Archive for November, 2008

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Sunday Walk

Sunday, November 30th, 2008

It has been a lovely day, this Sunday.

After several very rainy days, the sky has started to clear up. A few patches of baby blue sky are visible here and there. I just returned home from a quiet walk up our road, accompanied only by the old doggie and my thoughts. I noticed that the pale greeny-yellow leaves are still clinging to the wild hazelnut trees. Some dark green leaves remain on the blackberry vines. Other than that, most of the deciduous trees are now bare, their distinctive silhouettes apparent to all.

I also notice another effect of the past few days of ‘weather.’ Our internet is down. For us to have internet connectivity, my husband rigged a tall antenna atop our roof, and mounted the Clearw’re receiver to that. Technically, we’re outside the range of that provider, plus we’re surrounded by trees out here in the ‘boonies.’ Usually this jury-rigged system works to give us some dribble (or more) of connectivity, but with the recent incessant rains and the wind, the receiver isn’t pointing just the right way. This is such a minor problem, but I am hoping the internet connection comes back up in time for me to upload this post.

This is the last day of NaBloPoMo (National Blog Posting Month). It would be a shame (I’m just sayin’.) to post every day this month except the last.

OK! My husband did ‘something’ and the connection is back, so he says to post quickly while I can.

These pictures were taken by my daughter, Laura.

Posted in NaBloPoMo, Sunday Thoughts | 5 Comments »

Broccoli Salad

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

Salad Ingredients:

3 or 4 large bunches, broccoli, cut into florettes (or prewashed, precut broccoli florettes)

1/3 cup chopped red onion

1/3 cup shredded Parmesan cheese

1/3 cup frozen petite peas, thawed

1/3 cup real bacon bits

1 cup raisins (optional)

 

Toss all the above ingredients together.

 

Dressing Ingredients:

1 cup mayonnaise (I prefer Best Foods)

¼ cup sugar

1 Tablespoon white vinegar

 

Mix together the dressing ingredients, and then mix the dressing into the salad mixture. Let sit in the refrigerator overnight. It improves with age.

 

Hints:

Young, tender broccoli, fresh from the garden, is the very best for broccoli salad.

If broccoli is not quite tender enough, it may be steamed briefly.

Some fresh cauliflower may be substituted for some of the broccoli, if desired.

The ingredient amounts are flexible, according to personal preference. Also, add any ingredients which sound good to you.

Posted in NaBloPoMo, Recipes | 5 Comments »

Ode to a Cook Book

Saturday, November 29th, 2008

My daughter Laura took some photos of our Thanksgiving preparations, including this of one of my old cook books, an insert included many years ago in our local newspaper. The recipe I was turned to, for Broccoli Salad, is one I know by heart, but I just enjoy getting out the old cook book. Laura remarked on how browned with age the pages are, so I got to thinking about why I love the old book, and wrote a Tanka about it:

Worn and discolored

Pages of this old cook book

Remind me of meals

Prepared with love, served with joy.

Precious mem’ries tucked within.

Posted in Creative writing, Fun Things, Homemaking, Memories, NaBloPoMo, Tanka | 2 Comments »

Photostory Friday, the grandchildren edition

Friday, November 28th, 2008

PhotoStory Friday
Hosted by Cecily and MamaGeek

We are enjoying a quiet, laid-back day here today, after the busy Thanksgiving day activities yesterday. I’ve made coffee about three times for our crew, all of whom got up late, at different times. The apple pie and apple crisp are now finished off, and a few of us have had lunch.

I’ve been enjoying myself, visiting many friends’ blogs, reading my Bible at Blue Letter Bible, and chatting with my husband. He just reminded me of all the WORK I wanted to get done today, too, so I’ll quickly post my Photostory Friday.

Our daughter and son-in-law, who have been staying with us after moving here from Vermont, have secured a great place to rent, close to friends and work. That means that very soon, we will no longer have the pleasure of live-in grandchildren.

In honor of the little sweeties, whom I enjoy hugging and kissing, here are a few pics for this week’s post.

Left to right: Granddaughter Carly, Grandson Diederick – looking very solemn (the poor guy’s been feeling under the weather) – and daughter Sarah (twin sister to Laura, Carly and Deeder’s mom) in the very corner of the photo

To participate in Photostory Friday, click on the button at the beginning of this post for all the info. you need!

Posted in Family, Favorite Photos, NaBloPoMo, Photostory Friday | 7 Comments »

A You-Centric Thursday Thirteen

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

This list of questions for Thursday 13
was compiled by Maggie of Maggie’s Mind, Piece by Peace.

A You-Centric Thursday Thirteen

  1. For what are you most grateful?

I am most thankful for peace with God, through the Lord Jesus Christ.

  1. Do you like turkey?

Not as much as I like chicken, beef, fish or ham.

  1. How many pets do you have?

One old doggie, three cats, and one fish.

  1. Have you ever eaten McD’s twice or three times in one day?

Possibly. When we travel, we sometimes eat at McDonald’s for breakfast. It’s possible that further on the way we stopped for lunch, too, though I can’t exactly remember.

  1. What languages do you speak (yes, language of L-O-V-E counts)?

I speak English, and a few words of Spanish and German. We are good at doing double-talk in our home. Maybe I’ll blog about it sometime.

  1. Do you talk to yourself, as in out loud?

But, of course, my dear Watson. How else am I supposed to put the proper ingredients in whatever I’m cooking? Or keep track of how many cups of flour I’ve put in the bread dough so far?

  1. What is your favorite scent?

For perfume, Green Tea. For nature, the scent of imminent rain, in the desert.

  1. What musical instrument can you play?

French horn, flute, soprano recorder, and acoustic guitar, but none of them very well.

  1. Can you juggle? (if so, skillfully enough for knives?) No and NO.
  2. Where do you call “home”?

The lovely Pacific Northwest, Washington State.

  1. Are you the popular one with a bucket load of casual friends or a quieter one with a handful of super close friends?

I love many people, and am friendly, but am a quiet person.

  1. Has 2007 er, 2008, so far been a good year, a bad year or a mixed/undetermined quite yet kind of year?

This has been a good year of enjoying my family, appreciating my church, and being challenged by the learning needs of students at school.

  1. Anything else you just want to answer that I didn’t think to ask?

I just want to say, Maggie, that this is a very clever idea for a Thursday 13!

Posted in From a friend's blog, Fun Things, NaBloPoMo, Thursday Thirteen | 5 Comments »

Feliz Dia de Accion de Gracias

Thursday, November 27th, 2008

I received these funny, handmade cards from Rebecca and Lydia this thanksgiving:

Posted in Artwork, Family, Fun Things, NaBloPoMo, Things for Which I am Thankful | 3 Comments »

Simple Devotion

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

Hosted by Peggy Hostetler of ~The Simple Woman~

For Today…November 26, 2008

Dear Lord,

I bring you my shortcomings…Lord, You know I hate it when I let my feelings get ‘hurt.’ You say in Your Word that it is an honor to overlook an offense, to be slow to anger, and to be patient. I especially desire to honor you in my closest life relationships, with those who know me the best.

I bring you my worship and praise…that with You there is forgiveness of sins (Ephesians 1:7). When I look to You, for forgiveness, for your grace, and for sanctification, my heart is light!

I bring you my prayer… Please forgive me, Lord, when I act as if I sanctify myself by my own works, when it is Your grace I need, not only for salvation, but for sanctification as well.

You spoke to me…in the book of Esther recently. When Esther is faced with danger if she does the right thing, her cousin Mordecai encourages her, saying, ‘Who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?’ (Esther 4:14b). We each have our own challenges and calls to duty, custom made for us by the Lord. In whatever situation I find myself, I will be brave and faithful, by God’s grace, to do the right thing.

Posted in Bible Thoughts, NaBloPoMo, Practical Christianity, Simple Devotion, Things for Which I am Thankful | 2 Comments »

Dental Poetry

Wednesday, November 26th, 2008

This is my first limerick written in response to the prompt given at Mad Kane’s Humor Blog. Please play along, if you are so inclined!

 

The dentist will tell you to floss

But why listen? He’s not your boss.

If you don’t mind decay

You can have it your way;

Your wallet and mouth bear the loss.

 

Here is my haiku, written to the same prompt:

 

Maligned profession:

The doctor of dentistry

Sees nervous patients.

 


Posted in Creative writing, Fun Things, Haiku, Limericks, NaBloPoMo | 7 Comments »

Simply Kind Tuesday

Tuesday, November 25th, 2008

Today I would ordinarily do a Ten on Tuesday post, but I didn’t feel like playing along with the topic this week: 10 Things You Want For the Holiday. It’s more blessed to give than to receive, right? So, I’ll do my own little thing here: 10 Things I Want to Give Each Day.

  1. I want to give thanks to the Lord each day, most of all, for Who He is. As stated so succinctly in the Westminster Shorter Catechism, ‘God is a Spirit, infinite, eternal, and unchangeable, in his being, wisdom, power, holiness, justice, goodness, and truth.’
  2. I want to give a pleasant greeting to my family when I see them each morning.
  3. I want to give my employer a good day’s work for their dollar.
  4. I want to give thought to what I will serve my family for dinner (Think: Plan Ahead.)
  5. I want to give a smile to others throughout the day.
  6. I want to give my attention to those who speak to me.
  7. I want to give myself some exercise and relaxation by going for a walk each day.
  8. I want to give praise to others whenever possible.
  9. I want to give humble, wholesome criticism when it is necessary.
  10. I want to give encouragement to the students with whom I work, as much as possible.

Now that the list is written I guess I can post it under Simply Kind Tuesdays.

Posted in NaBloPoMo, Simply Kind Tuesdays, Ten on Tuesday, Things for Which I am Thankful | 10 Comments »

A Simple Woman’s Daybook

Monday, November 24th, 2008

Hosted by Peggy

For Today…November 24, 2008

Outside my Window…The sky is clouding over, after a beautiful, blue-skied autumn day. Our foothills are dusted with snow. I think we should see a bit of snow fairly soon, though Accuweather.com doesn’t agree with me! Rain is more typical for us, this time of year.

I am thinking…that today was a hectic day at school. I think tomorrow will ‘feel’ calmer to me if I make a point of getting more rest tonight.

From the learning rooms…Tonight my husband and I go to our daughter Kayla’s first gallery display of her artwork. When Kayla was younger, she checked out as many ‘how to’ art videos as she could from the library, and taught herself so many things. Now she’s a diligent art major with some lovely work to show for all that hard work. I’m looking forward to this!


I am thankful for…‘ seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter’ (Genesis 8:22). I’m loving this brisk fall weather.


From the kitchen…I’ve planned our Thanksgiving menu: baked ham, potato casserole (which contains sour cream, cheddar cheese and onions), petite green peas, homemade whole berry cranberry sauce, cornbread stuffing, and apple crisp for dessert.


I am wearing…school clothes: longish black skirt with black leggings, dressy maroon top. I like my clothes to be comfortable. Once I find them, I don’t care a lot about variety, as you may have noticed!

I am reading…A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle. This is a favorite book of one of my favorite online friends, so I am reading it!

I am hoping…to get this blog post done before we leave for Kayla’s art show. Also, I hope she is feeling better. I think we shared our mystery malaise with her when she came home for a visit this weekend.

I am creating…a quick Daybook entry!

I am hearing…the hum of my husband’s computer and the rhythmic sound of the clothes dryer running. Our grandchildren are napping. Our high school girls went out to the coffee shop after school, and our son is at basketball practice. It’s quiet just now!

Around the house…I’m looking forward to getting things all spiffy before Thanksgiving company arrives. My girls will help me out.

One of my favorite things…is a good cup of coffee and going online when I get home from work (after greeting my family, of course!).

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week…I will be busy getting ready to show hospitality for Thanksgiving. Also, my friend Kathleen and I are in charge of morning dessert after church this coming Sunday, so that will mean some extra baking on Saturday.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you…

I recently discovered that my ‘mystery houseplant’ is a coffee plant. How appropriate! Our public library has a larger version of my plant, so now I know. I’d like to repot this plant this winter.

Hostess Peggy says this about The Simple Woman’s Daybook:

Are you content to linger on the simple things of life…then join me in taking a little look into the day plans and thoughts of those of us who are focusing on simplicity…the beauty of the everyday moments around us. That is my vision for this idea!

Posted in Family, Homemaking, NaBloPoMo, The Simple Woman's Daybook, Things for Which I am Thankful | 3 Comments »

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