GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

This was a fun Theme ~ "Meet Me".  If you have followed my blog for any length of time, you know I pitch my tent in the Kitchen!  HaHa.  So what better "Self Portrait" than me in my favorite spot.   Yes, I know my hair is a lot grayer, but when you're the artist, you can make some adjustments...HaHa. I went back in the archives and found this portrait I did about 10 years ago.   When I was about 8 years old I received my first little tin box of watercolors and one brush.  Remember those?  I loved the feel of the watercolors on the paper, and never wanted crayons again. Raising children, being a pastor's wife and working outside the home I really didn't have time to paint and pursue my passion for watercolors for many years. Basically I'm self taught, through trial and error, but did take a couple of adult classes that really taught me some basics of color and technique. Most of my first painting were note cards, which I have paint...

NUGGETS FROM "CALM MY ANXIOUS HEART" Over the past 15 years I've had the pleasure of teaching Linda Dillow's book "Calm My Anxious" heart to a couble of Ladies Group and to several young women one on one. Every lesson was filled with wonderful stories and nuggets on living a Christ like life.  As women we have the tendency to have anxious hearts because so much of family and children depends on us. I decided to pull a "nugget" from each lesson to reminde me of the lessons learned reading, studying and teaching this book. Over the next few weeks I'm going to share a few nuggets. Lesson #1 ~ Teacup Theology "God is the blessed controller of all things, the king over all kings and the master of all masters" (I Timothy 6:15) "Lord, You have assigned me my portion and my cup; You have made my lot secure."  (Psalm 16:5) Remember  Jesus in the Garden, "Father, if you are willing take this cup  from me; yet not ...

It's been a very busy week and I didn't get a RAK done.  However, when I was studying down by the pool, my dearest came by bucket in hand to tell me he was going to wash my car.  Now that was a very sweet thing since my car was very dirty and he was going to do it by hand. This has been a very good month of RAK and thanks to Manu for hosting it. To see the final RAK's for this session, just click on the picture.

When I study for my Women's Bible Study on Tuesday morning I just don't have a large dinning room table or desk to spread out all my study materials and commentaries.  Well this morning it was a beautiful day, so I took my study to the pool.   Can you find a nicer place to study....I think not.  In the middle of the day, no one is around so I had it all to myself.  I got more done in a couple of hours because no interruptions. There has been much going on in our life, and some days I don't even open my computer.  So if you didn't get a visit from me for a few days...I will be around to visit you, and I do love reading your stories and seeing your pictures.

Good Morning ~ Do you have time to join me in a cup of coffee and a few thoughts for Sunday. As I watch our society, it seems we have become such a selfish Nation in so many ways.   In every walk of life we hear "WHAT ABOUT ME?" Years ago, when Julie had Nick, and brought him home from the hospital, the two little sisters wanted to hold him.  Amanda was the oldest and she sat on the couch holding little Nick so carefully.  Monica, a few years younger, kept repeating  "What about me?" "What about me?" She wanted to hold that new little brother too.   That story has stuck in my mind, as I see selfishness on a rampage in so many avenues of out lives.  I'm sorry to say in many cases it's become the normal, an accepted attitude.  Sadly, from time to time, I find myself saying (perhaps not out loud, but in my heart)  What about Wanda?  What about my needs?  What about my desires?  What about my future?  What about my life? Th...

My dearest took me to Red Lobster for Valentines Day.  We had a coupon for a free dessert if we purchased two regular meals, which we did.  We ordered the Chocolate Wave Cake and enjoyed every bite.   The waitress brought the check, we paid our bill and then I remembered the coupon....but it was under a napkin and I forgot to show it too her.  She would have to re due the whole check so I said ~ no problem, we would use it another time.   We had visited a little with the couple in the booth next to us....So I said "How would you like a free dessert?"  And they were delighted...so I gave Kimberly our coupon and she was happy to smile for a picture. I told her about our RAK on the blog and she gave me permission to share her picture, and her happy smile with the coupon. Please click on the above picture to check out all the RAK's for this week.   Thank you Manu for hosting this very meaningful challenge.

Click to enlarge   Our class was small today with sickness, work and doctors appointments.  But for those that came we had a very fun class making two kinds of Quiche.  Above is our Ham Artichoke Quiche. Click to enlarge The best way to learn is "hands on" so Carolina volunteered to roll out a crust and crimp the edges for the second quiche, which was bacon, green onion, zuchinni.  We rounded out the meal with coffee cake and fruit. My dearest sat in today and took pictures, as the manager had to miss because of a doctor's appointment.   He enjoyed the lunch and later told me he thought I did an excellent job teaching.  That meant a lot, as sometime I wonder, since I'm so busy doing it.  HaHa. I was very proud of the gals as they all repeated my two quotes:' "Have everything ready before you begin" "Clean as you go!"  Yeah, they are listening!! Instead of a cooking class next month, we are going to have a Craft Day and decorate...

Click to enlarge for details. The theme for Creative Tuesday is "FUZZY".  Well it's obvious that there are many things that are fuzzy.  Since I couldn't make up my mind, I decided to give you several "fuzzy" things.  Beards are fuzzy Winter hats, coats and boots are fuzzy Bunnies are fuzzy Even some cactus are fuzzy And of Course ~ Fuzzy Wuzzy Wuz a Bear. Do you have a "studio" or a special place you enjoy your creative juices.  My kitchen counter works fine for me.  My paints, a jar of water, my brushes, a cup of coffee....and let the fun begin!! Be sure and click on the Creative Tuesday badge to see all the fuzzy entries for this theme.  

We are very proud of our grandson Jon.  He just celebrated his 15th birthday and making some wise choices for his age and future.  He has been accepted into the cadet program. The cadet program is about building character becoming a team leader achieving goals and self-discipline. It is supported by the US Air Force.  The civil air patrol has three sections the one I mentioned above about character building next one would be search and rescue and the last one is aerospace education then from there he will have many options to choose from. Isn't one of the joys of life grandchildren.

What a fun Valentine Date !  We had a gift card for Red Lobster for Christmas and hadn't used it.  Since we hadn't been to Red Lobster for years decided to use it for Valentine's Day.   My dearest chose the "Combination Plate".   I decided on the "Lobster Fest".  We decided not to split a plate, but get different ones, and take home half for Sunday. The desert was to die for....Chocolate Wave layered cake with a scoop of Ice Cream.   Yummmmmm.   My dearest is one happy man.....but we did share the dessert. He is the love of my life, and this was a delightful way to share our love for each other, and a fabulous meal. HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY EVERYONE!!

A special Random Act of Kindness was my surprise and pleasure to receive this week. A couple of weeks ago I took a short trip with two of my daughters.  It was like a slumber party as we shared a room and in the morning I told them that their dad and I sing to each other each morning when we wake up.  They had a laugh as I sang to them...."Good Morning Beautiful....How was your night....Mine was wonderful with you by my side." Then last night when Michel came by to go to church with us, she surprised us with two mugs.  "Good Morning Beautiful" and Good Morning Handsome" Now, not only can we sing to each other, we can sing it with a cup of fresh coffee in our adorable mugs. Thanks Michel, for a wonderful RAK for me and dad. I'm joining with Manu for RAK for the Month of February.  Be sure and click on the above picture and see all the other RAK's for this week.

O my Savior, my Lord, lover of my life and Shepherd of my soul.  I am awed by the reality of Who You are.  In all the hights of heaven, there is none like You.  In all the expanse of earth, there is none like You.  You are seated on the throne of life at the center of God's city where angels and mortals continually praise You. And yet You desire to spend Your time with me.  O my Savior and my Friend, You are the fairest of ten thousand to my soul.  I love You.  Amen.   ~Song of Songs 5:10-16 Precious Lord, all I want is You No one else fills my heart Like You do. My hands I will raise; My voice sings Your praise. All I want, precious Lord, Is You. ~Jean Munsey 1996

Click to enlarge I have always loved quilts.  Especially hand stitched ones.  One of the thrift stores we go to is "Cash Only" and we were there several weeks ago and I had $20 cash in my wallet.  I saw this quilt with soft greens, blues, pinks with a scalloped edge.  I loved it.  Spread it out and it was in perfect condition.  Price $30. I thought that was a little pricey for a Thrift Store but really love the feel and colors of the quilt....so Spring.  And I have two sets of sheets that match perfectly.   I told myself it's wasn't meant to be and never gave it another thought. FAST FORWARD~~ Today we took a trip over and I was just thumbing through the linens and spotted the quilt on the rack.  I was almost positive it was the same one.  I turned it over to see if it said $30 but there was no tag on it.  I ask an employ if she would check a price for me.  She took the quilt to the back where they price and came back...

I'm linking up with Random Acts of Kindness Challenge 2016 hosted by Manu.  Every morning and evening my dearest take our little Shih Tzu, Molly for a walk.  He takes her out of the Villa along the sidewalks outside.  He notices that many people just drop their trash even thought there are several large stone trash barrels along the way.   He decided to take his "picker upper" each day and put in the trash barrels what people left behind.   I think this is a daily RAK and I'm very proud of my dearest for keeping the grounds outside our complex looking nice.  If you would like to join, you can post a RAK each Friday for the month of February.  Just go to cookingmanu for the details. Have a wonderful day and perhaps you will be the recipiant of a kindness this week. http://cookingmanu.blogspot.com/

I woke up this morning to a touch of Spring in the Villa.  Last year the tree in front of the balcony did not bloom.  I was disappointed because our first year here the tree was full of blooms.  Delicate little white blooms make me smile when I sit on the balcony. Then when I took down a load of laundry, the tree next to the building was sporting lovely pink blooms.  Made my day! The weekend with my girls was very nice.  We stopped at Bravo Farms on the way up and enjoyed the gift shop and getting a few snacks for the trip.  The girls thought I needed a picture driving the  tractor...Why not?? The middle row was lunch at a Winery cafe, and it was the best Tortilla Chicken Soup.... I have EVER tasted.  The Spinach salad was delicious too.  They had a very nice produce section. The last stop on the way home was a visit with my sister, Donna, her hubby Bud, and their son Scott and DIL Yvonne.  The restaurant we had lunch at wa...

Click to enlarge The theme for Creative Tuesdays is "Box of Chocolates".  As soon as I saw the theme I knew what I had to do....Forest Gump!! "Life is like a Box of Chocolates.  You never know what you're going to get." I wanted to do a simple watercolor  in soft  muted colors to just give the effect with out defined details.  I googled a photograph from the movie for my model. To have a "chocolate" experience, just click on the Creative Tuesday badge and enjoy!!!