Manic Monday- Crisp

"Almost some what Positive "
Is hosting a Manic Monday... CRISP
I found these crisp freeze dried fruits on a clearance due to being discontinued. Regularly $2.99 Each I got them for $.75 each I opened them and to keep them crisp I bottled them> I got 10 of them and they filled that jar full with one unopened bag. These are good! These are a dream on my Amerenth flakes! Something healthy for the Mom! These are so crispy in the cereal yet they crunch easily too.

Five Minutes around the blogosphere.

Kailani has been featured over at "5 minutes for mom". This is a great way to check out the current happenings.

FUN MONDAY! What's your favorite art in your home?

Hosted by sayre smiles Go see all the other interesting submissions.
Brush off your interview skills. Talk to everyone who lives in your house. I want to know what their, and your, favorite piece of art is in your home. Photographs do not count. If there was a fire in your home, everyone would grab photographs, but what is the non-photographic piece of art you would grab on your way out - and why? (Edit: These don't have to be paintings - these can be wall hangings, statues, lumps of clay by your child, anything that is artistic expression of some kind EXCEPT photographs.)

I was in the quiet so I was not able to do the Family survey these are my choices.

I am an Artist. So this Fun Monday although late in my attendance could not be passed up.
This is the "Intercessor" It is bisk It is one of my works. The needlework around it is collected.

This art was made today with my 10 year old daughter. the cloak is reversible. I enjoyed our sewing lesson today. She too loves art like her mother and draws and created wonderful things.

This print pleases me "Home is the first school, Parents are the first teachers"

This is my favorite I think "solo flight" it is my life story in image. His eye has been on this sparrow.

This is one of my husbands mother's works. I have so many wonderful ones from her. She would argue that this is not one of her best. I think though it is one that I treasure most. She is a renowned local artist. I will try to ask her for the url for her site.

This is over my tub. An image of the memory of great comfort and security of my childhood dog who I loved. It is the ipitomy of the feeling with that animal.

This is a foot scrubber made by a very dear friend. Mary Margret, she is gone with God now. She passed two weeks after my daughter came home never getting to see her. She and I battled great wars overcoming our childhoods. (see other blog). She was found dead in her bed having lost the fight giving up on life. It is a reminder to me "How lovely are the feet of those..." She knew her Lord from our 8 years as best friends despite mans perversions of religion in her youth.

This is my Indian Wedding Dress, We had the wedding of my dreams at 23 years of marriage. We had this Doe skin dress created by a lovely artist.

These are things from my two trips to Russia. So many stories in this one image.

My favorite art is the thing I have yet to create. For it gives me passion and imagination.

Thank you

"in the life of a child" tickled my heart with a kindness today. Go over and introduce your selves she is an inspiring woman.

She wrote...(I don't think that they make an award that Donetta hasn't already won, so I will settle for passing this one on to her a second time. She has earned it many times over!)

Thank you that is so sweet. Funny I have gotten a long list. Should I be embarrassed? :)
When you see those names they are all reminders of the loving kindnesses that some soul stopped a moment to share. I have deeply touched embraces from thoughtful people. I see them as if to read "I love you" you know there are times we all just revel and take comfort in being loved. I feel grateful to all for all of the hugs.

On Learning.

Scribits is hosting another write away contest

On Learning

Understanding is the beginning of knowledge. How many of us even begin to understand the world around us. The lives lived in an arms reach, at a cries sound or adversaries bomb. How do we understand even our own journey? Where do we begin to gain understanding?

It is in living that understanding begins to be experienced for those who wonder… WHY …What…Where...When...Who…How? It is in the questions we ask that the understanding might be gained, about our own hearts and the hearts of others. Our questions as to how the elements function or the music is made. Judgments about the people in our communities and even our world discerned appropriately.

Once we begin to have eyes open. Once we see past a boxed view of what “we think, we know” can a thing become understood. When we begin to experience life we gain understanding if we quest to query. Listening to the experiences of others and truly hearing what it is they have experienced; goes far toward obtaining a more global view. It is in that global connectedness that we gain so much. It is in listening past words to the hearts of those who share what they have known. It is in listening without the need to correct, but just with the query to understand “why”.

Mastering the art of understanding intentionally is the beginning of knowledge. When knowledge gain becomes level upon level into a life of intentional action and purpose one can then, and only then, begin to form Wisdom. For wisdom is the implementation all of the knowledge gained through ones quest for understanding.

One must ask themselves why quest after it? For many it might be in the greed of gain, or power or position. All these things have been driving forces though out humanity. I prefer to set my course for the gain of compassion. It is my belief that to quest after wisdom and all it might gain me, for any other reason, would to be to end my course with ignorance. For if I was to gain everything and yet not know what it is to LOVE, to practice true unconditional love (not that I have attained that level of wisdom, I fall far short of it) I end up a fool. It is often forgotten to offer this to our own self and to those we both know as well as the stranger. In a greater understanding of our own hearts and the experiences (wounds and joys) that form us,can freedom be gained. Without this motive I have not only lost all that I made effort for, but I have lost anything I might have gained. For any and all gain can and is often lost in an instant. To have understanding that leads to the depth of wisdom, found in compassion, the gain will be something that can never be lost. That would be a vast reward

The education of facts helps in knowledge but unless those facts can be applied with compassion they become hollow and as empty as those who are so filled with them can sometimes become.

As we learn and teach others may this be the foundation for the educations we seek.

Why do ants go under ground to get out of the rain? When you have understanding you quickly see that is really is no wonder. It will make perfect since. Then you will begin to understand the life of an ant, or the life of another man. In this hatred and prejudice are defeated. Peace is the gain.

Now as for common sence, it has lost the commonality for so few seek to understand.

By Donetta

Amy is out of the hospital!

The purpose of Total Hip Replacement Surgery is to remove the damaged and worn parts of the hip and replaces them with artificial parts, called prostheses, which will help make the hip strong, stable and flexible again. At surgery, an implant, selected by your doctor to fit your hip, will be affixed to the area between the femur and the pelvis. In most cases, the implant will consist of two pieces: a metal shaft with a ball at one end; and a metal or polyethylene cup. These will replace the socket and ball of the femur, and will form a new hip joint.

Come Welcome her home! "Laughing through the tears".
Will you all do me a favor and Celebrate here home.
Her hip replacement has been rough and she has a long road to traverse before she is able to walk it on her own again.
Will You do me a personal favor and visit her for me. I think it could go a long way toward relieving some of her physical discomfort if you give her a dose of pain relieving life words.
Thank you!

Sunday Smiles

God is in charge, and I thank you all for your prayers. It warms my heart.
Thank you Grandmother for calling our girl that was "The best medicine".
Miss Fiction is resting. Her fever is down now with Tylenol. Dash is breathing a little better right now. Us parents are alright and taking it easy. I felt very loved by your sweet comments folks. Thank you. I happened to buy two new boxes of markers on a clearance rack and so it is a "Bull Winkle and Rocky Show" (dvd) morning with the coloring books and new markers. Life is "lay low" good.

Sick kids tonight.

My sweet precious little Miss Fiction is now resting on the sofa. Her fever 100.5 and chills have begun . My baby! She was so concerned that she would disappoint her Daddy and I by telling us she felt bad because she thought I would call off Dash's party attendance, and that her Grand Parents would not come if she were ill. So I suggested and encouraged that we could call tomorrow and talk with them on the phone.
So Grandmother, if your out there, will you give her a morning call before you go to church; please? My Dove is VERY RARELY ill, so seldom that it frightens her a little to be so. The detoxing dose went down a little more tonight. She is now down a whole 1/3 dose and doing well with it a little panic but still doable. She is so thoughtful I have a very kind unselfish daughter. I am seeing her maturity leap into an amazing Character quality base that delights and humbles me. I stand grateful and hopeful for this dear child's future. It will go well for her!

Dash Hawk had what I thought was drainage and a little asthma now he is coughing, he's had no fever and plenty of energy too. He is a hard on to discern due to all of his other health issues. I think I might have missed the ball here. I might have exposed that other family to a virus. I need to give them a call tomorrow and give them a heads up.

When our children suffer or have illness within them It stops a mothers in her tracks.Lights in the eyes wide alert and ready to charge into all that I can do for them.

My husband and I have been very weak and tired lately and we just chalked it up to my dry socket and overtime. Now we can see we have both been fighting a little something off. I have a silent home right now and knowing they are sick makes me long for their laughter, and saddened at all those moments of wishing it were silent. Motherhood is sorta that way :)
I think I'll close now and go do some crafting for Christmas.
I was asked to show my lanyards. I will soon. I just feel like not right yet.
I think I'm on here too much. I have been so ill the last two weeks with the bone infection I have gotten glued to the chair. I want to pursue some balance too.
I hope all of you peace and to be delighted in the simplicity of your lives.
Focus on purpose and avoid expectations and your chances of peace will increase.
Good night.

Chucky Cheezy guest.

Hope your all having a nice Saturday
I took Dash Today,and Beloved took Miss Fiction on their own paths today.

Token by token ,Fun fun fun...

My Dash Hawk had the honor of being chosen as one of two children invited to attend a class mates birthday celebration. How thoughtful for the family to include him.
As Mr Chuck E. Cheese himself made his dabeau' Dash yelled" hay! Chuckie my sister LOVES you!" Too sweet. Speak of sweet what an absolutely charming family. A couple of late 20's to mid 30's (?) who just shined! They had their other delightful children attending(4 in total) to rich for words. Well trained (not controlled) manners were as natural as air. How refreshing. The gleam in the Fathers eye was a pleasure, each interaction with any and all of the children and his wife, was just fabulous what a great daddy to them. Oh the Mother was like a Lilly she was so pretty, so vibrant and gentle. Full of a calm life sparkle. It was a real pleasure.

It was wonderful to watch the kids enjoy each other. It was a triad and yet they got along the entire time.

We saw the children (all three of us adults) with an eye of admiration. What lovely company.

Daddy Man took Miss Fiction to see "Underdog" he had a bit of a thumb down for it.
He got Miss Fiction a voice activated Littlest Pet Shop Diary and nurtured her feminine side. He pursued her. You know every little boy needs to know he can cut it. Every little girl needs to be pursued for her inner beauty.

The little removable puppy turns his head when you say the correct password.

This is the very precious note pad and it also has stickers too. :)

The family is all together again and I think I might just take a nap. Maybe not?
Take the day by the tail and then just let go!... Its Saturday let it run free.:)

The prayers of the ...

Hope believes all things

Tonight as I sat at my kitchen table grieving the possible loss of a friend who I had to speak to today. The word I shared would leave a terrible awkwardness and possibly end a friendship. They were words of a loving confrontation of boundaries crossed. I grieved head in hands praying. Loss of momentum or energy for much of anything else today I was consumed in grief and grieving the consequences befalling a fellow believers life from just before bed last night and threw out the day today.
My husband found me and asked me "whats up?" all I could say was that I was Grieving the possible loss of friendship (over 20 years friendship) that my obedience placed me into. I had to count all loss rather then to let things go unsaid. So after speaking my truth quietly and clearly laced with compassion ... I simply wept all day within me at the losses I would see in the path ahead for this one that had grown so in my heart. As I sat there at my table tonight my daughter so intuitive, spoke asking me if I was alright. I put up a good face and told her yes that I was just bothered about something. Again I breathed deeply while beloved and the children milled about me taking bedtime medications and getting waters. The phone rang, Because Daddy man was just begining the evening process, I reached for the phone.
It was my friend and I was asked how I was doing so I said that I was weeping over the awkward event of the earlier conversation we had had. My friend continued...
I was told how my friend had gone to their mate and the elder children and confessed and repented the events and action they had owned. The spouse then said that that was what they were waiting for, and that they would no longer be exiting the marriage. This individual is nameless has no face and is unknown to all of you.

Beloved then got on the line and heard the same thing. They will have a long road ahead of them but I stand so relieved of this grief that has been a pressure all but unbearable all this day long. I am so delighted to see a flicker of hope for reconciliation. The relationship has been on a slow death for a long time as all we could do was watch. We had given up our hope for a save . I stand in humility corrected. I must always hold onto Hope.
I just sobbed while I was being told of all these things, just sobbed and sobbed.

I feel worn out and very revived at the same time.

Post script: Lest anyone assume it, this had nothing to do with the tea party the other day. This is happening in several lives around us.

Photo Hunters - Plastic

This is an image I found on line. It is plastic bags floating off a shore in What I believe was France. I did not take this shot. I just thought it poignant. It also made me think of teeth considering my life the last few weeks with a dry socket.
Hubby said it is a photo shopped image he believes it was composed and is not actual.

The Autumn of our lives.

This is my submission to "carnival of Family Life".
Come join us over at Mother approves Where you will find many wonderful articles written by bloggers like you.
Join us next week.

The autumn of our lives.

We are sorta older folks and I think it is hard to tell if we are the Grand parents or parents of our kids sometimes. The younger sect as a whole is so much more physically energetic, and enthusiastic of activities. I think our kids miss out a lot because of it. I hope that somehow we make up for that in other ways. I have a new reader or new to me over at "cheaper by the dozen". She asked me if I might share more about being an older parent of school age kids.

I Waited 16 years of Marriage for Miss Fiction and 20 years for the Dash hawk. It is a different passage in ones life. Experience and maturity offer a different sometimes misunderstood perspective on parenting. Some of the younger group have a more free outlook on the care and keeping of kids.
For instance Dash has a sweet invitation to a birthday party at a pizza place. The very nice invitation included a note from a very thoughtful mother . To transport him. As thoughtful as it is to remove any inconvenience from my life (being a parent is the very definition of inconvenience by choice) I would NEVER in my wildest dreams offer this to another parent who I did not know. I would not even want that type of liability ( I am speaking on all levels).
As an older wiser parent we think more about liability. It can devastate a family. I have known children to die, misunderstanding between people. Friendships dissolve over a difference that was all based on assumption. These things LIFE teaches you as years flow under your bridge.
The streams are shallow in early years and life is very simple in our youth. With whom much is given it is true that much is required.

In the days of "Leave it to beaver" the world was a different place. People had a different level of expection of character. Now there are just so many Characters out there that kids can not afford us to let them "just be kids " and wander the neighborhoods any longer. It is now the world of liabilities. The stakes are way to high. I will not as a parent make the choices intentionally that would place my kids in a risky position that could demolish the innocence and wonder of childhood. They must first be matured into independent ability to keep them self from present danger. The overt must be understood, then they might be savvy to the covert in our society in order to be "gentle as a dove and yet wise as a serpent". A gentle dove can get swallowed whole by a serpent. We must as parents teach our kids to look out in the grass and then as they age stomp those things to death without getting bit or becoming one of them! Doves can be stupid or at best very naive.
As an older parent I am less naive. I have stomped a few snakes. Got bitten too a few time. They almost ate me whole because no one taught me how to keep an eye in the grass. I, as many of us do, had to learn the hard way . Truly I want more for my children. The snakes have multiplied so terribly in this generation that ya just cant afford to pretend that they aren't there .

Denial does not clear the lawns.

Yet fear should not rule us either.
Wisdom is the offering we can give to the children.
God's Mercy keep them.

Evening at the park. Fall is in the air.

"Can we go tho the park.....?"
Well no, its hot.
Please, please, please.........x oh abut 50+ please. Dad worked 10 hours I had a draining day.....
Please into infinity...
Mommy fit over kids watering the clean porch and dog prints...
Mommy apology.
Daddy O.K. (although tired to the bone) who wants to go to the park?

How could I not but join my family remorseful of my ill temper. So off to the park. That was Wednesday night. We arrived to find kids that were friends at our children's school and they played with abandon!
Thursday 6:30, YES 6:30 "mom can you set a timer 6:30 we were once again off to the park last night. This time with a misquotes cloth for a quick wipe down (Dash even had a bite in his arm pit! from the night before).

Can you say no way it's too hot! Well that has been the quote for the last several weeks and even spoken about Wednesday night, but surprisingly 90* on moist grass is about a 85* pleasure. Not too bad really. We must remember our lawn chairs however for the benches under the Ramada feel more like 95+. It was nice to see all the families out and about.

Our choices have an effect on the world around us.

I find myself exhausted with grief over the lives of a few marriages around me. This being said I am not judging divorce just lamenting it.

A friend said " I will be praying that our divorce does not effect you and your husbands peace..."
My reply.."how could it not. It will effect everyone you have ever known everyone who loves you and your mate and all of your children, your children's children It can not possibly Not effect everyone . Event those who may not know you personally.

We effect each other in everything we do and in everything we are we have an effect on the world. For us to think even just once that the good we do or the pain we suffer or the battles we face do not have a greater effect on the world as a whole . Well we deceive ourselves.

It is a given that we are to effect one another. We are to be effected by one another that is love. Love is effected by the sunrise the pull of gravity and Love is the very essence every breadth we take.

Yes I am effected and saddened. Does that mean we should make all efforts to hide or cover the effects we have on the greater conman of humanity? Does that mean that only if we are masked and providing an illusion of who and what we really are ; should we not then be present in one another's lives.
NO! far be it from reality to be in a capsule of ineffectiveness in each other and the world around us. Let us learn from one another's suffering. Let us grow in compassion to one another's pain.
Let us observe the breadth of the greater epic that surrounds us in community. Our neighborhoods, our cities, our worlds. Then perhaps we would all fall to our knees and in a true state of grief lament and repent our rocky choice of path.
And turn from it and repent and be healed.

"If my people who are called by my name shall humble them selfs and turn from their ways . Then I shall hear from heaven and heal their land."

This is Effect this could have such a global effect that this place would rock and roll will the deliverance from suffering and pain and division would be replaced with unity.

Do I hold my breadth? No I simply deal with the reality that we will all be effected by one another. May my effect on the world, my community, my family and my own life be one that is contemplated and visited each moment with humility. That is all I have power over.

Christine form "Are we there yet" offers this meme

Appetizer
When was the last time you visited a hospital?
One year ago on the 3oth for knee surgery. I had stepped over a sleeping dog. "let sleeping dogs lie...HO WAKE UM UP OR PUSH THEM OUT OF THE WAY! He stood up between my legs and was taller than I am in the crotch and down I went! Tore both meniscus and had to have it repaired. In the process they discovered a lot of damage in that knee due to years of abuse and trauma. I had and still have bone on bone behind the knee cap. I really look forward to the promise of continued improvement with some injections I am investigating. They inject chicken cartilage and it had been found to actually grow cartilage. I am now in the process of getting insurance approval. the forms were forwarded on through to the pharmaceutical sector of our insurance I am still awaiting news. It will be a series of three shots over three weeks. It is said to improve the joint for up to 9 months. (but then what:{ ?

Soup
On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how ambitious are you?
I am a hamster on a wheel! I run until the bearings seize then I sit it out until they cool down and recharge. Then look out! The physical challenges of being an older mom with limitations are my inhibitions.
Salad
Make a sentence using the letters of a body part. (Example: (mouth) My other ukulele tings healthily.)
Know no evil enemies.
Main Course
If you were to start a club, what would the subject matter be, and what would you name it?
Club of kindness, in pursuit of the thoughts that believe the best in our loved ones.
Dessert
What color is the carpet/flooring in your home?
In the Master bedroom it is rose, it was throughout the house until...Hubby and I replaced it our selfs with Laminate Wood flooring we replace the very old worn carpeting. Now it is maple very light pretty and oh of much better for allergy/asthma.

Make mine Pink Tea party

Make mine pink

Invites you to have a tea party.
Some Party's are not planned.

This is not the prettiest picture.
It is full of darkness clutter and wherry soul.
But it (I) was available.

My tea party was not the prettiest picture to pose for. It was at the simple ring of my phone as I was just sitting down to blog and have my morning rose hip fruited tea, and whole grain cookie.

The voice on the other end spoke may name "Donetta. Would you like some company?"
"Sure" I said, this is my customary response to sharing my refuge my sanctuary .
"Where are you my friend?" I asked
"I'm in your drive way, can I come in?"
"well ya..., bye" said I as I walked to the door to great her this friend of my heart.

Welcoming her in to my clutter, I shared my Fresh French Press of tea in a fancy china cup. It was "the perfect temperature " said my wherry guest.
Hours of heart filled pain and counsel over choices with the costs considered and decisions at hand. Listening and then brewing a pot of coffee after lunch. Laundry loads and silent moments where just being here for her was more than enough.
A place of safety with an open door. No expectations, lectures are judgmental glares. Just simple friendship that offered her rest.
I think along with her that Jesus was our invisible guest.

Thursday Thirteen...

Thirteen things about people and the world around me.

1. Understanding is the begining of knowledge. To implement knowledge is the begining of wisdom.
2. If you gain understanding you limit the space where judgmental ignorance can flourish.
3. To love and be love is the greatest thing on earth. Love never fails
4. There is a purpose to everything under the heavens. That also means there is a reason for everything. Understand the reasons and gain great freedoms.
5. Rosh Hashana, the Jewish New Year, began last night and will continue until Friday evening. It is a time of reflection, one of the most serious holidays in the Jewish calendar, and marks the beginning of the High Holy Days, the period between Rosh Hashana and Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which comes 10 days later. Here is a post about that
6. Today is the start of Ramadan in the Islamic world. Here are some facts about Ramadan and the fasting ritual, from Sandier Pastures.
7. Hurt people hurt people, it is no wonder...They need healing not hatred.
8. Our hearts are basically good. It is in falling into the temptations that over power us, we loose our battle.
9. We are in an epic battle between the forces of good (God the Creator) and evil ( the Fallen, Once Angle, Lucifer). Good (God) will prevail. Our battle is not against flesh and blood (each other)!
10.Children really do want to please their parents.
11. All things really do work out for the good to those who love God and who are called according to His purposes, but that does not mean we may not face some tremendous battles with casualties all around us.
12. That most Parents really do want to give their children the best possible lives.
13. We have so very much to learn from each other, through out our entire lives.

A gift from "Talk to Grams"

I was given this award as a gift from "Talk to Grams"
" Miles to go before we sleep" made this new award. She wrote what it is all about below ......She wrote...The thing that I love most about blogging is that I learn so much about a person just by reading their blog. I have met MANY wonderful people with wonderful stories to tell and I am grateful every day for each person that I have the pleasure of crossing paths in life with.I wanted to create something special for the top ten people who have inspired me through their blogging; the stories they tell and the lives that they lead with grace and dignity. I visit their blogs for inspiration and encouragement.Although there are MANY people I want to give this award to at this very moment, I am going to choose ten bloggers:Please grab your badge and wear it proudly, and pass it on because you inspire and encourage me, thank you

How thoughtful to have such a gift.
When I was a child a set a purpose to overcome the challenges of my youth it went like this...
If I can make everyone I run in contact with smile at least once in their life time, than I will have accomplished something with my life.
Here today I am given this... This really meant a lot to me Thank you Care' oh' lynn :).

1.Amrita
2.The Knightly News
3.Beaded Creations
4.Black Pearl knitpickins
5.Cliff Blog
6.Charity Grace
7.Gracious Hospitality
8.In the life of a child
9. J D's Day's
10Mom of three girls
Although so many of you bring joy to me every day. I wanted to pass the love around to some new friends and some old who are a blessing to me. You bring the beauty of who you are into my days and that is to be celebrated!

Scrapping projects by Scrapping Servant

Scrapping Servant
Carolyn has gifted us with some instructions.

A shout out to you Beloved!

I sent you this e-mail and your system at work made it undeliverable. I did not want to just let it go to not. I love you darling

Everyone else close your eyes :)


Beloved,
How I love your dreams. I was just thinking of Normandy and you and I in 
France someday.I thought of you walking the beach alone with God and being at 
one with the intensity of the lives sacrificed on that shore.I thought 
of how lovingly you sacrifice your life each day for me and for the 
children.I want to be with you where the shore meats the earth in 
Ireland.Close your eyes Hank In Hand I am dancing before you with the 
wild abandon that Natures brings us in it's beauty!
 :) 
D

Morning project. Barrette holder.

I made this this morning for Miss fiction to hold her barrettes. I will need to make at least two more.
How do you store your daughters barrettes? This is a storage and display challenge. Any Ideas?
How do you store your necklaces?
Earrings?

Wordless Wedensday

The back porch was only 90* at 8 a.m.,this morning.
That is sarcasm :)

Pass the Torch Tuesday

CLICK HERE FOR RECENT PTT POSTS.

Pass the Torch Tuesday is an opportunity for bloggers to celebrate the ways they see kids/young people doing things RIGHT, as well as the ways in which adults pass them the torch. These are the little things we witness everyday.

We all enjoyed supper together tonight. After supper my kids (who had not had a snack, and had not complained:) ) asked if they could be excused and then returned and put their dish up to the sink then my daughter returned and put my plate on the counter and gave the dogs each a scrap of meat.
I know that this is simply manners. Manners make life a better experience for all though. I am so loved when they do these things. It leaves me with a since of life will go well for them. That is a great gift.

Wow a surprise!

After Supper Tonight My beloved asked to see the work I had done on the front entry (he comes in through the garage) I thought wow how sweet of him to think to go check it out. When he opened the door and stood aside(as he is a gentleman through and through) I stepped out with my gaze turned back to him, then I looked to watch where I was going and behold!
With girlish glee I jumped up and down. How delightful! how very thoughtful!
Beloved said" I haven't done any thing like this for some time, so I thought I'd get it for you."

We moved the planter over to cover the side.
He got me a 75 foot hose too. A new hose! The other one kept kinking and leaking. He had replaced the end on it two times. This new set up is a 3/4 inch hose it is beautiful!
I worked in gas stations growing up so I have had my share of coiling hoses. This has a sweet handle crank and coils it right up out of the walk way.

Look how nice it looks on the walk way. No more hose all coiled and kinked.
Wow! That was so sweet!
When I first saw it it was still in the packaging with the hose on top of it. He set it all up and now it is so compact. It seconds as a stool also.

Roast Beef Slicing and Roast Root Veggie Lesson

May I show you how to do this for the best results.

This was begun at noon today and at 3 p.m. I added the sweet potatoes.
After about an hour. I lifted the lid and began to baste the veggies (that is too use a syringe ball to drizzle the juices over the veggies and the roast as well), then cover and the let it roast for 30 min. or so.

At 4 hours I remove the roast to let it rest( not because it was tired) :) this is to let it come down. The roast will still be cooking on the plate for a good 20 minutes or so. I make good use of the stored energy within the hot meat. When it has rested it will not drain the juices when you slice. Uncover the veggies add the carrots. Baste again and every 20 minutes or so.
Speaking of energy I used the bottom shelf to bake some squash for tomorrow. I found a great recipe over at another blog. I'll get a link to it.

Do you see how dry the plate is = juicy meat:) There are garlic graduals on the roast.

Now I am hoping to relay this clearly.
Everything has a grain in its original form.
So knowing this and understanding the ramifications is critical in life as well as in slicing meat.
I have made a slice that was with the grain to show you how it pulls and you wind up eating long fibers that can be hard to chew (especially for children).
Now look at th slices on th right how then are thin. This is accomplished by slicing against the grain.
If you were to imagine a hand full of straws and cutting the end you have several little straws., but if you were to try to cut the straws the other way you would not only cut your hand:) , but you would have long slices of half straws that would be hard to get into smaller pieces without cutting them.
Now many a plate has scratched from this very problem.
A roast that is sliced properly can easily separate the little straw ends (so to speak) with a fork.

because the roast rested it reabsorbed the juices into the meat. Look at the cutting board. It is relatively dry.

Slicing a roast beef can "Make or Break" the meal.
The proper knife is also important here. Using a (saw) or serrated knife cuts lots of tiny straws. a straight edge would just crush them. Think about it.
That is a ball syringe it is used only in a vertical (up/down) motion. Please use care here. So many a new cook gets burned with the hot liquid when they tip the tool to a horizontal or upside down the displacement of the air in the tool causes it to spray out.

Remember now to drizzle the veggies.
I like the baby carrots they are organic and now they have become more easily available to me. I find them to be much more consistent in size and without the grating much faster to use as well. Organic carrots that are of regular form are not to easy to find either without going to a co-op or paying big bucks at the regular stores.

Tackle It Tuesday

Good Morning!
I had an easy start today . Beloved awoke to his alarm and noticing I was still sleepy lold me to forgo packing his lunch and to just get a few more moments rest instead. He put the dogs in the room and a half an hour later I heard my Dash say"where Daddy?" I reached over to for Dash and got an are full of Lab instead! It was weird. I laid with him and scratched his back and then got up to discover he had fed the dogs, well sorta I think I was not really sure?
Miss fiction had only 30 minutes to ready herself and eat. NO T>V> NO whiny little Caieuo show! Man I really wish the folks who made morning T.V> would show a kid with a sweet attitude. I digress.
When I pulled into the driveway after dropping the kids off I noticed a desolate front entry that had a lot of dead plants and it was dirty with blown in dust and debris from those neighbors who have the good fortune to hire lawns keepers who then in turn blow the neighbors stuff away into never never land (my front entry) :)
So I tackled it.
Pulled all the dead stuff and swept and watered and tinkered.
More importantly was something else I tackled.
The hose out front is pretty poor excuse for a hose. Hubby repaired it twice and still it sprays me and gets me all wet. I have to ware glasses to be able to see, so it is a hassle when they get all wet. I had jeans on that got soaked. Then I scratched my self on the clamp and it hurt! I thought to myself hoe annoying that it all was and started to stew in the juices. The stew you no that becomes so nasty that it is not palatable. YUK. So I tackled that with a SO WHAT! I'm wet, If I get in a bad mood over it I'll STILL be wet!
I enjoyed the rest of my time in my wet jeans and soggy shoes:)

I met this little fellow reminding me I am never alone.

I got inspired and climbed up into the attic (yes very carefully, to my loved ones knowing about my knee.:) I played in the bins of old decorations. Those ones I once used before life got crazy.

I decorated the front porch.
See the table and chairs I found it years ago for under $50. it is so heavy.

It is 10 A.M.
I have so many choices to Tackle so I keep going on with Tackling it.

Post script 12:30
O k! after tackling that, Ironing my aprons Just for me!, unloading/loading the dishwasher and putting the dishes to soak, 3 loads of laundry dried to be folded and one in the washer. A roast in the oven and lunch and a phone call or two.

After ironing them I hug them for ease of use.
I go through one at least one a day.

3:30 P.M.
I was blessed with this $20. roast yesterday for $7.00! They were having a special on Top Round Roasts at the grocery. So I by the largest one for the greatest savings. It has been roasting for 3 1/2 hours. I just put in some sliced sweet potatoes. I also got one for the deep freeze. (I love my clean oven)
Check out my nest post (this is a link) for a tutorial on slicing a roast.

I got a big tackle! Done via a little God intervention.

Wow the long dreaded "I gotta call the old dentist blues", and get my records and films .
I got a phone call from his office~ Wanting to schedule a cleaning!
I greeted her without strife... Told her I was glad she called because I needed to make a call to their office..... I requested my films and records and closed my accounts with them over the phone told her I would be picking them up this noon.

Very few moments later a 2nd call (I could just see him standing over her) I hear her... voice "you cant have your records they belong to the dentist...We will print out the running forms of services and what tooth ect. and price and balance.. balance sheets ... " She then asked me if I wanted her to print those out. I said "yes and I want my films and a copy of my records too, she said "that they belong to the dentist" I said That they are legally mine. I want a copy of them . She said let me have M. talk to you....I was on hold long enough to fill the sink with water.
M. comes on "hello: Dr S. office you called"...I said "no your girl called me back and I have been on hold." "Oh!" said she. I said that I wanted a copy of all of our records and all of our films including my children's. At that she said that she would speak to the dentist (I could just see him over their shoulders and felt strife, I refused the strife.
"Please prepare my films and copies of my records" I said" perhaps I should speak them to counsel regarding a copy of my records. Thank you I'll pick them up later."
The Phone rigs again (a3rd call) 4-5 minutes later... The other office girl calling to see if she had offended me in any way or if there was anything she could do to make it right. I greeted her. I told her "no, you have not offended me in any way. I actually am very grateful for all your kindnesses with helping me by letting the kids be in the lobby for me while I had work done". She said "Was it someone in the front office?" I told her "no, All of you have just been lovely and I have enjoyed knowing you". "Is there anything I can do?" she asked. "No, You have done nothing wrong" I told her. Was it the doct...pause....I spoke telling her that I have addressed with the party in question, and I now must do what I believe is right. I neglected to do so and got bit in the butt for it. Now I choose to take care of myself and learn from my dragging my feet. "I need to request my records and my films". She said" you are so sweet I am really going to hate to see you go."
I thanked her and she then began to say that there will be a charge for a copy of the film. (a little rage began to stir the thought of a loss of her sincerity stirred me...) Breathing deeply I asked "how much of a charge". It was only for my daughters films because they were in a storage shed and they would need to be copied. I declined to pay for it and she assured me all my records and films for the family would be mailed tonight.
I was pressed more for the reason. I explained for her to go tell someone else to call me is inappropriate. If there was a query it must come from the person directly or what good is it. She paused and said. "I'm going to miss you Donetta".
There was peace, no strife, no abusvie tones or defensive gestures. Just peace.
That was a BIG TACKLE!
Now I just have to make sure I get them.