Monday, August 31, 2009

Hope your having a Sunny Monday


Hi Dear Friends,
*
I hope you are having a Sunny Monday,
at least in your heart!!
*
Sometimes Monday's are just sort of blah days
or I just sort of feel like I am still waking up days!! lol
*
I am full of excitement because I am seeing the long
shadows, and a few leaves falling from the trees and
I know that Fall is right around the corner.
*
Hoping hubby is feeling energetic enough to get my
Fall decorations down from the attic this evening so
I can begin my Fall transformation.
*
In Florida it doesn't have even the hint of Fall
weatherwise, but I like to fake myself out by making it
feel like Fall inside,
and I love it, love it, love it!!
*
It is time for burning those spicy candles, eating
pumpkin pie, making pumpkin butter, and soups,
and stews and cobblers, and of course, decorating
the house in those warm colors. I truly think it is
my favorite time of the year!!
*
I am in the process of making Chicken and Dumplings
right now..........Got to get off to a good Fall Start, ya know!!
Have been thinking about making that for weeks now,
so it will find a yummy spot in my tummy!!
*
Since I found the pics on Saturday, I have taken pics of some
of the pics and have them all ready to go..........so Lord Willing,
I will start my story about what the teabag tag said, in my
"Welcome to my kitchen" blog last week.
*
Just in case you forgot or didn't read that one,
The Teabag tag said:
"Call unto me and I will answer thee,
and show thee great and mighty things."
Jeremiah 33:3
**
**
Also, I am happy to report all the walls in the shower
have tile now, but we still have the step and the bottom
of the shower to go. We went renegade this weekend,
so didn't get a lot done in there,
but we did manage to have lots of fun !!
Hey, it's not going anywhere that is for sure.
*
We went to a "Ten Year Ministry Celebration"
last night at our church, it was in honor of Jess and
her husband Tony who is one of our Pastors.
(she is over @ Jewelsforthejourney)
They have been one of our 6 Pastorate families
for 10 years now, and they are such a blessing
to our church, and I think they have been
with us the longest at this point in time.
*
Keep up the Good Work you guys,
You will surely be awarded with the
"Good and Faithful Steward Crown"
when you get to Glory!!
*
Well, that is my life today and over the
weekend. Hope you had a great Monday
with no blahs, and that your coffee kept
you awake and aware all day!! lol
*
Thanks for coming by
*
Hugs and Blessings,
Nellie
*
P.S. Did all my Golden Yellow make you feel like Fall is in the air??
Hope so!!!

Saturday, August 29, 2009

Have a Soothing Sunday

(Ferns on the Appalachian trail in Maine)
*
*
Good Morning Sweet Friends,
*
Hope you are having a nice weekend!
Ours has been good, we did some tiling on Friday
night, well, Jimmy tiled while I looked for
those lost pictures. Guess what???
I finally found them. We took some pics
of the pics but most of them didn't come
out, so we will try again using the macro
setting on the camera, so pray it works!!
*
This morning we decided to go to Cracker
Barrel for breakfast and get out of the house
for awhile. I have a gift certificate for Bed,
Bath & Beyond that I haven't used yet,
so got to thinking I should use it just in
case they should decide to close down
or something. You never know these
days. Wanted to get something for our
bathroom....... saw some rugs and towels,
and bath accessories, but wasn't sure if
the colors where right. Duh, I forgot
to take anything to match colors! I truly
scare myself sometimes!! lol
So wound up not getting anything.
*
Then we went to Michaels crafts and
looked around a bit, and I got a pretty
candle jar lid thingie for $3.00, and it
didn't fit my candle jars when I got
home. They also had fall jar candles
2 for $8.00, and they are nice candles,
I have had one before,
couldn't remember if I really needed a new
one or not, so didn't get them. When I got home
I checked, and the one I have has
burned way down, so not much left.
Gotta take the jar lid back anyway,
so guess I will get the candles then.
*
Then we went to Target Supercenter
and did mostly grocery type shopping,
but looked around a little as well.
By then, we were tired and ready
to call it a day, so picked up some
whoppers and headed for home.
It was just fun to get out for a bit!!
We really should have been tiling,
but quite frankly, we are tired of it,
and needed some fun today!!
It'll get done one of these days,
hopefully soon!!
*
Well, I will leave you with this favorite verse
from Romans 8:28
*
"And we know that in all things God works for the
good of those who love him, who have been called
according to his purpose."
*
*
Dear one, if you are experiencing hardship
of some kind right now, whether it be physical
problems or sickness, problems with your
marriage, children or job, financial, emotional,
or spiritual difficulties....... remember first and
foremost that God loves you more than
anything, and then you need to keep your
eyes off what you see in front of you,
and look at what this verse is telling you.
Start praying and claiming what this verse
says, about God working all things out
for your good, then start looking for the
good He is bringing out of it. Sometimes
that may take a bit, but if you keep looking
for it eventually you will see it.
*
Trust me , we have seen it over and over again
in our lives. God is no respecter of person,
He loves his children, and He loves you and is
working in your behalf if your heart is
turned towards Him!!
And even if it isn't He is still working in
your behalf, cause He wants a relationship
with you because He has nothing but love
in His heart for you, and truly wants the
best for your life.
*
Maybe you are not experiencing hardship
of any kind today, then Praise God from
whom all blessings flow!!
*
Have a very Soothing Sunday,
*
Love and Hugs,
Nellie

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Welcome to Thankful Thursday - August 27, 2009

(This is a backyard pic that I lost the other day,
I retook it, cause there are more flowers now)
*
*
Hello Sweet Friends,
*
and Welcome to Thankful Thursday.
*
It has been a good day, but it has truly
flown by, I can't believe it is 6p.m. already!
Where does the time go!!!
*
Just finished din din and I am getting ready
to go visit a dear friend I have not seen for
over a month, so I am very excited and can't
wait to catch up on things. Her son recently
got married, and I haven't seen pics or heard
about the wedding yet, so looking forward
to that, since we have known him since he
was probably 11 or 12, and he also used to be in
our 5-6th grade Sunday School class,
Years and Years ago, I might add!!
That makes me feel old!! Oh Well,
that is life isn't it!!
Hey, your as young as you feel, and some days
I feel 30 and other days close to 80!! ha
*
And some days I actually feel and act my age,
I'll never tell, well, what the heck,
I am almost 57 1/2 years old,
doesn't that sound like a 7 year old!! lol
You always wonder why nobody older says
that anymore!! Guess we are just not wantin
to rush the next year ahead, I suppose.
*
Ahhh, The way I see it...........is it's just a number anyway,
if you have eternal life with Jesus you never have to worry
about age! I love that!! Guess that would make
the #1 thing I am thankful for is eternal life because
of my relationship with Jesus.
*
(the next 3 pics are from our front yard)
*
Well, on withThankful Thursday,
#2 is for flowers, live would be so dull without flowers,
anyone agree with me on that!!
These flowers are all the flowers Scott planted
for us. They are Zinnia's, now I have never planted
them before and probably would not have picked
them because of that, but I am very happy with
them, they have bloomed continuously.

Isn't this a lovely double hibiscus. Sorry it is a lil bit blurry,
sorry Linnea, forgot about the macro setting. Duh!!



*
*
Well, #3 which really is #2, but somehow I loaded
the pics wrong!! Don't know how I manage that!!
My # 2-3 is the lovely day I had yesterday with
my friends. We had a nice leisurely brunch and
of course, lots of fun chatting, then Becky did
our devotional, and we made a complete day
of it!! It was wonderful, we talked about all sorts
of things. We talked in the dining room, in the
family room and in the kitchen, and I think we
pretty much left no rock unturned.




#4 is the Lord surprised me while I was setting the table
and had me come across these beautiful napkins I bought
months ago in St. Augustine, I had forgotten all about
them. So thought they were perfect for an end of the
summer brunch. Flowers Again, I just can not
resist them!!





This was suppose to come before the other one,
oh well, it is a close up anyway.






And here is the table. Was planning to take pics
later, but as usual I get caught up in the fun of things,
and that is that!
*
Oh, this time I used the little egg cups to put
the cranberry butter in, so each person had
their own personal cup. I love those lil things,
they are so handy!!

*





*
Well, # 5 is I am going to visit my friend Sharon,
and gotta get going. There is more I could say,
but lucky for you, I have to go!!
*
Have a great Friday tomorrow,
and May the Lord Bless You Really Really Good!!
*
*
Love and Blessings,
Nellie

















Tuesday, August 25, 2009

Sorry for the late post and no story today!!

Evening Sweet Friends,
*
Well, I am sorry this is posting so late,
but my day did not go as planned!!
*
That is why you should always say you will
do whatever, Lord willing!!
*
Here is a pic that somehow got lost in between
downloading and publishing yesterday, it happens to me
all the time, don't know what I do wrong or if it is
just the blog or formatting or whatever!!
*
My sink overlooks the family room, and I
absolutely love the open kitchen idea, whoever
came up with that had to be a lady that was sick
of being stuck in the kitchen alone on holidays. lol
*
Also, think gift bags were also invented by a
harried Mom, tired of being up late on Christmas
wrapping presents for everyone! lol
*
Well, here is the scoop I have pics of what my
story is about and I have looked high and low
and can not find them. Am praying the Lord
will direct me to them soon, but today evidently
was my timetable, not His!
*
So we will see what happens tomorrow. Meanwhile
I am racking my brain trying to figure out where in
the world I could have put them. I have pretty
much checked all those spots, but I did realize
I was looking for a folder and they are not in
a folder, that was our hurricane Charlie pics,
that is a whole nother exciting post for another
time, probably in the next few months.
*
Just figured out I think they are in the small
envelope you get them in when you have them
developed, cause we did not have a digital
camera back then.
*
I can do the story without them, but think
it would be a lot better with them. So please
be patient with me. Cause once I find them
I have to take pics of them so that I can
download them on the computer, at least
I hope that works, hubbby thinks it will!
*
Anyway, I hope you have had a very nice
day today. Mine has been busy but very good.
I am preparing to have 3 friends over for
brunch tomorrow morning, so I have been
vacuuming, and setting a nice table and baking
cranberry orange nut bread, and making
ham, cheese and brocoli crustless quiche,
and looking for pics, and then decided to make
some cranberrybutter to go with it. Had that at
our last ladies tea at church and it was delicious.
It tastes great even on wholegrain bread
as well, and it is just a few minutes to
whip together!
*
Found this recipe online today.
*
Cranberry Butter
.
1/2 cup butter softened
(I used land of lakes light butter with canola oil)
It has no hydrogenated oils, and it is delicious
and heart healthy and you want have to
wait for it to soften, cause it is already soft.
.
2 tablespoons of whole cranberry sauce
.
1 teaspoon of pure orange extract
.
1/4 teaspoon of pure vanilla extract
.
.
Mix all ingredients together in medium bowl until
smooth. Refrigerate until ready to serve..
.
Doesn't get much easier than that!!
*
So try it out, you might just like it on your breakfast
toast, even the cranberry sauce itself was good like that.
I just had to sample everything, ya know!!
*
Well, friends you have a wonderful evening,
gotta go finish up a few things for tomorrow.
*
Hubby and I just came in for mowing and
weedeating and blowing the yard,
course, we didn't have enough time to do
the back, but it will wait for tomorrow
evening. It was starting to get dark, and
then it was lightning off in the distance,
I was praying we could get done quickly
before it got closer.
So mission accomplished!!
*
Well, thanks for coming by,
*
Talk with ya tomorrow
*
Blessings and Hugs,
Nellie

Monday, August 24, 2009

Welcome to my kitchen..........

Hello Sweet Friends,
*
Welcome to my kitchen.........
where I spend a great deal of my time,
preparing meals, eating, cleaning, sometimes
watching T.V as I do those things, and then
there is ironing, and playing cards or games,
talking on the phone and where we just conversate
with a cup of coffee.
*
I did not really think "conversate" was a true word
and I thought I had just made up my first new
word for the urban dictionary but Lo and behold it
was in there! Drats!!
*
This is our kitchen table where the eating, game playing
and conversating takes place.
I have always loved sitting around a table talking
cause you can get eyeball to eyeball, and it just
seems to make the conversation flow better
for some strange reason!!


Remember I told you about 3 wks. or so ago that I rearranged
my counter tops in the kitchen. Well, I had been thinking
about it since vacation. One of my favorite things to do when
we go on vacation is to buy a decorating magazine to read.
So while I was vacationing I was also getting some new
fresh ideas for my kitchen. New fresh ideas by just moving
things around that didn't cost me a penny!!
*
I like those sort of changes, cause I love my home and love
it to look nice, but I don't like it to cost me a lot of money,
as I am sure you feel the same. I am a decorate with what
you have girl, and I have found moving things around
or from room to room, can give you a
whole new fresh look!!
*
I never remember to do before & after pics, but oh well,
If it were me I wouldn't care , I would just love
seeing the finished product anyway!
So figured you might be like me!!
And that maybe you might glean some fresh ideas
for yourself just in case you would like a change.
I





My mission was to get rid of some stuff and have
less on my counter tops than before.
I accomplished that, and have really been loving it!
*
This Pasta and spice rack used to be on the
corner where you come into the kitchen.
*
There used to be a cabinet type spice rack
there that was larger with other things
around it, and I have wanted to hang the
spice rack on the wall for awhile now, but
everytime I thought about it, there was
no hanger, and I didn't know what else to put in
the corner, so it just never happened.






See where the coffee pot is, my microwave used to sit
there and I have wanted to change places with it and the
coffee pot for 28 years now, but everytime I thought
about it.........It just didn't seem practical because my
dishes were all above the coffee pot and if I moved it
you would have to go across the kitchen for a cup.
*
Well, duh........amazing how long you go before you
actually think of something. I realized all I really
needed to do was clear out one shelf about the
microwave to put cups on and I could move it.
so that is what I did, and it is working out
wonderfully well, and I have more room on
the counter over there now too.
Wonderful!!





See where the red container is with the spatulas, there
used to be several more crocks there with knives and
gadgets. and 2 platters against the wall in back
of them, Well, I took one platter and put it on the
counter by the cooktop, as you can see,
and then put olive oil and vingegar and some spices
on the platter, you could put a salt and pepper
grinder or whatever you want.







The white crock in the middle of my stove
was a gift from a dear friend, it is actually
a french dip holder, you can put ice in the
bottom and it keeps your dip nice and chilled.
Well, in the mean time I put a small container
inside the crock, and made kind of a layered
thing where I put most of my knives.
*
Got the idea of putting on the cooktop
and the platter on the counter with
the vinegar & oil out of the new decorating
magazine, and really liked the look.
*
And if the platter is in the way, I can just
slide it back to the wall getting it out of the way.







These dishes on the wall have been there every since
the kitchen was redone, I think it may be 8 years
now. I wanted something really unusual to go there,
and happened to get some craft and decorating books
from the Library, and found a picture of something
I thought was neat but I changed it up a bit and made
it my own thing. They had dishes stacked on top of
each other but it was like layers of maybe 6 things,
I thought that much might fall off.
*
Anyway, I liked
them separated cause they also took up more room.
The silverware was there idea, the food on the plate
and the teabag was mine. That is a scripture teabag
from a Wedding shower I went to, and I won a box
of scripture tea as a prize.
*
The Verse is from Jeremiah 33:3
I love the verse
It says:
"Call unto me and I will answer thee, and show thee
great and mighty things."
*
And the reason I love this verse so much is because
that is exactly what we had experienced in the
almost year before I put these pcs. on my
kitchen wall, and had not actually realized
that until this moment as I am writing this!!
How Cool Is That!!
*
Tomorrow I will begin to explain what I am
talking about, so stay tuned it is really a great
story and God is so good, and really worth
braggin on!!
*
Just in case you are interested I used silicon glue
to put the plates together. I actually used a
saw tooth picture hook on the back of the bowl,
just glued it on, and in 9 years I have had
those babies in water cleaning them quite
often so it is great glue!!
*




This is the top of my fridge









This is my new oven, after 28 years. We finally had
to buy a new one earlier in the year, and might I say
I love it. Still learning to use those timers and stuff,
I am very technically challenged, what can I say!!

*
Where the microwave sits is where the coffee maker
used to be. The fruit canister and the salt and pepper
shakers on top where a Christmas present from
my sweet sister-in-law. Love them.

*









The flat basket hides the cords and electrical
outlet. In the picture before there was a
wire basket thingie I found to put mail in so
it wasn't just lying around on the counter.
It makes things looks so much neater.












This is an ironing board, chair and ladder all rolled
into one!! We bought this in a little backwoods store
in Ga. somewhere, years ago. Scott was still in
middle school and taking woodworking, we bought
it unfinished and he refinished it for me.
He did a great job!!
*
I love having my ironing board right there
rather than having to go in the garage and get
it everytime I need it! I have a regular larger
one in the garage I can use if need be, but
this usually takes care of most stuff.

*
Oh and remember that spice rack cabinet
I always wanted to put on the wall,
well, we finally put a hanger on that
baby, and she is hanging right above
my ironing board.
**
Well, hope you enjoyed your visit of my
kitchen and hope maybe you got some new
ideas of your own.
*
*
Come back tomorrow and read how
we experientially learned about
that verse in Jeremiah 33:3
*
*
Have a Great Monday Evening,
*
*
Blessings and Hugs,
Nellie























Saturday, August 22, 2009

Have a Restful Sunday

On the Applachian Trail in Maine Courtesy of Scott

.

Good Sunday Morning to you!!

.

Hope you are feeling well on this Sabbath Day!

.

Saw this verse today, and thought this is the one!

It has been a tremendous encouragement to me this year,

with all that has gone on in our Government and Economy.

I pray it will bring encouragement to your heart,

as well, Dear one.

.

The verse for today is from Proverbs 21:1

.

"The kings heart is in the hand of the Lord;

he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases."

.

That is exciting to know that God controls the lives

and actions of kings or of Presidents and elected

officials, and directs their hearts wherever he pleases.

That says to me..... it is my job to pray for the Lord

to have his will and way in their lives, and then

to trust Him to do whatever He sees fit!!

I have been doing that all year, and it has been a comfort to me.

If you are not already doing that.........give it a try...

I think you will be surprised at how the Lord uses those

prayers to bring peace and comfort to you in this

difficult world we live in.

.

Have a really Restful Sunday.

Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie

Friday, August 21, 2009

What's going on in my backyard

Hi Sweet Friends,
.
How has your day been?? I bet you are glad it is Friday!!
.
It was a nice day here most of the day, sunny and hot
but it poured late this afternoon!!
.
I decided to work outside some this morning, since I have
lost my lawn and garden man to his fulltime job!! ha
Course, I am in no way complaining, I am very happy
that the Lord has given him this job that he is so happy
about it too!!
Yet this is definitely not my favorite time of the year
to work in the yard, so I can't stand to be out in
that heat for too long, so I usually just plug away
about 30-60 mins. at a time, whenever the mood
strikes. Course, once we start to have cooler
mornings I love being out there.
.
Have a lot of bushes that need cutting so got busy
and got a large area done and it looks so much better
already, but I have to finish the other half now,
probably next week sometime. Next time I need to
wash my hair!! Cause I get so sweaty and yukky!
.
This is by our shed in the back yard,
Wanted you to see what my Green Thumb Son
has done for our yard. The opening pic is what it looks like now,
the one below is in spring before he got so busy fertilizing, and
pruning. I have a whole new crop of Roses that are about
to open on the corner in that urn. (Have to look at top pic to see the urn).
And of course, There is Joey looking for Lizards

This plant is called Lantana and their was a beautiful orange butterfly
getting nectar, but I couldn't catch him with his wings open enough.



That wierd looking thing is him too, but when they
are drawing nectar for some reason they close their wings.




This is what you call Cuban Buttercup, Scott grew this
from seeds when he worked at the Flower farms
and also the Lantana you saw.





This is called Fantasia, he also grew this,
at one point I thought it was gonna die, but
he has revived it!!







These are some trees he has grown from seeds,
and the one in the urn is one he pruned and fertilized
for me, I actually like it by my front door, but had
moved it cause the back was pretty bare, it is looking
better now, so hopefully soon I might be able to
move it back by my front door.
.


Remember I said he planted some flowers for me a few
weeks back, well these are some of them, they are
pink Zinnias, there are some outfront as well, meant
to go take a pic of them too.


And the bougainvilla is blooming again. I really love

the color of this plant, and it reminds me of when we

lived in KeyWest, cause it is all over the place down

there, and just gorgeous!!

.

I forgot yesterday to give a praise about my

little nephew Bryson. He has not been having

the stomach problems and his rash has all cleared up,

Thanks to the Lord!!

She did get a scary report back from the Dr. on his

bloodwork and they said that he basically has no immune

system, so now they are going to send her to an

Immunologist and he is also an allergist as well.

The Dr. she went to see down here also did not write the

order for the celiac test, and she didn't discover

it until they had already taken his blood and they had a really

tough time getting enough draw cause of his small veins.

So of course, she was not too happy about that at all.

The Dr. now thinks that maybe he had some virus

that just hung on and on, and that was what was

causing his bad intestinal problems. We are sure

hoping that is the case, but I think whatever it was

the Lord probably took care of it because of the prayers,

so we truly thank you all for your prayers.

.

Well, there has been tiling going on in our bathroom

again tonight, all the side walls are about done,

and we are getting ready to start on the floor

and step soon. We still have to put the towel

rack and soap dish in tomorrow. I am getting more

excited everytime we tile cause it means we are getting

closer to grouting, and then closer to being finished!! yea!!!

.

Well, that is about all my news for today.

.

Hope you have a truly lovely weekend.

.

Take care now!!

.

Blessings and Hugs,

Nellie
















Thursday, August 20, 2009

Welcome to Thankful Thursday - August 20, 2009

Picture compliments of Mary Dover Publishing
"Lilacs in the Window" by Mary Cassat

*

Hello Sweet Friends.

*
Hope you are having a great day today,
mine has been very good so far!
*
Well, it is good it is Thankful Thursday
cause I have plenty to be thankful about.
#1
I am so Thankful that the last 2 days have
been so much better than Tuesday!! ha
#2
I am Thankful for my sweet and lovely
25 year old daughter, DeeAnna
and that we had such a nice time together
for her birthday and hanging out on Tuesday.
We got most of her wall decor hung, still
have a little more to do.
#3
I am Thankful that I got to hang out most
of the day yesterday with another long time
friend that I haven't been able to get together
with for probably close to 8 mos., cause she
was working full time. We have a lovely day
chatting and catching up, had a sub type sandwich
and of course, I made her a chocolate Elvis,
her first and she really liked it. It was a fun
day, just went by too fast!!
#4
I am Thankful Jimmy (my hubby) was able to get our
washing machine fixed, and didn't have to spend
a penny, My Brilliant Hero!
#5
I am also very Thankful for what a handy guy
he is, cause he does stuff like this all the time,
but also that he has such a willing heart to do it!!
#6
I am Thankful that my son, Scott started his new job
on Monday, and seems to be enjoying the training
so much, and thinks he is really going to like it.
It is so great to see him so enthused and happy again!!
Also thankful his company got the fax after all that
craziness on Tuesday.
#7
I am Thankful that the small deposit I made to our
acct. on Tuesday kept the acct. open so they could
deposit hubbies paycheck today!
Mission Accomplished, God is sooooooo good!!
#8
I am Thankful, that it appears that this is the end of the fraudualent
stuff. We are waiting on one more phone call and hopefully that will do it!!
#9
I am thankful that we could finally get our yard
mowed last night cause all it has done lately is rain.
yet I am thankful for it, because our grass and plants looks
so healthy and lush.
#10
I am thankful for some new fat free frozen yogurt
that I found made by a company called "Kemps"
and I found it at Target Supercenter. It is delicious,
and because it is fat free we can make lots more
Chocolate Elvis's!! Yum Yum!!
#11
And last but certainly not least,
I love this study I am doing by Beth Moore.
She really inspires me in my relationship with the
Lord and also helps me to dig into God's word.
***
***
If you haven't counted the things you are thankful
for this week, make it a point to do that and you
will feel soooooo much better about life!!
***
Leave a comment and tell me a few things
you are thankful for today, would love to
hear from you!!
***
Have a GREAT Thurday!!
*
*
Love and Blessings,
Nellie

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

A Wonderful Celebration

( A birthday cake I made for a card last year!)
~~~
~~~

Well Good Morning Sweet Friends,
~



Thought I would just say Hello and hope



you are having a nice Tuesday so far.



~



We have a very nice Birthday Celebration



for DeeAnna last night. Her choice of Beef



Stroganoff, salad, and bread, and Strawberry



Shortcake was not just a hit with her but a hit



with us all!!



~



My sister-in-law Susan came and Dee also brought



her room-mate Becky, who is a cute, tiny and very



fun little gal. We enjoy her a lot. So really enjoyed



having her with us, and of course, my hubby
.
and Scott were here too.



~



I had planned to take some pics of everything since my



sweet and might I say, brave sister-in-law loaned Mrs. Butterfingers,



her camera until I can get a new one. We are looking, but haven't



found the one yet. I got a few shots of the table before



everyone came, but however, once everyone got here, I got so caught
.
up in the festivities (which is really a good thing) that I forgot.
.
all about taking any more pictures.
.
Here is a nice shot of the table. Girlie don't you think!!
I love Girlie!!


.

I included something today for you ladies who love

decorating like I do.

Thought I would give you a close up of the centerpc.

I got this idea from another sweet long time friend, Diane.

She is so creative in her gift giving, and knows just what

I like. She saw a decorating magazine with this idea and

bought me the magazine and the egg cups to go along with it,

and it had several really cute ideas for what you can

do with egg cups. I still had some pink carnations

leftover from when we visited our friends at the

condo, she sent them home with me. So I was

able to find 9 that still looked good, so cut

them off real short and stuck them in the egg cups

(with some water of course). Then added some

candleholders with pink candles from Yankee Candle

called fresh cut roses, I love these candles

the smell sooooooo good!!

Of course, you can use any kind of flowers

in there, and I have also put candles in them,

or butter or sauces, or candy or colored

eggs at Easter! I am sure you can think of

other neat ideas. I like it because it is simple

yet pretty, and also low so it doesn't impede

conversation. Nice to be able to see who you

are talking to I think!! ha

If you have any other ideas for egg cups

let me know, I would love to hear them.

.

.

Just came back from the bank, and My Heavens, this has been a

frustrating day so far and it is only 10:52.

I am trying my best to keep a good attitude but stuff

just keeps going wrong by the minute! ha

Oh how the enemy of our soul loves to try and ruin

our joy. First thing this morning I noticed our

washing machine did not drain and has last nights

tablecloth and napkins still in it, then Scott called

and wanted us to fax something to him at work,

he has a fax, we don't, so we don't know how

to use it really, and he has a long cord cause

our phone hookup is across the hall.

We tried about 10 times and it would not work,

then I noticed a business card on his desk

to his company and it was a different fax #

so I was about to do that when he called

so I tried it again and it took about 5 more

tries. I have unconnected and reconnected

the fax machine from the telephone lines

about 4 times now) anyway, it finally, I hope went

but we thought it had gone once before so we will

see if they got it.

```

Then I just closed our old acct. and put stop pays on 2 checks

we have been expecting to go thru but never did, and that is

because we discovered on Sat. thru checking our visa acct.

(it was on lock down) someone has been tampering with our

Visa Acct. and that is one of the bills that never came

thru, so we think now that someone actually took our bills out of

our mailbox. Funny thing is I never mail bills that way anymore,

I take them to the post office or to a large mailbox

near our house, cause I have read not to do that.

I think it was when Jimmys car was having problems so

he had to drive mine, so I had no car to drive, and the

bills needed to go out, so I just put them in the box.

At least that is what we think happened. I wish I

knew for sure cause then I could file a police report.

Not that I want that hassle, but since we don't know

what other surprises we might get you wonder!!

~~~

Right after they put the stop pay on the checks,

we transferred the $$ out of that acct. to our new

acct. and closed it. Well,,,,,,, neither of us thought

about the fact that Jimmy gets paid on Thurs.

by direct pay and if the acct. is closed now what???

Called the bank back and she said she couldn't

be sure it would be open still cause it takes

about 48 hrs. or so. She suggested I go up

and deposit a very small amt. of money and

hopefully that will keep them from closing it.

She said if it was already closed the teller

would say so, thankfully, they took it

with no problems, so hope she is right or

we will have another ordeal with his

paycheck on Thursday, cause they will send

it back to the company and they will cut

him a check or something like that.

It will be delayed at any rate unless the

acct. stays open, So we will see, I am

sure the Lord will take care of it for us.

~~~

I am laughing my head off, I had to go let the dog

out and there was a huge and I mean huge

coachroach in the doorway and he ran under

the threshold of the door and unfortunately

it was on the inside of the door not outside.

So sprayed some Bug Stop down in the

cracks, then Joey (the dog) started throwing

up, not once, not twice, but 3 times!!

So as I am cleaning up after Joey I see the

huge coachroach on the carpeting in the

dining room, so he made it aways into the

house, but I must have gotten him with the

bug stop cause he was not moving to fast,

so I threw him in the bag with all the other

trash, so maybe he will die happy!!

~~~

Oh My what a post!! Just want you to know

you are not the only one who has crazy days.

Some days you wonder why you even got

out of bed. Well, I am off to DeeAnna's

we are going to attempt to hang her new

wall decor!! Told her I was afraid I might

bash a wall in or something! ha

I take that back, that is a negative confession!! ha

This day is getting more ridiculous and more

funny by the minute. I might as well leave

cause I definitely am not gonna accomplish

much here today. Let's hope it is better

at Dee's.

~~~

Well, hope your day is going much better than mine!!

~~~

Thanks for coming by,

hope I didn't depress you too much!! ha

~~~

Hugs and Blessings,

Nellie

Monday, August 17, 2009

A Birthday Celebration

Good Monday Morning Dear Friends,
~
As you can see our Grand-daughter-dog Rosie is all
dressed and ready for a Special Birthday Celebration
.
for our
.
All-Time
.
Favorite
.
Sweet
.
Young
.
Lady
~
Her Mommy, Our Daughter DeeAnna
.
.
.
This was taken at her College Grad. Party this past December
.


This was taken a few summers ago


and this was taken at Christmas time
probably about 6-7 years back
~~~
~~~
Happy 25th Birthday DeeAnna
.
We Love you Honey
and
Appreciate what a blessing you are to us!!
.
May your day be Sweet, Special and Lovely Just like You!!
Remember........ you're just a "Spring Chicken"!! ha
.
.
Love you Sweet Girl,
Mom & Dad
.
.
Now I have to get busy making Beef Stroganoff
and Strawberry Shortcake, and wrapping
presents!! You have fun now!!
See ya tonight!!

Saturday, August 15, 2009

Have a tranquil and peaceful Sunday

(Compliments of Scott's Appalachian Trail adventure - Maine)
~
~
Happy Sunday Sweet Encouragers,
~
Hope you are having a lovely weekend so far,
and that Sunday will be even lovlier!
~
Thought I would share my life verse
with you today!!
~
~
It is Philippians 4:6 & 7
~
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything,
by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your
requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends
all understanding, will guard your heart and minds in
Christ Jesus.
~
~
I began to learn the truth of that verse when Scott was
about 2 1/2 years old, and we having just moved here from south Florida,
left him with someone new, so we could go out to dinner together.
I had to quote it over and over again all night to keep from worrying,
and guess what?? It worked, but a little while later I would start
worrying again, and start quoting again, and it came and went
a few more times.
Eventually God's word won out!! As it always does!!
We must be persistent for sure.
~~~
You have to understand I come from a long line of worriers,
and I can worry with the best of them, but I learned along
the way that was not God's will for me or his best for me,
and the fact, He calls it sin really got my attention.

~
~
Oh, please don't hear me saying, I have it whipped,
cause I certainly don't but I catch myself a lot quicker
than I used to, and this verse is still working for me.
Just have to remember to use it.
~
~
As Mom's I think we will always have that temptation
to worry about our children no matter what age they
are, but I have come to the point that I am determined
not to lose my Joy worrying, usually about something
I can do nothing about anyway,
So how bout you, anything you are sick of worrying
about..........tell the Lord all about it, my friend,
He loves and care about you, and His ears are
inclined to His children, leave it in His hands,
asking for Him to guide and direct you as to
what you should do if anything, then trust
Him to do what only He can do!!
It is the pathway to peace of mind and heart!
~~
Have a Peaceful and Tranquil Day
Today and Everyday!!
~~~
Quoting God's word, "It's a good thing,"
as Martha Stewart would say!!
I say, it's a very good thing!!
~~~
So quote away, the Lord want Mind,
~
Blessings, Hugs, and Love,
Nellie

Friday, August 14, 2009

Parma Rosa Spaghetti recipe




Good Evening and Happy Friday to You!!
~~~
Thought I would post the Parma Rosa Spaghetti recipe.
If you like Spaghetti and you like Veggies, you are
gonna love it!! It is a layered dish really, you
put the spaghetti on a plate, then put the Parma
Rosa sauce on top of that then add the veggies
on top of that. with that said let's get started.
~~~
I usually start by making the sauce first.
This is my low-fat version, they do have a packet
you can buy, think it is made by Knorr and it is
called Parma Rosa Sauce and all you do is add milk,
heat and stir, but it has hydrogenated oils, so we
no longer eat that, so I looked it up online and
it really doesn't take but 2 sec. longer to do
my version.
~~~
Parma Rosa Sauce
.
1 14oz. can of Italian style diced tomatoes (drained)
or reg diced tomatoes will work too.
.
1 tsp. of basil and oregano
.
2 tsp. of garlic powder
.
1 cup of 1% or whatever type of milk you want
.
1/2 cup of fat free half and half or if you use regular milk
add another 1/2 cup of that
.
1/4 cup of grated parm plus or Parmesan Cheese
.
Put ingredients in a non stick sauce pan,
Stir ingredients together, turn stove to medium heat until it
comes to a boil, then turn it to low and simmer for about 10-12 mins.
stirring often. Then turn it off put a lid on it and let it sit until
everything else is ready.
~~~
~~~
Angel Hair Pasta
.
Now get the pot going for your pasta
as package directions say.
Then while the pot is boiling be cooking your
veggies at the same time
~~~
~~~
The Veggies.
.
2 tblsp. olive oil
.
3 onions sliced
.
3 cloves of garlic peeled and sliced
.
5 or 6 yellow squash sliced
.
2 small containers of fresh sliced mushrooms
.
8 plum tomatoes sliced, I have used compari
tomatoes, and canned diced tomatoes,
the fresh are better tho.
.
Use a medium non stick dutch oven,
add the olive oil, and heat on medium, then add the
onions and garlic, let those cook until the onions are
translucent, then add the squash and let it
cook until it is softened, then add the mushrooms,
and cook for about 5 mins. or you think they are done,
last add your tomatoes until they heat thru well.
~~~
Once your veggies are done, your pasta should be
done as well, So drain the pasta, put it on the plate,
put the parma sauce on top and add your veggies
on top of that. If you want sprinkle some
parmesan on the top.
~~~
If you want you could probably put the pasta in
a large bowl and mix it together with the Parma
sauce and then add the veggies. I have never
done that but it would probably work, don't see
why not. It will serve probably 6 or more, if you are
having salad and bread or fruit with it.
I usually have some watermelon or a toss salad
with it or sometimes we just have it all by itself.
Whatever works for you!!
~~~
It really isn't as hard as it sounds,
especially if you have the veggies already
cut up before you start, then it is a whiz
~~~
Bon appetit,
~
Hope you enjoy!!
~
Have a Great Weekend!!
~~
Blessings and Hugs,
Nellie

Thursday, August 13, 2009

It's Thankful Thursday - August 13, 2009

( Picture compliments of Mary Dover Publishing)
~
~
Good Afternoon Sweet Friends,
~
And Welcome to Thankful Thursday
~~
~
Hope it has been a nice day for you,
My day has been very good so far,
we are about to get a Gully Washer, I think, (translates to
very hard rain - just in case you are not from the south),
Just saw yellow leaves flying off the tree,
looks like Fall out there already!! ha
~
1.
Well, I am very thankful that we got all the stuff
with the bogus checks taken care of accept for
one other thing. Just found out the new acct.
is only in hubbies name when I called the bank
about something else. Who knows why they
did that, since they opened a new one from
a joint acct., well.......... it was Sat. and they probably
wanted to get home to their family. Can't
blame them, I suppose!
The Lord has been very good to us to let
this whole thing be very easy for the most part.
~~~
~~
2.
I am also very thankful for the visit with my niece Heather,
who is 26, and sweet lil nephew Bryson. He is adorable,
we got the biggest kick out of him, and he is on the move
crawling and learning to walk. He was pretty pleasant
for a lil fella going thru so much.
Scott and DeeAnna had not seen her for quite a long
while, so it was fun for them to see her and the baby
as well. We had a nice Pot Roast din din with some
great cheesecake hubby got a Sams, and visited till late
in the evening. Told you late spells fun to us!!
We all had a good nights sleep and some breakfast
and She and Bryson left about noon today for home.
~~~
3.
We are so thankful for the prayers of God's people
for Bryson, he had no diahrrea all day yesterday
or up until she left today, and his lil bottom looks so
much better already............ so I am thinking it is
probably the prayer for sure.
4.
~~~
We are thankful that the Dr. albeit she was not quite
as helpful as we had hoped did agree to test him
for Celiac disease (thanks to a blog I read from
the Blessed Nest I think it is) if I am wrong let
me know and I will print a rebuttle!!
That is one thing he has not been tested for,
and the Dr. did say they would do more stool
samples and some other bloodwork, and that
Heather can have them done from a lab at home and
then the lab will send the results to the Dr., so that
was really good news.
~~
5.
Also, we were thankful the Dr. said, that she thought Bryson
looked good, and had not lost any weight, and there was no
blood in his stool and she saw no signs of dehydration at this point
so she wasn't too worried. She asked Heather when she had him infused
last with Pedialyte and she couldn't remember the date exactly
because she only had 1 hr. of sleep the night before, so she
was exhausted and couldn't think straight, plus she had
her Drs. office fax all that info to the new Dr. - 2 weeks
ago, so that the Dr. would have plenty of time to check it
over and possibly formulate some ideas of what else to test for,
but she had not even looked at it!!
Very Disappointing to Heather, as you can imagine!!
~~~
6.
She did give Heather a new Probiotic to try
that is made specifically for children, so hope
that will be helpful as well.
~~~
She told her to go home have them do the tests
and come back in a month. I told her I would
call and see if the results showed anything first,
because that is a long way to drive to come and
find out nothing or that there is nothing that
they are going to do! Told her she should have
them call the results to her pediatrician up there
if they want tell her over the phone.
~~~
7.
Now I am thankful for "Dulce De leche" cheesecake.
That was the new cheesecake hubby got at Sams,
It is a yummy treat I must say, not that we can
partake of it very often, but will sure be fun
when we can!!
8.
I am thankful for Parsnips!!
They are a new veggie
that I had heard about but never really tried.
I mixed it with the carrots and potatoes in my
Pot Roast last night and it was quite good.
If you haven't tried them, you need to, cause
they are really great. They look like carrots
only are white!!
~~
A while back I roasted Carrots and Parsnips
in the oven. Saw it in a magazine somewhere,
and they looked delicious so decided to try it,
and much to our delight they were as good
as they looked.
~~
Roasted Carrots and Parsnips Recipe
I cut them like french fries threw them in a bowl added
olive oil, granulated garlic powder, salt and pepper to taste,
mixed it all together, spread them on a cookie sheet.
You can spray the cookie sheet with Pam or cooking spray
but usually they have enough olive oil they don't stick)
(Mine is a nonstick cookie sheet but it is fairly old)
and baked them for about 15-25 mins. in a 350 degree oven.
Think you will like them a lot!!
~~
9.
And I am thankful for exercise, even tho there are times
I reallllllllllllllllly do not want to do it, I am so thankful
when we do cause I feel soooooooooo much better!!
I am especially thankful for Leslie Sansone walking
tapes because you can exercise anytime you want,
so when it is too hot or too cold, or raining or you
just don't feel like going out, she's is always
available, and most of all her exercise routines
get you in great shape. We have been doing
them for almost 4 years now. So thank you
Leslie, We love You!! No, I am not getting
a kick back for this free advertising, I don't
know her personally, but feel like I do since
we have been exercising together for sooo long.
~~~
Well, guess that is my list for today, hope you
have a nice long list as well. It is always such
a good thing to count your blessings cause it
really helps your perspective on life.
~~
10.
Oh Yea, and I am thankful for praying friends
like you..........there is nothing like it!!
You are a blessing.
~~
11.
And I am definitely thankful that God is in the
prayer hearing and prayer answering business,
Thank you Lord!!
~~
Have a Great Evening,
and I will do my best to post the
"Parma Rosa Spaghetti" recipe tomorrow!!
~~
Love and Blessings,
Nellie

Happy St. Patrick's Day

  Happy St. Patrick's Day Sweet Friends Have a Lovely Day, Hugs, Nellie