IN LIFE AS IN THE DANCE : GRACE GLIDES

ON BLISTERED FEET.
---Alice Abrams

Friday, November 30, 2007

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, November 29, 2007

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"

Wednesday, November 28, 2007

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.


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

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

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!

Monday, November 26, 2007

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!

Wednesday, November 21, 2007

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!

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

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...

Monday, November 19, 2007

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
a perfect 30th birthday!
You're a splendid, loving mom and just beginning
the very best part of your life!

~~~Blessings~~~

Saturday, November 17, 2007

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!)

Friday, November 16, 2007

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

Thursday, November 15, 2007

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?"

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

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.

Monday, November 12, 2007

Reflections...

Doesn't it always happen like this? You tear out a whole bunch of concrete with the good intentions of setting sod - and then it RAINS. Now we have a nice muddy backyard with eight hairy doggy paws running in and out. And of course, we have a very pale carpet.

Is it Karma or bad luck?

Does anyone else have carpet in their kitchen and bathrooms? We have beautiful kitchen carpet, installed sometime in the 1970's, and that very pale carpet extends into the bathrooms, even around the toilets! ICK!

I had a plumber come out to check the dishwasher and commented on my good fortune in having carpet in the kitchen, and he told me about a house he once worked in actually had shag carpet in the kitchen!~ Good gosh! You could lose a spoon and never find it!!! He also said it was extremely greasy. Nice...

Now, when we bought this place we did so with the obvious idea of removing that wonderful carpet and putting in tile or a nice grade of laminate. The lovely pale carpet will eventually be replaced as well as there are portions of it where you can hear the padding "crunch" when you walk on it. It was a good grade of carpet when it was installed but it is well past its prime.
The photo was taken just a couple of days after we moved in and shows off our beautiful, one of a kind paneling. Also, if you look up at the top of the photo, you'll notice a unique "roof" over the wet bar. What does one do to "decorate" a roof inside one's den? My son said, "Just hang a bug zapper on it." Now, that's a novel idea! Any other ideas?

I torment myself by watching HGTV and all of the kitchen remakes. I would submit this place for a makeover but somehow, I don't think they send film crews up our way. We've stripped away two layers of 70's wallpaper in order to put in a tile backsplash and replace the countertops. But, in the meantime, I will wait the approximate year and a half before we can remove the unfortunate error in design, continue to lament my fate and tear out my hair by watching those poor people getting kitchen remakes. Sigh...

Manic Monday - Gravy


Good gravy, Charlie Brown~! Gravy making is an art, one that I failed miserably in the early years of my marriage. Both of my husbands are products of the south, an area that puts gravy on everything, even ham - good ol' Red Eye gravy.

Biscuits and gravy are staples around here and one of the reasons for my gastric bypass surgery. The same gravy that goes so well on biscuits is equally yummy on fried chicken, pork chops and chicken-fried steak, to name a few.

My first few pitiful efforts made wallpaper paste seem like a cullinary delight. It's true. I couldn't get it to thicken so I kept adding flour. And more flour. When that didn't help, I had to increase the liquid. Then it needed more flour. Yep, you're getting the picture, all right. I had a mess!!!

I'm the type of personality that, when something doesn't turn out right, that's that. Tenacious, I'm not. But I had a big hungry man telling me how wonderful his mom's pan gray was! Now, them's fightin' words, right? So, I kept on until I got it. Finally. No lumps, no extra flour, just good ol' pan gravy.

Then I went on to conquer the harder variety - the brown kind that you make to serve on with a beef roast - and it doesn't come from a jar or can! I grew up seeing that little bottle of "Kitchen Bouquet" in my mom's cabinet, and for a reason. It's the clever little secret that goes into good brown gravy.

I honestly wish gravy made me gag or turn orange or some such ghastly thing. But it doesn't. It just makes me crave more.
Here's the link for Mo's MANIC MONDAY

Saturday, November 10, 2007

Photo Hunt - Flexible

Sugar
K.T.

Well, the subject matter this week certainly won't be me! I'm as stiff as a board...I can barely touch my toes and it's not a pretty site. I recently spent a few days with my cousin, who has two lovely and loving cats. Everytime I watch cats I am amazed at the flexibility of their bodies. They're like rubber bands, especially when they stretch.


I got some wonderful shots of both of them but unfortunately, they weren't being flexible at the time! So please use your imagination and picture them stretching in the sun...

Join in the Photo Hunt with TNChick!

Friday, November 09, 2007

The Construction Goes On...

The dust clouds are still churning out back. I feel as though it's the revenge of the Tonka Toys! They move dirt from one place and then move it back again. The terracing is just about complete but the big rigs go from 6:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. It's no wonder I have a major sinus infection!!! My house is full of dirt and dust. Cough, cough...

For the uninitiated, we purchased a mobile home in May and beginning July, the "vacant" field behind us turned into a construction site of soon-to-be mobile home park, which will obliterate our view of the mountains. ARGHHHH!

Last weekend, Hubman took out 13 slabs of concrete in order for us to plant some grass for the pups. A buddy he works with helped and took it to his house in order to lay out a pathway. It was gruelling work! So tomorrow, he's going to work on getting the soil ready to accept sod. Voila! Instant lawn! Now, maybe the pups won't poop in my rose beds...

Isn't That the Truth!!!


Wednesday, November 07, 2007

Thursday Thirteen - More Old New Sayings


MORE NEW OLD SAYINGS...


1. - Don't byte off more than you can view.

2. - Fax is stranger than fiction.

3. - What boots up must come down.

4. - Windows will never cease.

5. - In Gates we trust (and our tender is legal).

6. - Virtual reality is its own reward.

7. - Modulation in all things.

8. - A user and his leisure time are soon parted.

9. - There's no place like ( http://www.)home(.com)

10. - Know what to expect before you connect.

11. - Oh, what a tangled website we weave when first we practice.

12. - Speed thrills.

13. - Give a man (or for that matter anyone) a fish and you feed him for a day; teach him to use The Net and he won't bother you for weeks.

Tuesday, November 06, 2007

Blogging for Peace Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2007

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me

Let There Be Peace on Earth

The peace that was meant to be

With God as our Father

Brothers all are we

Let me walk with my brother

In perfect harmony. Let peace begin with me

Let this be the moment now.

With ev'ry step I take

Let this be my solemn vow;

To take each moment and live

Each moment in peace eternally

Let there be peace on earth

And let it begin with me.

I remember singing this song in elementary school choir. The message is simple yet one we do not heed. It even happens on the blogs. Someone disagrees with something we write and tempers flare, things get ugly. How wonderful it has been to find friends that live each moment in peace and not discord, even though we may disagree. This has nothing to do with politics - this has to do with how we treat our fellow man and how we take stewardship of this earth and it's resources.

A very wise person said to take friendship as a sheaf of wheat, blowing the chaffe into the wind and keeping the kernels of wheat. The rest is forgotten. Take this message to heart and live it. This is what I strive for everyday of my life.

~~~BLESSINGS TO ALL and PEACE IN OUR AGE~~~

The Mo Show - Blogs for Peace Wednesday

Don't miss out on this opportunity to be part of the celebration
of our planet!

Sunday, November 04, 2007

Manic Monday - Earth



"Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe.
But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes -
goodwill among men and peace on earth.

---Albert Einstein 1879 - 1955
German born American Physicist who developed the special
and general theories of relativity. Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921.

This Wednesday is the day to join in solidarity and
post your peace globe onyour blog.
If you don't have one yet, please visit Mimi Writes...

"In the beginning, God created the heaven and the earth."
---Genesis 1:1

Click here to join us at Mo's Manic Monday

Friday, November 02, 2007

Photo Hunt - Classic


Here's a couple of real "classics" for you! For Christmas a couple of
years ago, I gave the hubman a gift of a ride in a warbird. He's
always wished he could be a pilot and this gave him an opportunity
to be one for an hour. He said it was the best gift ever.
The plane resembled a Japanese Zero (I can't remember the type)
but they used them as trainers during the early part of WWII.
I think next time the warbirds come to town, I'll go too!


Join TNChick and Photo Hunt