Fondest Memories

During the holidays we remember our treasures with fullness of heart and we give thanks for the infinite wonder of love and the sweet blessings of friendship.

Crochet Galore

Sights and Sounds of Heavenly Grace

There are times that we are blessed with moments of heavenly grace and times that we actually slow down enough to experience that heavenly grace.  After a night and day of snow it looks like we may have a white Christmas this year.  It was a really pretty snow with the resounding hush by the time we arrived home last night ... and just beyond the back yard at the edge of the orchard stood two deer.  The sights, the sound ... untouched by human hands, but made by hands of greatness and the ultimate of love.

What is it about the hush?  Its snuggly and cuddly and comforting.  It sounds like what being tucked in feels.  Isn't it funny how the lack of sound can be so clearly heard?  Its one of my favorite things ... the hush.  And I look forward to it every winter.  It came profoundly this year.

The wonder of the season ... filled with sights and sounds of heavenly grace.  I don't need to wish you heavenly grace, its there for the taking.  God bless.

The Blessings of Christmas

I love the crisp air, the ice shimmering on the tree branches, the songs of good cheer and Christmas greetings and fortunately there are a few radio stations who have been playing non stop since Thanksgiving.  I was most disappointed when I went grocery shopping over the weekend and no Christmas songs being played.  I find myself more and more in conversations with those of my era talking of how it was and how we miss those days.   One lovely memory that I quite often reflect on is a simple one.  Nothing profound, nothing super outstanding, but a memory that touches my heart deeply.  

I remember one December afternoon after school (high school ... many years ago ... ok, we're talking about 45 plus years ago) and my girlfriend and I walked downtown to do some Christmas shopping.  Did you catch that - we walked!  How far?  I would say a few miles.  We did that then, didn't think much of it.  Pounding the pavement, most generally, that's how we got around.   The main thoroughfare, of course appropriately named Broadway,  was where the department stores were; the main shopping district ... Sears and Robuck, Fishmans, Woolworths - the original five and dime,  lots of small shops, two movie theaters, restaurants.  The street was decorated with lighted garland strung across the street at each lamp post or pole, a wreath on each side,  for the entire length of the street.   A few years ago the city started decorating again but not to the degree of earlier days.  It was so festive, so beautiful, so Christmas.

A few doors before Sears and Robuck was Texas Weiners.  I don't think there's a person for miles around that didn't know Texas Weiners.  They had the most amazing hot dogs and chilli sauce.  As soon as you hit downtown the aroma of that sauce was in the air.  You could not go shopping without stopping for a weiner ... the scent filling the cold air just sucked one right in.  It was all part of the holiday, it was part of our Christmas.  One thing I do not remember is what purchases we made, there must have been something because gift shopping was what we were doing, but that's not what I remember.

I remember the crisp, chill of the air, the twilight and then the darkness coming making the Christmas lights so bright and bold and cheery.  I remember the bell of the Santa at the corner and people stopping to chat with him.  I remember hearing over and over again the words "Merry Christmas" ... in the stores, on the street.  The hustle, the bustle, the chatter among the shoppers.  I remember being able to walk the streets, just the two of us and there was no fear.

We walked back up Broadway almost as far as we had come down to where my father worked.  It had begun snowing as we started back.  It was almost magical, the waterglobe like snow, the lights, the sounds of  the season.  It was like a scene out of a movie.  It was a long time ago, a time that was quieter, a time where two highschool girls without a care in the world but to notice the beauty of the season and not knowing then that some day those moments would so reflect the blessings of Christmas.

I wish you the blessings of the season,

 the blessings that only Christmas can bring.

One

A friend of mine was in visiting from the west and we met for coffee and dessert the night before last.  Oh my gosh!!!  She is a few years younger then me and looks many years younger.  She has been following a plant based food diet (vegan) for over a year now and medications are gone, cholesterol is good and as she said she "feels light as a feather" and let me tell you, she looks light as a feather.  Her husband's blood pressure, which was very high, is at a great level and without meds.

I guess you know where I am going with this, and maybe foolishly before the holidays, but feeling good and the possibility of reducing the number of medications has once again invited me to do more then take a look but to make the good old college try for me and my husband.  He not being a fan of brown rice (whole grains are very important) got me to dig out a recipe I found a while back for a perfect cooked rice.  Guess what, he liked it!  Usually I found brown rice either undercooked or mushy.  This is a keeper recipe and so very easy.

Rinse 1 cup of brown rice in cold water for 30 seconds.
Bring 8 cup of water to a boil.
Add rice and cook 30 minutes.
Drain rice, return to hot pot, cover and let sit 20 minutes.
Perfecto!  Can't get any easier then that.

There was this wonderful recipe of beans and brown rice but I didn't have all the ingredients so I just added
black beans, corn, salsa, onions, chilli powder ... broth would have been nice but I didn't have vegetable broth ... its now on my grocery list.  Its quite tasty and I'm sure will be even more when I have all the right ingredients.  This is my supper tonight.

The book I'm reading is calling for a 28 day challenge and I know that I will have to make an exception for Christmas but here's to day one.  Stay tuned and wish me luck!

Best to your weekend...

Advent Begins

Come Jesus

   And be born in our hearts.

Happy Saturday Morn

Well, I'm up and about for more then several hours now, rising very early with all kinds of plans in my head for cleaning, washing, cooking and so far I've managed a load of laundry and have produced a cup of coffee and settled here a while ago surfing around looking for pillow patterns.  I may have to break down and order a book as I saw a lovely crocheted pillow sham.

We were fortunate that the predicted ugly storm weather bypassed us giving us instead sunshine along with the cold.  That we can handle.  The sinus ... well that's another story and the reason for the hold-up on the morning activities.  Usually by this time I have most of everything done, off now to tackle one more thing.

Best to your day...

Yay ... pictures ... shopping ...nay!

Well, I have to go through another avenue to get a picture here, but that's ok.

Having finished my greengate blanket (I need to get a better picture then what I had taken so I will save that for another time) I've started on working on a pillow ... a rose pillow.   A 16 inch form will be used, a nice size I think.   This is one of many pillows that I will need ... so I'm on the lookout for pillows.  If you see one that is interesting/different I would appreciate a link.

Hope your Thanksgiving was a good one.   The holidays are now in motion.  I ate far too much.  I keep saying tomorrow begins the diet, I really need to have that happen!

I have to say that I am disappointed in many stores this year.  I cannot believe that the sales started on Thanksgiving Day.  We've totally lost our family time.  Not a good thing.  I miss the days when a holiday was truly a holiday.

Blessings and joy to your day ...

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving on the horizon.  Tonight roasted hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds, pecans ... filling the homested with a wonderful aroma.  The holiday season is kicked off.  When I think of Thanksgiving, I think of the scents and sounds of the day.  There is nothing better then the comforting warmth of the smell of the turkey roasting, with the background sounds of March of The Wooden Soldiers.  It always brings a smile to my face, tenderness to my heart.  I look at my little grandpumpkin and I remember, my own two once his size, the gathering in our dining room, the hours spent at the table.  Time continues to march on and in many ways the day has changed, but in many ways it is still the same.  I still look forward to the scents and sounds and the new memories that are being made.  I am thankful.

Wishing you a Happy Thanksgiving, 

a day and more of 

blessings and 

joy.

Still no pictures.

Ok, I'm on a roll.  Second post in a few days.  I am disappointed that I cannot seem to load pictures into the posts, hoping that this corrects itself soon.  I did finished my greengate blanket and am now starting to work on a pillow ... a round rose in white.  But I CAN'T SHOW YOU.  Ok, ok, some patience.  But hopefully this corrects itself quickly.  My DIL put up a Christmas tree ... white and red lights.  Absolutely awesome. I find I can just sit there and look at it.  But you won't be able to see it ... pooh!  Tomorrow night we are making ornaments with the grandpumpkin for the tree.  Don't know how much he will get done as he's 2 plus a few months, but I think the mom and the grandmom will have have a blast!

Thank you for the sweet comments and visits.  Glad to be back.

As a working gal again, almost time to call it a night.

 Sweet dreams and blessings.

How long did you say?

Three months???  Haven't blogged in three months?  Goodness, coming our of retirement has changed the routine, but am enjoying being "out there" again.  Doesn't seem like much has changed with blogger ... I can't seem to upload pictures.  Well, maybe another time.  Anyway, just wanted to say hi and try and get back in the swing.  Have missed visiting all those wonderful blogs out there.  Look forward to seeing you!

Blessings!

Happy Sunday

I have to be out and about shortly but before leaving checked out a few blogs and I found over at Debi's (of DLY's Hooks and Yarn) that she will be establishing a group ... the grandma guardians ... donating preemie blankets or regular size baby items.  What a wonderful thing to do.   I'm going to join in, maybe see you there!

Have a wonderful day

of blessings and joy.

Good Wednesday Morning

Goodness, need a sweater this morning.  Crisp and cool and a gentle breeze moving freely about.  Sun streaming, the day is off to a lovely start.  Washer waltzing, coffee perking, morning prayer to begin. 

 

May your day be filled with blessings and joy. 

 

Happy Wednesday.

Changes

Lots of changes going on.

Another week just flew by.  Not quite the middle of August but I noticed yesterday afternoon the change in the summer sounds.  The air has a subtle difference, not that Fall around the corner different, but different none the less.   Enough so to say another season awaits in the wings.

Cooler weather and the yarns to come out again.  A few afghans to be finished, a few to be started.  I'm still on the search for the right pattern/motif for a bedspread.  I'm not completely happy with the one I had originally selected.  Today I saw on Tangled Happy  a lovely granny square (called granny square in bloom).  I think I have a change in crochet plans.

And a big change ... I'm coming out of retirement.  I'm quite excited, something new and different. 

Its all good.

Here's to a joyful day and weekend.

 

  Blessings.

Thursday Thoughts

 

Words have the power

to bless or to wound.

 

Beautiful Days and Cooking

Woke up this morning to 52 degree temperature.  I've actually had to put socks on ... ahhh, my kind of weather.  Got me to thinking about cooking and found this. 

Lazy Chicken and Potatoes

• 1 1/2 pounds baby potatoes (red and brown), quartered
• 1 onion, diced
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 poblano pepper, finely diced
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Kosher salt
• Freshly ground black pepper
• 2 pieces split chicken breast

Line the bottom of the slow cooker with the potatoes, onion, bell pepper, poblano pepper, and garlic. Drizzle with the olive oil and sprinkle with cumin and chili powder. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange the chicken breast on top of the vegetables. Season with salt and pepper, and sprinkle with a little bit of chili powder.

Put the lid on the slow cooker and cook on low for 6-8 hours, until the internal temperature of the chicken has reached 165°F. (If the chicken is not frozen, the cooking time will be shorter.) Cut the chicken off of the bones and serve with the potatoes.  You can add some BBQ sauce if you like.
 

- See more at: http://www.mykitchenaddiction.com/2009/10/lazy-chicken-and-potatoes/#sthash.ocaVDgT3.dpuft

Looks and sounds good and super easy.  Guess who is going to go dig out the crockpot.

Saturday's Crochet, An Old Favorite

The weather has cooled and the past few days have been picture and temperature perfect and the yarn has come out again.  Although do have to admit, the yarn is back because a wee one's baby shower will be in September and one of my favorite patterns, round ripple, is being worked up.  The parents have chosen not to know the baby's gender so I'm working with white, green and yellow.  I haven't made one of these in quite some time and forgot how much I enjoy this.  I should get a few made to tuck away to have on hand.   

 

Oh yes, about the bedspread ... well ... I've started again for the third time.  I had initially thought I would replace single crochet rows with double crochet to make a larger motif, but it just didn't lay right after two attempts so now I'm following the pattern as written.  All good things take time and so it will be with this, a lot of time!

 

Have a wonderful weekend.

Thursday Thoughts

Be sure you put your feet

in the right place,

then stand firm.

Abraham Lincoln

A Long Time in The Making

Let's see...back in April I started a CAL with Stitchy McFloss.  I dabbled a little here and then a little there and f i n a l l y, (minus the last few rows - I liked it with a scalloped type edge) - I present my Large Pineapple Doily!  I really love  this and thanks Stitchy for bringing this lovely pattern to attention!  Its a lovely size for a table and looks wonderful in my dinette.

 

Geesh, this took 3 months and I think I'm going to make a bedspread.  LOL!  Plodding on!

Monday Menu

I have become a huge fan of the grain Quinoa.  Its a high protein grain and so very good for you.  I've been eyeing the recipe on the box of quinoa for a while now and now having tried it, it is a keeper recipe!

DIL has harvested many tomatoes and cucumbers from their garden and we will put them to use! 

Tonight's table:
Quinoa Stuffed Peppers
Fresh cucumber and red onion salad.
Sliced fresh peaches


Quinoa Stuffed Peppers

1 cup traditional quinoa (cooked)
2 cups water
4 large or 6 medium green peppers
1 medium onion, diced
1/2 lb. fresh mushrooms, sliced (I didn't have these so left out, didn't seem to affect the recipe)
2 Tbsp. butter
1 28 can tomatoes, coarsley diced (reserve juice)
2 gloves garlic, crushed (I minced them)
1 12 oz. jar Mexican Salsa
2 Tbsp. dry Sherry (can be omitted)
10 oz. Mozzarella cheese, shredded

Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees.

Cook quinoa per box instructions.
In a large skillet, saute onion, mushrooms in butter.
Add diced tomatoes, garlic and salsa.
Cook over medium heat for 10 minutes.
Add the sherry and simmer 10 minutes more.
Fold in quinoa.
Fill peppers with mixture, sprinkle shredded mozzarella over peppers
Bake in 325 degree oven for 30-35 minutes.

Mmmmm, we all like these.  Hope you do too.

Why can't I leave comments?

I just wanted to let you know that I do visit your blogs and appreciate  your visits and comments but for some reason there are some blogs that I can't leave comments to.  When I go to the comment box I'm not able to get to the publish box.   There always seems to be a glitch or one thing or another with blogger.  I'm hoping in time that this resolves itself.

Hello

 Almost the end of July, how did that happen?  I thought I would be posting regularly again but there went the time spinning by.    Immersed in caregiving and my old stand by, crochet, right by my side.   So many projects, many started, so many want to do.  I've had this nagging to make a bedspread ... yes, a large bedspread and I have been looking at this motif/pattern for quite some time now.  The hot weather of the past few weeks brought this out to start, the yarns put down for cooler days.   Just printed out my 50% off coupon to Michaels to buy another large ball of thread.  I'm sure several will be needed.

Crocheting ... such a comfort.  Still my all time favorite thing to do in quiet moments.

A dear friend will visit this weekend.  One of her friends is cleaning out her mother's crafting supplies and books.  She sent me three Magic Crochet books.  They are beautiful.  My friend tells me now that she is coming with three bags of crochet patterns and books.  A crocheter's dream!  So you know what I will be doing come Sunday night.  Oh goodness ... more projects to start I'm sure.  Oh those crochet hooks ... love to keep them moving!

Hope your weekend is special.

Happy 4th of July

God  bless America

What's Doing Wednesday

The greengate blanket is slowly growing, row by row with a  row or two being added each day.  I'm now 22 rows into the second part with 63 rows to go.  This is a really large project but one I am loving.  I've been searching around looking for pillow patterns to complement this.

My CAL doily from Stitchy McFloss has 10 rows to go.  Its such a lovely doily and a wonderful size.  Hope to have this completed soon.


Now, I've been looking for some cross stitch charts to work on when I have discovered needle tatting!  I have always wanted to learn tatting but found the shuttle somewhat difficult.  Last Sunday visiting with a dear friend and her cousin I found the cousin making tatted wreaths and with a needle.  She has graciously offered to teach me.  I also found this book by Barbara Foster.  Very well written and easy to understand.    It comes with 4 needles too.  Needless to say, I'm quite excited to learn this and add to my thread addiction!

Today's agenda will have to be readjusted with a quick trip to see the doc.  I have shingles.  Realized this last night and hope I can catch this before it goes to far.

And that's what's doing on my Wednesday.  Hope that your day is a good one.

Blessings,

In our neck of the woods ...

Playing peek-a-boo with the sun today.   Hoping for sunny for the afternoon as many have parties planned.  Graduation, birthday, backyard wedding.  The past few days have been all day heavy rains.  However, the rain did not silence the cicadas.  Our immediate vicinity is free of them, but not far from here there are tons of them and you can hear their "singing".   They start up humming at daybreak and and by night fall they are silent.  They really don't bother anyone, don't seem to be eating the leaves as the trees are full of them.  I find it a strange thing.  Three weeks they have been here and within three weeks they will be gone for another 17 years.  Mother Nature, never ceases to amaze!

I'm getting an itch to stitch.  Its been quite some time since I took needle and floss to hand...looking for a summer cross stitch project.  It has to be a rather smallish one so that I will finish it.  Not sure yet whether a pretty floral or maybe a holiday type.  There's a lovely blog Freebie Gallery that I will be waltzing through shortly.  Beautiful work and links to free charts.  Very generously provided.  I'm sure I will find just what I'm looking for there.

The hook, well, what can I say, its still moving.  Several projects being worked on, a few will have to be put aside for the summer.  A friend of mine just gave me rectangular knitting looms.  Also anxious to try them out.   Goodness, there's never enough time to spend on all these wonderful crafts. 

Hope you're weekend is full of blessings and joy.