Do You Hoard Hodgepodge?

It is time for another Hodgepodge and here we are a little more than halfway through the month of May! 

1. May 17th is National Pack Rat Day. Sidebar-should we be celebrating this? Hmmm...

Are you a pack rat? Even if you're not a full fledged pack rat, most people have one thing or another they struggle to part with. Tell us what's yours.

Sentimental objects of no value other than the means by which they came. I have a difficult time parting with silly things, such as small items received at a retreat or an example would be a dried rose on my kitchen counter. It was part of a bouquet I received. Why am I saving that, for Pete's sake? Why do I save birthday cards? Other than those kinds of things, I try to keep the clutter down. My DH, on the other hand, can't bear to let anything go.

2. What are two things you know you should know how to do, but you don't?

Fold a fitted sheet properly and parallel park. Both are a struggle and I can manage, but not to perfection.

3. Do you crave sugar?

I like to have a square of dark chocolate every day. I have jam on my whole grain toast every morning. I love to bake, so when I bake, I feel obligated to eat it. Not sure I crave it and I do discipline myself.

Do you add sugar to your coffee and/or tea? No. Do you use artificial sweeteners or sugar substitutes? No. When dining out is dessert a given? No. Are you someone who has slain the sugar dragon, and if so tell us how you did it.

My mother used to have to hide sweets because I couldn't resist eating all of it, so although the dragon may be lame, it may still be in me.

4. What's a trend it took a while for you to come round to, but now you can't imagine living without?

The cell phone! I saw cell phones as a trend in the 90's and couldn't believe my DH thought we needed them. Now, I can't seem to leave a room without it. I see them as a blessing/curse, but I am thankful for them for many reasons. It's more than a phone!

5. What's a song that reminds you of a specific incident in your life? Please elaborate.

A specific incident I remember is quite silly. Many years ago when I was a legal secretary, we had our cubicles in a central location in the office. Being a democratic group, we decided to take turns listening to our favorite music as we worked. One day the radio happened to be tuned to a country/western station as one of the attorneys walked through with a client on the way to his office. He later came back to tell us he hoped he never had to walk through again and hear the radio blaring out "I'm having daydreams about night things in the middle of the afternoon and every night you make my daydreams come true!" We all had a good laugh over that.

Better memories were Groovin' by the Rascals and instantly, it's a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon in Mohawk Park, Tulsa, Oklahoma, cruising around enjoying the day, waving to friends, stopping to visit. Loved those Sunday afternoons.
Lost in the 50's by Ronnie Millsap and I'm slow dancing with DH.

6. Insert your own random thought (s) here.

So proud of Kate, every time she gets up to bat, she has a hit! I love it. And she's ready to run to the next base.

Recipes - Waiting in the doctor's office trying to find a decent magazine to read at least sometimes results in finding a recipe that sounds worth trying. And the beauty of it is, with that "trendy" cell phone, you can take a pic of it instead of trying to find a scrap of paper to write it all down.

Now I have it. Question is, will I ever use it or will
it be lost in the pile of recipes I can't throw away?

Anne with an E - a friend mentioned she was watching this new version of Anne of Green Gables on Netflix, so, of course, I had to find it and watch. My own personal opinion is I still prefer Megan Follows as Anne, (the 1985 version of Anne), which I never tire of. If it ain't broke, I say, don't fix it.

Mother's Day Weekend

So many exciting things going on in the merry month of May. Mother's Day, my birthday, graduations, Brady in Spain, my brother and his wife on a river cruise in Europe, breaks for the summer from Bible study groups, school will end for the summer, and the list of events go on. 

We've been enjoying some beautiful days here.

Amy was excited to attend the Pink Impact ladies conference in Ft. Worth this year and since I did not, the kids stayed with us. After picking them up at their school, we stopped for a treat at the Malt Shop! Love the cheeseburgers there.

A trip to the park is mandatory. 

Jack did the monkey bars twice!

First time he has made it all the way across.

Found some good books in the little library.

Enjoying his new book!

This boy loves to read.

Wildflowers picked just for me.

R and R with Grandpa and taking turns reading the new books.

After flight cancellations and other bumps, Brady's soccer team finally made it to Spain. Looks as though they are having a fabulous time!

Brady on the right end

The left back of the Spanish soccer team got to pose with our Brady!! How exciting!! LOL!

Below is the note Brady left for his mother before the trip.

Meanwhile, back at home, Noah had friends with him for the weekend. I think Sara might deserve a Mom award of some kind. Her husband and Brady were out of the country, she kept the neighbors' kids all weekend, and she ran the Purple Cloud race!

They ran a 2.75 Purple Cloud race with Sara. Noah and Sara did the whole thing. The two buddies quit halfway.

Noah is center in the purple cloud.

I celebrate sweet memories of my Mom. The baby in the collage is my niece, Robyn, who was the first of three grandchildren for my parents. Robyn was 5 or 6 when my mother passed away. The woman between my mother and me is my Granny. She passed about seven days after my mother.

These pretty tulips, along with candy, came by way of Fed Ex Special Delivery yesterday! What a surprise that was. Thank you, Jason, Amy, Kate and Jack. I love you! And thank you, Sara, Barrett, Brady and Jack for the spa package.

And thanks to God for the blessings in my life that have been and continue to be abundant! Mother's Day can be a difficult day to remember for many who have not enjoyed the love of a mother, who've lost their moms, whose children died too young, those who've been disappointed as moms, and who've never had the joy of being one. The latter was my dilemma and some years it was difficult and I wrote about it here not for the purpose of complaining or self-pity, but simply to express the feelings I have experienced in the past and the gratitude I have to God for His goodness.

Friday Foto Friends

Friday Foto Friends!

That little silver body to the left

is Trudy looking for rabbits.

What once was, is no more. So sad.

Now big empty spaces to fill in.

What to do, what to do.

All of our knockout roses which were such faithful bloomers for the past few years had to go due to the distressing disease known as witch's claws! It was quite ugly what the disease was doing and there was no cure for it.  I will miss them.

"Well, I've never been to Spain, but I kinda like the music!"* Our grandson Brady will be in Spain in about six hours now with his soccer team! What an exciting adventure for these 10 year old boys. I'm sure they will have many tales to tell when they return. Brady is back row, second on the left.

Last night I re-heated the chicken tetrazzini a friend had made for us when DH was just home from hospital. I wanted some good bread to go with it and found this recipe for focaccia bread which promised easy and delicious! Wow! Was it ever! Easy, pretty, and the best I've ever had.

recipe

Easy Focaccia Bread Recipe with Garlic and Herbs

• PREP 1hr 20mins
• COOK 20mins
• TOTAL 1hr 40mins

Our focaccia recipe is very simple to make – no fancy equipment is needed at all. The secret to the best focaccia is a great tasting olive oil. Since there is quite a bit used, the bread really takes on the flavor. You don’t need to spend lots of money, just use an olive oil you love. For the herbs, we love a combination of thyme and rosemary, but you could use whatever herbs you love – fresh or dried. Or, omit the garlic and herbs all together and use plain olive oil instead.
A note on pan size: In this recipe we call for a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. If you do not have this, you can use a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking dish with taller sides.

Makes approximately 8 servings

You Will Need

1/2 cup (120 ml) extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, finely minced
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme or 1 teaspoon dried
1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary or 1 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 cup (235 ml) warm water
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
1/4 teaspoon honey
2 1/2 cups (325 grams) all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon kosher salt

Directions

• Make Dough

In a cold medium skillet, combine olive oil, minced garlic, thyme, rosemary, and the black pepper. Place the pan over low heat and cook, stirring occasionally, 5 to 10 minutes or until aromatic, but before the garlic browns. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine the warm water, yeast, and honey. Stir a few times then let sit for 5 minutes. Add 1 cup of the flour and a 1/4 cup of the infused garlic-olive oil mixture. Stir 3 to 4 times until the flour has moistened. Let sit for another 5 minutes.
Stir in the remaining 1 1/2 cups of flour and the salt. Once the dough comes together, transfer to a floured board and knead the dough 10 to 15 times until smooth. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover with a warm, damp towel and let rise for 1 hour. (It’s best to let the dough rise in a warmer area of your kitchen).

After 1 hour, heat oven to 450 degrees F. Use two tablespoons of the remaining garlic-olive oil mixture to oil a 9-inch by 13-inch rimmed baking sheet. (See above if you do not have this pan size).Transfer the dough to the baking sheet then press it down into the pan. Use your fingers to dimple the dough then drizzle the top with the remaining 2 tablespoons of the garlic-olive oil mixture. Let the dough rise for 20 minutes until it puffs slightly. Bake until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes. Cool baked focaccia bread on a wire rack.

*Three Dog Night

A Mother's Day Hodgepodge

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge in the new 5-question format this week. I like it. 

1. Share a favorite memory of your mother or share a favorite something from your own life as a mother.

The joy my mother found in "just living" even after being diagnosed with leukemia. No matter the pain, she didn't give up, but rather reveled in the things she could do, enjoying her grandchildren for the brief time she had, and the little trips we took her and Daddy on. We took them camping for their first time and it poured rained, but I remember Mama standing outside under the tent canopy and saying she didn't care, she would have a great time no matter what! And mind you we were tent camping. 

Bear Lake in Colorado

With her first grandchild, Robyn

If you're a mother (or stepmom) tell us how your experience as a mom differs from your own mother's experience.

I never had the joy of being a parent. But I clearly remember how excited I was upon meeting my DH's two young children, to get to be part of their lives. My mom asked me if I was sure about taking on the commitment of someone else's children and I remember telling her, they are the icing on the cake! So, there lies the major difference in my experience and my mom's. She was privileged to have three children of her own and I was blessed to be a step parent/grandparent and see these bonus kids grow into responsible, loving parents who have shared their children with me. Being a step-parent had challenges that my mother never had to face, but she had the challenges of full responsibility of all three of us kids that I never had as a step-parent.

2. In May we celebrate teachers (May 9) and nurses (May 6) both. Most every family has at least one in their midst, so tell us something (or a few things) you appreciate about the teacher or nurse on your family tree.

My niece is a registered nurse, our daughter-in-law is a teacher, and my nephew's wife is also a teacher. Our son teaches at two of the community colleges. I appreciate their dedication to their professions as each one has unique qualifications and qualities.

3. Chicken salad, egg salad, tuna salad...which would you go for if all three were on the menu?

Chicken salad.
On bread or a bed of lettuce? Bread
If you answered bread, what kind of bread would make it the perfect sandwich?
A Paradise Bakery chicken walnut salad with mayo, lettuce and tomato on their Paradise molasses bread.

4. Do you have a desk? Yes.
Is it organized? Fairly.
If so, share your secret to keeping it that way. File on a regular basis. Clean up the stack of papers.
If you don't have a desk, where in your home do you take care of family paperwork and business?
We have an office downstairs.
Where do you normally sit to blog?

In my comfortable chair upstairs typing on iPad, then I go downstairs to complete it by adding photos since I'm unable to load pics from my iPad. (I don't understand why either!)

5. When I was nine years old....

I was in the fourth grade and we lived in a little house out by the airport. I loved my teacher at school, had a sister and a baby brother. My sister and I had great fun with the neighborhood kids, and I got my first pair of eyeglasses that year. I loved to read and, in the summertime, would make weekly trips to the bookmobile to get a stack of books to read and then return the next week for another stack. We played softball and Boxcar Children outside and many other games. We played with hula hoops and jacks and loved to jump rope. We played outside with the hose showering each other and maybe once a week Mama took us to the public swimming pool. We had the best time splashing around while our dear mother sat on the bleachers watching us. Bless her dear, sweet heart. We waited for the ice cream man every day ... sometimes we had a nickel for ice cream. On the days we didn't, we always asked for free samples. We had a peach tree in our yard and Mom made peach cobbler. We also picked dewberries in a nearby field and she made cobbler with that, too. We had no air conditioner, but rather, a big fan in the window called a swamp cooler. We had one car which my Dad used to go to work. Each night he came home from work, cleaned up, and we all sat down to supper together. Every. Single. Night. I shared a room with my sister and every night we had to bathe or simply wash our feet and say our prayers with Mama before bedtime.

I was actually 9 in this picture. It is a favorite because we are at my Granny's house and all pooped out just after our little vacation in Branson, Missouri.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

Being 9 years old was fun. And I love and appreciate that my Mom was so good to us. She cooked and cleaned and loved us and made life sweeter doing things that I have never had to do, all the while without complaining.

Selfish kids we are when we are young.
I remember at the end of the day,
all Mama asked from us was for someone to rub her feet.
(Wah, we didn't always "feel" like doing that.)

She passed away 30 years ago after one of the most courageous fights
against cancer I ever witnessed.
How I miss her. It would be a privilege to be able to rub her feet again.

The joy of her life in her last years was her grandchildren.
It was a disappointment to us that she did not get to see them grow up.

She would be so very proud!

How I love you, Mom.
I look forward to seeing your smiling face again one day

and hearing your wonderful laugh.

Hidden with Christ

In memorizing this verse about being hidden with Christ in God, I am reminded of an illustration my boss told called The Envelopes. I found a link that explains this better than I can and it is as follows:

"It starts with an envelope that represents you. On the outside of the envelope is written the word "You." (Maybe it would be better to put our own name on the envelope.) Before you asked Christ into your life you were in bondage to sin. You had no defense before God but yourself.

Next, the You envelope is placed inside an envelope marked "Jesus." When you responded to Jesus, you received His forgiveness and your identity rested in Him. In John 10:30, Jesus said, “I and the Father are one.”

Lastly, the envelope marked Jesus is slipped into an envelope marked "God." Your identity is now rooted in God through Christ. You are hidden in Christ. We read in Galatians 2:20, “It is no longer I who lives but Christ who lives in me.” Ephesians 2:5-6 tells us, “ … by grace you have been saved … and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.”

Trust God with your new identity. As you trust God with your identity you need to remember that it’s not what you feel that shapes your identity – it’s what God says about you. Satan loves to come and attack your sense of identity. But think about the envelope illustration: If Satan wants to get to you or me he has to go through God and then Christ. Doesn’t that make you feel secure? Trust God with your identity. No matter what you’ve done and no matter how you feel, trust God with your identity.

When you and I responded to Jesus in faith, we received our new identity. Our identity is now rooted in Him and all He has done. Our identity is no longer defined by what we’ve done and how we feel. We have received His forgiveness. We have received His righteousness. Our identity is now rested in Him. We are adopted into His family. Galatians 3:26 says, “For in Christ you are all sons of God.” We are now His children. We are able to call God “Abba Father” (Romans 8:15).

Trust God with your identity!"

Birthday Wish

Yesterday I celebrated 68 years! I remember a line from a song that says, "All the pages of my life testify to the goodness of God." Every. Single. One. That thought triggered my mind to wonder how many pages there have been so far in my life.

At the end of this day, 24,839 days of my life will have passed! Many of those days were wasted in some way, but I pray there might be some good in each one. We can know the number of our days past, but the sum total of them is only known by our Father. Since I wonder sometimes how I reached this ripe old age of 68 without maturing as much as I should have, I pray that the Lord will add a little rapid rise yeast so that my end days will be greater than the former! How is that for a birthday wish?

After Jack's baseball game, we had a mid-afternoon lunch yesterday with Amy, Kate and Jack.

Running from third to Home plate!

Jack gave me an ultimate spinner, which he bought himself, and Kate gave me a dollar of her own money.

Kate demonstrates the Spinner which spins around very fast!

Kids love it!

Amy was an "Indian giver" (I apologize to PC police) and gave back to me the Kindle Paperwhite I had given her for her birthday a while back since she doesn't use hers as much as I use mine.

When I returned home last night from church, these were waiting for me from my precious sister. Thank you, Roberta. So thoughtful!

It was a perfect day in every way and I am thankful for the gift of life, beautiful sunshine and perfect temps, nice breeze, the love I enjoy with people in my life, birthday cards, phone calls, a gift card for a day at the spa, and everything about the day was enjoyed! Topped it off with chocolate chip ice cream at the end of the day. 

Your eyes saw my unformed body; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be. Psalm 139:16

The righteous will flourish like a palm tree, they will grow like a cedar of Lebanon; planted in the house of the LORD, they will flourish in the courts of our God. They will still bear fruit in old age, they will stay fresh and green, proclaiming, "The LORD is upright; he is my Rock, and there is no wickedness in him." Psalm 92:12-15

Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble. Psalm 90:12, 14-15

It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. Psalm 119:71

Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her. Proverbs 3:13-18 (NIV)

Happy Birthday to Me!

So very thankful and blessed that God chose to give me life through the love of these two! Both my parents passed way too young, in my opinion. However, that is not the perspective God has and I will thank Him for the many years I had them in my life.

Last night we went to dinner with friends and afterwards to the Gaither Homecoming Concert. It was fantastic and we didn't get home until midnight! Late night for us and I even slept until 7 this morning! That happens maybe once a year.

Anyway, funny, funny weird thing. Last Fall, I attended an event in the same arena as last night. During the break at the Conference last Fall, I was standing in line for the ladies' room and lo and behold, there was a former co-worker just in front of me! We enjoyed our little reunion, hugged, talked, etc., etc. Well, last night during the intermission, I was standing in line at the ladies' room and someone from behind tapped me on the shoulder!! I turned around to see that very same person!!! We both burst out in laughter and shared hugs, caught up and so forth! Is that not an unbelievable coincidence to see someone in the exact same spot all those months apart? We caught up with each other again for one of those "we've got to stop meeting like this!" So funny!

A selfie editing me out!!

Love, love, love everybody at a Gaither Concert!