Manic Monday - Carol

Some of my favorite memories of celebrating Christmas is caroling.

We dressed warmly and wandered about the neighborhood singing carols.

We were always very well received and being able to bring some

cheer to neighbors is always a gift!

One of my favorite Christmas carols is "Silent Night," which has the

ability to make me cry. This beautiful carol was originally played by a guitar because the organ was broken.

Join the fun: Manic Monday

Hello, Everyone!!!

I've been off-line since Wednesday because my router went kaput! I'm sorry I haven't been able to respond to any of the comments left from WW. Thanks to all of you who did comment...I really appreciate it!
I'll be back on a regular basis in a day or two...

Blessings to all,
Gracie

Wordless Wednesday

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The Mo "Ho Ho Ho" Show

Photo Hunt - Long

I don't have any photos of anything long in my collection, so here is what I long for: Peaceful places and solitude...

The first photo is taken from the Kilawea Lighthouse in Kauai. This little island is covered with nesting birds.

The second photo is of my cousin's "nest" in the mountains. With the winter storm covering most of California, I imagine it's covered in white by now. It's such a lovely, quiet place to nest...

Join the Photo Hunt - TN Chick

Hummer Update

The Hummingbird feeder I got at the Wren's Nest is working miracles! I hung the feeder right outside on the front patio, tucked closely to a big hanging fern so she'd feel protected. I've seen her feasting away twice. Mo told me that this was a great feeder and boy, was he ever right!
Take a peek at the Wren's Nest and see if this feeder would work for you. There are many other neat things to see, too, if feeders aren't for you.

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Seventy One
December 07th, 2007

APPETIZER

What was the last game you purchased?
I downloaded a new game from RealArcade for my computer.

SOUP

Name something in which you don’t believe.

Santa Claus!

SALAD

If you could choose a celebrity to be your boss, who would you pick?

I'm not real big on celebrities! How about Tom Seleck? I hear he's a pretty

good guy...

MAIN COURSE

What was a lesson you had to learn the hard way?
Every lesson I've learned has been the hard way and some were quite

painful.

DESSERT

Describe your idea of the perfect relaxation room.

It would be overlooking the ocean, wonderful overstuffed furniture,

full of greenery, water falls, lots of candles, soft music and

definitely a masseuse!

Sarge Charlie has a Birthday Today!

Sarge - You say it's your birthday;

well, Happy Birthday to ya!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=achKk6K7xkM

Wordless Wednesday

Wordless Wednesday

Watch us do the "Elf Dance"

If this doesn't scare you, nothing will!

Hey, I just made a total elf of myself.

Check it out by clicking the link below.

http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1172393454

This elfin' greeting brought to you by OfficeMax®.

Hummers...

We have the sweetest little hummingbird in our yard. I was out watering the other day and she hovered about, keeping an eye on me. As she flitted from branch to branch, the sun would catch the iridescence of her feathers: Her wings became a vivid blue-green and her little head would flash a gorgeous magenta. It was just for a fleeting moment and only when the sun shone directly on her. I thought such a simple thing was such a wondrous gift. I love color and when it comes in small doses with mighty expectations, the brilliance is simply overwhelming.

We had to cut down the last of the trumpet vine that was still in bloom, in order to fix our fence. I ordered a feeder from Mo's "The Wren's Nest," and it arrived today. I quickly cooked up some sugar water for her and hope it will get her through the winter. It's the least I can do to thank her for the joy of her presence in my yard.

Manic Monday - Ship

Miss Bee - this one's for you!!! I bet they didn't have a swimming pool on board this old lady of the ocean. I have no idea what year this was supposed to be, and I've refused to watch "The Titanic," just on general principles.
I imagine all of the rich and famous dressed to the nines! Can you imagine if FiFi and Foo-Foo had walked into the dining room with the bicycle pants and comb-over???

I only have two packages to ship - I'm so fortunate my family lives close by!

Please be certain to visit Manic Monday

the brain child of our Marvelous Mo!

Photo Hunt - Red

The hard frost we had last winter killed all of my hibiscus but I was told not to remove them until spring; sure enough, what looked dead truly wasn't! New growth was bursting forth and I remembered to have faith in all situations.

Visit TNChick and join the Photo Hunt!

Shopping News!!!

I hate to go to the malls this time of year. It's a nightmare trying to find anything and the traffic is awful~! I much prefer to shop online. I have a very good friend who has a beautiful shop in Michigan. You will notice, on my right sidebar, there is a spot to click for "The Wren's Nest." I found several things for gifts and I know you will, too.
Mo has a special on shipping, and he always ships things out immediately so there's never a long wait. I have purchased a few beautiful items and have been delighted with them!
Find that special item for that hard-to-buy for someone...you won't be disappointed!
Thank you~~~

Friday's Feast

Feast One Hundred & Seventy

Appetizer

What is your favorite carnival/amusement park ride?

It's been so many years ago, I forgot! Due to a neck injury, I've had to stay off of anything that jerks you around which is most of the ones I like! I love anything that goes FAST. I guess my favorite was Disney's Space Mountain - don't even know if it's still there...

Soup

How do you react in uncomfortable social situations?

I detest conflict of any type. If it was a misunderstanding, I'd try to mediate some sort of peace between the parties involved. If it was really uncomfortable, I'd leave. Life's too short to waste my time being uncomfortable.

Salad

On a scale of 1-10 with 10 being highest, how much do you enjoy discussing deep, philosophical topics?

Definitely a 10! It may all be over my head, but it's one of my favorite things, whether it be political or religious in nature.

Main Course

Did you get a flu shot this year? If not, do you plan to?
Not yet - Yes

Dessert

Approximately how many hours per week do you spend watching television?

Well, now it gets embarrassing! I'm home most all of the time, so the TV is on all of the time,

whether or not I'm actually watching it. I have a thing for "white noise." I guess it's a habit but if the TV's not on, the stereo is.

Link here to get stuffed feasting!

Thursday Thirteen - Christmas

Here's a trip down nostalgia lane. I remember so many wonderful things about being young and anticipating the Christmas season. Here are a few:

1. Number One with a bullet! My mother's cooking. She took gourmet cooking classes and no one could make a "Black Bottom" pie like she did. She always told me to use Swan's Down flour and not to overwork the dough. My pie crusts never turn out like hers.

2. Piling everything in the car to go to my grandmother's house, which was just a few miles away, but there was always the excitement and anticipation of seeing family and - presents!

3. We always had Christmas dinner at our house since it accommodated a lot of people. My mom and dad always decorated the tree together and it was a family affair. When I was very little, they would get me my own little tree and my own ornaments, so I could play with that and not the big one. I also had my own creche and nativity figures to reposition over and over again.

4. Christmas dinner was always a huge event. My mom always did the tablecloth, the "good silver," which included the serving pieces. That was eons ago when young women getting married usually had things like that given to them as wedding gifts. Now, we want I-Pods!

5. One year, during the sixties, my dad inquired at the local Navy base in Long Beach, and we had two young sailors come and spend the day with us. They were far from home and family and my dad was always a very giving man. Of course, I didn't see that side of it. I was in my teens and they were wearing uniforms. Even so, the message has always stayed with me. They stayed in touch with my folks for several years.

6. Again, piling into the car! At one point, we had a '60 Mercury station wagon which was the size of a Mac truck! We would jam as many people as possible into that thing and drive around certain neighborhoods that were known for their amazing displays of dazzling lights. There would always be a traffic jam but everyone was in the holiday spirit and there was never any "road rage."

7. My dad put an artificial Santa on the toilet in the guest bathroom, along with a little Charlie Brown Christmas tree. It was the hit of the day!

8. My folks bought me a gigantic doll house, which they were assembling Christmas Eve. I happened to wake up and stroll through the room and my mom convinced me I was sleepwalking and got me back in bed before any damage was done.

9. My dad was extremely quiet and reserved, but during the season he would wear one green and one red sock - very out of character for him. I think that's why we got such a kick out of it!

10. My dad would take movie pictures of us. The best part was watching them when my dad played the film backwards. It was so much fun watching my uncle take the mashed potatoes out of his mouth and deposit them back on his plate!

11. After everyone went to bed, I'd sometimes sneak back out of my room and turn the tree lights back on. I could spend hours staring into the twinkling lights. Do you remember the globes that would bubble? They fascinated me! The sights and smells of Christmas - nothing can equal it.

12. I also liked exploring the house before the gifts were wrapped, trying to find the hidden stashes. There were too many places to cover and I only found a dress once. I then discovered that having to act surprised on Christmas morning was too much of an effort.

13. My favorite memory of Christmas is going to church and hearing the familiar songs and the ages-old Christmas story. I truly know it's the Christmas season when I hear Handel's Messiah...

Whatever the Christmas season means to you,

may your holiday be merry and bright!

Join the Thursday Thirteen Blogroll!

The Header was designed by Sanulli, at "Everybody Lies"

PC Rant

Here we go again; yet another grade school student suspended for "hate speech." His crime? He used the term "brown people" while having a conflict with another student. The nine year old was suspended for three days.

http://www.azcentral.com/12news/news/articles/racism112707-CR.html

I am referred to as white. I'm not - I'm tan, which is a shade of brown. From now on, I will pursue all of those who refer to me as "white." Anybody know the name of a good lawyer?

Ooops - good lawyer = oxymoron.

Honestly, with kids being suspended for the crimes of "hate speech," almost a daily occurrence now, all they're being taught is resentment for those for whom they are supposed to gain respect!

"Resentment equals swallowing poison and waiting for the other guy to die."

---Carrie Fisher

Wordless Wednesday

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

The Mo Show - Our #1 Favorite~~~

For all of you who do paid posts, this is the show for you!!! If you don't do paid posts, this show will still be of interest as it will answer some questions about Page Ranking!

This promo was designed by Janna at Jannagraphics. If you have a need for a new avitar or something to jazz up your page, check her out!

Manic Monday - Rank

I'm so late with this, having thought it would be the easiest in the world for me! Our grandson, Robby, just graduated from boot camp down at Camp Pendleton. He is now officially - a MARINE! - with the rank of PFC.

I wanted to do a really neat post for him but I cannot get his photo to load for me. My scanner isn't working so I'm in a real pickle. When I can, I will post a photo of him in his dress blues.

In the meantime, we are SO proud of our Marine!

Have a Blessed Thanksgiving!

To all of my friends in the "blogosphere," a most wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. I give thanks in my heart for all of your support and for taking the time to come by and comment~~~Enjoy your pumpkin pie, or in Miss Bee's case, pumpkin cake!!!
To all of you who reside outside of the states, I give thanks for you, too...

Wordless Wednesday

Too much mashed potatoes and gravy along

with that turkey!

Wordless Wednesday

The Mo Show

Even if you haven't yet read this marvelous book, listen in because I'm certain that, after the show, you'll be racing to your local bookstore for this one...

Recipe for Brandied Peaches

After writing my MM post, I got to wondering about the actual receipe so I went online to find one similar to hers. Like I said, hers were maroon or deep pink. I don't know if she added food coloring or not. A note to all of us: While our relatives are still living, ask them these things. It's impossible to replicate otherwise. Wish I'd thought ahead.

Here's what I found:

RECIPE FOR BRANDIED PEACHES:

1 peck peaches (a peck is equal to 8 dry quarts)
1 quart brandy
1 x sugar ( looked up the "x" and couldn't find an equivelent, but another online recipe shows

1 lb. sugar per pound of peaches)

2 tbs. cloves

2 lg. cinnamon sticks

Directions:

Skin peaches by pouring boiling water over a few at a time and allowing to stand a few minutes. Then dip in cold water and skins will rub off. After peaches have been skinned, measure them and use one half of their weight in sugar. Have a large, clean, covered stone crock and put in a layer of peaches and a layer of sugar until all ingredients are used. Pour the brandy over the layers. Cover the crock with a heavy piece of white muslin before placing on the top of the crock. Set aside in a cool place and allow peaches to stand 2 to 3 months before using.

(I don't know about you guys, but I "peel" my peaches. Skinning sounds so, well, can you be cruel to a peach? And I know my grandmother kept hers for a year - I remember her telling me.)

Manic Monday - Relish

(Visit Jannagraphics for many more ideas!)

When I hear the word "relish," the first thing I think about is that stuff people slather on their hot dogs, my hubman included. It's a tad too sweet for me, but if it's combined with onions and mustard, I can handle it. But after thinking about it for a while, what comes to mind is my Grandmother and the wonderful side dish relishes she fixed. She made the best brandied peaches I've ever eaten.

Gee, I don't think I've ever had brandied peaches except for hers! Anyway, they were to die

for. My mom and dad always laughed at this good Baptist lady, who was a teetotaler, sending her husband off to the liquor store to buy the brandy for her! I guess it was okay to send him to hell...

Anyway, the process took a year. It started with canned peaches, tons of mysterious spices and that luscious brandy. She had a special crock that she used to pickle them and it didn't get opened for one year. I think they appealed to me because they were a maroon color and I was allowed to eat as many as I wanted. And they had soaked in brandy! Wickedly good...

~Join in on Mo's Original Manic Monday fun~

Happy Birthday, Tish~~~

I would like to wish Tish, or better known as

Crazy Working Mom,

a perfect 30th birthday!

You're a splendid, loving mom and just beginning

the very best part of your life!

~~~Blessings~~~

Now, I've Heard Everything!!!

Actually heard this on the news - a group of women are wanting Santa Claus to stop saying, "Ho, Ho, Ho," because it demeans women! Can you believe this???!!!??? They want the rotund, jolly man to say, "Ha, Ha, Ha." The word "Ho" sounds like, what....whore? I think not unless you're incapable of proper speech. If people would pronouce words correctly this wouldn't have even crossed some little pinhead's mind... Stop the world! I want off!!!!!!!
(And in case anyone thinks this is racially based, it isn't - people of all races are speaking this way!)

Photo Hunt - Love

...The Greek language has three words for love, which enable us to distinguish Christian love (agape) from passionate devotion (eros) and warm affection (philia).

I have a deep love for my God, my husband and my friends and family.

Now, which do I chose to depict for this week's Photo Hunt???

How about the ocean? (This photo was taken by me in Kaua'i as was the photo in my

banner...)

Join the hunt: TNCHICK

Friday's Feast -

Feast One Hundred & Sixty Nine
November 16th, 2007

APPETIZER

What was your first “real” job?

My parents owned their own business at an amusement park - Knott's Berry Farm. I started actually waiting on customers when I was twelve, and that was back in the old days when you actually had to count back change - it didn't automatically fall into the little pot!

SOUPS

Where would you go if you wanted to spark your creativity?

Somewhere in nature - preferably the ocean. (Or an art supply store!)

SALAD

Complete this sentence: I am embarrassed when…

people make fools of themselves - which has happened

to me on many occasions.

MAIN COURSE

What values did your parents instill in you?

Basic Christian/Judeo ethics. We have several ministers

in our family - past and present. My father taught me to

love and to be kind to all of God's creatures. I was very

fortunate growing up...

DESSERT

Name 3 fads from your teenage years.

1.) Surfing: Yes, I actually did it, but poorly! Good ol'

Huntington Beach...

2.) Having a muscle car! This was the sixties, after all.

You had to have a hot car to go cruisin' on Whittier Blvd.

It's where I learned to speed shift...

Just think "American Graffiti."

3.) The guys wore madras shirts and chinos, and we gals

wore pencil skirts (Mimi, are you listening?) and stiletto

heels. My feet still hurt...

Are you hungry? Join the feast:

Thursday Thirteen - Legal Eagles

I know I certainly have said things that didn't make me look like a mental giant, but fortunately for me, it didn't happen in a court of law!!! I laughed at all of these but I think numbers 10 and 11 are my personal favorites. I hope you enjoy them, too. (I'm pulling out what little hair I have left and apologize if these are not lined up correctly. I've have gone out and come back in four times and frankly, I'm pooped! I hope this time it'll be okay...sorry if not. Yes, I know, I'm anal.)

1.) Q: "So the date of conception (of the baby) was August 8th?"

A: "Yes."

Q: "And what were you doing at that time?"

-- Massachusetts Bar Association Lawyers Journal

2.) Q: "She had three children, right?"

A: "Yes."

Q: "How many were boys?"

A: "None."

Q: "Were there any girls?"

3.) Q: "You say the stairs went down to the basement?"

A: "Yes."

Q: "And these stairs, did they go up also?"

4.) Q: "Mr. Slatery, you went on a rather elaborate honeymoon, didn't you?"

A: "I went to Europe, Sir."

Q: "And you took your new wife?"

5.) Q: "How was your first marriage terminated?"

A: "By death."

Q: "And by who's death was it terminated?"

6.) Q: "Can you describe the individual?"

A: "He was about medium height and had a beard."

Q: "Was this a male or a female?"

7.) Q: "Is your appearance here this morning pursuant to a deposition

notice which I sent to your attorney?"

A: "No, this is how I dress when I go to work."

8.) Q: "Doctor, how many autopsies have you performed on dead people?"

A: "All my autopsies are performed on dead people."

9.) Q: "All your responses must be oral, OK? What school did you go to?"

A: "Oral."

10.) Q: "Do you recall the time that you examined the body?"

A: "The autopsy started around 8:30 p.m.."

Q: "And Mr. Dennington was dead at the time?"

A: "No, he was sitting on the table wondering why I was doing an autopsy."

11.) Q: "You were not shot in the fracas?"

A: "No, I was shot midway between the fracas and the navel."

12.) Q. "Mrs. Smith, do you believe that you are emotionally unstable?"

A. "I should be."

Q. "How many times have you committed suicide?"

A. "Four times."

13.) Q. "Were you acquainted with the deceased?"

A. "Yes, sir."

Q. "Before or after he died?"

JOIN THURSDAY THIRTEEN!

Wordless Wednesday

JOIN WORDLESS WEDNESDAY!

Dedicated to CallieAnnBrat!!!

CONGRATULATIONS!!!

and Many Happy Years...

Wish "Scrappin'" and Her Beau a very

blessed wedding day

The Mo Show

Don't Miss this Sweet Treat!

Community Blogger

Community Blogger Award

This award comes via Desert Songbird, mom of two and songtress to many! She is an "encourager," yet is impacted with physical difficulties that would keep many lesser folks down.

Our community on the blogs is strong, a world of encouragement and support. Thanks, Songbird, for being such a source of encouragement to so many!!!

"To Gracie of Echoes of Grace because she has had one heck of a rough summer but with perseverance, inner strength, and faith she has overcome the obstacles that were in front of her and still stands tall. She is a true super hero in my book!
What kind words!!! And I feel horrible because I just realized that I had stored this as a draft, along with Desert Songbird's Community award and then neglected to post them. I cannot believe I did this! Please accept my apologies, Linda...This does mean a lot to me, as do you, my friend.