GOT A MINUTE OR TWO

The weather has continued to go from sunny to rain, wind and cold.  Yesterday was one of those cold days.  A pot of vegetable soup was the menu for such a day.  Every vegetable you could think of including lots of cabbage.  It was so good, and we couldn't stop with one bowl!   I was taking inventory of the freezer and found a cup of persimmon pulp hiding in the back.  Since I had alreay spent the morning in the kitchen decided to make a few loaves.  You can see we already worked on one!  HaHa. So that's what is cooking in my kitchen!   What's cooking in yours?

We know Spring is coming when the tree outside our balcony begins to blossom.  Love these little white blooms! The plant on the table on the balcony is also singing a happy tune.  My white pumpkin is still looking healthy! This is the largest candle I have every seen!  My frind gave it to me as she knows I have a fettish for candles.   It's twelve inches across and has seven wicks!!  I love Sand and Fog, and this one is Sea and Sand.  I think it will light up the whole room! And this little guy (Daniel) lights up my heart!!  Is that not a sweet face! This picture cracks me up!  It is not "photoshoped" but I have two big tall handsome grandsons and my little old lady 5' 1" is no match for these two.  They are so special to us. Both in the medical field and Elijah on the left just got married October 1st, and Kaleb will get married in May.  The family keeps growing, and we love it!!  

  Our daughter Jill, a single parent, is raising our grandson Tristan and doing an awesome job.  It's not easy being the only parent, but she is raising him in the knowledge of the Lord and teaching him Bibical values.  They attend a good Bible teaching church and Tristan has several men to mentor him, the coach of his sports, and the Pastor of the church.  The event I'm about to tell you is why the Bible says "out of the mouth of babes".     When they came for Elijah and Allison's wedding in October they were able to visit SoFi stadium and get donuts at Randy's Donut shop.  As Tristan was fewing the large display case of donuts, he saw one tray named "Devil's Food".   He looked at his mom, and said, "Why would they name a donut such a bad name ~~Devil's Food"?  He said he would call it "God's Food" because it looked so delicious.   Then he also decided they wouldn't have "deviled" eggs anyone, they woud ...

  I'm a happy camper on the Friday the 13th.  While it's been given the reputation of being a bad day, and bad things can happen. Well, today I must disagree.  I had my annual Wellness check up today and it was an excellent report. I remembered all three words, "ball, tree, flag" and I drew a clock and put the right time on it!  HaHa.  Glad I was able to remember that as I forget where my reading glasses are.   The other test was a question and answer on attitudes, like:     Do you enjoy getting out and doing things?      Are you depressed and have anxieties?     Do you have susicidal thoughts? And it went on with about 10 more similar questions. Praise be to God, I was able to honestly say, I could not be happier.  I am in a wonderful place, loving my life, my husband and family and so thankful for the mind and health the Lord has given me at 81. Yes, a very good Friday the 13th. * image from googleimages.com ...

  Our Women's Bible Study took a long Christmas break to spend extra time with our families.  But now I so ready to get back into the study of the Sermon on the Mount.  I have been working on my memory verses, so I'm ready for that when we meet Tuesday morning.  We have a wonderful group of women who love the Lord and love to study God's Word.  "Food for the Soul". The body needs food too, so this morning I put a crustless quiche in the oven.  I really filled it full of goodies this time. Onions, bell pepper, zucchini, yellow squash and summer sausage,  Garnished with a few green onions.  "Food for the Soul.

  I had two apples and one pie crust.  Decided to make a "little" pie for my dearest and me.  All went well.  It turned out delicious.  We each had a small piece and was looking forward to to more the next day. Fast forward to that evening.  I was making one of my gourmet meals and had several items on the kitchen counters.  I put the pie behind me next to the Kurig coffee maker, and needed a place to put the lid of the skillet, put it over the pie!! A few minutes later I needed the lid, and forgot the pie was under it and when I picked up the lid, the pie plate caught on the edge and fell to the floor.  The glass pie plate shattered into a million pieces and into the pie! Don't cry over spilt milk, but over a lost apple pie?  Yes!  I cleaned up the mess and praise the Lord, a large piece of glass didn't hit the floor and bounce up and hit me!  We can always find something to be thankful for.   If you read my comments from...

  Another adventure in gourmet cooking.  Pork chops, garlic mashed potatoes and a mushroom and asparagus tips sauce.  A spoonful of applesauce, 'cause you can't have pork chops without applesauce. Is was quite tasty.  The pork chops were tender, and I really enjoyed the mushrooms and asparagus tips.  Today it was cold and rainy and so a pot of old fashioned homemade chili with beans hit the spot!  I tried to make it look like gourmet with the presentation.  A little sourcream, avocado, and shredded cheese. It sure did hit the spot!!

Is there any dry land out there! That was the cry from the balcony as my plants have endured three days of constant rain!!  They love a cool shower, but the pots have more water than dirt right now.   I even heard my metal rooster begging to come inside, HaHa. The rain we are getting is so welcome. Not complaining about it, just seeing how much water is in my plants made me think they were asking for help.  HaHa However, the news is telling stories of total disaster many parts of California and the rest of the country.  Flooding, mudslides and horrible road conditions.  I very happy to stay inside, light my candles and relax with a cup of coffee.  Not going anywhere still it gives us a break. What's happening in your neck of the woods!!!

  I love painting people.  All kinds and ages.  When I see a picture from time to time, it inspires me.  This little girl was a picture in a magazine and she reminded me of a granddaughter at this age. So this painting is called "Amanda". This little Asian boy was on a brochure for Samaritan's Purse and the Christmas Box children.  I call this one "Boy at the Red Door." Wonder what he's thinking?  I can only paint what I see, but I know there is a story behind that door. This painting touched my heart.  It's from a Missions Calendar showing an African mother and her child.  The love of a mother is universal.   This one is titled simply "Mother and Child". Thanks for encouraging me to share my watercolors that have been sitting in my portfolio gathering dust.

  NO! Just a new haircut and beard trim!!!It's our son Myk in a stoic poise! He gets his hair and beard trim at a unique barber shop in L.A  They like to take pictures of their clients and post some them on the internet to show the quality of their work. They picked Myk as one of their models. Now I have a famous son, HaHa! Not so stoic in color.  You can see that some of the beard is trimed off in this shot.  We have three daughters but only one son.  All our children are a great blessing to us, and Myk is always there to help!.  Can't believe our little boy is a "senior" now! Reminds me of some of the words to "Sunrise, Sunset". "Is this the little boy at play I see? I don't remember growing older, When did he? When did he grow to be so tall? Wasn't it yesterday when he was small? Swiftly flow the days; Swifty flow the days! How true! 

  Over the holidays I got "hooked" on a cooking show "Jean Pierre".  He loves to make gourmet meals made easy and with a lot of laughter and humor.  So my new hobby ~ Gourmet cooking for my dearest! Sauces are the key...and this was my first attempt at a gourmet dinner.  Orange marmalade chicken thigh, glazed baby carrots and brussel sprouts on a sauce of onion, bell pepper and chicken broth. This is the smile of my dearest before he tasted it...I should have taken one when the plate was empty....the smile was twice as big and his tummy full!  Since we still have to deal with low sodium, the sauces make up the flavor. My second attempt was cheese ravioli in a butter cream sauce, garlic butter shrimp and a garden salad.  We had this New Year's Eve and celebrated with Sparkling Cider. Going to try some "brime soaked pork chops" this week.  Stay tuned for the results.