My hummingbird feeder is up!

Well, I finally "tackled" #82 on my 101 List and put up my hummingbird feeder. Now to finish my mission, I need to keep it filled for the rest of the summer. I put this on my list for one reason--so I would do it! I bought a hummingbird feeder in May and it has been sitting on my bookshelf since then. Not a hard job, just something I've been procrastinating on!

I sure hope there are hummingbirds around!

~I like pink~

I guess you could already tell though, couldn't you? *Grin*

Pink and I go back a loooong way! By my third birthday, everything had to be pink. That was my favorite color, and everyone who talked to me quickly found that out!


My mom decorated my room in pink for me:


Somewhere along the line, I "grew out" of pink. It was no longer necessary that every thing be pink. It wasn't a "cool" color when I was a teenager. Of course, it's very popular now, but it wasn't in the 90's!

And now, well, I think you might have guessed that Pink and I have become friends again. I'm not going back to my 3-year-old-everything-has-to-be-pink attitude, but pink is such a soft, sweet, feminine color! In a day when feminity is cast aside, I'm proud to say that I love the color pink!

While I was looking through my pictures, I saw this one, which has nothing to do with pink, and couldn't help but scan it in as well. My great grandma is holding me, and my great grandpa is sitting behind her. I love this picture! I was just two years old here.

EEKS! I did that?

Well, Mrs. Blythe posted a list of things about herself that most people don't know. I'm sure I could come up with ten things as well, but right now I just don't want to admit to that many things. LOL

Will one suffice?

My first vehicle (though not by choice!) was a 1982 white VW Vanagon, which the family had nicknamed "Vanna White"--though it was not glamorous by any means. It got me (slowly) where I needed to go, and I didn't have to buy it, so hey, who cared what it looked like! The snub "nose" of Vanagons is made possible because of the engine being in the back of the van.

One night, I had a few of my sisters in the van with me, and I was turning right onto a main street. I looked left, and started turning, without checking to my right. Bad mistake. My sisters started screaming at me, and I looked straight ahead, and there was a man with his hands on my windshield, and his face level with mine. Talk about a shock!!! (For both him and me! I imagine he hasn't forgotten this incident!) He was fine, by the way.

When we arrived home, my loving sisters ran inside so they could be the first to tell someone, anyone, that I had run into a person. Thereafter, I made sure to look both ways before turning right!

And that, my friends, is something I rarely talk about! Don't you feel so "lucky" knowing that you are priveleged to this secret? *Grin*

Anyone want to go for a drive with me?

Image from www.VWsByUncleBob.com, picture of a white 1982 VW Vanagon!

Grapevine Wreath

Well, I can cross out #88 on my 101 list! I decorated my grapevine wreath tonight!

All the materials:


Finished:

I used floral wire to attach the roses, and it seemed to work very well. I added a some hot glue here and there, but not much!

This wreath is already hanging in my bedroom. When I went to Hobby Lobby last night, I looked through the flowers and tried to think of where I wanted this wreath to hang. I have a few empty spots in my bedroom, and my bedspread is a dark, hard-to-match red, with all my accents in cream. This wreath matches very well!

~A new blog for your enjoyment~

Mrs. U has just started a blog called Making a House a Home. I just love the title of the blog, and Mrs. U's posts on her new blog are a wonderful mix of recipes, articles, and ideas! Enjoy!

Tea Party

When I wrote my post about drinking tea by myself, I searched and searched the internet for a poem that I remembered from my childhood.

Today I remembered some more of the wording, and searched again. This time I was successful!



The Tea Party

I had a little tea party
This afternoon at three.
'Twas very small-
Three guests in all-
Just I, myself and me.

Myself ate all the sandwiches,
While I drank up the tea;
'Twas also I who ate the pie
And passed the cake to me.
~Jessica Nelson North


I found it at this beautiful site here.

I distinctly remember this poem being in my Mother Goose nursery rhyme book. I didn't understand it--tea wasn't really with three people if the people consisted of "I, myself, and me." I remember my mom explaining it to me, and I remember finally understanding it! When I was searching for the poem, I should have asked my mom, because she read those rhymes to me over and over again, and she still has many of them memorized--just from reading them to me! My Mother Goose book got quite the beating (unfortunately) and is no longer around.

Image from greetingcard.org

Moss-Covered Wreath

Tonight I made a moss-covered wreath to hang on my sewing room mirror, inspired by Mrs. Wilt's tutorial here.

I added flowers and streamers, and I think the result is just right for my sewing room!



My teddy bears find a comfy home here on the dresser!

Recipe Swap: Cookies

From all over the blogosphere, we have many wonderful tried and true cookie recipes! Thank you to everyone who participated! If you posted a recipe, and I didn't include you, please let me know, and I'll add your recipe to this post!

Tami posted her family's favorite cookies.

Rebecca's gingerbread cookies sound so delicious--I might just have to make some, even though it's not Christmas time!

Trixie mixes up a batch of Mystery Cookies.

Nikki posts her simple, yet delectable Peanut Butter Cookies. I have made these before, and they are very good! Do not overbake, or else they are very dry.

Emma shares an Australian recipe for Anzac Biscuits. I would love to try these! (Just what is "golden syrup" though? I looked at my grocery store, and couldn't find it!)

Annecourager shares a recipe for Turtle Cookies. She made these years ago with my sister-in-law!

Heather shares her secret recipe with us here! (Shared for the first time ever!)

Sandi, Kevin's cousin, posted a recipe from their grandma, No Bake Cookies--perfect for those hot summer days when you don't want to heat up the house with the oven!

Deb's Oatmeal Sanwich Cookies sound so yummy! I'd like to be at their church potlucks!

Bernice posted a very unusual cookie recipe--one with potato chips in it! I have actually made cookies with potato chips, and they turn out delicious! Try it, it's fun!

Mrs. C shares a simple and quick Cream Cheese Cookie that she makes for visitors to their church.

Lora posted "Colossal Molasses Cookies"--there isn't any refined sugar in this recipe! It sounds like a great recipe!

And how could I forget my recipe? Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies get rave reviews!

Susan e-mailed me one of her favorite recipes:

Chocolate Crinkles
3 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cups sugar
4 squares (4 oz.) unsweetened chocolate, melted
1/2 cup cooking oil
2 teaspoons baking powder
2 teaspoons vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
Sifted powdered sugar

In a mixing bowl combine beaten eggs, sugar, melted chocolate, cooking oil, baking powder, and vanilla. Gradually add flour to chocolate mixture, stirring till thoroughly combined. Cover and chill for 1 to 2 hours or till easy to handle.

Shape dough into 1-inch balls. Roll balls in powdered sugar to coat generously. Place 1 inch apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bkae in a 375-degree oven for 8 to 10 minutes or till edges are set and tops are crackled. Cool cookies on a wire rack. If desired, sprinkle with additional powdered sugar. Makes about 48.

These sound delicious!

And Kristi (Happymama) also e-mailed her recipe to me:

Chocolate Mallow Cookies

2 cups of basic cookie dough (recipe for that is at the bottom of this page. You can can use it for several different recipes.)

1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup baking cocoa
1 egg
1/4 cup milk
1/2 cup chopped pecans (optional)
20 large marshmallows, halved
1 can (16 oz) chocolate frosting

In a mixing bowl, combine the cookie dough, sugar, cocoa, egg and milk; mix well. Stir in the pecans. Drop by tablespoonfuls 2 in. apart onto ungreased baking sheets. Bake at 375 for 8 minutes. Press a marshmallow half onto the top of each cookie. Bake 2 minutes longer or until marshmallow is puffed. Remove to wire racks to cool. Cut a hole in the corner of a pastry bag; insert a medium star tip. Fill the bag with frosting and pipe a star onto each cookie. Yield: 40 cookies.

Basic Cookie Dough
2 1/2 cups butter (no substitutes), softened
2 cups sugar
2 eggs
1/4 cup milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
8 cups all purpose flour
4 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt

In large mixing bowl, cream butter and sugar. Add the eggs, milk and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, baking powder and salt; gradually add to creamed mixture, beating just until combined. Divide dough into four 2 cup portions. Cover and refrigerate. Yield: 8 cups to use with different cookie recipes. If anyone is interested in the other cookie recipes, just let her know!

Having a mix on hand sounds like a great idea!

Thank you to everyone who participated! It was so much fun!

Double Chocolate Chocolate Chip Cookies

I got this recipe from my sister Holly when I was first married. It is one of my favorite cookie recipes!

1 cup flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. baking powder
1/8 tsp. salt
8 Tbs. butter
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 tsp. vanilla
1 cup chocalate chips OR 1/2 cup chopped nuts and 1/2 cup chocolate chips.

Preheat oven to 350*. Combine first five ingredients. Beat together the butter, sugars, egg, and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Stir in chocolate chips. Bake for 10-12 minutes.

I love to make these nice and big! The recipe makes a small batch, but it's nice for a quick treat!

Cookie Swap

I'll be putting the cookie swap up later on today (after 5 p.m.) so you still have a few more hours to get your cookie recipes posted!

Finding a Good Wife

And as they rode off into the sunset the prince promised her his love, his riches and his castle in the clouds if only she would be his.

She agreed.

Later, after the wedding, they discussed the running of the kingdom. "The King, my father, is old; and my blessed mother, the Queen, has long been gone; and the castle is in terrible disarray," explained the Prince. "It needs the hand of a fine woman like yourself to straighten its many rooms and dust its many nooks and light its many fires and clean its many chimneys and sweep its many corridors and feed its many occupants and visitors. Then we shall have many sons so that they may run the kingdom long after I am gone. I can only home that, when they come of age, they will be as lucky as I in finding a good wife."

And with that, they kissed; and the Prince lived happily ever after.

I found this in Viola Walden's book Under Construction, and at first I got a little chuckle out of it. The implication, of course, is that the prince is happy, and the princess is not happy because she is "stuck" with all the household chores.

I'm sure you've heard the quote: "If mama ain't happy, ain't nobody happy." That prince wouldn't live happily ever after if his princess wasn't happy!

I had a day off today. I had great ambitions for my day off. I was going to go grocery shopping, clean the house from top to bottom, then go out and do some "fun" shopping, and come home and do some crafts. And of course, I was going to have dinner ready when Kevin walked in the door at 5:20.

My day didn't exactly go as planned, but I still had a marvelous day. I spent the entire day cleaning and doing laundry and ironing. I did it with joy in my heart and love for my husband. I was happy that I could iron his shirts and arrange them in the closet "just so".

Barring a few "bad attitude days" on my part, this princess is living happily ever after with her prince--housework and all! *Smiles*

A chatty post...

Yesterday we finally made our trip to the dump! I have been wanting to go since we moved into this house, but for one reason or another the trip kept getting postponed, and then winter came, and of course we didn't want to go then! Nearly everything was from the previous owners of our house--carpet pieces, an old lawn mower, some shelves, etc.

We got to the "dump" which was really a transfer station. So we just threw everything in a pile in a building, and it gets transferred to the landfill, wherever that is.

It feels so good to get rid of the junk that was lurking in various corners of the garage and basement! Now the garage needs a little "spiffying" up, and any junk that collects in there from now on will be OUR junk! I know junk is junk, but having someone else's leftover junk is different than collecting your own junk! LOL

In the afternoon, we went over to a friend's house for the afternoon and evening. Kevin and the husband played tennis, and the wife and I talked and took a walk through a nearby cemetery. The walk was quite interesting, as there are grave stones of people who were born in the 1700's. They also have a son (not quite two years old), who was having fun climbing up me. It was so cute--he grabbed my hands and just "walked" right up, all the way to my waist! This couple doesn't have air conditioning (but their house was made comfortable with fans and open windows), so as we were leaving, they said, "You can go home to your air conditioning now".

When we got home, our garage door wouldn't open. Hmmm...I went inside and discovered we didn't have power. Later, the neighbors told me that the power had been out since 5 p.m. (Which meant no air conditioning OR fans for us! LOL)

We sat outside for a bit and saw lightening bugs! Yeah! I love those things! (Ladybugs and lightning bugs--about the only bugs I like!) Those things are so fun to watch! We went to bed earlier than normal (we are quite dependent on electricity!). The power went back on at 11:30 p.m.

Today at church was just wonderful. The Lord spoke to my heart in all three services--Sunday school, morning and evening. Missing services here and there is not our custom--we go to church when the doors are open. I know that when I miss church because of illness, I feel as though my whole week is different. Church makes a difference. Those who skip services here and there miss out on so many blessings!

Tomorrow I get a day off! I'm excited about that! Tuesday is a paid holiday, so Kevin and I both have the 4th off. I have so many plans for tomorrow. If I am going to get any of them done, I'm going to have to stay away from the computer! =)

Have a blessed day!

Five Things Meme

5 Things in my Refrigerator:
1. Strawberries
2. Water
3. Mayonnaise
4. Pickles
5. Eggs

5 Things in My Closet:
1. Flute
2. Shoes
3. Hats
4. Linens
5. My clothes =)

5 Things in My Purse:
1. Lots of pens
2. My wallet
3. My 101 Things list
4. A punch card for a local yarn shop
5. Lipstick

5 Things in My Car:
1. A blanket
2. Insurance information
3. Kevin's hat
4. A plate (LOL I keep forgetting to bring it in)
5. Car Jack

5 People I am Tagging:
1. Erin
2. Rebecca
3. Dawn
4. Deb
5. Courtney
...And anyone else who would wish to participate! =)

From My Mother's Heart: Words Matter

Have you ever said something you regretted? Well, join the club! How many times I have said something and wondered, “Why did I even say that?”

The saddest story I recall was that of a childhood friend. She and her family were riding in the car when a discussion between father and daughter turned into an argument. My friend, agitated by her dad, said to him, “I hate you!” Just then, a drunk driver crashed into their car. My friend’s dad got out of his car to see if the man was alright, and when he did, he dropped dead on the road, right in front of his family. Her last words to her dad were, “I hate you!” She didn’t hate her dad.

Words matter.

I want the last thing I say to those I love to be, “I love you!” It is very important to me. My family has gotten into the practice of expressing love to one another many times a day. I like it. It’s not corny. It is a blessing. The phone rings. It is one of the kids saying they will be an hour late coming home. “Thanks for calling,” I say. “I love you”. “I love you, too. Bye.” Our family members always end our phone conversations with “I love you”. Even siblings!

When one of my family members drives out of the yard, they tap their horn, toot, toot, toot. You know what that means? It means, “I love you!” And though they don’t hear me, I say from the house, “I love you, too!” They all know I say it though, because they have all heard me say it when someone else is driving away.

If you are not in the practice of telling your family you love them, I encourage you to start now. No one gets tired of hearing they are loved!

There are plenty of other things we could go without saying. Because words matter, the prayer of my heart is this: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer” (Psalm 19:14).

~By Mrs. H~

Step away from your computer!

Whew! You bloggin' gals have really been busy on your postings! I've been busy elsewhere, and haven't even had much time to reply to my own comments, much less comment on other blogs! But I can now say, I'm all caught up on with my bloggin' buddies, and STOP POSTING for awhile now, ok? *Grin*

A few of my favorite blogs

Tami is an "online" friend of mine, whom I've gotten to meet in person! Her blog is a delightful mix of family doings and wonderful devotionals. Stop by and get to know her!
Susan is another one of my online friends, a missionary's wife in Canada. I'm hoping to get to meet Susan sometime when we visit Washington! Susan's blog introduced me to the blogosphere, and she encouraged me to start one of my own!

Tori is a new face to me, and her blog is just delightful! I've enjoyed getting to know Tori through her blog! She is also a missionary's wife--in Croatia.

Last year, Sallie had her Blogs of Beauty Awards, and I saw that floating around different blogs. I wasn't blogging yet, so I wasn't quite sure what it was all about! A few weeks ago, Sallie e-mailed me with a few questions, and since then, I have been enjoying her blog very much! Oh, and Sallie is hosting her second Blogs of Beauty Awards. Check out the categories here, and follow the instructions to nominate your favorite blogs! I plan to particpate this year! As I was reading through the categories, I was thinking of who I would nominate!

Mrs. B and Mrs. R have teamed up to create a wonderfully encouraging blog. Stop by and receive a blessing!

There you have it...a "few" of my favorite blogs! If I went through my whole list, well, I think you'd all stop following the links, because I have a very long list! *Grin*

Just for Fun

I added a hit map on my sidebar. It shows where my visitors come from! It has been fun to see the dots appear on the map! I want to extend a BIG THANK YOU to all my readers and visitors!

HT to Rebecca

Recipe Swap: Cookies

I love to try out new recipes, and I love to get recipes from friends! Therefore, I'm introducing a Recipe Swap that I'll host from time to time. This swap will be for cookies!

To participate, just post one of your fabulous cookie recipes on your blog, and then let me know about it--either by commenting to this post, or by sending me an e-mail. Next Wednesday at 12 p.m. EST I will post the links, so make sure to get your recipe posted and your link to me by then!

Ready, Set, BAKE! (And pass the word around so our cookie jars can be overflowing!) *Grin*

From My Mother's Heart: Think about who God is today

I have asked my mom, "Mrs. H" to write guest posts from time to time. I feel as a young woman, I am not equipped to "teach". Now, my mom is not "old", but she has way more wisdom and experience than I do! I hope her posts are a blessing and encouragement to you!


Isaiah 40:25 is a favorite verse of mine. “To whom then will ye liken
me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.” Certainly, as mere
humans, we can not understand our wonderful God completely, for there
is nothing or no one with which we can compare Him.

Here are a few things God is:
God is true. John 3:33
God is faithful. 1 Corinthians 1:9
God is holy. Psalm 99:9
God is my salvation. Isaiah 12:2
God is my strength. 2 Samuel 22:33
God is gracious and merciful. 2 Chronicles 30:9
God is mighty. Job 36:5
God is great. Job 36:26
God is for me. Psalm 56:9
God is mine helper. Psalm 54:4
God is my defence. Psalm 59:17

This God deserves our worship, praise, and admiration today. He won't
chase us down for it. He won't make us worship, love and adore Him, but
if we will offer the sacrifice of thanksgiving to Him, we will find
that we are greatly blessed for doing so.

By Mrs. H

~The Beauty of Tea~

I've written before about tea with friends, but there is also beauty in a solitary cup of tea. I love to sip tea while I knit or read. Hot tea on Michigan's cold, blustery days is a must! I've discovered that those days are more often than I care for, but tea makes everything seem cozy and peaceful.

Hot tea is very relaxing, especially herbal teas, which are my favorites. I used to keep one or two boxes of tea on hand, but within the last two years (since we've lived in Michigan), I have taken to trying out many different varieties of teas. I now have a whole drawer full of tea!

Something that I have started since I got my full-time job is to have a cup of tea about an hour before I leave work. (Mrs. Cat at Making it Home recommends a cup of tea at 4 p.m., and I picked up the idea from her.) It's a little signal to myself that my work day is almost over, and it gives me a little recharge to get me through the rest of my work day. Usually, things are quiet around the office at that hour, but sometimes I am finishing up a project that requires me to be away from my desk. I still fix my cup of tea, and carry it around with me!

For sweetener, I use a natural sweetener called Stevia. That means my treat of tea throughout the day has zero calories in it! There is nothing better than something that tastes delicious but has no calories to worry about!

Mmm...I just finished my Green Berry tea that accompanied my lunch--a perfect compliment to a sandwich and an apple. *Smiles*


This post was my entry for Sallie's Carnival of Beauty. Click here to read the other articles posted.