Project 365, week four

Week 4 moved along rather quickly, I think.  Come share with us as we join Sara for another week of happenings.

1.22.2012 

Instead of getting my usual Sunday-afternoon nap, I had signed up at church to help with one of our family-outreach ministries.  A co-op of churches in our area have built a non-profit and are providing ‘housing’ in our churches for ‘week-long’ snippets.  This ministry has been going on for several years, and many of us are involved in volunteering office skills, food, fellowship, etc. for those homeless families. 

Another lady and I were handling the afternoon fellowship at our day center and we got to host a birthday party for a four-year old little girl and her siblings, parents and another participating family. These were her birthday cake…and she blew out candles, had helium balloons, and ice cream sandwiches…while the adults were enjoying the beginning of the playoff football game on TV. (I don’t show the individual kid pictures for privacy reasons, but they surely were cute with icing all over their faces…the siblings are two years old and one year old)

1.23.2012 

Having fresh ciabatta bread in my house makes me happy…and it certainly was calling out to be made into a ‘min’ sub sandwich…this pic makes it make so much bigger; however, it was only about 1 1/2” piece sliced from the loaf)…salami, turkey, smoked ham, American cheese, muffaletta olive spread and Greek salad dressing…h.a.p.p.y!

1.24.2012 

With our strangely balmy weather this past week, we had a few days with rain but more with clouds and fog.  After the fog lifted, I noticed a new visitor to the feeder.  I haven’t looked him up in my book yet…

1.25.2012  

Bible study prep goes great some weeks and some weeks I struggle to get it in with my full attention.  This was one of my struggle weeks…my ‘mones’ just got the best of me and I let them; sometimes you have to give in and let your body have its own way.  Its comforting to know my class loves me thru this ‘disobedience’…

1.26.2012 

Fronts have been rolling in and out of here like bowling balls flying down the lanes like Fred Flintstone’s ‘rock’ balls…a new every few minutes, it feels like.  The winds had been picking up after lunch and when I went out the door to retrieve the mail, I looked up and saw God painting this beautiful picture of clouds way up high and a front coming in underneath…just love the striations of grey clouds following the strong winds headed east

 

1.27.2012  Another little visitor stopping by during a ‘dry’ moment…

1.28.2012 

Having finished a couple of shawls last week, I was wanting to show you the new project I had started knitting on Friday…except…I realized this evening that even thought I had knitted about 8 inches worth of stockinette, the cabling cross-overs I had completed were about 16spaces off…so I just finished pulling it all out and ‘re-rolling’ the yarn onto the skein.  I will have to give myself a couple of days before picking it up again…my angst at myself for not counting correctly…yuck! 

So, I’ll share a project finished back in November for a friend who had to have her oldest dog put down…she was so sad…I needed to re-direct her and give her some love, so I knitted a little doggie sweater for her ‘Lil-Bit’…he’s so tiny but he surely is handsome in his new turtleneck

 

WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE, 01.25.2012

JOINING FOR JOYCE AND ALL HER REGULAR VISITORS OVER AT ‘FROM THIS SIDE OF THE POND FOR ANOTHER HODGEPODGE…come join us!

1. The NFL playoffs were held this past weekend and this year's Superbowl lineup will feature The New York Giants versus The New England Patriots. How do you define 'patriot'? 

Mel Gibson in his BEST years

Hahahahah!

2. What's something  in your life right now that feels like a 'giant'?

‘complete hysterectomy’…HRTs are NOT a definite ‘fix’ and I’m so tired of ‘trying’ to feel normal again

3. What's the first thing that comes to mind when you think back to being 18?

The sudden loneliness away from high school friends

4. Coconut-mashed potatoes-vanilla ice cream-mayonnaise...which white food would be the hardest to give up?

Mashed potatoes are hardest among these choices…I do replace them with sweet potatoes quite often, though

5. Describe an incident or a day you remember as the coldest you've ever experienced?

Our blizzard of 1982…our office closed; they sent us home and most of our city got stranded on the roads and highways.  I walked a half mile with a quilt wrapped around my shoulders (over my coat)and took refuge in a local gas station (where I discovered my monthly Uncle Red had arrived…thank goodness for sharing women in a public bathroom). 

We all walked down the road to a church we knew was close by…some of their members were out on the sidewalk pointing any/all walkers to their ‘fellowship hall…that was supposed to be hosting an anniversary party…their guests couldn’t get there, so they welcomed us to come in an eat, use their phones, bathrooms, etc. 

I never made it home that night, but a friend’s husband ‘rescued’ me and I stayed with them for the next two days…I had to wash my clothes twice to wear to work…finally, on the third day, I made it to my apartment 10 miles from work. 

6. You're hosting a brunch...what's your favorite dish to prepare and serve?

my favorite SOUTHERN LIVING recipe:

Garlic Shrimp and Grits

Prep: 20 min., Cook: 15 min. Leave the tails on the shrimp you use as a garnish for an attractive presentation.

YIELD: Makes 4 servings     COURSE: Breakfast/Brunch, Main Dishes

• 1 pound unpeeled, medium-size fresh shrimp, cooked
• 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

Preparation:  Peel shrimp, and devein, if desired.  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.                                 Southern Living APRIL 2005

7. How do you combat negative thinking?

Stopping and pondering His Words; reading some Patsy Claremont; call my Mother; vent with my girlfriends…it’s never as easy as one thing.  It’s impossible to stay positive as humans…when I am weak, He is strong.

8. Insert your own random thought here.

Catching up on ladies’ tennis at the Australian Open…

Love me some tennis…

but HATE all the ‘moaning, screaming, grunting or letting the energy flow’…whatever the ‘pros’ want to call their ‘bad’ habits of noise while playing.

Their noises drive me bonkers each time they hit shots or serve.  All that energy being let out their mouths could give their shots/serves another 10 miles an hour, if you ask me.

PROJECT 365, WEEK 3

Week 3.
JOINING SARA FOR PROJECT 365…
1/16/2012  MONDAY NIGHT I HAD LEFTOVER SWEET POTATOES AND LEFTOVER SHREDDED PORK IN THE FRIDGE…REMEMBERING MY GRANDMOTHER NEVER THREW OUT ANYTHING, I DECIDED TO GET OUT A ‘FRITTER’ RECIPE TO USE MY TWO ITEMS.

MIXING THEM WITH EGG, SOME CRUMBLED RITZ CRACKERS, SALT AND PEPPER, I PAN SEARED THEM IN OLIVE OIL.

I SERVED BBQ ON THE SIDE AND A SALAD…HUBS CAME BACK FOR SECONDS…

1/19/2012  IT’S BEEN RAINY AND OVERCAST HERE THIS WEEK, SO I GOT OUT THE REMAINING PROJECTS I HAD STARTED FOR OUR PRAYER SHAWL MINISTRY. 

AFTER COMPLETING THE ‘BODICE’ PORTION OF THE RED HEART CORNER-TO-CORNER THROW, (CLICK TO GET THE PATTERN)...

 I FINISHED THE OUTER EDGE WITH A SHELL & PICOT BORDER…IT REMINDS ME OF A ‘MOORISH’ PENNACLE.

I LIKE THE WAY THE DOUBLE CROCHETS BUMP UP AGAINST EACH OTHER IN OPPOSITE DIRECTIONS…
IT GIVES IT A ‘BASKETWEAVE-TYPE” PATTERN

IT MEASURED OUT TO AROUND 25” X 25”…A SMALLER THROW…
MY NEXT ONE WILL BE LARGER AND DONE IN LARGER YARN.

1/20/2012
FRIDAY WAS MORE RAIN…SO I CUDDLED UP WITH A COUPLE OF CUPS OF JAVA AND FINISHED MY ‘BEIGE’ HODGEPODGE THROW…THIS WAS NOT A PATTERN…

THIS WAS JUST CROCHETING WHATEVER I WANTED ON EACH ROW…SOMETIMES CHANGING COLORS, SOMETIMES JUST CHANGING THE STITCH…



IT WAS NICE NOT TO HAVE TO FOLLOW A PATTERN.

1/21/2012
HUBS WAS UP AND OUT EARLY THIS MORNING, SO I HAD A QUIET BREAKFAST OF POACHED EGGS…

I DECIDED TO ADD SOME LIME ZEST ALONG WITH THE SALT AND PEPPER…I WILL BE DOING THAT AGAIN!  LOVE THE FRESH POP IT GAVE THE EGGS.

WHILE MY FINISHED BEIGE THROW WAS IN THE GENTLE CYCLE, I WATCHED COOK’S COUNTRY….LOVE THAT SHOW.  THEY WERE MAKING ‘SHONEY'S’ STRAWBERRY PIES.  IT SOUNDED SO GOOD, I DECIDED TO PULL OUT MY FROZEN FRUIT AND MAKE ONE. 

I HAD A POUND OF BLUEBERRIES AND A POUND OF STRAWBERRIES…THREW THEM IN MY POT WITH 1 CUP OF WATER AND COOKED THEM DOWN TO 2 CUPS…THEN ADDED A CUP OF SUGAR AND 1/4 C BROWN SUGAR, 2 TBLS PECTIN, 2 TBLS LIME JUICE AND 2TBLS WATER, MIXED IT AND POURED INTO THE CRUST (WHICH HAD COOKED AT 450* FOR 14 MINS.)  IT HAD TO COOL BEFORE GOING INTO THE FRIDGE…

I’M CALLING IT A STRAWBERRY BLUE.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK...LOVE YOUR COMMENTS!

GATHERING SUPER-BOWL RECIPES

Question Of The Week

What Inspired Your Blog Name?

my hands HIS GLORY expresses my want to serve, live, and create but fully giving HIM praise for the ability to each of those blessings.

I'm the less...He's the GREATEST.

Gathering memories of daily life, to share with my daughter and praying her life is defined by Him as well. 

I like to write on this BLOG and I like to collect ideas on Pinterest...loving new finds.
THE GIRL WHO AT EVERYTHING is a new FIND while blogging.  Isn't that a GREAT name?!!

Between Pinterest and Blogging, these two recipes she noted are definitely things I'm going to try for this year's Superbowl:

Buffalo Wing Turkey Lettuce Wraps
Source: barely adapted from Sweet Treats and More
1 pound lean ground turkey
1/2 cup onion, diced finely
1 teaspoon minced garlic
3/4 cup carrot shavings (use a vegetable peeler to make shavings)
1 cup celery, sliced thinly
1 head iceberg lettuce, leaves removed to form cups
salt and pepper 
1/2 cup Frank's Red Hot Buffalo wing sauce
Blue cheese crumbles or blue cheese dressing to drizzle over the top
*I used some blue cheese crumbles and a tablespoon of Litehouse Bleu Cheese Vinaigrette just like my SIL, but don't feel like you have to have the dressing to make these...they are good with just the crumbles too.

1. In a large skillet, saute the onions over medium heat until soft (3-4 minutes). Add garlic and cook for 1 more minute. Add ground turkey, season with a dash of salt and pepper, brown meat and cook until cooked through. Drain any grease if necessary.

2. Return meat to pan and stir in the wing sauce. Reduce heat to low and simmer for a couple of minutes.

3. Prepare lettuce cups. Place spoonful of meat into lettuce cup

4.  top with a few carrot shavings and chopped celery. 

5.  Sprinkle with some blue cheese crumbles and/or dressing. Wrap up and start eating!

as well as:
Bloomin' Pizza Bread


The Girl Who Ate Everything has great ideas!


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."

Blessings,

VOLUME 62, WEDNESDAY HODGEPODGE

JOINING JOYCE FOR ANOTHER HODGEPODGE 

1. A new Miss America was crowned on Saturday night-did you watch? If you were a contestant what would your talent be?
Having watched bits and pieces, I missed the end of the pageant…my talent would be singing and signing a song. 


2. Do you have houseplants? Real or fake?
My house currently hosts several houseplants that require watering and feeding (every month or so)…a peace lily, Christmas cactus, basil/herb, prayer plant and variegated coleus


3. When you were in school did you speak up or were you more of the hide your face, avoid eye contact, and pray the teacher didn't call on you type of student?
My abilities to communicate in school grew over the first few years and by fourth grade, I was no longer ‘scared’ to speak up or raise my hand to give answers.


4. Next Monday marks the Chinese New Year...what do you order when someone suggests Chinese food?
Recently I posted about finding a new Chinese buffet that is FANTABULOUS…they have EVERYTHING, no kidding.  When I order ‘delivery’, we get ‘hot n sour soup’, honey-walnut shrimp and sesame chicken…and if more people are here…we also include crab angles. 


5. How would you define a miracle? What would it take for you to consider something a miracle?
Miracles have been received in many ways in my family and we are forever grateful for each one; each recipient has been touched in ways that we could not have planned or manipulated.  Does considering it a miracle make it ‘more of a miracle’?  Who am I to question a gift of mercy or deny a promise fulfilled…even when it comes at His perfect time instead of when I wanted it? 
   
6. What's your favorite Disney song? If you're stuck you'll find a list here.  A WHOLE NEW WORLD…Jasmine and Aladdin
  
7. I should have started walking and exercising yesterday…but did I?  Nooooooo.


8. BLOGGING has been much quicker since hubs gave me a new laptop for Christmas…my other one had ‘grown’ to a ‘crawl’ with almost all of the memory being used…I still need to go download so much of the contents to our ‘external drive’…that will have to go on another ‘to do’ list. 

PROJECT 365, WEEK 2

Cheerful Thrifty Door is hosting a 20,000th visitor giveaway...and

THEN Rachel has...a giveaway going on.....
and FINALLY

Come join us over at Sara's for Project 365..

Sunday, 1-8-12...a wonderful church service about 'witness' and 'Peter' the we journeyed to a NEW Chinese buffet...ATLANTIC SUSHI AND BUFFET

and boy did they HIT the mark...EVERYTHING was wonderful...

REALLY!

Crab angles, sauteed mushrooms/shrimp...veggie spring rolls, frogs' legs, myriads of sushi, coconut shrimp, roasted pork, Kobe beef, and lobster casserole...omgoodness! 

The college 2nd yr and 3rd yr LOVED the food also...can you tell...

1/9/2012, Monday...BCS Championship Game and Babygirl's university beat the LSU  Tigers for their 14th National NCAA football championship...things were excited in our house.

Tues., 1/10/2012...no pics...babygirl drove back to college town  :(

Wed., 1/11/2012...back to normal activities...washing, drying, church stuff...and watching my birds fight over food with the squirrels.





Thursday, 1/12/2012 I checked the closet at church and grabbed new yarn for a prayer shawl...that night I started a new Red Heart "corner-to-corner" throw pattern...in shades of blue and one variegated...it's a very easy pattern and I would recommend this one to any beginner for sure.

sat, 1/14/2012...babygirl LOVES anything 'potter.  Since she's attending a leadership team retreat this weekend with her faith group, I watched him appear on SNL in her honor. ;) 
(they even did a spoof on 'hp'...it was pretty funny; however, his best skit was one where he played Casey Anthony's yorkshire terrier...too funny, sad, but funny.















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."

Blessings,

FIRST 2012 SIMPLE WOMAN’S DAYBOOK

JOINING PEGGY AND THE OTHER DAYBOOK PARTICIPANTS…CLICK HER ABOVE  WIDGET TO JOIN IN WITH US
FOR TODAY
Outside my window...squirrels and cardinals are fighting over the sunflower seeds in the bird feeder hanging from the lip of my back deck…it’s getting dangerous out there.

I am thinking...I need to be exercising, or beginning yet again, to adopt a better ‘moving’ lifestyle.

I am thankful...my baby girl-college-2nd year has safely returned to her college town; and she’s spending this weekend at a weekend leadership retreat for her 'on-campus’ faith community.

In the kitchen...is some fresh potato salad and barbecue pork we will be enjoying for supper tonight, yum!

I am wearing...less now than when I got out of bed…my sweat pants were warm in the cooler night but I can’t stand having their ‘heat holding’ properties wrapped around me as I do small housekeeping.

I am creating...a new Red Heart ‘corner-to-corner throw’ which will be turned in to our prayer shawl ministry later next week…it has diagonal stripes as I crochet doubles, singles and slip stitches.

I am going...to early Sunday School and worship (where we are study 'witness')

I am wondering...where my girl is on her retreat, she didn’t tell me where they were having their weekend meeting...is she cold?

I am reading...an Ann Rivers Siddons book right now, but I can’t recall the name of it (as it is on the breakfast table and I’m not getting up at the moment to go check its title…sorry)

I am hoping...the weather stays colder for more days rather than bouncing in and out of the 60’s; my flashes increase with the warmer weather.

I am looking forward to…hearing about baby girl's weekend retreat…who she met, what they did, what she learned, what it was like (where ever she is)...can you tell she's on my mind a lot today!

I am learning…how to use double-pointed knitting needles as I work on more complicated hats/socks…it’s tricky to hold four knitting needles in place and working the stitches, but I’m getting there slowly.

Around the house...hubs has been working on computer updates and some hardware changes.  I’m eager for his getting completed, because it is going to be soooooo much better dealing with printing and editing issues.

I am pondering...when to have my car emissions inspection done…and praying it will go uneventfully.
A favorite quote for today:  “Don't bother to give God instructions; just report for duty.”― Corrie ten Boom

One of my favorite things...is finding a deal at my local thrift store; I’ll be posting pics of my latest find later this week.

A few plans for the rest of the week: bible study, prayer shawl ministry work, and checking out a newly-discovered thrift store north of here.

A peek into my day...includes an early-morning coconut latte and fiber-plus oat cereal for breakfast then leftover teriyaki chicken for lunch (while I washed a load of darks while watching the war out my back window...)

NEED VS. CRITICAL

UPDATE:  CONGRATULATIONS, UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA!!

WHO WON THE BCS NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP. 

THEY DOMINATED LSU.  WE'RE EAGER TO HEAR AND SEE THE LOCAL CELEBRATIONS THIS NEXT WEEK IN TUSCALOOSA!

ROLL TIDE!

Mondays are somewhat ‘hated’ days of the week  wonderfully welcoming on their own

…knowing you’ll be ‘getting back to work’ or ‘school’ Those things especially tickle your funny bone or eagerness to get started, don’t they?!

Our Monday was even further enhanced by having scheduled a ‘car maintenance’ appointment for BabyGirl’s car, YIPPEEEE, such fun not. 
We had mentioned the maintenance needed to be done earlier during the Winter Break but some of us like to challenge norms for this kind of ‘fun’

GOALS:

• finish work today
• corporate ‘recall’ replacement
• 110,000-mile maintenance
• yearly inspection
• reasonable cost 

Happily, I was successful setting and responding to my alarm clock.  (a praise these days)
…so I quickly checked BabyGirl’s room for ‘movement’ since dread had crossed my mind a time or two I was concerned at waking a sleeping college student.  Thankfully, it was washed away when she blurrily answered my inquiry at her door.

The weather channel had predicted rain and fog (because it’s January and we’ve been in the 60’s with thunderstorms…wha’z up?!).

After running downstairs and filling my travel coffee cup with Italian café/Almond Joy creamer,  I was sliding on my rubber rain boots when Daughter emerged from her room.  

We’ve gotten used to no one parking behind our cars in the driveway.  Why is it we have to “intentionally” remind ourselves there’s a car behind us when she returns home? 
(BabyGirl's car is black…and ‘little’?)  Oh, alright…I’m envious of hub’s ‘backing up’ alarm…it beeps when foreign objects are a foot or closer.  To remedy my not having that feature, I “back” into our driveway using my mirrors…and saving my deteriorating neck.

Arriving at the dealership, only two other cars were ahead of us, so we had accomplished the important task of ‘early’ for an ‘earlier’ finish.  Early bird gets the worm!

Update:  The service manager called with the ‘cost’ of 3 CRITICAL problems and 2 ‘needs’ found while handling the other 3 changes we requested. 

Oh.My.Word.

The early bird found a ‘rotten’ worm … or three.

p.s. We have two more vehicles to be inspected and/or repaired before the end of this month…
Oh.My.Word2.

ONE OF THOSE DAYS (UPDATED).

How I feel on one of "those" days...
and today turned into one of those days for me physically and mentally.


There were two things within the last 24 hours that I had 'promised' someone I would do...one involved a meeting at church and another involved providing food for a local shelter a few miles North of here.  Previously in my life, I've been VERY dependable, and on time (for the most part...even tho' hubs might clear his throat on this one).


In my current state of this body (that God has given me for this period of time) I've begun disappointing myself...and others.  Knowing I'm struggling with 'forgetting' various things, rather big or little, and not realizing until 'way' after the event is over...that I've missed the boat...not shown up...not followed through with my commitments.  It drives me batty.  I hate doing this.


Even remembering to take the time and put it on a 'list', or in my phone so it will 'chime' at me hasn't helped...the list goes missing and then I don't see it...or the phone's battery dies and I miss my 'alarm.   Geez....


Today brought all of the above as well as 'taking down the Christmas tree'...so sad, such a bluesy thing.


As well as going through 'old ornaments/decorations' and cleaning out several boxes and taking a large amount to Goodwill...another 'separation'.


And on top of the bluesy changes and shameless forgetfulness, my hot flashes have overtaken me today...


I should be thankful it is 64* outside...but I'm already hot inside this body and the 'uncommonly-mild' Spring-ish weather has me 'dripping'.


I've had to take extra meds, add more ice water and just sit down multiple times when they have 'overtaken' me...I can't function when they take over like they have today.


Forgive me with 'venting' to ya'll but my family is as 'tired' of this as I am...so this becomes a 'therapeutic way' for me to empty my bucket.


And on top of it all...now it's raining and thunderstorms for the next three days.


...getting a feeling I need to pull out my Bo Diddly, Sonny Boy Williamson....or better yet, maybe a little Claudette Stone...



Blessings,

TOUCH STONE REMINDER

What is the WORD or the VERSE God'S 
giving your heart for this New Year?

Following Elaine at PEACE FOR THE JOURNEY where she said

because I need a touch stone of remembrance for the daily practicing of my faith… 

I am one who certainly needs to follow through as she is...it is also recommended in Touchstone Magazine's blog, "Mere Christianity"...

"...live consciously under the Name of Jesus should be the devout desire of every Christian, moment by moment; it is the Name by which we live.“

So, my touch stone will be "...continue in My word..." 


In its entirety...

John 8:31 "So Jesus was saying to those Jews who had believed Him, “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; ³² and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free.”

believing on Him, The eternal Word of God

continuing study on His Word for life guidance

choosing His knowing my narrow-er path...the 'world's path' too wide

pointing the way, calming tongues, storms in times of need...

going forward ... His Light on dark paths  

HE, the Word

my comfort, support, promise

Is HE your "everything"?

James 5:11 "What a gift life is to those who stay the course! You've heard, of course, of Job's staying power, and you know how God brought it all together for him at the end. That's because God cares, cares right down to the last detail."

Blessings,