GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

  Communion Sunday is my favorite Sunday in the month.  In our Church we celebrate Communion on the first Sunday of the month.  Our pastor is out of town for Thanksgiving, and ask my dearest to serve Communion tomorrow.  This is very special as this is his favorite message to bring. In 2002 we had a guest speaker at our Church in Hughson, Rev. John Carlton,and it fell on Communion Sunday.  I took notes in my Bible and have referred to them many times when reflecting on Communion.  I wanted to share them briefly with you today. Look in these directions before taking the Lord's Supper. BACK ~ Looking back to the terrible price that was paid for our salvation (Isa. 53) AHEAD ~ Testimony until he comes again.  The Second coming of Christ.  Will you be ready? (I Cor. 11:26) AROUND ~ All the lost in the world, that are unsaved. (John 3:16) WITH`IN ~ We need to look within and examine our own hearts.  Take an honest inventory. ...

The dinner was delicious, and gone before I thought to grab my camera and get a picture of the bountiful buffet!  Then fresh coffee, Apple, Pumpkin and Pecan pie with lots of REAL whipped cream, and an assortment of other goodies.   Confetti Cup Cakes, and Reese Peanut Butter cup cakes.  I saved the plastic container I get apples in from Costco, and it worked perfect for transporting the cupcakes in the car to our sons.  There is no picture of the four layer Chocolate Torte with Mousse filling as I didn't have any way to transport it in the car.  Afraid to put it in the trunk...and Molly rides in the back seat so that was a little scary.  So the decision was made to postpone it till Christmas Dinner which is at my daughters home that lives close to us.   Slept in this morning, then had leftover ham with eggs over easy, toast and jam and fresh strawberries.   My idea was to have apple pie for breakfast but my dearest preferred...

I'm thinking a lot of us will use THANKSGIVING for our "T" words this week.  It only seems reasonable to do so.   This is the scene on my roll top desk.  I've had the Thanksgiving blocks for so many years I can't remember.  On our trip to Boise Idaho a couple of years ago, I found my carved Pilgrims.  I love the pair.  Beautifully carved, and hand painted.  The wooden candle sticks with electric candles just completes the look as your enter my living room.    HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY ABC WEDNESDAY FRIENDS. To see all the other participants in the ABC meme, just click on the badge on my sidebar.

  As you all know, I am a lover of watercolors.  There are a few artists that paint people in a loose style but with great detail and expressions.  Today I found another one I adore.  The book is called Miss Hunnicutt's Hat.  The story is a hoot, and the watercolor to drool over as Miss Hunnicutt wears a live chicken on her hat!   I'm an easy target for a Child's book, especially if it's illustrated in watercolor.  The artist is Gail de Marcken  . You can read about her by clicking on her name. Just look at the expressions on these faces, and those hats all topped with an animal.  I was needing some inspiration as I have not painted since Creative Tuesday was cancelled.  Painting is like a muscle...needs exercise.  These funny faces is just what I needed to get me painting people again. One of my favorite things to paint. The countdown for Thanksgiving is on.  I'm excited to be in charge of the Dessert Table ...

REMEMBERING HELEN BOYD Her name was Helen Boyd.  She was the leader of the Girls Guild program at First Baptist Church in Turlock, CA where I grew up.  She is in heaven now, but as I was reading Kansas Bob post on giving thanks each day in November, I wanted to give thanks for this dear woman who probably had more influence as an adult mentor than anyone else, apart from my parents.  I wish I had a picture of her, but the feeling I got from this picture at googleimages.com reminds me of the love I had for this dear lady.   She was a godly woman, who loved the Lord and loved to have fun.  We met once a week and many of the things she taught us girls have stuck with me all these years. Some were manners, how to set a proper table, respecting people and their things.  She taught us basis in cooking, and sewing.  How to  be a gift giver.  She was there for questions and problems Junior High girls face then and today. ...

  The sky from an airplane is always interesting, but to see Mt.Hood, jetting itself through the clouds as we took off from Portland is something you don't see every day! To see all the other skies from around the corner or around the world, just click on the SWF Badge on my sidebar.

LETTER "S" IS FOR SWEET AND SALTY! This Thanksgiving we're going to my son's home.  I'm going to be in charge of the Dessert Table.  Besides the traditional pumpkin, apple and pecan pies, I wanted to try some new recipes for cookies and cakes.  I got the new issue of Traditional Home and found a recipe for a "Sweet and Salty" chocolate chip cookie and tried it this afternoon.  Yep, they will definitely be on the menu.  They are called "Kitchen Sink Cookies" which include chocolate chips, kettle potato chips and broken pretzel pieces.  You can find the recipe here .  It makes a lot of cookies.  I got 70 from this batch. I have been very frustrated that my local grocery store has not had pumpernickel bread for the past two weeks, due to a "bad batch" from the factory, so they say. Today I looked up a recipe for pumpernickel bread and will give it a try tomorrow.  It calls for molasses and unsweetened cocoa.  Didn't kno...

   Not since our trip to the rain forest in Hawaii years ago, have I seen anything so lush and green as the State Park we stopped by on our way to Grants Pass.  Tristan was getting a little weary in the car seat so we pulled off at the park to give him a breather, and I was so amazed at the lush beauty, crabbed my camera and snapped a few pictures.  It had rained most of the day, and the foliage was shinny and the mushrooms huge!   Tristan took Daddy for a walk while Grandma snapped pictures.  I love that solitary gold leaf.  Looks like a piece of jewelry.  And that mushroom with the shamrocks made me think any minute I might see a leprechaun  jump out from behind it!! After a week of cool weather (sometime 40) I landed at the Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and found our weather was a cool (92) HaHa...I looked like a fish out of water with my long heavy skirt, boots, warm jacket and scarf.  The only thing I had on that was "cool...

Today I was motivated by our blog friend Betsy, as she turned a spare bedroom into her "Studio".  As I looked at all her ribbon, pens, paints so neatly arranged, I was inspired to do something with my limited "craft drawer" which I've been stuffing things into, and then pulling everything out to find something.  Well today my craft drawer is neat and tidy and now I can find my bags and ribbon.   The little blue and white crock on the left was given to me by a friend a couple weeks ago, and is perfect for the raw sugar I'm using for coffee or tea.   The "fruit plate with plaid border" was at the thrift store this morning.  When I saw it I smiled and said I need to take that home.  Which I did for a dollar!   The other HUGE job I needed to do was organize my original watercolor cards.  At one time I had them all neatly placed in plastic pockets and kept in a large binder.  After time, of taking them out to make prints and not p...

   I was in Oregon last week visiting my new grandson.  These are the shots I took about 6:45 AM on the way into the Medford Airport for my trip home. Each of the three pictures were taken just moments apart.  The ever changing and beautiful sky. When the clouds parted, and the sun came through ~~ the sky was ablaze with beauty. Too see the skies from around the corner or around the world, just click on the SWF badge on my sidebar.

  A wonderful breakfast fixed by Jill's husband Jaya.  Jaya and his little buddy.  Jill and Tristan.  Love these shots of Daddy, mommy and sweet Tristan.   Guess who came to Thanksgiving dinner?  The deer came right up to the deck to see what we were having.  We celebrated Thanksgiving early so I could share it with Tristan.  We had turkey, baked sweet potato with marshmallow's, stuffin muffins, and fresh cranberry sauce.  The pumpkin pie came later.   The week went so fast.  With the temperature in the 40's it was nice to enjoy a fire in the back yard and some roasted marshmallow's.  Then back on the road to the airport, which is a beautiful ride, and then soaring above the clouds to come back home to my dearest, and all my memories and pictures.  It was indeed a great week.

  Come Tuesday morning, I'll be on a jet plane to Oregon and a week with Tristan.  The picture on the left is when we were there at his birth.  He's a few days old and as you can see, I was melting with love for this new little grandson.  Fast forward ~~ 5 months, and he's a health, happy, smiling little boy.  I cannot wait to love on this little guy. My daughter is making Thanksgiving Dinner while I'm there so I can celebrate Tristan's first Thanksgiving with Grandma.  Whether you are Grandma GG, Oma, Nanna, Granny, or any other name they come up with to call you, it's the best title in the world, isn't it? Won't have my computer with me, but I'll take lots of picture to share when I get back.

  Worked the Craft Boutique and Bake Sale ALL day.  I'm sleepy, sleepy, sleepy.   When I was just a little girl, about the age of the one in the picture, my dad taught me a poem I've never forgotten.  When I'm really tired, or sleepy, it always come to mind.  Tonight was no different!  Didn't have time to get a Thought for Sunday, so let me share my little poem, and then I'm going to bed.   I'm sleepy, sleepy, sleepy I want to go to bed. Had turkey for my dinner and lasses on my bread.   My hands are sticky, sticky My face is dirty too ~~ Here comes momma with the washrag Boo, Hoo, Hoo.!!!   I can't remember where I put my shoes ten minutes ago, but I can remember a poem I was taught when I was four.  Is old age catching up with me or what???   Do you have a childhood poem?   ** Sweet Dreams **   Image of little girl from googleimages.com

    Banana/Zucchini/Walnut Muffins, two loaves of Whole Wheat Banana Walnut bread, and lots of Peanut butter cookies, three in each decorated bag.     We have a "Tuesday Craft Night" at our Church.  Ladies come and bring whatever project they are working on.  Some knit, some crochet, some make jewelry and wooden Christmas ornaments.  It a fun time to take a break from every one's busy schedule and spend a couple of hours working on a hobby.   I've been knitting and baking to be ready for the Sale on Saturday.  The money we make at the Craft Boutique and Bake Sale will go to our Building Fund, as we are putting a new face on the front of the Church.  Next we will be adding some new landscaping.       I decided to add a set of my Watercolor note cards to match the dishcloths I had knitted.  I think it might be a nice "Hostess Gift" for Thanksgiving or Christmas.   This g...