PROJECT 365...ducks to hibiscus

Joining Sarah..
I haven't taken many pictures this week but I did finally get my last coat of paint on my 'thrift' $5 trunk (that used to have blue background with five white ducks)...


Several weeks ago I started this project...and with all the humidity we've been having, I never could get it finished.  


While using all the spray paint, I had to be outside for this task.  Here it is with the final coat of textured paint.  (I had previously painted the brass edges to a nice flat black and had taped over it after it had dried a couple of days.)
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After lots of careful pulling of the painter's tape, I revealed the black edging and its new paint...the flash in the previous picture washed out the color, even though I had "enhanced the shot".  

I bought a clearance hibiscus-pattern stencil several weeks ago and used a sharpy to fill it in...I did NOT want to have to get all my paints out again.

Once the Sharpie dried, it was ready...not too bad.   

It took a couple more cans of spray paint to cover the ducks but I'm very happy with it...and my afghans probably like their new home behind our recliner. (I realized when I opened it, I had NOT painted the under-sides of the brass straps...hahaha.  Well, they're staying brass b/c I'm NOT taping and spray painting this piece any more!

FRIDAY FILL INs..#191

And...here we go!

1. You do your thing; I do mine and sometimes _I want to do your thing with you_.

2. _My college freshman driving two hours to her girlfriend's house_ is what's been on my mind on and off all day.

3. Remember when _most families had time to eat dinner with each other_.

4. _Praying with my accountability sisters, working on my newest 'knitting' project and eating salsa with soy crisps(more protein/no carbs)_ are three of my favorite obsessions

5. During the last year _God's been teaching me more about 'sitting still and knowing He's got my back'._

6. _Seeing previous youth in our community accepting Jesus and raising their families under His guidance certainly_ puts a smile on my face.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I'm looking forward to _grilling marinated swordfish in our smoker_, tomorrow my plans include _dropping off several bags at the local GoodWill_ and Sunday, I want to _get a nap(because the politicians haven't been calling as often...thank you, Lord_!

Jer. 33:3  "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." 

NUMBERING ARIGHT?

Psalm 90:12  “Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”

Summer is inching by like a little worm toward the next season and my focus turns to readying myself for the next class I will be facilitating.  My devotional Bible verse appropriately fits into my desires for my class...these new friends, old friends, younger and older, each seeking something ‘new’ from our Bibles, from the Holy Spirit’s counsel. 

Pondering further on this Psalm, in context I know the Israelites were in the desert ‘needing’ God’s knowledge, His bounty, and His provision for their daily survival.  Moses still had to remind them to daily seek and obey God’s guidance.  

Hey, Is Moses standing in the room?…Am I bumping elbows with the stiff-necked Israelites?  

God NEVER turns from teaching me in my own desert but MANY times I turn my heart away from His wisdom.  Are you like me?  Have you ever thought you knew better than God how to ‘handle’ a situation?  Well, for me...last year, or last week, ; no, yesterday; oh, I've got it, just a minute ago!  Duh!  

Why do I quickly forget God’s eternal omnipotence, His seeing before, during, and after me…seeing after all creation?  What would I do without God’s Word in print?  It is such a blessing. 

Dear God, I pray our class chooses to be still and listen for Your teachings.  You may ‘knock some of us down a notch’ along this year's study; but, show us the Preciousness residing in sharing Your Word with You, each new day.  You reminded us through James in his chapter 4 verse 13: “You're nothing but a wisp of fog, catching a brief bit of sun before disappearing.” Please aright our minds for time with You before we begin studying each day...send Your Holy Spirit to discern and counsel, to bring any needed comfort from suffering along the way.  Your guidance is what I seek for this upcoming class.  Amen

Having referred to Mathew Henry’s commentary on this Psalm 90, I’ll finish with this…Henry states:

Those who would learn true wisdom, must pray for Divine instruction must beg to be taught by the Holy Spirit for comfort and joy in the returns of God's favor. His favor would be a full fountain of future joys, a sufficient balance to former griefs. Let the grace of God in us produce the light of good works. And let Divine consolations put gladness into our hearts, and a lustre upon our countenances.

HOW WILL YOU SEEK A HEART OF WISDOM THIS WEEK?

PROJECT THREE SIXTY FIVE…

JOINING SARAH…WEEK 34…HERE IT IS:

SATURDAY, 8/14--we moved DD into her dorm room…

here you see hubby readying DD’s desk (which is sitting in the common living room b/c there is NO room for it in their bedroom.  

You see DD in the room standing @ her room mate’s desk…she turns around and there is there bunk bed…oh, soooooo small!

SUNDAY, 8/15--Having my mouth ready for some of Applebee’s new lobster mac-n-cheese…and the one we went to DIDNT have it…whaz’up with that??  
MONDAY, 8/16--Made some absolutely fantastic pablano peppers, the flavor was FANTABULOUS…not too hot and an easy stuffing…served with speckled butter beans, saffron rice and tomatoes.

TUESDAY, 8/17--my second crop of herbs…sweet basil and mint ARE SPROUTING AGAIN
some fun thrifting the same day…a cozy for my little teapot…another fondue set for our “welcome-home-from-college” dinner (whenever that will be)Two potholders to ‘copy the pattern’…not bad for $.75Some GREAT books were snagged @ the thrift store, too!  One Christian humor… Can you tell I’m contemplating a new puppy….\this one will have to be AFTER the class I’m facilitating…These two will be for next SUMMER……I’ll be saving to give this to DD (when she gets ready to move into her place next year).  I really DOUBT she’ll be doing much cooking this year, but NEXT YEAR, she’ll probably be in an apartment and then there will be NEED…
WEDNESDAY-8/19-Started working on my next facilitating adventure…contacted all the class members and bought items for the orientation class
NO pics Thursday/Friday :(
On the road early Saturday morning…a girlfriend’s daughter was staying with us…she had to be at 10am play practice…Her mom and dad were driving to Nashville for ‘college drop off’ with their older daughter. SATU RDAY, 8/21…we enjoyed FARKLE during our sunday school social last night…they LOVED it! 

THAT’s it…WHAT DID YOU DO THIS PAST WEEK?

WHAT A HOOT...hey, it was a challenge!

JOINING Dayle @ A COLLECTION OF THIS AND THAT with something I've enjoyed...and to take BE STILL's challenge.  What a hoot!  

GETTING READY TO VISIT 'DOLLY-WOOD' MAYBE?....THIS IS ENTIRELY TOO MUCH FOR ME TO CARE FOR THESE DAYS

(yep, she challenged us to go try this!!!  I was silly enough to do it...) 

HAVE I NO SHAME...WHAT WILL MY COLLEGIATE FRESHMAN THINK? FOR THOSE DESIRING THE 80'S BIG HAIR...YOU CAN TRY A NEW COLOR, TOO!

BUT, SOMETIMES I DESIRE A FLASHBACK TO THE 60'S...

EVEN THOUGH I WAS JUST LEARNING TO WALK THEN, THEY ENJOYED THEIR BIG BOWS.

.I SOMETIMES SEE THIS WOMAN AFTER I'VE SHOWERED...AND, "NO, I'M NOT GOING TO SHOW YOU MY BATHROBE!"  HEY, WHO KNEW ME AND THE 'BEIBS' COULD LOOK SOOOMUCH LIKE BROTHER AND SISTER?!! (O.K, MORE LIKE MOTHER AND SON…HEY, YOU'RE PUSHING IT, I'M NOT EAGER TO BE A GRANDMOTHER.)

WHEN MY SISTER SEES THIS ONE... SHE'S GONNA SAY "HAY, WE REALLY ARE BEGINNING TO LOOK LIKE GRANNY!" HAHAHAH!  FORGIVE ME FOR MY SILLINESS...BUT IT MADE ME LAFF!

RANDOM DOZEN returnzzzzzz

JOIN US over @ 2nd Cup…she has all the questions spelled out verbatim…I've trimmed them just for “reading quickly’s sake”

Share your random dozen answers and link up at Lid's today!!


1.fav fair food:  grilled turkey leg
2. need to let go of:  2 many 2 decide
3. favorite gift:  teen talks
4. tried something new: made stuffed pabalanos…YUM!
5. fav/least book genre:  Political Intrigue...gag
6.Silver...has to match my hair now.
7. makes me sigh: good advice being taken & good advice being wasted
8. If I didn’t know my age, I’d claim: 45
9. break a law to save family: probably not
10. teach: American sign language
11. friends ‘dissing’ another friend: listen and wonder what they say about me
12. Love Language: Words/Affirmation

ANTI-PROCRASTINATION 2SDAY...Try "2"

Joining AMY and the group for ANTI-PROCRASTINATION TUESDAY

LAST NIGHT I concocted one of THE BEST dinners I've EVER made...

REALLY...Hubs said so, too!

They don't look great but they were certainly HIGH on the taste chart.

Having 'leftover bbq'd pork tenderloin' in the fridge, I wanted to stuff some fresh poblano peppers I had bought recently @ "H*Marty" (our newest Asian market)...This store has some "what-a-Jawja-girl-might-call" weeee-uuurd things; however, I am learning a lot about Asian foods and their veggies are WONDERFUL)!

MY-Concocted Stuffed Poblanos

Wash 3 poblanos then (w/gloves, cut t-shape in front of pepper, de-vein/-seeds), dry and sit to side. Combine next 7 ingredients in medium bowl.

1. 1/2 pound chopped pork tenderloin
2. 1/2(cornbread stuffing packet)
3. 1eg, beaten
4. 1 can, chili-ready tomatoes
5. 4oz.shredded cheddar cheese
6. 1-2tsp, cilanto & cumin
7. 1 tbsp. olive oil Stuff mixture into peppers, securing pepper’s cut edges with toothpicks. (Spray skillet or add ½ c. canola oil to iron skillet...let it begin heating).

In separate bowl, combine 3/4 c. flour, 1/4 c. cornmeal,1 tbsp. paprika, 1/2 tsp. garlic powder, 1 egg, 1/4 c. milk for dipping stuffed peppers.
Gingerly (tenderly with your hands...you will get 'gooey')...dip stuffed peppers into batter…letting excess drip off.
Lightly pan-fry in skillet with cooking spray or deep-fry, if you don't mind the extra fat/calories...I litely pan fried mine.
After browning, place in casserole dish and FINISH cooking in a 350* oven, 30 minutes.
(It was deeee-lish with my other 'leftover speckled butter beans', white rice seasoned with Sazon Tropical seasoning, and a dollop of sour cream)
(you'll note my pictures don't show the peppers completely covered in batter...that's because I had a VERY HORMONAL moment and FORGOT to combine the last three ingredients to MAKE a batter.) I mistakenly just rolled them in egg and dipped in my flour mixture. (As I was cooking them, I was wondering why the coating kept coming off them)...this is SOOOO embarassing :(

You'll make the batter first and then start the dipping...you won't make my mistake.

Motivation*… Next week's post will show evidence of filling THE BOXES used for DAUGHTER's college move-in with most of the things 'hanging out' in this room

(I've been able to ignore it b/c of all the OTHER changes taking place this Summer).

Anyone else have an ALLERGY to dust?? Wearing a mask'will, for sure, be in my future as well as taking an antihistamine before starting work.

Even though there will be suffering BEHIND my fashion statement of a mask, my lungs and nose will be appreciative of not adding to their current predicament (see above*)

Does anybody want to share a copy of CHICKEN SOUP FOR AN EMPTY NESTER'S SOUL? I'd like to read it as we 'transition' into our empty nest...

Jer. 33:3 "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know."

WORD-FILLED WEDNESDAY...DelightingOverYou

DRINKING UP Word-Filled Wednesday at Internet Cafe Devotionstoday...won't you join us? My sipping moments concern the following:

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. he will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)

Tuesday night I talked with God about this verse. "

God's people were struggling when Zephaniah wrote God’s Words for them…they were away from their homeland' and 'learning to adapt'. I can't relate to that. I can relate to "those who live among us" facing major changes, learning to adapt (i.e. college) that could be "unknown land of change"). Change can bring uneasiness and worry to the forefront...emotions become tender.

He IS delighting in us. Christ is sitting at God's Right Hand...interceding for us. (Matthew 26:64 Jesus replied,” You have said it. And in the future you will see the Son of Man seated in the place of power at God’s right hand and coming on the clouds of heaven.) Yes, He IS delighting in us.

Was our Savior ‘delighting in us’ while suffering through all the taunting of the crucifixion crowds and Roman army? There are no words noting such feelings or understandings...He remained quiet. (Matthew 27:31"When they were finally tired of mocking him, they took off the robe and put his own clothes on him again. Then they led him away to be crucified."

He seeks relationship with us to renew our hearts; our purpose is to rejoice in Him. REJOICING over what He did, is doing, will be doing for us!, He continues wiping clean our chalkboards of life as we daily scribble on them with our dirty chalk.

He offered Himself; He believed, as did His Father, that we were worth it.(Isaiah 33:6 "In that day he will be your sure foundation, providing a rich store of salvation, wisdom, and knowledge.” The fear of the Lord will be your treasure.)

Imagine Him singing to His Father. (I wonder if He's a baritone or bass, I can imagine him a tenor. ) Don't ya know He'll still be singing when we get there!

"For the Lord your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. he will rejoice over you with joyful songs." Zephaniah 3:17(NLT)

P-I-N TUESDAY...T minus 4

MY "POST ITS":

IT'S SUNDAY! GIVE IT A BREAK...

DEAR MR., MISS, MRS. OR MS. POLITICIAN,

GREW TIRED LAST MONTH during the first race but NOW have become very overgrown from your "robot" automatically calling my house ten to twelve times each day.

My machine is suffering from its own 'lengthy'-message overload while I choose NOT to answer anymore.

Maybe your 'picked-the-numbers-from-the-sky" surveys have given you some UNREALISTIC DATA about how much YOUR calls mean to the general population, so NOW you pay these 'tele-politeers' for their AUTOMATED CALLING SERVICES...possibly believing you'll get a vote in Tuesday's run-offs.

BUT.....

YOU'VE NOW STEPPED ON MY LAST NERVE...calling on Sunday afternoons and INTERRUPTING my Sunday afternoon naps! THAT IS NOT the way to get MY vote.

Having a week of sleepless nights behind me, I was SO LOOKING FORWARD to letting the lunch after church lull me into a nap...hahaha, what was I thinking, there's a run-off ahead which we should be spending all our extra time pondering!

The PHONE's ring has NOW INTERRUPTED me TWICE...it MAY get pulled OUT OF THE WALL if it rings again, Senator "rhymes-with-bUnterman!"

Hey, heres and idea for you: "I'll vote for you if you can get Political "robocalls" added to the United States National Do Not Call Registry."

I have another idea...hand over your home phone numbers--we'll see how many hormonal, tired-from-the-week-and-wanting-their-own-nap voters can call and INTERRUPT you! (They'd probably gladly give up their nap for the opportunity to talk to you.)