this afternoon....

I am wondering...
if the father of the Princess and Wonder
Boy will go home from the hospital
today....he has begun chemo again and 
contracted an infection toward the end of the week...
tomorrow is his Birthday..and the Princess was 
wondering about getting him a balloon or something
to take to the hospital.....

I am reading...
The Boys in the Boat, still, on page 238 of 404

I am hoping...
the rest of the week is sunny

I am looking forward to...
Spring

I am learning
about Saint Patrick, did you know he was
enslaved at age 16 by the Irish and later
went back there as a missionary

Around the house...
its tidy and all the laundry is done

I am pondering...
ways to celebrate St. Patrick's Day

A favorite quote for today...
Little Children, Let us not love in theory
or in speech but in deed and in truth..
I John 3:18

One of my favorite things...
putting together jigsaw puzzles
and now that I can do them
on Kindle....I love them even more...

A few plans for the rest of the week:
Nail and Hair appointments tomorrow
then a stop at Kroger to buy apples for Kid's Expo
at church.....Choir Practice and a gig
on Thursday with lunch afterward....

A peek into my day...
my Valentine table

visit The Simple Woman for links to other daybooks

Monday, February 16, 2015

Monday, Monday

Good Morning, all
First thing I did this morning was take the sheets off the bed and start laundry. Its 34 degrees F right now and raining....we may have sleet and ice later in the day....the thing I dislike most about winter is the icy conditions.....I can stay home but Honey Bear had to go take care of his patient.....Schools are out so no hazards there.....

I just put together soup in the slow cooker......this one:
         
Simple Slow Cooked Chicken Tortilla Soup

2-3 cups cooked chicken 
1 can RoTel, you might be able to also substitute with a cup of salsa if you’re all out of Rotel
15 oz. chicken broth
1 can cream of chicken condensed soup 
1 can corn, drained 
1 can black beans
1 can chili beans
1/2 tsp. chili powder
1/4 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. garlic
1/4 cup onion, chopped

Directions
Dump the ingredients into slow cooker
Cook on low, 6-8 hours. You can add tortillas, cheese, sour cream when you serve it.

This can be frozen, also. I use can chicken, only one can.....I always have that on hand.  I also used a lot more broth. Honey Bear likes lots of liquid in his soup. I never measure onion because I know he likes a lot. I think I might have used half a cup. I have this on high so I can cut the cooking time. The onions are the only thing that need to cook, the rest just needs to "marry" their flavors. I also used a little more garlic from the jar in the fridge and maybe a little less chili powder.

I also need to make some slaw. I keep it made in the fridge all the time.
We spent a quiet weekend at home......Honey Bear bought a new car on Thursday and took possession on Friday so Saturday afternoon we took it out in the rural area to try it out. I drive a van which is very comfortable for my back as the seat is adjustable. Some cars are so low the seats are not comfortable for me. This car is a crossover and is a little better. The driver's seat does adjust up, down, forward and back so I could drive it. I'm not sure how comfortable the passenger seat would be for me on a long trip.

On my schedule today is to find a way to make the flower applique for the February SAL project easier......I'll sew a little and read a little, watch a little of a show on the computer, perhaps Downton Abbey's latest episode, and work on the puzzle on my kindle....nothing too taxing. Have a blessed day..
Mama Bear

Friday, February 13, 2015

Funny Friday




Happy Friday!
Wil here
It is still cold outside
but I guess we have to come out 
of hibernation
sometime. And what better time
than for Valentine's Day.

Sending Valentine hugs and kisses
to all my furry friends 
and their Mamas
plus to all our readers around the
world.
We love you!
Wil

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Volume 208------Loving the Hodge Podge



1. Have you ever written a love letter? Have you written one recently? Had one written to you? Did you keep it?
Yes, Yes and Yes......I still have all of the letters Honey Bear and I wrote to each other before we married.

2. What's a movie that ends in a way you especially love?
Oh my goodness there are so many.......Sleepless in Seattle, Pretty Woman, You've Got Mail, Must Love Dogs........

3. Something that makes your heart sing? And for those of you who are parents, I mean something besides your children that makes your heart sing?
Roses when I wake up in the morning. Yesterday was our anniversary and there they were beside the coffee when I came in to the kitchen.

4. What's the last event you had to attend, phone call you had to make, routine task you needed to complete, or meal you had to prepare, that you did do, but only half-heartedly?
Nothing comes to mind.......I try to do my best at whatever I do.

5. Tuna fish salad-yay or blech? If you said yay, how do you like your tuna salad prepared? Hey, this is the Hodgepodge, right?
Yay to Tuna however one prepares it. I usually eat mine straight from the envelope but in Tuna Salad I add boiled egg, pickle relish (I like dill) and mayo....I'll add onions and olives if my daughter isn't going to eat any.

6. What's something you 'know by heart'?
Well lots of songs....and Bible verses......The Pledge of Allegiance....I used to know a few poems but parts escape me now.

7. In the spirit of Valentine's Day, what two or three word phrase would you write on a conversation heart for someone you love? That someone could be a spouse, child, parent, cousin, bestie...anyone at all whom you love.
Love You

Two things I love about Valentine's Day: the color red....and Heart shape anything.

Thanks and Credits go to Joyce here.

Monday, February 9, 2015

A Simple Woman's Daybook



FOR TODAY
Monday, February 9, 2015
53°F, 12°C 
and cloudy at 4:53 P.M.
Outside my window...
the day is winding down, the wind is blowing
a cold front is moving in, not much bird activity
I am thinking...
that it will soon be night again
and I need to think about dinner
I am thankful...
my first WMU meeting as leader went well
God is at work in our little corner of
the world....we heard from a missionary
home on leave and living in our church's mission
house.
In the kitchen...
its clean and looks so good after the remodel
leftovers for dinner(some shrimp, slaw,and baked Sweet Potato)
tomorrow I need to make a pot of soup and some cornbread
I am wearing...
black yoga pants and a beige knit shirt which has a 
winter scene on front
I am creating...
applique for the SAL project....hexagons seem
to be my friend but hearts and circles
are proving difficult
I am going...
except for picking the Princess up after school
tomorrow, I'm home until Thursday
I am wondering...
if the applique will get easier with practice
I am reading...
finished "Maude" a few minutes ago.....next is
for March book club
I am hoping...
to get some rest now that two big events have passed
I am looking forward to...
our trip this Spring
I am learning
to let some things go and simplify
Around the house...
things are tidy, little projects here and there
I am pondering...
how to make the hearts easier to applique...I have
5 more to do for this month's section
A favorite quote for today...
A light exists in spring
Not present on the year
At any other period
When March is scarcely here
                                Emily Dickinson
One of my favorite things...
watching Spring wake from Winter's sleep
A few plans for the rest of the week:
sew, laundry, read
Hair appointment on Thursday, lunch with Rene
meeting Thursday night
From my Photo Album

our barn where we used to live
In August, I went back there and made a few photos
I couldn't believe how much these pines had grown since
we moved away.


A visitor in our yard in August



Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 207




1. Do you wear your heart on your sleeve, or keep your emotions tucked in tight?
 Sort of in between, I guess, I am tenderhearted.


2. How did you meet your closest friend?
That would be Honey Bear. My cousin introduced us a a Dairy land Drive-in.....after him it would be my friend Rene and we met in 1999 at a club meeting.

3.  Pink lemonade, grilled salmon, cotton candy, pink grapefruit, a strawberry milkshake, or raspberry sorbet...of the pink foods listed, which one is your favorite?Grilled Salmon
Least favorite?  Raspberry Sorbet Which one have you most recently consumed? Grilled Salmon

4. When were you last 'tickled pink' over something? Explain. I guess that would be when my granddaughter, the Princess was old enough to exert her personality. My Daughter was never into girly stuff. My Granddaughter definitely is. My Daughter remarked once that she didn't know Girly Girls were born that way. The Princess is much more like me than my Daughter is and that tickles me.

5. Are you a fan of television talk shows? No  Daytime, nighttime, or both? What's your favorite?

6. When was the last time you wanted to ask a question, but felt too foolish to do so?
I guess that would be when I see someone with a designer bag and I want to ask what they paid for it.

7. My favorite ___snack_______________right now is ___Great Value Tropical Trail Mix______________.

  1. 8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015

My First Simple Woman's Daybook of 2015


FOR TODAY,Tuesday, February 3, 2015
34°F, 
with sunshine
And an expected high of 47


Outside my window...Sunshine and Birds on the feeder in the yard and on the window 
This little feeder attracts birds off and on and is a source of delight
for Smokey, who talks to them in the cutest sounds.


I am thinking...my coffee cup is empty and if I'm going
to get this post finished, it needs filling. 
Okay, so I went into the kitchen and discovered
there wasn't quite a cup of coffee left. I opened
the microwave to heat water for a cup with
a coffee bag and discovered the microwave needed 
cleaning. While doing that, I decided the stove top could
use a wiping down.There was still some residue
from the recent remodel stuck in the groves
around the cook top. I proceeded to raise the top and 
clean underneath. Finally, coming back with my
coffee. Does this sort of thing ever happen to
you.

I am thankful...I can stay home today, get some
little projects done and go out tomorrow.
Thankful that Honey Bear and I are both 
healthy. This morning, I was clearing out
 a drawer of coloring books, etc from the "grands" 
younger years and found 
a valentine their Mom
had made in 2002.
 It is the cutest thing with photos of them.
So, I hung that on the fridge.
Wonder Boy is driving to and from 
school now. I met him yesterday as I gave
the Princess a ride home from Middle School. 
I said he should
be still playing with Thomas the Tank.
Their childhood is going by so fast.

In the kitchen...I'm thawing some peas from the
garden which were frozen in the summer.

I am wearing...still in my pjs

I am creating...some squares of prepped pieces
for the SAL quilt, part 1 and 2 so I 
can stitch and applique.

I am going...to stay home today

I am wondering...why it is so hard to arrange
a day to spend with my daughter

I am reading...Maude by Donna Mabry
set in the early 1900s

Product Details

I am hoping...I am prepared for our awards
day on Saturday

I am looking forward to...my first WMU meeting 
as leader of the Mary Martha circle

I am learning...to fit my new role (see above)
to accept the things I cannot do
to have more patience with
Honey Bear

Around the house...its mostly tidy 

I am pondering...always pondering especially
when I should be going to sleep 
at night

A favorite quote for today...
"It does not bother how slowly you go
as long as you do not stop."  Confucius

Some of my favorite things...sunshine on the coldest
days.....
hearing windchimes.......crispy ginger
cookies with my tea.....

A few plans for the rest of the week:getting more prep 
work done on my quilt project
Nail salon and errands tomorrow...
maybe a trip to Hobby Lobby or
JoAnn's (found a $5 coupon in this month's
Home and Garden magazine)
Choir Practice on Thursday morning and
house cleaning crew
Book Club on Friday: We're discussing

Product Details

Celebration Day for MCHCL on Saturday
at Ruth's Chris
A peek into my day...

my sewing corner


the cutting table


my desk
believe it or not, this is my desk cleaned.
At times, there isn't any working room because of clutter

Smokey having some lap time

Just a thought: Why does my
preview look so different
from my draft?


Sunday, February 1, 2015

A Rainy Day

It was cloudy when we left home at 8:15 to go to Sunday School and Worship this morning. Honey Bear said the prediction was that it would be after noon when the rain got here so I didn't take an umbrella in with me. Not wise! It was raining when we came out after the service and we were parked on the other side of the chapel where the contemporary services are held. Nothing to do but get wet. 
All in all, it is a day of rest and rain makes one want to do just that. So here I sit in my recliner with my "laptop" on the arm of the chair since Smokey Bear has to have my lap for his nap. I thought I would visit with some of you and maybe work on my epuzzle while nibbling on dried fruit and nuts.
Here is my January project for the SAL. It was this little Christmas stitchery by Anni Downs and we were to make it into whatever we desired. I made this little book bag with some fat quarters from my stash.