GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

  My Christmas Poinsettia is still looking so good, I decided to just add some of my Valentine decor and mix my pinks and reds.  It turns out to be a nice combination with my red pillows on couch and red throw.      My Valentine Angel holds a tea light and at night looks so nice with the soft red glow.  I can't believe tomorrow will be February!   OK, here is a shot of my new "Hot Roller" hair.    I'm still amazed that these brand new roller were $3.99!!    What's on your schedule today.  I'm cleaning house, preparing a devotion for our Ladies Night Out next week at Church and a visit to Elizabeth this afternoon.  

    Happy Birthday Elijah!  Sweet Sixteen!  You make me and Grandpa proud.  You've made good decisions in you life, and wise choices.  Hope today is very special and you get lots of surprises and thick frosting on your cake! HaHa     This is one of my favorites pictures of the boys.  Elijah, I don't think you had celebrated your first birthday in this picture.  We were at Camp Sugar Pine... It was your first visit, and we had many wonderful family times after that.  I remember Grandpa baptized you and Kaleb in the pond when you were older.   GRAND CHILDREN ARE A GIFT FROM GOD...SO GLAD HE GAVE US YOU!

  My friend Marlene and her husband have a Dairy Farm up North where we used to live.  Now there is nothing unusual about a cow.  Unless it's a "Sitting Cow".  Cows lay down or cows stand, but cows don't sit!!      Now we've all heard about "Sitting Bull" (HaHa), but a sitting cow?  Marlene said in all the years they have had Dairy Farms, never had they seen a cow sit, until "Miss Daisy", and she prefers to sit!!  Hope you enjoyed this unusual cow!!   I was going to use this for my ABC Wednesday this week for "C", but had already posted my "Cheesecake" when I found these fun pictures.

  The last time I had my hair cut, I was told my curling iron was damaging my hair, and it would be wise to use hot rollers instead.  I was going to Rite Aid to see what I could find, but today at (you guessed it) our local Thrift Store I found these hot rollers.  They had never been used. Still in the box, the clips still in the sealed bag, and the cord still had the little plastic tie around it.  I took it to the back of the store and plugged it in, and immediately it began to heat.  Yeah they work.     I looked at the price tag~ $3.99.  I'll take it!   I tried them tonight and the clips hold the roller tight, and since I've never out grown "70's Big Hair" these are perfect for the way I wear my hair.  What would I do without my Thrift Store...my retirement hobby!!!  

  Oh my, I've been holding my secret!  Our youngest daughter, Jill called me today, and it's time to let the news of the "Baby Bump" out of the bag.  So a new grand baby in June.  This is their first and they are going to wait and see if it's a boy or girl.   I couldn't be more excited.  Guess you know we will be taking a trip to Oregon in June!!   Since we have eight grandsons, and only three granddaughters, I kinda hope for a little girl with red hair like Jill.  When I was young I had her color of hair, and it would be fun to have another little redhead. Boy, girl, red hair, no hair...it's gonna be a great day in our family.   Congratulations Jill and Jaya    

Made my first trip to Desconso Gardens last week.  There are not too many things in bloom this early, but the ponds and little waterfalls were beautiful.   One little bloom on the lily pads.  In a few weeks they will be covered with blooms.   A couple of fish spotted me and thought I might have a cracker or a bread crust.     Unfortunately, I only had a Latte from Starbucks . . .     . . . and a scone bathing in clotted cream.  What a beautiful and peaceful place to have brunch sitting on a bench enjoying the view.  I'll be going back when all the Spring flowers are in bloom.   

  I love cooking for company, and Dani and I have been having such a great time.  Today I took her to the Thrift Store and with my 30% Senior discount, came away with some good finds.   Dinner was in the crock pot, but I wanted some nice bread to go with it, and had a box of Simply Homemade bread mix that takes less than an hour to make.     I had just finished drying a load of clothes, and it said to let it rise for 25 minutes in a warm place.  I covered it an put it in the warm dryer.  25 minutes later it had almost doubled, and into the oven for another 25 minutes, and yummy yeast bread.  This was country white, but I sprinkles a few poppy and sesame seeds on top.  With a nice pad of butter...Hard to stop with one piece.

  One of the treasures of years of ministry in the same church is getting to share in peoples lives for many years.  Danielle is one of those treasures.  We were there when she was born, and have shared her birthdays and her life, her joys and sorrows.  We loved and shared with her and her mom so much. They are family. We were there when Levi her son was born.  Now, being retired we can't see them as often.    Dani is a single mom, working her way through college, and had a few days break before school starts up again.  She's taking time to come stay with us for a few days, and let her mom handle Levi so she can have some personal time before jumping back into her busy life.   So I may not be visiting you as often for the next few days.  Hope this week will be a great one for all of you.  

  Making Black Berry Jam last August with our daughter, Jill while visiting in Brookings OR, I decided I was going to start canning my own jams and jellies.  I didn't have some of the equipment you need to make the task easier, so I've been watching the Thrift Shop for some of these items.   Today was a good day.  I found a really nice strainer that fits on a bowl or pan.  A gripper to lift hot jars out of the water. and a funnel.  It's not the perfect size but will do until I find one that is made especially for that.     I found this large roaster pan with lift out tray that looks brand new.  No scratches or burn marks.  It has a non-stick surface and perfect for a large turkey, rib roast, leg of lamb, etc. This will be great when our family gets together for a big meal.     Here is a close up of the strainer with the press.  I've never seen one like this, so it may be for a completely diff...

The coffee cake is out of the oven.       The ham and eggs are ready to scramble, and the country potatoes ready to fry. Coffee's brewed ... The best part...guess who came to breakfast?   Our son Myk, his lovely Chelenne, and the grandsons Elijah and Kaleb.   Get Grandma in the mix . . .     Don't forget Grandpa and Molly.  Yes that's THE PERFECT SATURDAY MORNING.  

  Some of you faithful followers will recall my pastry blender of many years broke, and I was having trouble finding a new one.  My dear blog friend Martha on the East Coast heard my cry, and came to the rescue.  The box came today and it was so fun opening it.  She not only found one pastry blender, but two.  The one with the green handle is from an antique store, and looks just like the one my mom had.     As you can see, she added a jar of Grape Pie Filling to complete the picture.  It's packaged so cute, I will hate to use it...but I will.  And when I make the pie with my new pastry blender and the pie filling there will be a picture or two.   When I asked Martha if I could send her the money to cover the blenders and postage, her reply just melted my heart.  She said she would be sending it to me because she loved me.  How special to have a sister in the Lord, that showed such loving generosity ...

    For those of you who haven't heard.  There was NO WORM in the cauliflower I cooked whole in the crock pot.   It was delicious.  Tender and juicy.  Before serving I did add a little butter and kosher salt.   It is no more, as you can see I just finished the leftovers for lunch! I sprinkled a little Parmesan cheese today and that also added a nice flavor. It was just as good warmed up today as last night!  I do believe I will do this again.   Martha tells me she did hers in a Dutch Oven with olive oil and lemon juice... That's sound good too.   Hope you're having a good Wednesday!

  You've heard the expression "Basic Black and White". That me!  I need to get back to the basics.  YMCA and Vegetables!!  Enough baking and eating the goodies.  It back to my old routine that worked.      Trying something new this morning.  Put a whole cauliflower in my little Crock Pot.  Hopefully by this afternoon I can be eating cauliflower instead of banana bread.   I was a little hesitant to cook it whole, even though I washed it thoroughly, as I have a horrible memory of "Whole Cauliflower".  My mother put a whole one in the oven and it looked so pretty on the platter when it was done, surrounded by carrots.  But when she cut it open to sever it.... YIKES!!! there was a nicely cook worm inside!!   It took me a while to like cauliflower after that and I've never cooked one whole since.  What will I find in mine?   To be continued........ HaHa

  One of the things my friend Elizabeth misses most living in the Rest Home is Miss Kitty.  She's had the grey tabby for many years.  The cat was use to being outside so stayed there after she moved.   Her son lives in an apartment near by, and cannot have pets, so he goes over every evening and sets out food, and Miss Kitty comes out from a shed where she's staying and gets her nightly meal.    I'm sure she hunts birds and mice, and looks like she's doing fine on her own.  Elizabeth's hope, is that whoever moves into the house when it's renovated will adopt the cat.    All I know is she misses her cat, so when I was in the Thrift store this morning looking for more bins, I saw the trivet of a cat that looks like Miss Kitty.  It has a hook on the back for hanging, so next visit I will take it to her.     I have been accused from time to time of liking a little coffee in my cream....

  Made Apricot~White Chocolate~Walnut Scones yesterday. They are cooling on the washing machine.  When I walked in and saw the filtered sunlight I thought it looked good enough for a cooking magazine.   I did find the English Double Devon Cream at one of our local grocery stores in the speciality section, and with a spoon Raspberry preserves, it was a delightful breakfast.   Today I had a "Wanda Day".  Just took off this morning, left my dearest to fend for himself (which he does nicely) and just enjoyed a day out! Mailed a Goodie Box off to our friend in Texas.   Picked up some new blush and mascara. Had lunch at the Black Cow.  It's really cold today, so the "Bowl of Comfort" as it was listed on the menu was what I ordered.  French Onion soup with melted cheese and warm bread.  Steaming hot coffee with lots of cream.  Then off to find a new pastry blender.  (Mine of many many...

"I feel so safe sleeping with my Tiger"   "Don't think you can leave without me!"     "Want to hear some juicy dog gossip?"       "What???  We didn't do it?"   We've had Molly almost 8 years, and she cracks me up most of the time, so as I was looking at some of our pictures, thought I'd have a little fun and add captions.  If you have a different one, leave in in your comment.  That should be fun.  

  Several weeks ago I mentioned I was being tested for glaucoma, as the first test looked "suspicious".  Today the final testing is done, and I do have the beginnings of glaucoma.  The good news is with daily eye drops it will stop the process that had started.   I'm very excited that something as simple as daily eye drops can prevent blindness in 10 years if not done.   Modern medicine.  I'm glad I live in a time where much can be done for so many health issues.   Pictures above from googleimages.com    

  Our back yard looks very dry, the trees are bare, the no flowers to be seen.  However, those faithful succulents, just brighten my day with their colors of green and yellow.     This one likes to share it's green with shades of pink.  Lovely!     And this clump of green leaves, refuses to leave the tree.  It looks so strange to see a tree completely bare of leaves and this little bunch hanging on to the last breath.  Maybe they'll just stay there till Spring when all the new leaves come.. You think?  HaHa.   What's in your back yard??

I won't bore you with the details.  But I found a way to upload pictures.  Not any of the ways that were so graciously suggested, but I'm back in business!!  This weekend we were in Bakersfield at a cousin's wedding.  It was lovely!     Kevin and Danielle ~ A darling couple and a beautiful wedding!  The reception was excellent and as you can see below, the buffet perfect!       Stuffed Chicken Breast, Prime Rib, potatoes, salad and homemade bread.  I didn't get a picture of the cake, but it was yummy too.   I'm so happy to be back in the groove, and glad I didn't give up and kept experimenting until I found a way!   The new header is a watercolor I did a couple of years ago, but one of my personal favorites.

"Never, Never, Never give up" a famous quote by Winston Churchill.  Well, I've been trying so may different ways to correct my "dashboard" problem with no success. Then it hit me...will it let me change my "Header"....HaHa it didn't change that format so until I can get things back the way they use to be, this will be my solution.  My header will change with every post. So how's that for sneaking in the back door, Mr. Blogger? Today my new Hamilton Beach Mixer was delivered, and the first batch of cookies with it turned out very good and the cookie jar is full.  The only problem.  I vowed to eat more fruit and less cookies.  But having a new mixer is so fun, guess I'll just have to give them all away.

There is a new thing that comes up on the blogger dashboard...when I hit "insert image" it is a different format, that will not let me browse and go to "My Pictures" or "My Document".  Instead I get an option of Picasa Web Albums,  my phone, my webcam or from a URL.  When I go to Picasa Web Album, I get all kinds of unorganized pictures, with no rhyme or reason.  Is my dashboard the only one doing this?? So to say I'm a little FRUSTRATED, is being nice.   I just put together a collage to post today, and I can't get to it...HELP...Is this a test to see what I'm really made of in 2013.  Lord, help me.  I am truly trying to handle this graciously.  So there will be no picture, unless I am able to come up with a cut/copy and paste.  I will be very happy to hear you input and if anything has changed on your dashboard. Where is that Blue Bird of Happiness??  HaHa  See I am laughing.

Today I was reading Tanna's post , and she was sharing her "Blue Bird of Happiness".  I loved the way she displayed hers, and the fun post that accompanied it. I remembered I had a darling little blue bird and nest in my hutch.  Taking the idea from Tanna, I put it on my desk, as a reminder of all the happiness and blessing I have in my life.  In fact one is I completed my 1000 blessing in my 1000 Gift Journal Christmas Eve.  And New Years day added #1001 with a special gift.  Got a call my our granddaughter Monique (24) that she is engaged.  Eddie ask her to marry him as they walked on the beach. I pray that the Blue Bird of Happiness will fill your days and nights in this new Year.  I realize happiness usually depends on what happens, and real joy comes from the Lord in spite of circumstances.  So I'm sending you the Blue Bird of Happiness and Joy!

I loved Children's Books as a child, and equally as much as an adult.  I especially love to find one that has a lesson in values or morals.  Today, with 50% off everything in the Thrift Store, I made a quick trip down to see if I could find anything.  As my dearest was thumbing through CD's I was looking through the Children's Books. I found a treasure.  Baa Baa Black Sheep like you've never heard it.  Amazing story and illustrations by Iza Trapani.  Brand new, still had the plastic cover.  Said $16.95 US and $25.95 Can.  My price 50 cents. I wish I could share the entire book with you, but since that would not be feasible, I'll share what made it such a great story and the illustrations are beautifully done.  We all know the Nursery Rhyme: "Baa Baa Black Sheep, have you any wool? Yes sir, yes sir, three bags full. One for the master, one for the dame, One for the little boy who lives down the lane. Baa Baa Black Shee...