Hello, Ladies!
Oh, gracious. I am singing Springtime songs in my heart, but it is all white outside. Yes, it has snowed again and threatens to do more before the week is out.
Speaking of Springtime...My church does not officially observe Lent (40 day period filled with fasting, personal sacrifice and reflection prior to Easter). However, I have personally found that by devoting myself to personal meditation on the four Gospels and the life of our beloved Savior for these 40 days prior to this wonderful holiday, Easter has so much more meaning for me than if it suddenly comes upon me in life. Does that make sense?...I rush around in life and then ... boom..one day it is Easter, the most sacred holiday of the year, in my opinion. I like to prepare ahead of time with fasting, prayer, self-sacrifice. Okay, you get the point.
Well, here's a link for a Lenten Cleaning Schedule (spring cleaning with the object in mind of having the whole house fresh and sparkling for Easter!). I'm way behind on this, but am determined to get caught up!
Another link is to Alexandra's blog, Happy Heart at Home. It is a sweet poem, a kind of meditation to have in one's heart as we go about the business of taking care of our homes and loved ones.
Have a beautiful day!
Elizabeth (who is still yearning for Spring!)
Monday, March 30, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
Hello, Ladies!
Happy, happy Monday to you! I hope everyone is well and looking forward to the new week.
For those of you who are here for Menu Planning Monday, following are this weeks meals. For those who are just stopping by, be sure and check out Laurie's Organizing Junkie website for more menu plans!
Monday - Sloppy Joes, with whole wheat buns, slaw, and oranges & strawberries
Tuesday - Tuna Patties, hash browns and
Wednesday - Beans & Whole Wheat Cornbread, Greens
Thursday - Cucumber rolls (sushi), stir-fry veggies (when my camera works again, I will do a tutorial for sushi!)
Friday - Leftovers/Date Night
Have a great day!
Elizabeth
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Happy Sabbath
Hello, Ladies!
Happy Sabbath! Whew! I am so happy to be back to my old self again. That's one fun thing about being sick...It feels so good when it's over! However, now both of my children are sick, so I'm still at home! Thank you for the sweet comments.
I would like to ask you to please pray for my sweet friend, Beth, over at Aunties With Advice. She has been sick for weeks and was just diagnosed with pneumonia. She really needs prayer power. When you read this, please offer up a little prayer for Beth. Thank you so much!!
For my Sabbath message...I'd like to link you to a wonderful story about my favorite picture of Jesus Christ (above). Scroll down the page to the link, "Jesus, The Masterpiece", and read about how this wonderful woman was inspired to create this painting after suffering a Near-Death Experience.
Hope you have a wonderful Sabbath!
Elizabeth
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Sick In Bed!
Have the flu this week. Will get back to posting and visiting blogs soon!Love,
Elizabeth
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread
Hey, Ya'll!
I'm not much good today for anything but baking...Can't get my caboose in gear for the paperwork I ought to be doing. So, I've already made Oatmeal Cookies today. Now, I am making Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread by utilizing the following recipe...No, canned pumpkin? No problem. You can used canned yams or cooked squash in equal amounts and it will still taste good!
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin or yams, or 1 cup cooked squash or sweet potatoes
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat oil and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and spices. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. Spread batter into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1/2 hour before slicing.
I'm not much good today for anything but baking...Can't get my caboose in gear for the paperwork I ought to be doing. So, I've already made Oatmeal Cookies today. Now, I am making Whole Wheat Pumpkin Bread by utilizing the following recipe...No, canned pumpkin? No problem. You can used canned yams or cooked squash in equal amounts and it will still taste good!
1/3 cup vegetable oil
1/2 cup honey
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 eggs
1 cup canned pumpkin or yams, or 1 cup cooked squash or sweet potatoes
1 3/4 cups whole wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 cup hot water
Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
In a large bowl, beat oil and honey together. Add eggs, and mix well. Stir in pumpkin and vanilla. Stir in flour, salt and spices. Add baking soda to hot water, stir to mix, and then add to batter. Spread batter into a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan.
Bake for 55 to 60 minutes. Cool on wire rack for 1/2 hour before slicing.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
I'm a little late getting this weeks menu posted. A lot is currently going on in the Gibson house. Anyway, I cooked a turkey over the weekend, so you will notice that some of my recipes are planned around lots of leftovers...Here is what I have so far...Monday - Turkey Enchiladas, salad and dessert
(I use whole wheat flour tortillas and green sauce!)
Tuesday - Lasagna Rolls, fruit salad and dessert
(we have these a fair amount because the children love them!)
Wednesday - Turkey/Veggie Soup, bread and salad
Thursday - Hoppin John, cabbage and sliced tomatoes.
Friday - Usually I have leftovers, but I want to share a link here for Beth's (Aunties with Advice) wonderful Potato Soup. I add some mozarella chees and chopped ham. This is to DIE for! Just had it last week.\
Have a great Monday!
Elizabeth
Friday -
Saturday, March 21, 2009
A Room of One's Own
What would you do if you were given one room in your house that was entirely yours? Not having to please anyone but yourself, not having to share it with anyone, what would you put inside of it?
I have just such a room. It is small in comparison with the other bedrooms, that is why no one else wants it. It use to belong to my son, but he outgrew it and we now have him downstairs in a much larger space. My husband has his eye on my daughter's soon-to-be old bedroom for an office. So, this one is just for me.
I have furnished it with a walnut-finished desk, equipped with shelves and a few nooks and crannies. I have polished it with my favorite wood polish and have placed upon all it's flat surfaces lovely lace and embroidery work that I have recently inherited. Upon these soft linens are shiny pastel pots, some ribbon be-decked, for my pens, pencils and markers. There are baskets for paperwork, odds & ends.
But this space really became mine when I put out for display pictures from my childhood, black & white photos of my sister and myself. I am displaying only the really young ones when I was most truly myself, from babyhood through about 3rd Grade. This is when the soul of me and my outside expression was exactly the same, before situations and people tried to change me and take me away from who I really was. I look in the eyes of my childhood self and I hear thoughts of poetry, fairies, classical music and God. This is the self I emulate today.
This room is for my creative self, the one who still, after all these many, many years, can forget all about being a middle-aged woman and yet know childish glee. Sometimes, on soft, summer nights, I can still almost hear the tinkling laughter of fairy voices in undisturbed, green places, like when I was a child. I can imagine wonderful things. My heart b.e.l.i.e.v.e.s. I feel the wonder of God like I did way back when I was practically a baby, when my heart longed for someone greater than myself and had unquestioning faith that somehow I was heard. That same girl longed mightily for everything that is beautiful in the world and she still exists, although hidden these many years.
Beauty is Truth, Truth is Beauty - that is all
ye know on earth and all ye need to know.
- Keats
Amusing, that one semi-empty room can set one's heart to flutter and inspire one to extrapolate.
I have also furnished this room with my mother's old rocker. It's creaky, but I love it. And a record player - yes, really! I have gathered together all my old records of classical music that I have saved over the years and here in this room I will play them while I work. There will be no moaning and sighing over my choices of old vs. new. I can just enjoy!
What will I do in this room? I will write, create, scrapbook and just BE...Hopefully, to the strains of Gershwin or Chopin and (definitely) Rachmaninoff.
I know that this is a luxury and it couldn't come at a better time.
I will eventually show you pictures, but my camera is still on the blink. So, just imagine a crazy, peaceful, aging women rocking away to beautiful piano music, surrounded by some things she loves. Imagine bliss!
Love,
Elizabeth
I have just such a room. It is small in comparison with the other bedrooms, that is why no one else wants it. It use to belong to my son, but he outgrew it and we now have him downstairs in a much larger space. My husband has his eye on my daughter's soon-to-be old bedroom for an office. So, this one is just for me.
I have furnished it with a walnut-finished desk, equipped with shelves and a few nooks and crannies. I have polished it with my favorite wood polish and have placed upon all it's flat surfaces lovely lace and embroidery work that I have recently inherited. Upon these soft linens are shiny pastel pots, some ribbon be-decked, for my pens, pencils and markers. There are baskets for paperwork, odds & ends.
But this space really became mine when I put out for display pictures from my childhood, black & white photos of my sister and myself. I am displaying only the really young ones when I was most truly myself, from babyhood through about 3rd Grade. This is when the soul of me and my outside expression was exactly the same, before situations and people tried to change me and take me away from who I really was. I look in the eyes of my childhood self and I hear thoughts of poetry, fairies, classical music and God. This is the self I emulate today.
This room is for my creative self, the one who still, after all these many, many years, can forget all about being a middle-aged woman and yet know childish glee. Sometimes, on soft, summer nights, I can still almost hear the tinkling laughter of fairy voices in undisturbed, green places, like when I was a child. I can imagine wonderful things. My heart b.e.l.i.e.v.e.s. I feel the wonder of God like I did way back when I was practically a baby, when my heart longed for someone greater than myself and had unquestioning faith that somehow I was heard. That same girl longed mightily for everything that is beautiful in the world and she still exists, although hidden these many years.
Beauty is Truth, Truth is Beauty - that is all
ye know on earth and all ye need to know.
- Keats
Amusing, that one semi-empty room can set one's heart to flutter and inspire one to extrapolate.
I have also furnished this room with my mother's old rocker. It's creaky, but I love it. And a record player - yes, really! I have gathered together all my old records of classical music that I have saved over the years and here in this room I will play them while I work. There will be no moaning and sighing over my choices of old vs. new. I can just enjoy!
What will I do in this room? I will write, create, scrapbook and just BE...Hopefully, to the strains of Gershwin or Chopin and (definitely) Rachmaninoff.
I know that this is a luxury and it couldn't come at a better time.
I will eventually show you pictures, but my camera is still on the blink. So, just imagine a crazy, peaceful, aging women rocking away to beautiful piano music, surrounded by some things she loves. Imagine bliss!
Love,
Elizabeth
Friday, March 20, 2009
Voices From The Past
Last week, I did a presentation on the Civil War for an assembly of our local elementary school's 5th Grade (they are studying American History this year). To prepare for this and my discussion about slavery, I pulled out my copy of "MY Folks Don't Want Me To Talk About Slavery", a compilation of slave narratives from the state of North Carolina. This was part of a larger endeaver, known as the "Federal Writers Project", in the 1930's, when then President Roosevelt employed out-of-work writers to go down into the South and record the experiences of elderly African Americans who had been born into slavery (the last living person who had been born into slavery died in the 1960's). The results were that over 1,000 narratives were recorded and stored in the Library of Congress for future posterity.
These frail voices forge a searing portrait of what it was like to be African American during slavery times. Although some slaves faired much better than others, none of them were allowed the rights of self-determination, to bear arms, to assemble or to buy and sell. These rules are what made up the Slave Code, which was of course designed to keep African Americans in bondage under the whites. Consequently, while each of these portraits is very different, they are yet all the same.
The brutality under which a slave lived depended mostly on whether they were a house servant, and therefore living in close proximity to their "masters", at times becoming like part of the family, or whether they were a field worker. Then this difference was magnified by the number of slaves who were on a property. The smaller the number, the more of a personal relationship was established with a family, and whether the master had an oversear for the slaves (poor white overseers were known for their brutality while keeping slaves "in line"), and whether or not "pattyrollers" (white patrollers whose job it was to make sure the Slave Code was being enforced) were allowed on the property. Pattyrollers were generally brutal.
"Marster had four overseers on the place, and they drove us from sunup till sunset. Some of the women plowed barefooted most all the time, and had to carry that row and keep up with the men, and then do their cooking at night. We hated to see the sun rise in slavery time, 'cause it meant another hard day; but then we was glad to see it go down." (Henry James Trentham, Age 92, Raleigh, NC)
Although some masters were just cruel, period, some were extremely lenient for the times. The lives of slaves living under the latter type situation were far different, as evidenced by the following...
"I was too small to work. They had me to do little things like feeding the chickens and minding the table sometimes; but I was too small to work. They didn't let children work much in them days till they were thirteen fourteen years old [on many plantations, slave children began working as young as 5 years of age]. We played base, cat, rolly hole, and a kind of baseball called 'round town. Marster would tell the children about Raw head and Bloody Bones and other things to scare us. He would call us to the barn to get apples and run and hide, and we would have a time finding him. He give the one who found him an apple...
Marster would not have an overseer. No sir, the slaves worked very much as they pleased...They loved him, though. I never saw a slave sold. he kept his slaves together. He didn't want to get rid of any of them. No slaves run away from Marster. They didn't have any excuse to do so, because whites and colored fared alike at Marster's. Marster loved his slaves and other white folks said he loved a n***** more than he did white folks..." (Isaac Johnson, age 82, Lillington, NC)
Contrast that with this story...
"I remembers seeing a heap of slave sales, with the n*****s in chains, and the speculators selling and buying them off. I also remembers seeing a drove of slaves with nothing on but a rag betwixt their legs being galloped around before the buyers. About the worst things that I ever see, though was a slave woman at Louisburg who had been sold off from her three-weeks-old baby, and was being marched to New Orleans.
"She had walked till she was give out, and she was weak enough to fall in the middle of the road. She was chained with twenty or thirty other slaves, and they stopped to rest in the shade of a big oak whilest the speculators et their dinner. The slaves ain't having no dinner. As I pass by, this woman begs me in God's name for a drink of water, and I gives it to her; I ain't never be so sorry for nobody.
"It was in the month of August, and the sun was bearing down hot when the slaves and their drivers leave the shade. They walk for a little piece, and this woman fall out. She dies there 'side of the road, and right there they buries her, cussing, they tells me, about losing money on her." (Josephine Smith, Age 94, Raleigh, NC).
Some people may wonder what is the benefit of reading these narratives. After all, slavery was a shameful period of time for our country and something about which most Americans might like to forget. However, I believe that American slaves did much of the back breaking labor it took to turn the wild place that was our country into farmlands and communities that could sustain this nation. It fills me with sadness when I think that we might turn a deaf ear to the fragile voices of these men and women, because they are so full of strength, perserverance, hope, humor and pain. They deserve to be heard.
Love,
Elizabeth
These frail voices forge a searing portrait of what it was like to be African American during slavery times. Although some slaves faired much better than others, none of them were allowed the rights of self-determination, to bear arms, to assemble or to buy and sell. These rules are what made up the Slave Code, which was of course designed to keep African Americans in bondage under the whites. Consequently, while each of these portraits is very different, they are yet all the same.
The brutality under which a slave lived depended mostly on whether they were a house servant, and therefore living in close proximity to their "masters", at times becoming like part of the family, or whether they were a field worker. Then this difference was magnified by the number of slaves who were on a property. The smaller the number, the more of a personal relationship was established with a family, and whether the master had an oversear for the slaves (poor white overseers were known for their brutality while keeping slaves "in line"), and whether or not "pattyrollers" (white patrollers whose job it was to make sure the Slave Code was being enforced) were allowed on the property. Pattyrollers were generally brutal.
"Marster had four overseers on the place, and they drove us from sunup till sunset. Some of the women plowed barefooted most all the time, and had to carry that row and keep up with the men, and then do their cooking at night. We hated to see the sun rise in slavery time, 'cause it meant another hard day; but then we was glad to see it go down." (Henry James Trentham, Age 92, Raleigh, NC)
Although some masters were just cruel, period, some were extremely lenient for the times. The lives of slaves living under the latter type situation were far different, as evidenced by the following...
"I was too small to work. They had me to do little things like feeding the chickens and minding the table sometimes; but I was too small to work. They didn't let children work much in them days till they were thirteen fourteen years old [on many plantations, slave children began working as young as 5 years of age]. We played base, cat, rolly hole, and a kind of baseball called 'round town. Marster would tell the children about Raw head and Bloody Bones and other things to scare us. He would call us to the barn to get apples and run and hide, and we would have a time finding him. He give the one who found him an apple...
Marster would not have an overseer. No sir, the slaves worked very much as they pleased...They loved him, though. I never saw a slave sold. he kept his slaves together. He didn't want to get rid of any of them. No slaves run away from Marster. They didn't have any excuse to do so, because whites and colored fared alike at Marster's. Marster loved his slaves and other white folks said he loved a n***** more than he did white folks..." (Isaac Johnson, age 82, Lillington, NC)
Contrast that with this story...
"I remembers seeing a heap of slave sales, with the n*****s in chains, and the speculators selling and buying them off. I also remembers seeing a drove of slaves with nothing on but a rag betwixt their legs being galloped around before the buyers. About the worst things that I ever see, though was a slave woman at Louisburg who had been sold off from her three-weeks-old baby, and was being marched to New Orleans.
"She had walked till she was give out, and she was weak enough to fall in the middle of the road. She was chained with twenty or thirty other slaves, and they stopped to rest in the shade of a big oak whilest the speculators et their dinner. The slaves ain't having no dinner. As I pass by, this woman begs me in God's name for a drink of water, and I gives it to her; I ain't never be so sorry for nobody.
"It was in the month of August, and the sun was bearing down hot when the slaves and their drivers leave the shade. They walk for a little piece, and this woman fall out. She dies there 'side of the road, and right there they buries her, cussing, they tells me, about losing money on her." (Josephine Smith, Age 94, Raleigh, NC).
Some people may wonder what is the benefit of reading these narratives. After all, slavery was a shameful period of time for our country and something about which most Americans might like to forget. However, I believe that American slaves did much of the back breaking labor it took to turn the wild place that was our country into farmlands and communities that could sustain this nation. It fills me with sadness when I think that we might turn a deaf ear to the fragile voices of these men and women, because they are so full of strength, perserverance, hope, humor and pain. They deserve to be heard.
Love,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Exasperating Animals!
Hello, Friends!
Well, I am a completely frustrated blogger today. Not only can I not upload any original photos because my camera is on the blink, I can't seem to be able to save any pictures from the Internet now, either. So, no photos of any kind today. And I have much to show you!
Instead, I've decided to whine about my cat, Sunny. Sunny is a long-hair, orange tabby. I got him from my friend, Teri, over at Joyful Liberation (see the side-bar, because now my linky-thing isn't working - aargh!). He was a cute kitten, just one big ball of fur with the longest and most lethal claws I've ever seen on a cat. Consequently, he wasn't real cuddly, but he was always hanging from something...Couldn't wait until he hit three months when I could de-claw the little guy, because he was most often hanging from my new-ish couch (growl!). Having him fixed at about 6 months, calmed him down quite a bit, too. Nevertheless, he has remained a highly idiosyncratic pussycat.
Sunny does not like to be held. In other words, you may not go over and pick him up or he will hiss. However, if you are sitting somewhere comfy and he is in a mood for society, he will flop on you for as long as he wants, but you better not get up. This ticks him off and he will either hiss, or meow this gutteral kind of meow-y sound that lets you know that you have really ticked him off.
He wants his food RIGHT NOW. He doesn't politely plead, like his soulmate, Timmy. He roars and tries to trip you as you go down the hall to fill his bowl. Sunny's motto is "the squeaky wheel gets fixed" and also "the squeaky wheel that tries to trip and run you over gets fixed even faster!"
Sunny is usually up for a good time and that means he wants to bat around his catnip mouse. He once leapt over the upstairs railing practically to his death to retrieve it when it "jumped" from his paws one day. Or,...he will try to open the kitchen drawer which houses the aluminum foil. Why? You may ask. Because it houses ALUMINUM FOIL! He loves the stuff and he knows I usually keep clean, used sheets in there. He will pull these out with his mouth and pounce on and work with them until he gets them into a ball, which he then bats around the house. He has almost commit suicide leaping after these things, too.
Although he doesn't like to be held, per se, Sunny does not like to be alone. He meows loudly when we leave. Then, he meows loudly when we return. And then, he tries to trip me when I go up the stairs to the main floor. He doesn't like to go to sleep without a warm body next to him. So, he wants me to go to bed when he does. He just isn't comfy until I am lying down. But then, he does not remain asleep, for he awakes on the average every two hours throughout the night and demands to be petted. When I throw the covers over my head, this only encourages him. He comes up to my head and pounds on it with his paw until I, drunk with fatigue, make feeble attempts to rub the little devil. If I give up too soon, he starts pouding again.
Toss him out of the room, you say? Oh, you naive! Because then he puts his paws under the door and bangs it in its frame until I completely give up and let the little X#$%& in, when the whole process begins again.
So, why am I whining in particular today? Because after going to bed after midnight last night, acting as wifely counselor/secretary to my husband, I went to bed to the above scenario. I was pestered all night long!
But don't tell me to give Sunny away, because I would miss his exasperating, devilish, irritating little self. Whether I like to admit it or not, the little guy amuses me and, when in bed he flops down on my shoulder like he owns the place, my heart melts and that is what has kept me from murdering the little monster!!!!!!!!!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Well, I am a completely frustrated blogger today. Not only can I not upload any original photos because my camera is on the blink, I can't seem to be able to save any pictures from the Internet now, either. So, no photos of any kind today. And I have much to show you!
Instead, I've decided to whine about my cat, Sunny. Sunny is a long-hair, orange tabby. I got him from my friend, Teri, over at Joyful Liberation (see the side-bar, because now my linky-thing isn't working - aargh!). He was a cute kitten, just one big ball of fur with the longest and most lethal claws I've ever seen on a cat. Consequently, he wasn't real cuddly, but he was always hanging from something...Couldn't wait until he hit three months when I could de-claw the little guy, because he was most often hanging from my new-ish couch (growl!). Having him fixed at about 6 months, calmed him down quite a bit, too. Nevertheless, he has remained a highly idiosyncratic pussycat.
Sunny does not like to be held. In other words, you may not go over and pick him up or he will hiss. However, if you are sitting somewhere comfy and he is in a mood for society, he will flop on you for as long as he wants, but you better not get up. This ticks him off and he will either hiss, or meow this gutteral kind of meow-y sound that lets you know that you have really ticked him off.
He wants his food RIGHT NOW. He doesn't politely plead, like his soulmate, Timmy. He roars and tries to trip you as you go down the hall to fill his bowl. Sunny's motto is "the squeaky wheel gets fixed" and also "the squeaky wheel that tries to trip and run you over gets fixed even faster!"
Sunny is usually up for a good time and that means he wants to bat around his catnip mouse. He once leapt over the upstairs railing practically to his death to retrieve it when it "jumped" from his paws one day. Or,...he will try to open the kitchen drawer which houses the aluminum foil. Why? You may ask. Because it houses ALUMINUM FOIL! He loves the stuff and he knows I usually keep clean, used sheets in there. He will pull these out with his mouth and pounce on and work with them until he gets them into a ball, which he then bats around the house. He has almost commit suicide leaping after these things, too.
Although he doesn't like to be held, per se, Sunny does not like to be alone. He meows loudly when we leave. Then, he meows loudly when we return. And then, he tries to trip me when I go up the stairs to the main floor. He doesn't like to go to sleep without a warm body next to him. So, he wants me to go to bed when he does. He just isn't comfy until I am lying down. But then, he does not remain asleep, for he awakes on the average every two hours throughout the night and demands to be petted. When I throw the covers over my head, this only encourages him. He comes up to my head and pounds on it with his paw until I, drunk with fatigue, make feeble attempts to rub the little devil. If I give up too soon, he starts pouding again.
Toss him out of the room, you say? Oh, you naive! Because then he puts his paws under the door and bangs it in its frame until I completely give up and let the little X#$%& in, when the whole process begins again.
So, why am I whining in particular today? Because after going to bed after midnight last night, acting as wifely counselor/secretary to my husband, I went to bed to the above scenario. I was pestered all night long!
But don't tell me to give Sunny away, because I would miss his exasperating, devilish, irritating little self. Whether I like to admit it or not, the little guy amuses me and, when in bed he flops down on my shoulder like he owns the place, my heart melts and that is what has kept me from murdering the little monster!!!!!!!!!
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
Making Friends Monday
I am participating in Makin Friends Monday today (even though it's Tuesday) Once you read my answers, it is your turn...Tag! you're it! Here are the questions and answers for this week:
What is your blogger name? Elizabeth @Home Musings
When is your birthday? November 17th
How long have you been blogging? June, 2008
Who tagged you? Beth at Aunties With Advice
Tell me your five most favorite body parts. My hands - I love holding hands with my children, plus I use them to cook and caress and help others. My Eyes through which I see the world. My ears to hear beautiful music. My smile to encourage others. My feet which have take me wonderful places.
What do you wish most for your birthday? A beautiful day spent with family and friends...and SUSHI!
What color are you nails right now? My fingernails need polish but have none. My toenails are a pretty shade of pink!
Have you had any depressing thoughts lately? Sometimes I become discouraged but prayer and sometimes fasting help with that! Counting my blessings also helps!
What’s your plan for the next month? Springtime, Easter, planting, long walks in the sunshine, basketball with the children, feeding the sparrows, sitting in my covered swing while looking at the apple tree in bloom! I have so much to do!!!!!
At what age did you have your first crush? I was in love with Mighty Mouse at age 3.
Have you attended any school reunions? Just BYU Theater Department reunions.
Are you a clean freak? Oooh, noooo. I am a woman in conflict. I love clean, but tend to create piles of papers.
What era do you wish you were born in? I sometimes wish I had been born when my mother was...1920's, so I could be young in the 30's and 40's. Women were so feminine back then. However, my heart would hurt if I lived before the Civil Rights Movement.
Are you a vegetarian? Occasionally.
How many pillows do you sleep with at night? One orthopedic pillow!
Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well, I actually am unable to fall asleep on my own. My body doesn't make enough of certain chemicals that aid in sleep. So, I have to be medicated. With that medecine, I sleep pretty well. Otherwise, I don't fall asleep for days and awaken at everything!
Do you secretly wear granny panties when your man is not around? NO
What is your ultimate dream job? Writer
What is your dream car? A horse
Do you wake up easily in the morning? Not when I'm medicated.
Do you like hairy men? Blech!
Which would you prefer: a two-hour spa massage, a two-hour Thai massage, or a two-hour foot massage? Spa massage!!!!!!!
Have you ever wished you had a different name? I went through a phase in Jr. High when I wanted to be named Emily or Fritzy (really).
Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended like you didn’t smell anything? Next question, please....
What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Jogging when I was out of shape.
Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I desperately want to visit England and Scotland....I also would like to see Osaka, Japan and Nagoya, where my hubby was born.
What is your favorite food? Veggies, fruit, sushi...
What is your most embarrassing moment while out on a date? While I was going down a water slide my bathing suit top indented and pushed some of my womanhood out to the slide. Uuuugh!
Stop by Kasey's and join in the Monday fun!!!
What is your blogger name? Elizabeth @Home Musings
When is your birthday? November 17th
How long have you been blogging? June, 2008
Who tagged you? Beth at Aunties With Advice
Tell me your five most favorite body parts. My hands - I love holding hands with my children, plus I use them to cook and caress and help others. My Eyes through which I see the world. My ears to hear beautiful music. My smile to encourage others. My feet which have take me wonderful places.
What do you wish most for your birthday? A beautiful day spent with family and friends...and SUSHI!
What color are you nails right now? My fingernails need polish but have none. My toenails are a pretty shade of pink!
Have you had any depressing thoughts lately? Sometimes I become discouraged but prayer and sometimes fasting help with that! Counting my blessings also helps!
What’s your plan for the next month? Springtime, Easter, planting, long walks in the sunshine, basketball with the children, feeding the sparrows, sitting in my covered swing while looking at the apple tree in bloom! I have so much to do!!!!!
At what age did you have your first crush? I was in love with Mighty Mouse at age 3.
Have you attended any school reunions? Just BYU Theater Department reunions.
Are you a clean freak? Oooh, noooo. I am a woman in conflict. I love clean, but tend to create piles of papers.
What era do you wish you were born in? I sometimes wish I had been born when my mother was...1920's, so I could be young in the 30's and 40's. Women were so feminine back then. However, my heart would hurt if I lived before the Civil Rights Movement.
Are you a vegetarian? Occasionally.
How many pillows do you sleep with at night? One orthopedic pillow!
Are you a light sleeper or a heavy sleeper? Well, I actually am unable to fall asleep on my own. My body doesn't make enough of certain chemicals that aid in sleep. So, I have to be medicated. With that medecine, I sleep pretty well. Otherwise, I don't fall asleep for days and awaken at everything!
Do you secretly wear granny panties when your man is not around? NO
What is your ultimate dream job? Writer
What is your dream car? A horse
Do you wake up easily in the morning? Not when I'm medicated.
Do you like hairy men? Blech!
Which would you prefer: a two-hour spa massage, a two-hour Thai massage, or a two-hour foot massage? Spa massage!!!!!!!
Have you ever wished you had a different name? I went through a phase in Jr. High when I wanted to be named Emily or Fritzy (really).
Have you ever passed gas in public and pretended like you didn’t smell anything? Next question, please....
What is the most extreme sport you have ever done? Jogging when I was out of shape.
Do you prefer traveling in Europe or Asia? I desperately want to visit England and Scotland....I also would like to see Osaka, Japan and Nagoya, where my hubby was born.
What is your favorite food? Veggies, fruit, sushi...
What is your most embarrassing moment while out on a date? While I was going down a water slide my bathing suit top indented and pushed some of my womanhood out to the slide. Uuuugh!
Stop by Kasey's and join in the Monday fun!!!
Friday, March 13, 2009
Window Shopping, Part 2
Dear Friends,
I went window shopping again today and thought that you'd like to see what I found! Following are the cutest aprons from Etsy.com:
Isn't this one fun?
I like full-size aprons because I always make a mess on myself when I'm cooking. How about you?
Another cutie!
Next, I think I'll look at beautiful rooms. They always inspire me!
I hope you are having a wonderful Friday!
Love,
Elizabeth
I went window shopping again today and thought that you'd like to see what I found! Following are the cutest aprons from Etsy.com:
Isn't this one fun?
I like full-size aprons because I always make a mess on myself when I'm cooking. How about you?
Another cutie!
Next, I think I'll look at beautiful rooms. They always inspire me!
I hope you are having a wonderful Friday!
Love,
Elizabeth
Thursday, March 12, 2009
Dear Friends,
I was going to post more pictures from my Internet "window shopping" forays today, but instead I'm going to put my light-hearted discussions of earrings and such aside for a more serious post.
I read a post entitled, It Needs To Be Said, over at one of my favorite blogs, I Wonder Woman. It involves recent negative publicity that our faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has received in the press. Myrnie expresses herself so well on this issue that I am referring you to her. All I can say is that I fervently agree with her.
As she says, "Most of what's smeared around out there is just gossip, half-truths, misunderstandings, or just lies. And it hurts to see something that I believe in and love so strongly bandied around like playground gossip."
Usually I keep my mouth shut when I hear something in the press that rankles, but today I just couldn't remain silent.
Enough said.
God bless,
Elizabeth
I was going to post more pictures from my Internet "window shopping" forays today, but instead I'm going to put my light-hearted discussions of earrings and such aside for a more serious post.
I read a post entitled, It Needs To Be Said, over at one of my favorite blogs, I Wonder Woman. It involves recent negative publicity that our faith (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) has received in the press. Myrnie expresses herself so well on this issue that I am referring you to her. All I can say is that I fervently agree with her.
As she says, "Most of what's smeared around out there is just gossip, half-truths, misunderstandings, or just lies. And it hurts to see something that I believe in and love so strongly bandied around like playground gossip."
Usually I keep my mouth shut when I hear something in the press that rankles, but today I just couldn't remain silent.
Enough said.
God bless,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Window Shopping Wednesday!
Dear Friends,
Since I'm unable to upload photos of my own right now, I thought I'd share with you some of the beautiful jewelry I found on Etsy.com, while I was "window shopping" today.
Dream along with me...
These look like something a fairy would wear.
I can imagine paring these with a blue, floral peasant skirt and white blouse.
Totally whimsical.
These would go great with blue and white outfits...even denim jeans.
Oh, to have something diaphanous and lacy...
Surely these are found in a flowery bower.
So romantic and elegant!
Aren't they gorgeous? What types of earrings do you like?
Love,
Elizabeth
Since I'm unable to upload photos of my own right now, I thought I'd share with you some of the beautiful jewelry I found on Etsy.com, while I was "window shopping" today.
Dream along with me...
These look like something a fairy would wear.
I can imagine paring these with a blue, floral peasant skirt and white blouse.
Totally whimsical.
These would go great with blue and white outfits...even denim jeans.
Oh, to have something diaphanous and lacy...
Surely these are found in a flowery bower.
So romantic and elegant!Aren't they gorgeous? What types of earrings do you like?
Love,
Elizabeth
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
Hey! It's Menu Planning Monday again. Welcome! Following are this week's offering:
Monday - Baked Ham, Lemon Orzo Primavera, Asparagus
Tuesday - "Buffalo" chicken legs, Brown Rice and Fruit
Wednesday - German Lentil Soup, bread and salad
Thursday - Ham Fried Rice and Stir Fry Veggies
Friday - Date Night/Leftovers
Saturday - Homemade Pizza and Salad
Be sure to check out the other recipes at Organizing Junkie!
Have a blessed day!
Elizabeth
Monday - Baked Ham, Lemon Orzo Primavera, Asparagus
Tuesday - "Buffalo" chicken legs, Brown Rice and Fruit
Wednesday - German Lentil Soup, bread and salad
Thursday - Ham Fried Rice and Stir Fry Veggies
Friday - Date Night/Leftovers
Saturday - Homemade Pizza and Salad
Be sure to check out the other recipes at Organizing Junkie!
Have a blessed day!
Elizabeth
Happy Sabbath
I had a wonderful opportunity today for a long prayer session which I normally never get. As you may have read in my earlier posts, my son and husband have been away on a weekend retreat with some friends at a mountain cabin about an hour or so from here. My daughter, Sarah, has been staying at the house where the wives and I had a Girls Night. Today, I awoke to a silent house.
Whenever I am in silence, my heart wants to fill the silence with prayer. Usually, I never get quite this much. When I found out that I have to pick up my husband and son in the middle of the time that we normally attend our meetings, I decided to use the hour or so when I would normally be getting ready for church to say the kind of prayer that was a regular offering for me when I was single and had lots of alone time to be with the Lord. Oh, my goodness, the time flew by today. Before I knew it, my heart had been pouring out to God for close to an hour. I felt His Spirit all around me and enjoyed His peace. I gave thanks for all of my many blessings and didn't have to rush through my supplications for the people I present to Him for His help.
Now I feel just wonderful and thankful. I am grateful all the lessons I've been learning in my life. I feel like a number of situations/challenges have come full circle and they are a testimony to me that the Lord has had a plan for my life.
I hope that you are having a wonderful day today, too, however you choose to spend it. I hope it is full of sunshine (either real or emotional) and peace.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Whenever I am in silence, my heart wants to fill the silence with prayer. Usually, I never get quite this much. When I found out that I have to pick up my husband and son in the middle of the time that we normally attend our meetings, I decided to use the hour or so when I would normally be getting ready for church to say the kind of prayer that was a regular offering for me when I was single and had lots of alone time to be with the Lord. Oh, my goodness, the time flew by today. Before I knew it, my heart had been pouring out to God for close to an hour. I felt His Spirit all around me and enjoyed His peace. I gave thanks for all of my many blessings and didn't have to rush through my supplications for the people I present to Him for His help.
Now I feel just wonderful and thankful. I am grateful all the lessons I've been learning in my life. I feel like a number of situations/challenges have come full circle and they are a testimony to me that the Lord has had a plan for my life.
I hope that you are having a wonderful day today, too, however you choose to spend it. I hope it is full of sunshine (either real or emotional) and peace.
Blessings,
Elizabeth
Saturday, March 7, 2009
A wonderful Evening and Sweet Willow
Dear Friends,
Welcome to my Saturday blog post! First, here are some recent pictures of my little grand-niece, taken by her parents...
Little Willow...
Isn't she beautiful? I want to go kiss her little cheeks!
Last night, I had the most fun that I've had in ages. While our husbands and sons are away on a "Boys Weekend" at a cabin above Heber, Utah, the wives and daughters gathered at our friend Teri's house (see her at Joyful Liberation) for some R&R. We had a feast of the most wonderful enchiladas that Teri made. There were two kinds: chicken and then these scrumptious squash ones. Yes, that's right - squash. I will be posting that recipe soon, after I get it from Teri. Then our friend, Kathy, made the most wonderful guacamole I have ever tasted. It was awesome. We also had con queso dip from Bajio. I supplied the decadent chocolate cake from Costco. We ate and LAUGHED and played Shanghai Rummy and LAUGHED and LAUGHED. The girls, Sarah and Mara (Teri's daughter) gave us pedicures and we watched "The Secret Life of Bees", an amazingly wise movie (it took me back to the South). By the end of the evening, I think that I can safely say that we were all relaxed and completely exhausted.
Did you know that your elbow skin is called a "weenus"? We laughed ourselves silly over that! Who came up with that? Why even name it in the first place?! Well, I'm better educated now. Who'd a thunk it?
Well, I'm off to get all my chores done. I don't want to. I want to get together and laugh some more. OOooooh, I had so much fun!
Thank you, Teri, for having us at your house and making those yummy enchiladas. Thank you, Kathy, for teaching us Shanghai and for making that wonderful guacamole.
All the rest of you have a WONDERFUL Saturday. And I wish everyone of you at some point today to have a really good LAUGH!!
Love,
Elizabeth
Welcome to my Saturday blog post! First, here are some recent pictures of my little grand-niece, taken by her parents...
Little Willow...
Isn't she beautiful? I want to go kiss her little cheeks!
Last night, I had the most fun that I've had in ages. While our husbands and sons are away on a "Boys Weekend" at a cabin above Heber, Utah, the wives and daughters gathered at our friend Teri's house (see her at Joyful Liberation) for some R&R. We had a feast of the most wonderful enchiladas that Teri made. There were two kinds: chicken and then these scrumptious squash ones. Yes, that's right - squash. I will be posting that recipe soon, after I get it from Teri. Then our friend, Kathy, made the most wonderful guacamole I have ever tasted. It was awesome. We also had con queso dip from Bajio. I supplied the decadent chocolate cake from Costco. We ate and LAUGHED and played Shanghai Rummy and LAUGHED and LAUGHED. The girls, Sarah and Mara (Teri's daughter) gave us pedicures and we watched "The Secret Life of Bees", an amazingly wise movie (it took me back to the South). By the end of the evening, I think that I can safely say that we were all relaxed and completely exhausted.
Did you know that your elbow skin is called a "weenus"? We laughed ourselves silly over that! Who came up with that? Why even name it in the first place?! Well, I'm better educated now. Who'd a thunk it?
Well, I'm off to get all my chores done. I don't want to. I want to get together and laugh some more. OOooooh, I had so much fun!
Thank you, Teri, for having us at your house and making those yummy enchiladas. Thank you, Kathy, for teaching us Shanghai and for making that wonderful guacamole.
All the rest of you have a WONDERFUL Saturday. And I wish everyone of you at some point today to have a really good LAUGH!!
Love,
Elizabeth
Friday, March 6, 2009
It snowed again - ugh! Yes, it's pretty and here in the high desert we need the water...but my heart is ready for Spring. Well, it will get here soon enough.
I'm still frustrated with not having a working camera, because there are a lot of things I would like to show you right now, but I can't. I will be getting one at the beginning of the week. I'm hoping to get one that has photo and video capabilities. Any suggestions?
This weekend, my husband and son are at a Father's & Sons weekend at a cabin in the mountains about an hour from here. This is something that a group of our friends do about every three months. While they are away, we girls (the wives and daughters left behind) have fun doing girly things - manicures, pedicures, eating fun foods and watching chick-flicks.
I hope that you will have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Elizabeth
I'm still frustrated with not having a working camera, because there are a lot of things I would like to show you right now, but I can't. I will be getting one at the beginning of the week. I'm hoping to get one that has photo and video capabilities. Any suggestions?
This weekend, my husband and son are at a Father's & Sons weekend at a cabin in the mountains about an hour from here. This is something that a group of our friends do about every three months. While they are away, we girls (the wives and daughters left behind) have fun doing girly things - manicures, pedicures, eating fun foods and watching chick-flicks.
I hope that you will have a wonderful weekend.
Love,
Elizabeth
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Twenty Little Things to Look Forward to in Spring
The Inspired Room is hosting "Twenty Little Things to Look Forward to in Spring". Following is my list:
1. Spring Cleaning (yes, it's true)
2. Flinging open the windows and letting the air circulate!
3. More light in the evenings
4. New bulbs and plants inching up out of the dirt
5. FLOWERS!!!!
6. Sitting in the backyard in my covered swing, underneath the flowering jasmine, reading a book or simply thinking
7. PASTELS!!!!
8. Lighter fabrics
9. All of my Springtime decorations
10. Asparagus
11. Lenten devotions (looking forward to Easter!)
12. EASTER!!!
13. Orange rolls on Easter Morning
14. Waking to the sounds of crazy birdie chirping outside my window and up in the roof
15. Bird nests and baby birds
16. Long Springtime walks (if my back will hold up)
17. Mayday surprises to the neighbors
18. Planning the flower and veggie gardens
19. Sitting outside, reading with my children
10. Oh, yes! and FLOWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
1. Spring Cleaning (yes, it's true)
2. Flinging open the windows and letting the air circulate!
3. More light in the evenings
4. New bulbs and plants inching up out of the dirt
5. FLOWERS!!!!
6. Sitting in the backyard in my covered swing, underneath the flowering jasmine, reading a book or simply thinking
7. PASTELS!!!!
8. Lighter fabrics
9. All of my Springtime decorations
10. Asparagus
11. Lenten devotions (looking forward to Easter!)
12. EASTER!!!
13. Orange rolls on Easter Morning
14. Waking to the sounds of crazy birdie chirping outside my window and up in the roof
15. Bird nests and baby birds
16. Long Springtime walks (if my back will hold up)
17. Mayday surprises to the neighbors
18. Planning the flower and veggie gardens
19. Sitting outside, reading with my children
10. Oh, yes! and FLOWERS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
A Beautiful Life Post
The Inspired Room is hosting A Beautiful Life series...Here is my post.
Okay, I'm sorry that I want be able to upload any photos for this. My camera is broken and I won't probably have another one until the weekend.
There are a number of ways I seek to bring beauty into my life. One of the ways I'm trying to do more of this personally is to try to slow down and allow myself to enjoy my femininity more. I was a champ at this before I had children. I took very good care of myself and tried to dress and be lady-like. Then, Life took over and I became all about business, if you know what I mean. Chore after chore took over and I lost the softness, the care and attention to detail about my appearance. I am not proud of this.
Sometimes I look back on my mother and how she handled her appearance when I was a little girl. I remember her dresses and crinoline petticoats, her dressing table with its tray of perfume bottles and the jewelry box full of colorful beads. My mother never went anywhere without her hair done, her face made and some jewelry and perfume. Gosh, I have great memories about this. It made me feel so excited to be a girl.
Fast forward to today and this all comes to a screeching halt...What am I telling my daughter about being a woman?
So, lately, I have been careful to fix my face and hair before leaving my room in the morning. I put on earrings and my favorite perfume. I still don't wear skirts or dresses during the day because my wardrobe is a bit bare. But this is my next goal.
I also try to end my day with a routine of a candlelit bath, accompanied with incense of some beautiful music. It helps me remember who I would like to be.
So, these are some of my efforts to lead a more beautiful life and to, hopefully, leave my daughter with some nice, feminine memories of me.
God Bless,
Elizabeth
Okay, I'm sorry that I want be able to upload any photos for this. My camera is broken and I won't probably have another one until the weekend.
There are a number of ways I seek to bring beauty into my life. One of the ways I'm trying to do more of this personally is to try to slow down and allow myself to enjoy my femininity more. I was a champ at this before I had children. I took very good care of myself and tried to dress and be lady-like. Then, Life took over and I became all about business, if you know what I mean. Chore after chore took over and I lost the softness, the care and attention to detail about my appearance. I am not proud of this.
Sometimes I look back on my mother and how she handled her appearance when I was a little girl. I remember her dresses and crinoline petticoats, her dressing table with its tray of perfume bottles and the jewelry box full of colorful beads. My mother never went anywhere without her hair done, her face made and some jewelry and perfume. Gosh, I have great memories about this. It made me feel so excited to be a girl.
Fast forward to today and this all comes to a screeching halt...What am I telling my daughter about being a woman?
So, lately, I have been careful to fix my face and hair before leaving my room in the morning. I put on earrings and my favorite perfume. I still don't wear skirts or dresses during the day because my wardrobe is a bit bare. But this is my next goal.
I also try to end my day with a routine of a candlelit bath, accompanied with incense of some beautiful music. It helps me remember who I would like to be.
So, these are some of my efforts to lead a more beautiful life and to, hopefully, leave my daughter with some nice, feminine memories of me.
God Bless,
Elizabeth
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Menu Planning Monday
Welcome to Menu Planning Monday here (link)! Hope you had a wonderful weekend.
Following is my meny plan for this week:
Monday - Lasagna Rolls, garlic bread and salad
Tuesday - Chunky Beef/Veggie Soup, Tossed Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday - "Buffalo" chicken legs, Brown Rice and Fruit
Thursday - Ham, pineapple, asparagus, and scalloped potatoes
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Sausage Bean Stew, Salad and bread
If you came here for my menu plan, there you have it! You can stop here or read on about Pocket Change Miracles...
*************************************************************************************
Pocket Change Miracles Day!
Today is the first workday of the new month and, as such, I have designated it as "Pocket Change Miracles" Day. This means that I have saved all of my change during the previous month. Today, I count it all up and then donate it to my favorite charity, needy circumstance, etc.
This month I've decided to use my change to purchase high-protein items for our local food bank. I hear that the food books all across our nation are experiencing higher demand but are receiving fewer donations. I'd like to help with that need as best I can.
How about you? Anyone else save their pocket change this month? If so ... leave a comment and let me know what small act of service you will be able to do this month. I think we can all use some motivation and inspiration to help, even if it's only with four weeks worth of our nickels-dimes-quarters.
Remember, to participate your funds don't have to go to an organized charity. Maybe your next door neighbor needs a small bouquet and a Thinking-Of-Your card. It can be anything.
Next month, I'll provide a Mr. Linky, but today, just leave a comment.
Much love to you all on this fine Monday!
Love,
Elizabeth
Pocket Change Miracles
Following is my meny plan for this week:
Monday - Lasagna Rolls, garlic bread and salad
Tuesday - Chunky Beef/Veggie Soup, Tossed Salad and Garlic Bread
Wednesday - "Buffalo" chicken legs, Brown Rice and Fruit
Thursday - Ham, pineapple, asparagus, and scalloped potatoes
Friday - Leftovers
Saturday - Sausage Bean Stew, Salad and bread
If you came here for my menu plan, there you have it! You can stop here or read on about Pocket Change Miracles...
*************************************************************************************
Pocket Change Miracles Day!
Today is the first workday of the new month and, as such, I have designated it as "Pocket Change Miracles" Day. This means that I have saved all of my change during the previous month. Today, I count it all up and then donate it to my favorite charity, needy circumstance, etc.
This month I've decided to use my change to purchase high-protein items for our local food bank. I hear that the food books all across our nation are experiencing higher demand but are receiving fewer donations. I'd like to help with that need as best I can.
How about you? Anyone else save their pocket change this month? If so ... leave a comment and let me know what small act of service you will be able to do this month. I think we can all use some motivation and inspiration to help, even if it's only with four weeks worth of our nickels-dimes-quarters.
Remember, to participate your funds don't have to go to an organized charity. Maybe your next door neighbor needs a small bouquet and a Thinking-Of-Your card. It can be anything.
Next month, I'll provide a Mr. Linky, but today, just leave a comment.
Much love to you all on this fine Monday!
Love,
Elizabeth
Pocket Change Miracles
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