105th HodgePodge

 CLICK THE PIC to join us @ Joyces...

1. The last walk in the woods I had was when we were touring Tuscaloosa with Skoots, before she decided to go there…A park is located just around the corner from her apartment…a lake, community building, walking trails…we enjoyed walking around the lake and talking to the ducks.

2. Some years I send 80 or more cards; this year’s grouping will be much smaller…probably around 30 or so.  I bought a cute little painted clothespin banner to display my cards this year…think I’ll hang it in my foyer going into the dining room…or at the fireplace…haven’t decided yet.  

3. A set of words I’ve heard way to much of this past week:  fiscal cliff…yet 'he' wants to SPEND more.  

4. December 13th is National Cocoa Day-my daughter will probably be celebrating that day…she’s a BIG cocoa person; me not so much.  I'm more into espresso shots in my coffee with really good cream and some coconut flavoring, or peppermint this time of year!












5. I’ve been buying less and less over the years, to help alleviate the craziness of the season.  I just don’t enjoy it as much as I used to enjoy the hustle and bustle…probably has to do more with my ‘MONES than anything else.  

6. Besides jewelry, what's a favorite sparkly-glittery item in your home or closet?  Don’t really know of one right off the top of my head…I love candles, but since hubs allergies have been so horrible, I can’t have those around anymore.  

7. Share a favorite line or two from any Christmas carol.  “We sing a love song, as we go along, walking in a winter wonderland.”  

8. Not in the Christmas spirit at all this year…I’m more into a long winter’s nap, especially with all the cold meds I’m on right now.  However, my Christmas cactus IS in the mood and it has been blooming this week...

A GIVEAWAY...& 104th WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

STITCHES, sCRAPS AND sPARKLES IN THE SUN IS HAVING A GIVEWAY...giveaway is open from now until the day SHE makeS HER 100th post. SHE'LL do a random drawing on that day and you'll have one week to claim your prize.

Here's how to enter:
1. Be a follower of HER blog.

2. Let HER know which prize you like.

That's it! As a bonus, if you mention my giveaway on your blog and leave me the link, you'll get an extra entry in the drawing box!

 

 

JOINING JOYCE and the others...

1.  Our traditions surrounding the Christmas stocking:  usually the LAST thing opened...a few nice gifts, a few silly gifts, and some chocolate, of course. 




Here are some  things Santa puts in our stockings (yes, I STILL get one...)

-socks/hosiery                                     -ties/handkerchiefs
- Stationary                            - Phone case/cover
- Nail polish                    - Chapstick
- Wine stopper                   - scratch-off Lottery tickets

-inexpensive jewelry           - Scented candles
- Mini tool set                -Cookie cutters

-travel-sized games/puzzles            - Magnets
- Hot chocolate/coffee                       - Coffee mug                           - Perfume
- Make-up brush set        - Reusable grocery bags  
- Ear buds/headphones              -Itunes/Amazon gift cards    

 - Body lotion       - Mini sewing kit/crochet hooks/knitting needles
- Golf balls/tees/engraved ball markers

when I was growing up, we had to open our stockings FIRST (to keep us entertained while the parents made their first cup of coffee)

2.  I average between 7 and 8 hours of sleep, but they're usually interrupted with one visit to the girl's room...getting back to sleep can be an issue.  An afternoon power nap is always fun, too!

3. If I had to give up one thing for the remainder of this year it would be:  Cokes...I need to give them up anyway after hearing how horribly they affect your pancreas and your insulin spikes.

4. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (or Wills and Kate as I like to call them) have announced they're expecting a baby. I like to keep my ears open for what's going on in their world...but I'm not obsessed with it.  I used to follow their Mother, Diana, much closer....she seemed to be one of the ones with the most sense of 'real compassion'.

5. For me, the sound of childhood was reading to my girl before bed...and hearing her giggles or her singing along to our little Christian songs.

6. Fruit cake-can be a yeah or a boo; according to which one I try to eat.  Some are horrible...one we buy from NC is awesome.  My favorite dessert made with fruit...my grandmother's fried apple pies...surely do miss her making them.

7.  One thing I want to accomplish before 2012 comes to an end...it's be nice to get my Christmas tree up before Christmas Day.

8.  Randomly fell onto CBS Tuesday night...the VS 'angels' were prancing in their underwear...what little there was of it.  

They incorporated pop star artists R* (Do you enjoy hearing lyrics that repeat for umpteen times?...most rap horribly bores me) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

and B* (wearing pants below his bottom that look like a 'full' diaper is dropping down through his pants...oh, that'll make for a better show....what?? 

Commercialism to the max.  Guess their sales will be skyrocketing Wednesday with all the young girls wanting to mimmic. 

Wee, a makeup bag free with a $75 purchase! 
(I'd rather spend my $$ to feed someone or take some diapers to our Pregnancy Center.)

 

 

 

 

FACILITATING FAITH, week 13

 
Christmas means we are never alone...

because Christ was born and has risen.  

He's promised to never leave us or forsake us; yet many have lost loved ones recently in and around our fellowship.

Challenging ourselves to do something extra for them during his giving season shares his love personally. Who can your class reach out to during Advent?

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank you for your assurance that in our loneliness and sorrow, you are always here to comfort us. Amen.

 
Blessings,

TELLING FACES

The way you get to know yourself is by the expression on other people's faces.
~Gil Scott Heron

People watching has always been a hobby

 

Early on during a photography class, we were challenged to sit quietly at airports and capture as many emotions as possible.

 

Certain glimpses into others' world brought questioning.

Watching expressions un-changing on a face... no expression, outward signs of not caring...not listening?

Seeing glazed frowns...an irritation at what's being said or concern for those speaking?

Noticing others' speaking right on top of what's already being said, as if it isn't being said, having no concern with the first words or even their trespassing on them?

Hurried travelers passing bell-ringing Salvation Santas as if not there, seeing through and past.

 

What expressions are you conveying to those around you this Christmas Season? 

Romans 12:3  ...Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 

DOME, D-DOME, DOME!

On game days, I always want to be at the games hearing bands, watching the cheerleaders fly through the air, hearing the helmets hitting the pads, feeling the drums in my heart....

Once a drum major, always a drum major!

Blessings,

ALPHABET THURSDAY...belated again

Good morning class. Welcome to round six of Alphabe-Thursday!  Come on over and join the others @ Jenny's....




Today we will be bellowing about the beautiful letter:

 

BELATED...seems to be a theme for me these days in my life.  I'll think about doing something, get distracted by another situation, and then it's two weeks before I've done what my intentions were 'prodding' me to get done.

 

BELATEDLY sharing some Thanksgiving pictures...





My latest thrift find (the honey pot) goes well with my other condiments and cornucopia
 

 my NAMES OF JESUS cross w/ my mantel angels



Skoot's friend from college joined us for a few days before heading back for the IRON BOWL (ALABAMA vs. AUBURN)



 

Here's the family...first time here for Thanksgiving; a good time to be thankful.














Blessings,

John 8:31 "If you continue in my word, then you are truly Disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."

FACILITATING FAITH, wk 12

Often times during study classes or even in conversations we have with family members, we may not listen or put ‘new knowledge’ into our actions.  Thomas Dury shared this on THE UPPER ROOM yesterday. (It reminds me of the wisdom my Dad tried to share with me when I was younger…of course, I wasn’t always willing to listen and/or value his input at the time.  If I had it to do over again, I would write down all of his God-led knowledge)

My dad has always been able to cut through trivial issues to the heart of a matter. Knowing how I love to backpack but concerned for my safety, he once asked, “Do you think a lightweight nylon tent will protect you from wild animals?” I joked that it was rather like toddlers playing peek-a-boo, covering their eyes and declaring, “You can’t see me!” …   

Looking back, I realize for many years I treated the Bible much the same way, assuming merely having one (and occasionally reading it) would guarantee my spiritual well-being.  King David’s life caused me to re-evaluate my attitude. David professed devotion to God, but his profession was severely compromised by his affair with Bathsheba. When sin was revealed, David realized he had displeased God and he repented (2 Sam. 11-12).  

Simply carrying a Bible (or saying that I love it) offers only an illusion of spiritual security. Real spiritual security is in relating with God, allowing… scripture to sink into our spirit, making us more Christ-like.

Will you be revealing your relationship with God in your behavior or trying to convince with your words?
 

SIMPLE WOMAN'S DAYBOOK

My own version of the Simple Woman's Daybook for today:

Outside my window...the dark gray cat has been running in the yard and all my birdies have flown away...go away, Mr. Cat. 

I am thinking...that I agree with Cindy and don't know how much Christmas decorating I'll be doing this year.

I am thankful for...my Mother getting to come here for Thanksgiving as well as my sister.

From the kitchen...I see a few rinsed dishes waiting to be loaded into the 'currently full-of-clean-dishes" dishwasher.

I am creating...a doggy sweater with some unusual cable-ing that has made it quite a torturous pattern.

I am reading...the same book I was reading two months ago...haven't picked it up for even a glance; guess I'll have to re-read again.

Around the house...this morning's folded laundry is sitting on the breakfast table gathering its breath before finding its way to the upstairs closets and drawers. 

On my MP3 player this week...Josh Turner melts my heart with his deep, country bass voice; mmmmmmmmm.

One of my favorite things...sipping on my morning latte and watching the birdies eat their breakfast from the porch...unless the gray cat is lurking...Go away, Mr. Cat.

One of my least favorite things...hearing a tousle out on my porch, hearing little feet scattering with fright, Go home, Mr. Cat.

Something you don't know about me...I've flown airplanes several times...a passion I have but can't afford to get a license and/or maintain a license...thank you, pilots, for letting me learn and fly with you by my side.

A Simple Grace Note: So thankful to have a very nice washer and dryer...there's nothing like getting your laundry done...easy peasy!

My simple devotion:

Psalm 34:8  Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes

A Picture to Share:

Blessings,

PROJECT 365

WEEK 46…Come on over to Sara’s and show us what all you did this past week



11/13/2012 – getting into the high 30’s tonight; decided to crochet another cap with some spare yarn…this one works up in about an 90 minutes












11/15/2012…more cooler weather; wanting something warm and toasty…so…leftover turkey thigh became a turkey pot pie along with the leftover green beans








No other pics this week…starting cleaning for Skoot’s arrival from college, T’town…
When she arrived at the house, she announced her ‘most urgent’ needs…saying, “I NEED…” (click to see what all we did that afternoon)

EAGER TO READ / SEE YOUR WEEK’S HAPPENINGS!

I NEED…

Skoot is HOME! She arrived earlier than expected and was HAPPY WITH THERE HAVING BEEN NO traffic issues throughout her four-hour drive to Atlanta.
After hauling her bags to her room she approached me with her first I NEED…we were off to run errands …

she has a job tomorrow helping with a friend’s wedding set-up in the morning and serving and clean-up in the evening.

First Stop:  for a split-end trim and bangs cut

and straight to

looking for sweater tights…no luck…they had tights but no sweater tights.

Trekking down the Mall corridor, we also check out



 
 
















unfortunately, their ad didn’t quite work … we didn’t find what we wanted…
 
so, trekking continues as we decide to go into

where we find ‘fingerless gloves’ for $5.60..(I can’t make them for that much…),
a pair of ‘heart’ earrings ($3.30)
and houndstooth tights (for a different outfit, $7)

But…we are STILL looking for the ‘sweater tights’…now to
and they had a wonderful selection…one pair really fit the bill but too pricey ($22)…
where we found some great tights, but they weren’t textured…
Next storefront we thought would be a good bet….
 we HAD to check out the ‘smells’ while there, since Hubs was NO WHERE around, we could spray, test and stink to high heaven if we desired…

Skoots wanted me to smell Lady Gaga’s new fragrance that ‘morphs’ while you wear it


















FAME…The first ever black Eau de Parfum compounded by Lady Gaga… black like the soul of fame, but invisible once airborne. This luxurious holiday gift set includes:

• Ultimate Masterpiece Eau de Parfum, 3.4 oz
• Black Shower Gel, 6.7 oz
• Temporary Tattoo
• Rollerball, 0.34 oz
• A $128 value only $84

A gift set that can be broken apart and spread throughout the friends…












Back on task the trek takes us to the ‘restroom’ next…’nuff said.

Of course, what would a visit be without *bucks…

specifically, an orange-cranberry scone and two Caramel Brulée Lattes –




rich caramel sauces, espresso and steamed milk, topped with whipped cream and shimmery caramel pieces.
 
 Rejuvenated, we relaunch our endeavor to purchase appropriate leg coverings….this time to


 
 
Finally find what we need…2 for $14…that’s better

…also found a black cowl to go with her black beret…score!…(I’ll be making her a couple of these in different variegated yarns for Christmas, but no time to make this one)
(I got a couple of plain beige and dark black tights for myself)

Before heading out the door to the car, a wedding gift was in order for the ‘newlyweds to be’…stopping at Belk’s always fares well for those type events…
and we were NOT disappointed…a Jim Shore ornament for their first Christmas tree is PERFECT!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 








What a day of shopping, fast walking and catching up on the latest college news.
Phew…

I was exhausted, my credit card was too, and now home to make dinner.  Thank goodness I have leftovers in the fridge.

What did you do Friday afternoon and Friday evening?

HODGE PODGE 101

JOIN US for the 101st HODGEPODGE with JOYCE…

1. A rule of life which should never be broken:  Honor your parents…

it hurts my heart to watch/hear instances where disrespect in this area comes out with such harsh actions or in hurtful words or totally disregarding them and not wanting to spend any time with them.  You never fully understand this situation until you become a parent.
 
2. My favorite family recipe…hhhhmmmm…probably my Mother’s chicken dressing and giblet gravy (which I will be making next week) and my close second is the SOUTHERN LIVING Cheddar Cheese grits with Shrimp that I make for New Year’s day…omgoodness,  it is gooooooood!

Garlic Shrimp and Grits

Prep: 20 min., Cook: 15 min.

1 pound unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp, cooked
(Leave the tails on a few of the shrimp--for a garnish/attractive presentation) Peel remainder of shrimp, and de-vein
3 cups water
1 cup whipping cream
1/4 cup butter or margarine
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup quick-cooking grits, uncooked
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
2 garlic cloves, minced
Garnishes: chopped fresh chives, peeled and cooked shrimp, freshly ground black pepper
Bring 3 cups water, cream, butter, and salt to a boil in a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Reduce heat to medium, and whisk in grits.
Cook, whisking constantly, 7 to 8 minutes or until mixture is smooth.
Stir in 1 pound shrimp, cheese, and garlic, and cook 1 to 2 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Garnish, if desired.
(I transfer these to a crockpot, set on 'low', when serving on a buffet...if it sits more than 30 minutes, you'll have to add a little hot water and remix...grits can become clumpy...but a little stirring after the hot water will smooth them right out again)
Yield: Makes 4 servings

3. Is the media manipulative? hahahahahahah, I’m laff’ing so hard I can’t even begin to answer this question.

4. Being a fan of the Bond films has been a tradition in my family and it continues on…they all bring their own ‘flavor’ to the character of Bond, and they ALL rock their tuxedos … I cannot choose a favorite.   My favorite music soundtrack was from THE SPY WHO LOVED ME…Carly Simon and NOBODY DOES IT BETTER…I used to wear my headphones listening to that album while doing my homework, hahahah!

5. One thing I hope people never say about me:  She agrees with everybody and never rocks the boat.

6. A nearby tourist attraction I'd like to see, but haven't gotten around to visiting is the new Coca Cola World downtown. 

7. My favorite trees are not here.  There are two trees bearing my name in the YATIR FOREST in Israel…

back story: 
60 years ago...Israel's War of Independence...Our Lord's homeland...
Did you know Americans helped save it...
Back then, there were immigration ship runners before the establishment of the state, who brought more than 31,000 Holocaust survivors to Palestine.

Jump to 2005, I facilitated a Disciple 2 class...at the end of our 34-week Bible-study journey, they presented me with a certificate I never expected...one confirming the purchase and planting of two trees (in my honor) from the National Jewish Foundation in Israel. I was taken aback.  Here’s a 1965 picture of the area:

and here it is in 2008:

8. Our Prayer Shawl Ministry gathered a large box of socks, underwear and hats and it has been successfully mailed to New Jersey to help warm the feet of those enduring the aftermath of Sandy.  Praying they feel the warmth of our concern for them.

PROJECT 365

WEEK 45


















11/6/2012…America went to the polls…I had voted a few weeks ago, however, I wanted to show my support and remind others to vote if they had not already done so.


















11/7/2012…When things stink, bake an apple pie! 

I thought Tuesday night into Wednesday was pretty STINKY, so I baked a homemade apple pie and got to use my “thriftily-purchased” Pampered Chef peeler/corer/slicer…worked like a charm. 

They sell for around $38 brand new…I got this one for $4 (and it has BOTH handles, one for apples, one for potatoes)…SCORE!  \o/












11/8/12 heading across town there was a pretty sunset and it backed up Waffle House…took this from the car while sitting at a redlight…

…two of my favorite things…an autumn sunset and stacked/covered/smothered hash browns at WH!

Hope everyone had a great week…

FRIDAY FRAGMENTS…torn up

Woke to BRIGHT sunshine this morning…

 

even though it was bright outside, the warmth of the bed held me for a few extra minutes…

today will be a better day because the Lord renewed some of my spirit through our small group prayers last evening…it had previously been torn up and sleep has been fruitless

yesterday’s doctor visit was short and to the point but I was able to get my flu shot…

Even though I knew the importance of my acquiescing and letting doc’s nurse puncture me with the syringe of vaccine, today I feel LOUSY…and that little booger stung like a hornet as it was being administered…torn up #2

Praying this little bit of LOUSY will deter my getting the REALLY HORRIBLENESS of this year’s FLU BUG

While waiting for my ‘glADVIL’ to take effect on the LOUSIES, I sat still long enough to finish a small prayer shawl out of some leftovers the church gave me last week…I’ll post a pic with Proj365

Have heard through the grapevine…grapevines are good things sometimes…my girl’s coming home for Thanksgiving and she’s bringing one of her new girl friends from Wesley…I’m still debating if I’ll make the celebration larger with grandparents or just keeping it smaller…hmmmmm?

My fresh granny apple pie was tasty; next time I’ll reduce the sugar though…a little too sweet for me and hubs…I used my newly purchased ‘thriftly-Pampered Chef” corer/peeler/slicer and it saved me TONS of time…not bad for $4 (brand new those gadgets go for around $38…

I love thrifting; and now I love watching that gadget do its thing coring, slicing and peeling

Gotta go…picking up socks from the church to mail to New Jersey…SOCKS FOR SANDY…with their having that nor-eastern inundating them with snow/wind, maybe we can help keep a few tootsies warmer…

May God bless them in and through this tragedy having been TORN UP by Hurricane Sandy.
Have a GREAT weekend everyone

FACILITATING FAITH, Wk 9 & a GIVEAWAY LINK

 

May God's mercy be with this great Nation as we continue the renewing of our minds and not conforming to the world's ways; praying His mercy on His remnant.  Amen & Amen

 

 

 

SANDRA SINGH

 



...is introducing a new designer, Laura Aylor...

My favorite is one of her wraps called FABERGE'...

isn't it beautiful?


if you're a knitter or crocheter, you should check this out and join the giveaway ;)






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FACILITATING FAITH,
Wk 9....

“I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother.”

— Psalm 131:

If you’ve ever nestled a newborn in the middle of the night after it has eaten, you know the calm and quiet the above Scripture references.

 

Warmth and comfort provided from the food and your arms wrapping around them, they drift quietly out of hunger into complete satisfaction and innocent sleep.

Wrapping ourselves in God’s arms daily in his Scriptures while sitting in our quiet place will ready our minds for His Word and open our hearts to His nudging.  This was brought to mind when reading THE UPPER ROOM today:

In his book Shaped by the Word, Robert Mulholland defines spiritual formation as “the process of being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others.” …God doesn’t need or desire my help….He longs for my presence. Surrender — resting in God’s unconditional love.

Remind class participants this week to have INTENTIONAL quiet time with God before studying, allowing His arms to surround their minds and hearts with His unconditional love; they will be able to HEAR His voice.  

Romans 12:1 “… present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.”