cheers!

Looking for a cocktail

to close the old

and ring in the new?

Apricot Stone Sour

So simple to make

equal parts

apricot brandy

orange juice

sweet and sour mix

Whip together in a blender

 Pour over ice

Garnish with a slice of orange

Drop in a maraschino cherry

Get on with the fun...

Happy New Year!



a crafter's heart

Two scenarios.

On second thought...

three.

One.

You caught the bug

You've knitted

 baked

sewn

to create

and now your hands

feel idle and listless

Keep those hands moving

with this crafty

use of the leftover

foil wrap

Christmas cards

bottle tops

...

to add shine to your

New Year's Festivities

Two.

You wanted to make things

for Christmas

but time wouldn't

allow it.

Now's the time!

Trade out

the pine garland

center/mantel piece

for time pieces

gathered and grouped together

in one place

set to chime at...

midnight!

A party wouldn't be a party

without a fun hat.

My sister Mary would

make hers from

newspapers...

reusing before it was

hip...

then she would make

confetti

again from newspaper

to throw

at the countdown's

destination  to

Happy New Year!

(mom would find little pieces

of newspaper on bookshelves

and plants in August!)

Three.

You really don't enjoy crafting.

You know you should

if you believe the

press.

But. You. Don't.

Leave everything as is.

Tree twinkling red and green?

Pretty.

Store bought wreaths on the door?

Homey.

Fuzzy red stockings with glitter names?

Fill 'em up!

Works on two levels!

Sit back.

Relax.

Enjoy a game that really

gets 'em fighting...

Battle of the Sexes works well

each time.

Let others around you

get their Martha on

while you sip and smile

and get rosy

all over!

:)



last lines

Merry Christmas

 to All

and to All

a Good Night!

God Bless Us...

Everyone!

We Wish You a

Merry Christmas and a

Happy New Year!

Sleep in Heavenly Peace...

sleep in heavenly peace.

And heaven...

and heaven

and nature

sing!

Look, the virgin shall conceive

and bear a son

and they shall name him

Emmanuel.

God is with us.

Glory to God

in the highest heaven

and on earth

peace

 goodwill

to men.

amen.

give a rub

There's
still time
to make an edible for
gift giving

All-Purpose Spice Rub



Once again we turn to
Martha
for a stocking stuffer idea
catered to the older set
or any chef on
your list

I discovered the rub
back when I was
experimenting with
All Recipes
website

Recently
I passed some along
to Josh and Sara who love
fish
since then
they've been back twice for refills
each time saying
we need to make it
together
someday

I will confess
I'm not too good with
someday...
it's best to nail me down
with an exact day and time
in ink on the
calender
right from the start

Otherwise
someday
may never come

OR...

  

Make a batch
to give as a gift!

One that I know they'll enjoy.

My pick...

Blackened Tilapia
With Secret Hobo Spices

from allrecipes.com

The how...
Go to Martha's site
for the packaging labels
then take a detour
to all recipes
assemble
put in a pretty recycled
jar
(a small canning jar works)
slap a Martha Label on it
and you're
good to give!

Now I ask you...
Who wouldn't like a little rub
for Christmas?

(double entendre
intended)

;)

still time

Whether you're

listening to the radio

watching a Hallmark Movie

visiting your laptop

watching your child tear a green

link from his chain

glancing at a calender

 December Countdown

is nearing its final days

No need to panic

no need to rush about for

those last minutes

(you'll regret them anyway)

no need to begin your

next year I'm going to do things

differently

soliloquy

Martha's
got your back
with simple
I swear you can make them
bake them
knit or crochet them
ideas



Gifts from the kitchen
with packaging
how-to's
and label print-ables
on site

Holiday cheer
in the form of
Peppermint Swirled
Marshmallows
with hot cocoa mix
Baily's Irish Creme
and a candy cane

I really do
Love It!




Get the kids in
on the action (and fun!) with
tons
of craft ideas using
supplies from around the house
like skating
Frosty

Make today
 Make It Day
because
there's
still time.

:)


sorry...but

I don't know about you

but I'd like

about ten copies

one for each room

in case those who enter

missed it on their way in

Oh I can fool you

on the blog

with

close-up

just right

angles

of a family room

mantle

with stockings

hung with care

lights glittering

on an heirloom tree

cleverly 

side-stepping 

the surrounding view

of a leg-flex machine on

the coffee table

a husband snoring on his

temporary bed

 a recliner in a previous life

piles of important hospital

papers and rehab exercises

on every flat

surface

Ah heck...

who am I foolin'

those posters are needed

even when there

isn't a man

sleeping

on my couch

Now

if only I can

tap into my inner

Roseanne

and be at peace with it

After all

I find I am most

comfortable

when I visit others

with real-life

used like

crazy

paper piled high

kids stuff cluttered

we

live

here
 homes.

Aren't you?



lists

wake up

compose a list

cross off wake up

autumn decor down

Christmas decor up

make breakfast for two

eat together
dispense meds

wake boys

sing Let it Snow

rehab at home

laundry

dust
nap

sweep

(in that order)

walk Dog

read

prepare lunch
give meds

shop

misc. errands

rehab again

rest awhile

have a spot of tea

make spaghetti and salad

eat
meds again

watch tv

pop some popcorn
doze off

find fun

 laugh often

sip on bedtime tea

go to bed

cross off

compose a list

such are the days of convalescing
at home



~this moment~

 

 

ahhh...

exhaling with joy.

 

 

celebrating Rudy's second knee

replacement...

the patient is doing wonderfully!

Yes...

we have a few challenging

weeks ahead...

but we are keeping our eye on

the long term...

hiking

biking

dancing...

enjoying life! 

 

Thank you

Lord.

 

amen.

 



cut and paste

 

We learned it in
kindergarten

Along with...
yes
the glue smells yummy
but trust me don't eat it.

I had to
challenge that one... 

but alas...
tis true
it gave me a bellyache.

School had that effect on me
in general.

And now I
school at home...
connection?

I wonder.

My favorite way to
learn is at home...
with You-Tube tutorials...
a friend or sister stopping by
to share their knowledge...
or with a good old fashioned book.

I am sharing this find with
you
right in time for the holidays!

Organic Body Care Recipes
175 Homemade Herbal
Formulas for
Glowing Skin and a Vibrant Self
by
Stephanie Tourles



You'll be concocting

Salt of the Earth Body Scrub
Bubblicious Herbal Bath Foam
Tropical Creamy Body Oil
Feelin' Fresh Foot Powder
Strawberry Tooth Brightener
Ruby Red Romantic Aphrodisiac Herb Tea
Luscious Lip Balm
Herbal Decongesting Steam
Minty Soap Lover's Face and Body Wash

All while learning herbal
properties and uses...
with confidence.

Stephanie removes the mystery
and opens the door to
the world of
natural beauty.

She has even included
gift-giving ideas.

What's stopping you?

Go to the library and check it out!

As for cut and paste...
well
you can't keep a
good woman down.
Plus!
No storage required.

(read previous posts
if you're feeling lost)

Thanks for visiting.

Now I have some
elving to do!

:)



today's trouble

 

where blogging is concerned...

still no answer to my

picture uploading

ability

or

lack there of...

 

thank you

for hanging in there with me

 

as for other areas...

well

I tried to get out

of bed this morning and my

low back instantly

retaliated

 

I had a twinge occur

over the weekend

and babied it for a while

but then as it subsided

I went about my days as usual

 

today I must be

very intentional about each

and every

move.

In fact

I must accompany each said move

with an inhale 

in anticipation

and an exhale

with the effort.

 

What's that about?

 

Could it be that exercise has

become a foreign

concept?

 

Hmmmm...

 

I could say I don't have time...

funny

I seem to have plenty

of time to watch

television

each and every

night.

 

I have time to peruse my

favorite

sites on the computer.

 

Just no time for me?!

 

(a brief *pause* while

I prepare my back for

a sneeze...)

 

"excuse me"

 

Where was I...

oh yeah

telling the tale of how

I can't find time for

me...

yada-yada-yada.

 

And so my back hurts...

A string of lights went out on the tree...
My throat feels scratchy...

Rudy is having his second

knee replacement on Thursday...

 

But Wait!

 

That's not today.

 

I will listen to what Matthew

has to say about that...

 

"...do not worry about tomorrow,

for tomorrow will bring worries of its own.

Today's trouble is enough

for today."

amen?

 

To which Charles Spurgeon

would add...

"Anxiety does not empty tomorrow

of its sorrow but only

empties today of its

strength."

 

Strength.

I'm feeling a New Year's

resolution

coming on.

 



~this moment~

A Friday ritual. 

A simple...

extraordinary moment
from my week.

A moment I want to pause...savor...

remember forever.

 

No photo...

just words.
 

Sharing my special moment.

See her reclined
at her desk...
feet propped on a nearby
chair that has been
drawn close to
accommodate the posture
A coffee rests beside her
*half full*
still warm
begging to be drunk
a soft light illuminates
from the computer sitting
on her lap
busy at work...
diligent
focused.
To the keen observer we see
a control at her hip
with a red button glowing
on the display panel to
*full back*
no wonder she has such a
serene expression
She is
multitasking
a bad word in her world
since she has been unable to
 accomplish such a feat...
and so she finishes
the work on
her laptop
and proceeds to the
task at hand

a shiatsu massage
awaits.

Happy Weekending, All!

(Apparently,
she has yet to work out
that glitch!)





technical difficulty

 

So...

 you may have been wondering...

or not

I am thankful for those

who were...

 

Yes...

I had a lovely

Thanksgiving...

rich with food and family

and a

grateful heart.

 

Yes...

I watched the MICHIGAN

ohio state

game

all by myself

because

my boys were out shopping...

and no,

I am not kidding.

 

Maybe they were

in tune with the dreaded

outcome and

therefore

opted out.

 

Yes...

James was confirmed on

Sunday and I had

a small gathering of family

to share in his

accomplishment.

 

He looked so handsome

in his black attire

and bold red

tie.

 

Unfortunately

I do not have any pictures

to prove my stories

because apparently I have used

all my storage and

am unable to upload

(for free that is)

 

So...

cheap me will find

a way around that little glitch...

I will consult with my

learned sister

(Rosebud, expect a call)

and the proof

will once again

be in the

pic.

 

Until then...

lonely words on a blank

screen.

So very sorry.

 

Now...

I've been wondering...

 

How was your

holiday weekend?

 

 



this child

As I held his hand

and looked into those sparkly eyes

I started saying the only thing that

came to mind...

 

Now I lay me

down to sleep,

I pray the Lord

my soul to keep,

If I should die

before I wake,

I pray the Lord

my soul to take,

In Jesus name

Amen.

 

Joey and James were with me

and out of habit we began

to sing a little

lullaby

I wrote and sang each

night with them...

 

When the sun shines bright it washes

all my fears and tears away,

When the moon beams through my window

I know what it's trying to say

Sleep tight my little bundle

Sweet dreams will come your way

And an angel will watch over you

Until the dawn of day

 

 

I put a cross on his forehead and

kissed him goodnight.

 

goodbye.

 

Knowing he found his way home

I again turned to a

prayer that my mom said each

morning before we

boarded the bus

for school.

 

Help him Lord

this day to be...

Guide thy child

to follow thee...

Help and save him by the hand...

Until he reaches

 heavenly land.

In Jesus name...

 

 

amen.

 

My father-in-law...

"Big Rudy"

a man I was
proud and grateful
to call

Dad.

 

 

 

 



november soup

 

a cold november morn

frost on the ground

sun peeking over the

horizon

 

the perfect time

or so i'm told

to forage

 

with a mug to warm

my hands

i begin my

journey

 

where i will

stop to

enjoy one of the

last specimens in my yard

with

vibrant

leaves

 

continue on the path

to this very spot

 

my winter garden

 

all that remains

lavender sprigs

that when touched still

produce a lingering

aroma of summer

 

chives

protected by fallen leaves

and used

when needed

 

and tender oregano

thriving at the base of

its mother plant

 

and the reason for my

visit

 

because this day

deems necessary

a bowl of satisfying

and hearty

warmth

 

pesto from the freezer

fresh-snipped

stand at the

 ready

 

as do my glasses

 

to read the

fine

 print

 

november and soup

two words that

somehow

belong together

 

maybe followed by

a game of

parcheesi...

 

o happy day!

 

~this moment~

 

 

"preparing for winter"

 

Happy Friday

 Friends.

 

blog share :: fimby

 

subtitled:

women helping women

(and men!)

 

my thoughts have been taking

a bend toward community

and the art of

true sharing

 

i say art because

in my experience that is

exactly what

it is...

a well-honed skill

and what it takes...

a heart for giving 

to truly

share.

 

 

here's today's thought process...

 

after visiting

soulemama who gets

a three love rating

(love*love*love)

and today's post on making soap

i went down memory lane to

my very first

(successful)

attempt

at the craft

 

and yes, these are pics from that

very day...

i have made improvements in

photography!

 

digression...

 

soulemama...amanda soule

 has a link to the site

of a woman i've come to know

through a different

avenue

 

renee tougas

of fimby

(fun in my backyard)

 

i first met renee

when i took

the whole food's kitchen workshop

(heather :: beauty that moves :: sidebar)

and she was a guest contributor

her

cauliflower potato curry stew

remains my favorite recipe

from the course

just typing it makes me

drool just a bit.

 

 

back to soap making

(circa 2010)

there i am

making joey commemorate the event

with a pic

goggles on

rubber gloved-up

book that was read and re-read

turned to the recipe i had

all but memorized...

cuz lets face it

when you're playing with stuff like

lye

it makes one a bit

nervous

cautious

fearful

 

enter renee

who shares openly

each and every step

with calming

clear

words and

tutorials

(yes! for the visual learner in all of us)

she shares techniques

and recipes!

and in the process she

erases that fear

which could possibly

deter one from achieving

a beautiful

block

of

handmade

soap

 

now that would be a

shame

 

nothing like washing with

soap made by

your own two hands

:)

 and sharing it with

those you love

 

true sharing

involves a gracious and

giving spirit...

 

one that

shines through

in each lovely word

written by

renee

 

she is so much more than soap

and i will leave it in her

very capable hands to

explain her approach to

living creatively

 

at

FIMBY

(soap and body care

at her sidebar

if interested)

 

while visiting

please read her recent article

am i living it right? (is the wrong question)

where she challenges each of us to

live in freedom

 

her contribution

of freeing anyone

who would like to make soap

from the fear that may

surround it...

is a small step in getting there.

 

thank you, renee.

and thank you for visiting.

 

stop back soon for my next

installment

of

blog share :: women helping women

(and men)

 

what?! 

real men do make soap!

 

 

 

totally

restless

 

 

With that feeling

like I'm supposed to be doing

something...

just not sure what that

something

is.

 

antsy

 

With Thanksgiving

right around the corner

shouldn't I be

planning

ordering

cleaning

in preparation?

 

I throw a load in the wash

until the

feeling passes.

 

uneasy

 

A list is composing in my head

of what I

could be doing

rather than nothing...

finish that knitting

start creating

more cleaning (like I said)

complete that reading

decide on paint...begin painting

sweep

dust.

 

Nah...I don't wanna do any of that.

 

Swished the duster about

so I wouldn't feel like

a complete

loser.

 

 

 

Did I mention my boys

declared yesterday a holiday?

 

Didn't you know?

 

The newest Call of Duty

was released

at midnight...an annual event

that has them waiting in lines

at midnight (thanks cousin Jeff)

and playing until the wee

hours

only to resume play after a quick

nap.

 

Homeschool is forgiving

like that.

 

So with a day off you would

think I could be clever.

 

 

 the opposite

 

 

 

the boring television

the messy house

the upcoming (real) holiday

the abandoned craft room

 

all left me feeling

uninspired...

 

what to do, what to do...

 

oh...

how I wish I could embrace

this fidgety child

within.

 

 

Constantly sensing

I was forgetting something.

 

We did go visit

Grandpa...

so I have that going for me.

 

When I remember what

it was...

 

an appointment perhaps?

a bill due?

 

I will let you know.

Unfortunately

as of this posting

I have no idea what

it is.

 

I will say I finally found a bit of

comfort in the kitchen.

 

Where I sipped on some Roma

and made a most fabulous dinner.

 

Sauteed Mushrooms with Honey Miso

Baked Tofu

 

Pan Fried Brussel Sprouts

 

Olive Oil and Garlic Couscous

 

Warm Crusty Bread

 

Sangria

 

Sure the Roma was great

but the Sangria made

all

the difference.

 

 

Today is a new day.

I will rejoice and be glad in it.

 

:)

 

 

easy like...

taking her out 

first thing

 

 

what?!

 

don't judge me...

 

she needed a new

red

adorable

reversible

 coat

because she

gets so shivery outdoors.

 

now that

that

job is done...

move on to the

important stuff.

 

vanilla soy latte

swirled

with

love

 

leftover last night's dessert

apple and mixed berry

crumble

mmm...

i've discovered a

perfect pairing.

 

settle in together

as we start our day

 

 

begin surfing...

 

fibber!

 

well...

 actually

i went right to

channel 49

 

the list is long

but

a hallmark countdown to Christmas

movie has me in its grasp...

a Christmas visitor...

gotta watch it.

 

really.

look for it

on your local listing

and tell me how

many tissues you go through.

(5...

 or 10 if we are counting

rudy :)

 

snuggle close...

watch a good movie early

(feels almost sinful)

take it nice and easy.

 

you have the rest of the day

to make things

complicated.

 

Happiest of Mondays!

 

~this moment~

 

 

"a boy and his dog(s)"

 

 

Happy Friday!