Denise's Blog

Guest Blogger: Lorna

2011-08-16T16:04:00.002-04:00

Shh.. Don't tell Denise (That's my mom) that I was here..

I might get in trouble!

I am going to college Monday 8/22 but,

still gonna be living at home..

So this is risky for my life! ha!

I saw this "button" and really liked it..

But, while I was thinking about it, realized the only way it applies to my mom's blog is if you would slip a "forever" in between "waiting" and "us".. Haha..

Also, I found some more "buttons" I liked..

Haha.. I say "holler" all the time! Do any of you ever catch yourself saying "holler?"

If so, leave a comment and tell me (well my mom) about it!

Cause you know,

!!!

Hopefully you have enjoyed this blog update.

DISCLAIMER: Reading this blog post does not enable you to fly, cause drowsiness, help you save the world, contain traces of fact, is not intended for gift wrap, and Lego's are only fun if you have an imagination!

Traditional Wedding with a Touch of Country

2011-07-06T10:13:00.017-04:00

Two weeks ago, my daughter's friend was married in a traditional ceremony held in a beautifully restored barn. She had asked me to decorate for her wedding and reception several months ago. The tricky part was uniting a traditional style gown with the white cowboy boots the bridesmaids were wearing. After surfing the web, I came upon burlap and realized this would be the key to bringing the diverse elements of this wedding together. The front of the barn needed "something" so I used many yards of burlap, shirring tape, four tall shepherds hooks in large pots and two daisy balls for the backdrop. Ferns on the floor gave the needed touch of greenery and life. The unity candle table was wrought iron and we placed a simple cotton tea cloth on it.To decorate the aisle, I adorned very large horseshoes with the bride's choice of flower, the daisy. These were alternated with lassos also decorated with daisies.

The beautiful wood floors and beams of the barn lent themselves to the rustic charm of this wedding.

The reception was held in a camp dining hall. No alterations to the building were allowed so we had to keep the decorating limited to the tables. The typical serving line area was obscured by another large piece of burlap with shirring tape sewn at intervals. The tray bar was layered with cardboard, lights and tulle and then framed engagement pictures of the bride and groom alternated with horseshoes and arrangements of daisies were placed on top of that.

Canning jars tied with yellow gingham ribbon were filled with stems of daisies and placed on the burlap runners that ran the length of the tables.

A closer view of the decorated tray bar.

I was very pleased with how the diverse elements came together with such an easy to find and inexpensive material ~ burlap!

I am joining with Savvy Southern Style's Wow Us Wednesdays!

Exciting Giveaway ~ Thanks to The Nester!

2010-01-13T19:55:00.002-05:00

Who wouldn't love a sign like this? This is our state motto with my little Buckeye's name emblazoned in the background. Stop in at the Nester's and enter for a chance to win one of these personalized signs from Danielson Designs and Dayspring.

More Great Gift Ideas!

2009-11-27T10:30:00.000-05:00

Here are the addresses of some more creative ladies. Shelley is Very Creative Indeed. You'll find all kinds of great gifts you can make - easily! Visit around on her site - it will be time well spent. This darling apron is so easy, you don't even need a pattern!

Here's Shelley's address: http://7layerstudio.typepad.com/

This basket liner is super easy too. Visit your favorite thrift store for a basket then personalize it with the super easy liner. Fill with homemade goodies and you're sure to be the Best Gift of the Year Award Winner!

http://makeitandloveit.blogspot.com/2009/05/basket-liner.html

Have a wonderful rest of the week!

Best Ideas Ever!

2009-11-22T10:30:00.002-05:00

Well, sometimes life gets in the way of the best intentions and that is what happened here the last month. Benji had three major emergency surgeries in less than a week and we spent 11 days in Children's Hospital. He came home with a PICC line (a port that delivers the medicine straight to his heart) and I hook him up to a special machine that administers heavy duty antibiotics three times a day. He's still not out of the woods and according to one of the doctors over his care, "He's in grave danger for the next three months." So, please keep us in your prayers - especially Benji as he fights a deadly staph infection around the hardware in his back.

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Sometimes I find some very creative ideas on blogs I happen on. This post has the addresses of some of the creative ladies who come up with those ideas. Enjoy visits with Amy, Savannah and Amanda for help with your holiday decorating and gift giving!

Amy gives a free tutorial on how to customize a beautiful clipboard for someone on your list. Here's the address to that post - but be sure to stay a while and see all her other cool ideas:
http://adayinthelife-amy.blogspot.com/2008/11/i-can-make-that-teacher-gift.html

Another neat gift idea that could easily be adapted to Sundy School teacher, a family name, pastor, etc. Again, stay a while and enjoy the creativity of Amanda.
http://imperfectlybeautifulms.blogspot.com/2008/12/cheap-yet-chic-teacher-gifts.html

Then Sweet Savannah will offer all kinds of beautiful ideas for decorating your home for the holidays. Be sure to visit the posts before and after this one for all kinds of ideas and ... click on HGTV's Favorite Holiday Ideas in the right column - ooo, la,la!
http://mysweetsavannah.blogspot.com/2008/11/holiday-mantle-ideas.html

Happy Thanksgiving!

Back to Blogging

2009-10-07T17:22:00.001-04:00

It's been a very busy year and my blog fell off the "Important List". Sometimes we think we don't matter and what we say couldn't encourage a frog; however, I've learned that several ladies actually enjoyed reading my blog! And even more amazing, some were encouraged! So, I will try to pick back up and share with all who care to take the time to stop in for a visit.
Thank you! You've no idea what an encouragement you are to me!
What a sweet pleasure to encourage one another and build each other up in the most holy faith. Sisters in Christ are a treasure indeed.
Love,
Denise

Swedish Blessings

2009-05-06T21:14:00.017-04:00

Now, my daughter isn't Swedish but the other evening she shared a wonderfully encouraging song familiar to many - "Day by Day". You can listen to the wonderful Father- Daughter duet she shared with me on Bill Gaither's Solo Album.

I looked to see who the author of the song was because I wondered what they'd endured to write with such depth. Her name is Lina Sandell. She was a Swedish lass who's father was a Luthern pastor. While on a boat trip, he fell overboard and drowned before her very eyes. The incident inspired her to write over 650 hymns one of which is the beloved,
"Day by Day and With Each Passing Moment."

The gentleman who translated the song was A.L. Skoog - a Swedish gentlman who later immigrated to Minnesota. The following hymn is another of his translations named, "My Future". You may listen to it here: http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/m/y/f/myfuture.htm

I have a future all sublime,

Beyond the realms of space and time,

Where my Redeemer I shall see,

And sorrow nevermore shall be.

A precious heritage is mine;
’Tis kept above by love divine;
And while I tarry here below,
He gives me what is best, I know.

O, God be praised, He planned for me;
From anxious care I’m spared and free;
He bids me cast on Him my care—
What then remains for me to bear?

Sweet peace within my soul doth dwell;
With joy I sing: “Now all is well,”
He leads me safely by His hand
Until I reach the Glory Land.

O precious Savior, teach Thou me
To live my life more true to Thee
The little while I yet must roam
Before I reach my heav’nly home.

Isn't that ENCOURAGING? How lovely are His plans for our future!

Another Swedish blessing is this blog. http://nostalgiochromantik.blogspot.com/

The simplicity of her decorating style and excellent photography make it a feast for the eyes even if I can't understand a word she writes! The loads of white with touches of pink keep me coming back for more!

Thursday's Thought

2009-03-26T09:21:00.004-04:00

Every once in a while a good laugh is needed.

With my husband's latest procedure, let's suffice it to say,

I know now why there was a reason I didn't go for nursing!

. . . ~ however ;) . . .

changing bandages, cleaning port sites, etc. has become routine the last couple of weeks.

. . .

While blog hopping this morning I ran across this and laughed and laughed.

I hope you enjoy it:

No matter how crazy it gets, don't get commited because of insanity! ;) The men in little white coats are busy enough! ~Smile!~

Secret Sisters and Living Lights

2009-03-23T12:36:00.038-04:00

This is the Secret Sister corner of our church.

This period I used the scripture from Proverbs 27:9,

"Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart,

so doth the sweetness of a friend."

Spring flowers decorate the perimeter of the board and tulle bunched periodically finishes the bottom of it. I spray painted a little shelf I found at Goodwill and put a lace doily and some Crabtree and Evelyn Summer Hill items on it. After enlarging a page from a Precious Moments book on Friendship, I framed it in a frame I already had and spray painted to match. I had searched all over for a poster of this print but couldn't find it :(.

For a table cover, I used a queen sheet pinning the sides

for a tailored look. To keep our program exciting and "happening" we run our secret sisters for three month intervals. We've found that after that, interest dies off. Also, to ensure that some sisters don't "fall by the wayside" we have a sign up sheet where you put your name, date and item received. There are two people over the program (so they can also participate) and they give friendly reminders to those who've not remembered their sister for whatever reason

(that's what the clipboard is all about). There again, I just spray painted a plain old chipboard clipboard, twisted a flower on it and tied a regular pen to it (that way there's always a pen handy). The basket is for cards - either for a Secret Sister or to thank one's sister for a special gift.

The rest of the table is wide open for gifts.
* * * * * * *
Yesterday marked the end of our last theme in Junior Church - another favorite aspect of church I'm very involved in ;)

Our last theme was "Living Lights - Shining for Jesus in 2009"

This is about half of our Junior Church during the program we did for the adults as part of the Sunday School preliminaries.
Matthew 5:14-16 was three of our verses and I used various items as clues to help us learn them.
"Ye" - we all pointed straight out,
"are the light" - flashlight,
"of the world" -globe,
"a city that is set on a hill" -I had my Benji build a city out of Legos on a Lego hill,
"cannot be hid" - I had Caleb, a fellow with a short haircut, put on a ski mask for this clue, "Neither" - shake your pointer no-no fashion,
"do men light a candle" - a little 'man" turned on a battery operated candle,
"and put it under a bushel" - he put it under a bushel basket that his neighbor was holding,
"but on a candlestick - we had a candlestick for this clue,
"and it giveth light unto all that are in the house" - we had a ceramic house for this clue.
"Let your light so shine" - another flashlight, turned on at the appropriate time,
"before men" - the person holding the flashlight stepped in front of a little man,
"that they may see" - a pair of glasses,
"your good works" - a construction hat for the Public Works Department,
"and glorify" - clap hands,
"your Father which is in heaven"- point to heaven.
For the reference we had an envelope addressed to Matthew 5:14-16.
You can see some of my helpers with the items they got to hold for our program. I've found this to be the easiest way for our children to learn their verses - I guess whoever said, "a picture is worth a thousand words" knew what they were talking about ;) !
This is a couple of our little men helping with one of the songs from the theme.
Don't they look so handsome in their suits?
Flashlights labeled "boys" or "girls" were used for taking up the offering. Here Benji and Racquelle get ready to take up the final offering for the theme.
They collected over $300.00 this theme!
Way to go kids!

I hope you enjoyed these snippets of some of my favorite ministries at our church.
Have a blessed week!

P.S. Check out our pastor's wife's blog for some very creative genius she shares at:

http://gayle-gaylesblog.blogspot.com/2009/03/michelerella-and-secret-sister.html

Thursday Thirteen ~"Q"~

2009-03-19T13:40:00.019-04:00

Not only is today Thankful Thursday Thirteen, it is my 100th post! Like alot of other bloggers are doing, I've been re-focusing! We learn alot the first year of blogging and something I find interesting is that my blog's top googled subjects are:

1. Tea and . . .

2. Secret Sisters!

Interesting, huh? Tea is a fun and hot topic so I can see that; but I was surprised about the Secret Sisters. I know there isn't alot on the internet (or any where else for that matter) about Secret Sisters and the special ministry opportunites it offers in our local churches.

I did find it interesting that a blog was a place Secret Sisters looked for inspiration.
A blog would be an excellent place to reach out and minister to other Secret Sisters with ideas for encouraging, gifts, bulletin boards, etc. , wouldn't it?

I will endeavor to begin doing regular postings on ideas for Secret Sister Ministry. In this day of cyber relationships, it's a Christlike way of being His Hands and His Feet as we minister to special friends in our congregations.

Before we celebrate Thankful Thursday Thirteen, I'll tell you about our family's latest addition, Bailey, our eight week old St. Bernard puppy. You can read all about her on DJ's blog - he's her proud owner.

Now for Thankful Thursday Thirteen:

Thirteen things I enjoy that start with the letter "Q":
1. Quality - do you always pick out the most expensive one like I do? ;) Funny how we always recognize quality!
I enjoy a houseful of quality furniture due to owning an Amish furniture store for nine years.
2. Quaint - towns, houses, etc. I love them!
3. Queen Anne's Lace - a beautiful wildflower and a favorite store I love to visit in Berlin, Ohio.
4. Quench - there's nothing like having one's thirst quenched. Spiritually or physically. A cool drink of water on a hot summer day . . . or a hot cup of tea in a pretty china cup ;)
5. Quiet - Blessed Quietness. Soothing and peaceful.
6. Quill - ever try to write with one? Quill Cottage is a favorite place to visit.
7. Quilt - a warm quilt. So comforting!
8. Quiz - just checking to see if we're getting it! What a wonderful priviledge to be able to learn!

9. Quote - Words of wisdom to help us on life's way!
10. Quarters- are you saving all the states quarters? Quarters are so handy! Parking meters, gumball machines, pop dispensers, Aldi's chopping carts. . .
11. Quarts - of home canned goods. A feast for the eyes - especially when it's a row of my Grandma Rossman's pickles ;) !
12. Queen - I LOVE being the Queen of my Castle!
13.Quick and Easy recipes - my very favorite.

I'm very thankful to be home after spending two weeks at UC Hospital. I'm thankful for His Grace and Mercy that bring us through hard times. I'm thankful for my sweet mother and father who came and stayed with our children so I could be with Dan. I'm thankful for all my sweet sisters at the Christian Nation Church who fed our family with wonderfully delicious homecooked meals while Dan was in the hospital. They were balm to the soul and spirit as well as food for our bodies. God bless every one who prayed - it's prayer that changes things. I wouldn't want to know how things would have gone with out them.

Blessings to each of you as we celebrate my very favorite season that starts tomorrow -

S P R I N G ! ! !

Singing in His Shadow

2009-02-27T08:35:00.002-05:00

With my husband's upcoming procedure and two weeks in University of Cincinnati Hospital, it's been tough. This week as Iwas praying for encouragement, I was reminded to sing and praise ALWAYS. Then at prayer meeting, our pastor re-imphasized this important truth - it was so timely. This morning this was the devotional in my in-box from Joni and Friends. It was so good I wanted to share it with you.

Singing In His Shadow

Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. --Psalm 63:7

Under His wings I am safely abiding,

Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,

Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,

He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Under His wings, under His wings,

Who from His love can sever?

Under His wings my soul shall abide,

Safely abide forever.

Yesterday's devotional reminds me of the words to this old Gospel song, "Under His Wings." I often sing it as a prayer in the middle of the night when I am unable to sleep. During dark hours when my mind is tired or my thoughts are scattered, I "pray" the safe, reliable words from a time-honored hymn (I'll sing quietly so as to not wake my husband). One of two things usually happens: my worrisome thoughts disappear, or I fall asleep! In more than a dozen places in Scripture, God bids us to draw close to him and find shelter - in most places, it says refuge. Or in his wings. Psalm 91:4 says, "He will cover you with his feathers, under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart." That God describes himself so often as a powerful and beautiful bird arching his protective wing over us for our refuge, should tell us something. It should assure us that we can always find shelter, refuge and safety. That's reason enough to sing.

May you be blessed with a special song today!

Shadows

2009-02-15T00:00:00.004-05:00

Shadows. Scary sometimes aren't they? Kind of like life - scary sometimes. Forty-six year old husband is in the advanced stages of a painful totally disabling disease, child has a potentially life threatening diagnosis with who-knows-how-many-more surgeries, sometimes crushing financial responsiblities, children to raise through it all and on and on the list goes. "How do you do it?" I'm often asked. Good question. Walk in my moccassins for a mile. How would you do it?

We're human. We hurt. We have questions. You know, there's a lot I've learned about my Heavenly Father from my youngest son. I never get upset with him when he hurts or questions why he has to go through surgery after surgery and live for a year in a body cast while all of his friends go "Scot free". I just hold him closer and assure him of my love. My heavenly Father does the same thing for me - He holds me closer and reminds me over and over that He loves me.

Recently,these three songs stood out - they were all about shadows. The first one was on a record my daughter was playing of the Cathedrals. George Younce sings, "I'm in the Shadow". It goes like this:

I'm in the shadow of Somebody bigger,
And all the worlds power can't pull us apart.
Jesus stands firm between me and my Father
And only my Father can look on the heart.

Looks like I'm down for the very last time

No one to turn to - my life's on the line.

Then I remember, "I'm a child of the King

With Jesus beside me, I can do anything!"

You may accuse me when you see me fall

But Jesus will hear me whenever I call.

My failures were set at the foot of the cross.

I'm in the Lord's shadow - to Him I belong.

I'm in the shadow of Somebody bigger

And all the world's power can't pull us apart.

Jesus stands firm between me and my Father

And only my Father can look on the heart!

Then while listening in on Hobe Sound Bible Church's service the special song included this:

"Then I heard footsteps walking in the shadows and a Hand reaching down to show me He's still there.

Oh, I heard footsteps walking in the shadows and a Hand reaching out to show me He still cares!"

and

"Standing somewhere in the shadows you'll find Jesus. He's a Friend who always cares and understands. Standing somewhere in the shadows you will find him and you'll know Him by the nail prints in His hands."

Puts a different light on shadows, doesn't it? They aren't scary if there's Somebody bigger there! That's how I do it - me and every other victorious Christian going through scary situations ~ Hiding in the shadow of His Wings!

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in Him will I trust.

Surely he shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler and from the noise of the pestilence.

He shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust: his truth shall be thy shield and buckler.

Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day;

Nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon day.

...

For he shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.

They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone.

...

Because he hath set his love upon Me, therefore will I deliver him on high, because he hath known My Name.

He shall call upon Me and I will answer him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him."

Psalm 91:1-6, 11-12, 14-15

Thursday Thirteen ~ "P"~

2009-02-12T08:21:00.004-05:00

Well, this little fella has a whole cart load of my favorite flowers - PINK ROSES! Just in time to help us celebrate a whole bunch of blessings beginning with the letter "P" !

"P" must be my letter - as there are LOTS of things I enjoy that start with this purposeful letter!

1. Pretty PINK! - my very favorite pastel or any other shade for that matter! I'm pleased as punch with this pleasant color.

2. Patent leather-whether a purse with pockets (preferably black), shoes, or whatever, I really like it.

3.Porches - there's nothing like a porch. Little ones are adequate but a wrap-around would be my favorite. I just know my heavenly palace has a perfecly pretty one with hanging baskets of pink petunias hanging around it and big bushes of pink peonies with precious pansies planted all around! "Eye has not seen neither has it entered into the heart of man what God has prepared for those that love Him!" - but it sure is fun to try imagining, isn't it? . . .Palladian windows, real stone patios beside a pond, pink parlor - a perfectly pleasant place to have tea! Oh! I can hardly wait!

4.Peaches, pecans, pepper jam, pimentoes, pistachios, pineapples, pears, plantains, peas, preserves, pepperoni, pies, petit fours, pancakes, parfaits, pasta,... mmm! Love 'em all!

5. Patchwork quilts - pastel ones from the past in the double wedding ring pattern would be m favorite. They show patient persistence with their pleasant patterns.

6. Polka dots - any shape any color. Love 'em! Pink polka dot pillows . . . ;). Now that's a good project idea!

7. Play the piano - I'm not good but it's a wonderful way to worship, de-stress and re-focus. I have a lovely portrait of my precious family hanging over mine.

8. Pennsylvanian by birth. My Papa, whose favorite restaurant happened to be Perkins, my cousin, who happens to be a Park Ranger, and a host of others - all from PA!

9.Patriotic Parades - LOVE to go to parades. The bands playing, flags waving and all the old cars are my favorites.

10. Preacher - I'm proud of my Preacher-Daddy. The best one ever and most young people that ever heard him whole heartedly agree. He was a GOOD one!

11. Plates, place settings, placecards, placemats . . . Ooo, la, la! Happiness is!

12. Picturesque places like Pike's Peak and Plymouth Plantation and Plymouth Rock. I've been blessed to photograph both places!

and the best for last . . .

13.PRAYER! Purposeful, precious, patient, preserving, peaceful prayer! One of the most wonderful benefits of being a child of the King. I could not live without it. It pleases the Father when we pray! Psalms and Proverbs provide pearls of purpose and promises for prayer. Mighty miracles are performed because PRAYER CHANGES THINGS! (This pink chair in my living room is my favorite place to pray).

Have a lovely day!

Wednesday's Winter Comfort Foods and Well-Said Sayings

2009-01-28T09:55:00.011-05:00

Does this look yummy or what? It's so easy, too! Check out this link for easy to follow directions

http://www.foreverwherever.com/?p=760

And some quotes worth repeating:

"Well done is better than well said." - Benjamin Franklin

"People learn more quickly by doing something or seeing something done."

-Gilbert Highet

"If you always do what you've always done, you'll always get what you've always got." - Selected

"Education makes up what we are." - C.A. Helvitus

"We want to see the child in pursuit of knowledge - not the knowledge in pursuit of the child." - G.B. Shaw

"Educating your child isn't just completing bookwork, it's teaching your child who to be and how to be." - Selected

Enjoy this lovely Winter Wonderland - a Gift from the Father for His Much Loved Children!

Tuesday's Tea Time

2009-01-27T18:21:00.005-05:00

Last Monday was my birthday. If you read my daughter's post, you will know that my mom, sister and her surprised me with a tea at Mrs. Teapots the previous Tuesday. (That was when they could work it out as a surprise). You can read about it on Lorna's blog.

It was the best birthday ever!

My mother-in-law gave me some money and this is what I purchased with it.

I fell in love with this teapot at Home Goods and decided that's what I would get with any money I received for my birthday.

On the way to the checkout, I spotted this darling set of tea towels and since they were having their first-time-ever 15% off sale, I was able to get the teapot and the tea towels with my birthday money!

I was so excited! Thank you, Mom T.!

Happy Birthday to me!!

2009-01-19T14:40:00.003-05:00

Ok so you know this isn't Denise!! She would NEVER put a post on here for her birthday LOL!! So this is her daughter Lorna. I just wanted to let y'all know my mom is a WHOLE year OLDER!! Good thing is she doesn't look it LOL!! :) So leave a comment and wish her a Happy Birthday!! I know she'll appreciate it!! Thanks!! :)

Thursday Thirteen ~ "O" ~

2009-01-08T10:34:00.000-05:00

I'm going to try to finish up the alphabet with Thursday Thirteen posts.

Counting blessings alphabetically is a great way to focus on things that otherwise just get lost in the shuffle of life.

So here goes

Blessings that Start with the Letter "O":

1. Our Father's outrageous (humanly speaking) offer to obliterate our sins! No longer an outcast, I enjoy this optimum opportunity to enjoy an earthly oasis from the oppression of the Old Man as long as I obey the Omnipotent One. He's my Alpha and Omega - I long for the day I observe my Beloved coming to take me to the home I'll occupy with Him forever!

2. Oceans - I've been blessed to observe the Indian, Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The Indian is the most beautiful, the Pacific the deepest and the Atlantic the most vast. No wonder they say His love is like an ocean! Beautiful, deep and vast!

3. Ona - the name of both my paternal grandmother and my dear sweet sister-in-law!

4.Ohio and Oklahoma - beautiful states I've been blessed to visit and one of which I call home.

5. Operating computers online!

6. Oblong oak table - I have a beautiful one built by our Amish friend, Owen, where we often enjoy old-fashioned meal time!

7. Orange Free State - one of South Africa's most beautiful provinces that I've been blessed to visit. My friend, Eleanor's daughter lives in it's beautiful city of Bloemfontein. The beautiful fields of sunflowers there are a sight to behold!

8. Oval - my favorite shape! I'm so glad God created that one!

9. Organ - I LOVE to play the organ and have been the organist at four different churches.

10.Orthopedic Operations - have given my son an extra-ordinary lease on life!

11. Ottoman - love my big ottoman!

12. Organize - working on getting organized - again. It's awful hard with surgeries interrupting all the time, let me tell you!

13. Orthodontics - my first job was working as a nanny for my orthodontist, Dr. Ann Wilson in Port Saint Lucie, Florida.

Tuesday's Tea Time

2009-01-06T17:43:00.001-05:00

While visiting my in-laws over the holidays, I came across my husband's grandmother's recipe box. The recipe cards were so neatly written out in her schoolteacher-perfect handwriting.

This card made me the most excited as I read, " Afternoon Tea Cakes" !

I planned to make them for our afternoon tea time today; but, alas, I spent most of the day getting my husband to his doctor's appointment and home.
We had a winter storm advisery and icy roads so ... Smile!

I do hope you'll stay and enjoy a cup of hot tea and sample some delicacies left from the holidays.

Don't you just love my teapot? It was Grandma's, too! Isn't the electric cord interesting?
I'm afraid to try it, though it probably still works. I love this moss rose pattern.
We can have hard boiled eggs in the matching egg cups that were also hers
and we'll share our sweets on the pretty matching dish that my mom gave me!
If you'll come back tomorrow, I'll have some of these "Afternoon Tea Cakes" for us to try.
I do wonder who shared this recipe with Grandma and when and with whom she shared them.
It would be fun to know, wouldn't it?
In case you can't read the recipe from the picture, here it is:

Afternoon Tea Cakes

1 cup shortening

2 c. brown sugar

1 egg, beaten

1/2 tsp. salt

2 Tbsp. cinnamon

2 tsp. baking powder

2 1/2 c. flour

Cream sugar and shortening. Add egg, then sifted dry ingredients. Chill, roll into log and cut. Bake on greased baking sheet 8-10 minutes at 450 degrees.

- Eula Truesdale
Enjoy!

Menu Plan Monday

2009-01-05T08:54:00.004-05:00

Good Morning! It's a little chilly out this morning but the sun is shining! Hurray!

There's nothing like sunshine to give a cheery start to the week, is there?

January is not only the beginning of a new year, but it's also the beginning of the second semester of school. With a senior that needs to have all of his work done by the first part of April, I decided I would need to be VERY organized to make sure everything that needs to happen this semester - HAPPEN! First on the list is my menu. Everything goes smoother when the family is well-fed so... Here is our menu for this week and a recipe for

THE BEST HASHBROWN CASSEROLE EVER!

Monday: Spaghetti

Crescent Rolls

Cole Slaw

Tuesday: Hashbrown Casserole

Applesauce

Peas

Wednesday: Baked Pork Chops

Rice and Gravy

Salad

Thursday: Chicken Tacos

Friday: Fish Sticks

Macaroni and Cheese

Green Beans

Saturday: Chicken Rice

Corn

Applesauce

Blueberry Muffins

Sunday: Pork Roast / Potatoes / Carrots

Jello

Rolls

Green Beans

Best Hashbrown Casserole Ever!

2 pkgs. frozen hashbrowns

2 cans cream of chicken soup

16 oz. sour cream

1 stick butter / margarine

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 375 degees. Melt one stick of butter. Mix with potatoes, soup, sour cream and cheese. Put in greased 9 x 13 and bake uncovered for an hour. This can also be baked for 45 minutes, cooled and frozen for use at a later date. I like to make two at a time and freeze one. Just set in fridge the night before and bake for 20-30 minutes before supper.

Have a wonderfully blessed week!

Happy New Year!

2009-01-04T17:23:00.005-05:00

Happy New Year to you and your family!

May this be the best year you've ever had!

Merry Christmas!

2008-12-25T08:43:00.003-05:00

Merry Christmas! I can hardly believe it's already here!

We are going over to my sister, Diana's, for the day.

What a priceless gift - the gift of a loving family.

I'm thankful for the gift of His precious Son -

I can't imagine the Love that must possess the Father

to do what He's done for us,

but I'm eternally grateful.

May He bless your homes with unspeakable peace, love and joy this holiday season.

Pictures!

2008-12-12T11:44:00.002-05:00

Here are some pictures of the creche that Dan's dad and DJ built! I love the star on top and just everything about it! Thanks Dad and DJ! It's lovely!

Tea Time at Miss Annabelle's Tea Parlor

2008-11-30T15:42:00.003-05:00

My daughter, Lorna, put this post together for me and made my header. Isn't it lovely? I'm SOOO blessed!

Thanksgiving 2008

2008-11-28T11:44:00.005-05:00

This year we weren't able to travel because of Benji's recent surgery - he's just not able to yet. We invited Grandma and Grandpa Truesdale to come to our house instead. We enjoyed a wonderful visit with them.

Around the table getting ready to enjoy roasted turkey, smoked turkey, mashed potatoes, gravy, rolls, cranberries, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, relishes, etc.

Benji LOVES to play games and Grandma is always willing to play so that's what they did just about all day. I think Grandma won one game - and they play fair and square. Maybe that's why he LOVES to play games ;) !

I have longed for a creche for MANY years. DJ found these crates for free on Craigslist in anticipation of maybe being able to entice his very talented Grandpa into helping him make a creche for me. Well, let me tell you, I now have THE NICEST CRECHE EVER in my front yard. We'll take a picture tonight and you can see how lovely it is!

I hope you all had a pleasant Thanksgiving. We enjoyed the moments immensely as we never know who won't be around the table next year. Dan's brother, Dean, shared Thanksgiving with us three years ago and we would have never suspected it would be his last.

Family is SUCH a BLESSING!

Hug yours close today and enjoy.

Each day is a gift!

Giving Thanks

2008-11-23T12:02:00.006-05:00

This picture was taken last Sunday, November 16,2008 after an Emergency Surgery (#9) on Friday for Benji - 9 years old. Two new rods, two bone grafts, four screws and a new implant in his back. The old implant had somehow come loose. He is now in at least two text books - not exactly the kind of fame one desires. Through it all this is the song God gave me in "the night".

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free!

Rolling as a mighty ocean

in it's fullness over me!

Underneath me, all around me,

Is the current of Thy love -

Leading onward, leading homeward,

To Thy glorious rest above!

* * * * * * * *

O the deep, deep love of Jesus -

Spread His praise from shore to shore!

How He loveth, ever loveth,

Changeth never, nevermore!

How He watches o're His loved ones,

Died to call them all His own;

How for them He intercedeth,

Watcheth o're them from the throne!

* * * * * * *

O the deep, deep love of Jesus,

Love of every love the best!

'Tis an ocean full of blessing,

'Tis a haven giving rest!

O the deep, deep love of Jesus-

'Tis a heaven of heavens to me;

And it lifts me up to glory,

For it lifts me up to Thee!

-Samuel Trevor Francis

* * * * * * *

This Sunday, we are home. As Benji so knowingly put it, "It's Prayer."

Prayer Changes Things!
Thank you for praying!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "N"

2008-10-23T13:13:00.000-04:00

Thursday Thirteen this week recounts blessings I've enjoyed or enjoy daily that begin with the letter "N".

1. Nesi - my nickname. Aren't nicknames dear? They mean someone loves us enough to call us by a very special name meant just for us! My mother started calling me Nesi Gay as a little girl and when I became an aunt for the first time in July 1988, I received the very special title of "Aunt Nesi". Since then, lots of special people call me Aunt Nesi -people I love VERY much!

2.Neices and nephews - my neices by blood lines number eight. Nephews number six. Adopted ones! Innumerable!

3.Netherlands, Niagara Falls, New England, Nantucket - lovely places I've been blessed to visit. Here are some lovely nautical views I noticed in Nantucket. Would love to visit that lovely island for a week in the fall. Wouldn't that be a nice for the senses?

(Maybe stay in this darling Rose Covered Cottage- it really is this beautiful!)

4.Nutcrackers - ever noticed the variety of nutcrackers? My youngest son started collecting them the Christmas they told us would more-than-likely be his last. That was Five years ago! Alot of nutcrackers have been added to his collection since then. Since it seems he usually spends time in the hospital around the holidays, he often receives nutcrackers as get well cheer gifts. They bring him a lot of pleasure and joy.

5. Nasturtiums - a delightful flower that's so easy to grow. They say they are good on salads since they have a peppery taste - I don't know. I think they're too pretty to eat!

6. Neighborhood - we live in the second house built in our subdivision and are the longest residents as a result. I love our little neighborhood out in the country, though the city is quickly reaching us.

7.Nutricious nuts - mmm! We bought a two pound bag of pecans at Sam's yesterday. Turtles, pecan pie, pecan tassies, mmm!

8. Newspaper - an ammenity I really enjoy. It's nice to be able to skim through the headlines and find out what's happening in our world. God used the newspaper to help us get in with one of the best neurologists in the world. Dr. Espay has been a real god-send in my husbands encounter with Parkinson's Disease.

9.Needlework - sewing, crocheting, embroidery are some of my favorite hobbies in needlework. I've done a little quilting too.

10.Nature - so restful and refreshing. Normal life cycles, nests, noises. I do believe, "One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth!"

11.Nap - confession is good for the soul, they say. I live for my Sunday afternoon nap. My week goes so much better with one!

12.Noodles - homemade ones are one of my favorite dishes. In the fall/winter, we usually enjoy them at least twice a month.

13. November - the month I received my first bundle of joy! He'll be 18 this year. Hard to believe the little preemie that fought so hard for his life has grown up so fast! I'm so proud of him-he loves Jesus and one of my favorite sights every day is seeing him FAITHFULLY reading his Bible EVERY night- doesn't matter how tired he is! Love you, DJ! (He's also the one that set up and helps me with my blog;) )

Tuesday's Teatime

2008-09-30T11:12:00.005-04:00

Fall cleaning often entails a little sprucing up of our homes. I've been a bit bored with my decor and wanted to add some new life to our little cottage by re-using things I already have.

That means it's time to start looking through a collection of magazines carefully saved through the years!

I have all but maybe a half dozen copies of Victoria magazine and I've been perusing precious issues from 1988- 1991 this week looking for fresh decorating ideas. I haven't been disappointed! I'll share some of the pages of the magazine with you and the results of their inspiration in my cottage over the next few weeks.

Today, though, I'd like to share this enchanting picture of a tea table belonging to a lady who shared tea time with her friends in a Tea Circle. Raised in a parsonage and blessed with a delightful collection of bone china tea cups collected by her grandmother on travels as a missionary's wife, she chose to bless the lives of her friends by inviting them to her Tea Circle. This is a picture of her tea table sparkling with antique lace, garden flowers, and a delightful array of tea sandwiches, vanilla cake, scones and chocolate madeleins.

Maybe I'll start my own Tea Circle once Fall Cleaning is complete as a special reward for a job accomplished!

Wouldn't that be fun?

Day at the Zoo

2008-09-26T10:14:00.021-04:00

Yesterday we went to the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens for Wildlife Discovery Days. Five of the home schooling families from our church and my sister, her daughters and my parents joined us. It was a picture perfect day and we all had a great time. DJ and Dusty - Best Buds!
Five homeschool families from our church and our Junior Church Directors, Dave and Margaret Jowers joined us for this fun day at the zoo.

My sister, Diana, brought her two daughters and three foster children along with the special treat of my parents for the day. We REALLY enjoyed this added bonus!
Anna Pilmore, Klayton Hutchinson, Benji, and Bryan Hausman hanging out in the barn at the Children's Zoo.
Where we spent the most time - at Gorilla World. They were so funny! The new baby was full of entertainment carrying on with his mom, dad and grandpa.

The giraffes are back! It was neat to see them in their really nice new pen.

Benji, Bryan, Darla, Zach, Emily and Margaret waiting in line to feed the giraffes. We timed our visit just right! They fed them carrots.

Lorna, Jamie and Emily - cousins hanging out at the zoo.

Zach Pilmore, Benji, Tyler Mills and Klayton Hutchinson visiting the bears.

Zach and Benji strangling a bird statue. Zach's a guy after his hunter-daddy's heart-
anything gory sounds great to Benji!

Brittany and Natasha Hausman, Lorna, Deanna Jowers and Emily Pilmore enjoying a lovely day at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens.

Thursday Thirten ~ "M"

2008-09-25T08:00:00.001-04:00

Tomorrow marks one year of blogging for me! I had hoped to get in 100 posts by then but, alas . . .

Thirteen things beginning with the letter "M" that I'm thankful for in my life:

1. Mommy - My favorite lady in the whole wide world - and also my favorite title.

2. Martha's Vineyard, Manhattan, Mackinac Island - lovely places I've been blessed to visit.

3. Music - I love music whether it's classical, oldies, Big Band, jazz, Southern Gospel or hymns, music blesses my life.

4.Macaroni and Cheese - mmm, yummy! LOVE that stuff!

5. Mac Intosh Apples - the best for a delicious homemade apple pie.

6.Mail - regular daily delivery. Blessed to be an American enjoying this benefit.

7. Mercy - I will sing of the MERCIES of the LORD FOREVER!

8. Maps - Maps and Mapquest. Can you imagine living pre -maps?

9.Miracles - I'm a recipient of many miracles - the most precious of which is when He saved my soul from eternal damnation.

10. Magazines - I LOVE magazines - a trait I inherited from my Daddy ;) !

11. Missionary Kid - blessed to be among their ranks. They are THE MOST blessed kids in the WHOLE world!

12. Meredith - my mother's first name and my daughter's middle name. My mother was named for her mother's best friends, Marie and Edith - Meredith!

13. Milk - nothing like a glass of ice cold milk, milk chocolate, Milk Duds - mmm- anything made with milk!

Have a lovely evening and don't forget to stop by tomorrow for my One Year Blog-a-Versary party!

So, What did you do this Summer?

2008-09-24T20:56:00.000-04:00

The long lazy days of summer are just a memory now. Remember when you first went back to school in the fall and the teacher would have you write a paper on what you did that summer? Wouldn't it be fun to read through all those papers again? Well, in honor of all those summer memory papers, here's a brief glimpse of how our summer started. We went to Michigan to spend a week at my in-laws. Grandpa so graciously offered to teach my son, Benji, how to fish. It takes A LOT of patience to catch a fish and here's a pictorial of Benji Learning to Fish.

This is how you bait the hook!

This is how you cast the line. (Notice Benji's toy poodle, Pup Pup, patiently waiting through the "How-To Process").
This is how you catch the fish - wait patiently and quietly on a lovely early summer afternoon with your little dog at your side.And without the little dog at your side!
And you'll eventually CATCH A FISH!
Then, you celebrate with a ride around the pond with your sister in Grandpa's Peddle Boat!

Wonderful Memories: A little boat, a patient Grandpa, a sweet little dog, a lovely summer afternoon, a dear sister, a boat and a pond!

Wordless Wednesday

2008-09-24T09:49:00.002-04:00

Another Tuesday's Tea Time - At Last!

2008-09-23T17:55:00.002-04:00

Don't these just look so yummy? A charming new bakery opened up just this month with the enticing name of

A Spoon Fulla Sugar.

With a name like that, Lorna and I couldn't resist! We chose

a Cinnamon Pecan Danish

and

a Nana's Meltaway

to have with our tea today. They are so yummy!

If you are anywhere near the Fields-Ertel/ Mason-Montgomery area,

do treat yourself to a most wonderful experience at A Spoon Fulla Sugar located in Enyart Square on Montgomery Road.

They also carry a delectable assortment of tea time treats like

Petit Fours, fruit tarts, mini cupcakes, etc., etc.

You won't be disappointed and their prices are very reasonable.

Happy Fall Y'all!

2008-09-22T20:46:00.001-04:00

Hello Again! Long time - no see! I do miss our little visits here in cyber world so thought I'd just pop in and say,

"Happy Fall"!

It's hard to believe, summer is technically over and Fall officially begins today, isn't it?

This is our sixth week of school and Thursday we have our first field trip of the 2008-2009 School Year!

We're going to

the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens

for Wildlife Discovery Days

with our church's homeschool group.

It'll be a fun outing with picnic lunches and lots of Socialization!!

Happy Autumn to you and yours!

Wordless Wednesday - Summer Sunset

2008-09-17T21:17:00.001-04:00

Home Again! Home Again! Jiggedy Jog!

2008-08-21T14:48:00.005-04:00

Oh, it's so good to be home again! Jiggedy jog it was this summer. I'm not sure whatever became of the "lazy days of summer" but there certainly haven't been any around our house this summer! Isn't it wonderful to be able to be busy though?

I really enjoy reading Joni Tada's daily email devotionals. They are always wonderful reminders to be seekers after God no matter what our circumstances. Her cheerful outlook despite her physical condition keeps me so thankful for my healthy able body. It's good to be on the run - on my own! I've decided to have a positive outlook about it since it doesn't look like anything can be cut out of the busy life I lead. So I count my blessings: legs to run and do my own duties, arms to carry fresh laundry, food and whatever else, a mind that is clear to worship my Creator while caring and planning for my family and those about me, a safe country with many freedoms to enjoy, and on and on I could go.

Blessings - I enjoy so many! God is SOOOOO good, isn't He?

Today, in honor of Thursday Thirteen, I recount 13 wonderful blessings I enjoy that begin with the letter "L":

1. Lorna - my daughter, My Sunshine. She makes me happy when skies are gray! She'll never know just how much I love her!

2. Lady - I love being a lady and enjoy all the ladylike things - like LACE and tea ;) !

3.Lamplight - lamplight is so kind and warm and inviting. Antique porcelain ones with roses painted on them are my favorites.

4. Laugh - a merry heart is good medicine. I had a child ask me this summer, "Why do you always laugh?" It beats crying and it releases chemicals that heal, maybe that's why- or maybe it's because Gay is my middle name and that means "happy". Happy people laugh , don't they?

5. Lake Michigan - a BEAUTIFUL lake we visit as often as we can. We enjoyed Grand Haven's Musical Fountains again the first week of July.

6.Laundry - Clothes to wash means my family is protected and warm. An automatic washer and dryer make this job SO much easier though I do love to hang clothes on the line and smell their wonderful freshness when they are dried.

7.Lavender - a lovely plant with a wonderful fragrance. The heavy snows killed all of mine so I must plant more soon to scent my linens and closets with.

8. Lawn - a freshly mown lawn, ahhh! Delightful to see and to smell!

9. Learn - the ability to learn. Libraries are a smorgasbord of learning opportunities and a favorite place to spend a morning.

10. Love - "to love and be loved is the greatest joy on earth."

11.Liberty - "Sweet Land of Liberty - of thee I sing!"

12. Lord - the sweet Rose of Sharon, the Balm in Gilead, the Cleft in the Rock, A wonderful Saviour is Jesus, MY LORD!

13. Life - a most wonderful gift. Eternal Life - a priceless treasure and my soul's sole pursuit.

May you enjoy your very own set of blessings today!

Wordless Wednesday ~ Post # 75

2008-07-02T15:13:00.004-04:00

Tuesday's Teatime ~ A Tea Toast!

2008-07-01T15:19:00.003-04:00

Happy Anniversary, Sweetheart!

Love is like tea, the longer it's in hot water, the stronger it gets! Our love has endured it's share of hot water with Dan's failing health and the sweet bundle of joy God blessed us with nine years ago. The challenges of Parkinson's Disease and Acute Infantile Scoliosis have brought out the proof of our very special commitment to each other.

Who would have ever dreamed when we made those promises 19 years ago the extent to which those promises would be tested? In sickness? Maybe when we were old and our children had children of their own but we sure weren't planning on it when we were still young and busy raising our family! God has been so faithful though and you've been a real trooper. Like Lorna says, "I'm so glad Daddy's a Christian and wants to do what's right!" Always remember, I love YOU!

So today, we raise a glass of sweet iced tea - a toast to life together with all the challenges God knows we can handle with His Help. I'm incredibly thankful for God's bountiful mercies and unmeasurable grace.

P.S. The little baby girl dressed in yellow will commence her life with her love this August 1st!

Best Wishes to you Ashleigh and John!

I wanted to link to this incredible devotion from Joni and Friends but it wouldn't work so I'm copying and pasting it. This is TRUE LOVE - the kind Dan and I share. Enjoy!

A Word from Ken

Glorify the Lord with me; let us exalt his name together. -- Psalm 34:2-3
I've never written one of my wife's devotionals before, but I wanted to do it today. July 3rd is our anniversary. I also want to write because Joni recently arrived home from the hospital where she survived a struggle against double pneumonia. Those nine days in the hospital were extremely difficult for Joni. They were difficult for me, too. I felt helpless, unable to do much for her except to press on her abdomen to help her cough. I stayed at the hospital every night, making sure she had someone to be her "muscles" when she needed help breathing. Quadriplegics like Joni have limited lung capacity, and many don't live through such an ordeal. It's amazing she recovered. Obviously God has much more work for her to do. And me, too. For all these years, we've shared a marvelous mission together. And underline that word together. Joni and I were never more "together" than when she and I were battling against her pneumonia in the hospital. One would think a feeling of togetherness would occur over a candlelight dinner or a romantic vacation. But isn't it just like God to strengthen our unity, deepen our commitment, and breathe fresh romance into our marriage through, well... dealing with pneumonia in a hospital?! * * * * * * * * The sense of being together is never stronger than when you are in the trenches with a loved one battling a common enemy side-by-side. Stressful situations can bring us closer together. Ephesians 2:22 says, "And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit." Father, help me find someone today with whom I can exalt your name. If an affliction, disappointment or illness is separating me from a loved one, give me the grace and wisdom to embrace them in the midst of hardship. I want to be built up "together" with them... all for the praise of your glory.
Blessings,
Joni and Friends

Tuesday's Teatime - Tea Decor

2008-06-24T10:23:00.002-04:00

Welcome to our afternoon teatime! Come into my garden and we'll each have a tall glass of sweet ice tea. Let's sit over here on the triple glider under the apple tree. I'm so excited we're getting our first crop of apples this year! Don't you just love the chimes I hung from one of the branches? It says,

"I'd like to take my troubles

and toss them in the sea

But since I can't I'll smile instead

over a cup of tea!"

The little upside down teacups actually make a pretty sound when the wind blows. I've accumulated a few different tea related items to decorate with outside and this is one of my favorites.

My daughter spotted this at Miss Annabelle's Tea Room.

I thought we'd just enjoy some freshly picked strawberries from the garden with our iced tea. I made some of this cream cheese fruit dip to dip them in - mmm, yummy!

Cream Cheese Dip

8 ounces cream cheese, softened

7 ounces Marshmellow Creme

2 Tablespoons strawberry freezer jam

Blend together. Refrigerate before serving.

It's so hot here today; but, with your sweet company, a tall glass of ice tea, strawberries and dip, and the little breeze blowing - well, life's just sweet!

Thank you for joining me today - see you next week!

P.S. Sorry I was late getting this on. I've been having a terrible time with my Internet connection this week and then I couldn't get on blogger :( !

Thursday Thirteen ~ "K"

2008-06-19T18:24:00.011-04:00

It's Thursday again and time for me to re-numerate blessings that start with the letter "K"!

1. Karla - it's been fun to be back in touch with this childhood friend thanks to Blogland!

2. Kiwi - love this yummy green fruit, mmmmm!

3.Kids - So thankful for the three kids God has blessed my life with.

4. Keeper at Home - VERY thankful to be able to be a Keeper at Home.

5. Kent - my cousin. The brave and adventurous one that enjoys galavanting all over the globe!

6. Kitchen - I REALLY enjoy my lovely pink and white kitchen with all its bunny and tea accoutrements.

7. Knead - one of my favorite hobbies is making bread and kneading the dough is the next best part.

The best being eating it hot out of the oven!

8. Knowledge - so thankful for the availablity of knowledge and the priviledge of processing and retaining knowledge.

9. Kapok Tree - a delightful restaurant in Clearwater FL that Dan and I went to one one of our first dates. He'll never forget the day or place because he erringly made the following remark as I was enjoying the architecture and ambience,

"This reminds me of the GBS cafeteria!"

I was astounded that he would dare bring the beloved Kapok Tree down to the level of a college cafeteria ! ;)

10. Kit Kats - one of my favorite candy bars. They always bring back fond childhood memories of afternoons spent reading books from the Ladybrand library and enjoying a Kit Kat from Okay Bazaars.

11. Krogers - If you've never been outside the country, you can't fully appreciate the cleanliness, variety, selection and safety of Krogers!

12. Keylime Pie - such a refreshing and delightful dessert! Yummy!

13. Kentucky and Kansas - two beautiful states I've enjoyed visiting in this great nation of ours.

Enjoy a wonderful evening!

Tuesday's Teatime

2008-06-17T20:36:00.004-04:00

Good Afternoon! Well, it's such a lovely afternoon for our Tuesday's Teatime, we can enjoy our tea either iced or hot today! Such a refreshing cool breeze blowing, isn't it? I'm really enjoying it after all the hot humid weather we've been having!

What kind of tea would you like today? There's Blueberry Bang - I like this one iced; but, I imagine it would be good hot as well. Angel's Dream - that one's good hot or cold, though I must say, I prefer it iced since it's a fruity tea. Hawaiian Colada is a nice tropical blend that's refreshing iced too and oh, yes, Strawberry Kiwi- I can't imagine enjoying it any way but iced! Isn't it a such a pretty pink color? There's also Georgia Peach - I personally like that one hot, and La Marche Spice- it's good hot, too! French Blend- very high in caffeine, it's a great pick-me-up with a nice bold flavor too, Rainbow Rooibus- another fruity one and oh, don't forget, Bora Boramango - it is SO good iced! Very refreshing! I also have a green tea - mint- just for Corrie ;) and always there's Constant Comment - my own all time personal favorite! Or, if you like I can fix you a cup of just plain tea. It would have to be Lipton's, you know! I think their's has the best flavor.

Aren't you glad every day can be a special occasion? It's up to us to make it so! Today is the perfect excuse to make it a special occasion with a cuppa or two - just me and you having a nice chat!

All but the green tea and Constant Comment came from Miss Annabelle's Tea Room in Loveland. We'll have to go there for tea sometime. Such a charming tearoom in the heart of historic Loveland. You know it's got to be pretty special located in a town with a name like that!

Well, I better be scooting along. I'm going to try a curtain job like the Nester shows on her blog, http://www.nestingplacenc.blogspot.com/- if it turns out pretty, I'll show you tomorrow!

Have a lovely afternoon!

Of Secret Sisters and Sowing Seed Scriptures

2008-06-16T08:36:00.001-04:00

Of Secret Sisters - This is the bulletin board I designed and put together for the Secret Sister area at our church. Please excuse the blurriness of the picture. I had a hard time getting the right lighting as it is in the basement. Anyway, I was so happy with how it all came together since I drew a complete blank when I decided we needed something different for this encouraging outreach. Inside the mini gift bags and tucked into the tissue paper are slips of paper with the different gifts promoted by this outreach. The scripture I chose was "A Gift is as a Precious Stone" Proverbs 17 :8. The gifts we encourage them to give are:

1. The Gift of Commitment- the lady you are assigned to

will be expecting you to uphold her inyour prayers and she should be able to rely on you for encouragement.

2. The Gift of Prayer - Pray daily for your Secret Sister.

Get to know her needs and her family's needs so that you may pray specifically for them.
3. The Gift of Caring - Make an effort to get to know your Secret Sister.

Discover her likes and dislikes. Know her favorites. Find out all about her.

4. The Gift of Encouragement - Be an encouragement to your Secret Sister.

Send her cards or notes of encouragement.

5. The Gift of Thoughtfulness - Remember your Secret Sister on her special occasions.

Don't forget to help her celebrate

her birthday and anniversary or other special landmarks.

Part of my responsibilites in the Junior Church Department include teaching the memory verse. This week I had an especially difficult time coming up with a way to teach what I felt was a long and hard to understand verse. Finally Sunday Morning, God answered my pleas for help and gave me this wonderful inspiration! The verse is " Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy, break up your fallow ground for it is time to seek the Lord til he come and rain righteousness upon you." Hosea 10:12

This is how we learned our verse:
Tyler - "Sow to yourselves in righteousness." He wore a gardening hat and had a couple packs of seeds.
Klayton -"Reap in mercy" - He had a rake,
Will- "Break up your fallow ground" - He had a hoe,
Caleb- "For it tis time to seek the Lord" - He has a clock behind his words,
Benji -"Till he come and rain righteousness upon you" - He has a watering can,
and last but not least...
the Address! Where is this verse found in the Bible? (That's it's address, right?)
The postman, Mr. Joseph tells us! Hosea 10:12! How do you like his Post Office uniform shirt? Thank you Bobbi for sharing your shirt with us.

So now you see what I'm up to on Sundays - It's such a joy to serve Jesus in these delightful ways.

Thursday Thirteen ~ "J"

2008-06-12T08:31:00.001-04:00

Time for a Thursday Thirteen post! Missed a few weeks but we'll pick up where we left off by listing thirteen things in my life that begin with the letter "J". I like to think of them as thirteen blessings~ so here goes:

1. John - the BEST dad in the world's name ~ mine! Isn't it funny how we all think ours is the best? ;) John is also Benji's first name and his paternal great-grandfather's name.

2. Jack - the funniest and most spoiled donkey that ever lived. He was my Papa's pet and they made quite the pair.

3.January - the month of my birth.

4.Jesus - my VERY BEST FRIEND, my Saviour and soon coming King!

5. Joy - "I've got the joy, joy, joy, joy down in my heart! Down in my heart to stay!"

6. Juice - guava is my favorite but I enjoy just about any fruit juice.

7. Jigsaw puzzle - it's such a fun challenge to put them together.

8. Job- my favorite is the one I hold now - wife and mother. I've been a receptionist in an orthodontist office, nanny, governess, teller, department manager, clerk, store owner, and Sunday School teacher but the one with the greatest outcome is mother and I LOVE it!

9. Jam - Strawberry Freezer Jam! Mmmmm! I'm getting quite the crop of strawberries this year from my garden and we're enjoying the best strawberry jam!

10.Johnny Jump-ups, Jonquils and Jasmine- Such lovely flowers God's given us to enjoy!

11.Jazz - I REALLY enjoy some easy jazz music - especially sax. OOOOO!

12. Jet - Now I can really get into flying! I longed to be a stewardess when I was a little girl so I could fly all over, all the time!

13.James - both my husband and my oldest son's middle name. My husband was named for his maternal grandfather, James Albight.

What would I do without all these delightful blessings?

Isn't God good!

He's so graciously poured out so many extras for our enjoyment!

May you enjoy a jubilant and joyous day in Jesus!

Happy Birthday, Elijah Phillip Dickinson!

2008-06-11T11:59:00.000-04:00

Little Elijah is four weeks old today! Lorna and I were the privileged ones that got to take him and his mommy home from the hospital. His dear, loving daddy was in Columbia taking care of necessary business and little Elijah thought he'd go ahead and make his entrance into the world while daddy was on the other side of the equator! His mommy was so brave to go through this time without her hubby. I'm sure she's VERY glad to be holding Elijah in her arms instead of carrying him around in her tummy.

"I Remember Laura" Blog-a-Thon Week 1

2008-06-06T20:42:00.008-04:00

Another fun Blog-a-Thon to partipate in! This one promises to be as exciting as the last as it centers around one of my very favorite childhood memories - that of reading "The Little House on the Prairie" books. I believe it was Karla's mom , that sent the complete set to our family when we were in Africa. Either way, the set is incredibly dogeared after four girls reading and re-reading and re-reading them over and over again!

Miss Sandy at Quill Cottage is hosting this blog-a-thon with this weeks feature being quilts or quilting.

Laura and her sister, Mary were started in the needle arts at very young ages and were required to work on quilt squares working them into the nine patch pattern. In memory of this, Miss Sandy wants us to share our quilts or quilt related items and share their stories.

This is the only quilt I've ever made and it's made out of the very popular double knit in the Flower Garden pattern. I love this quilt not only because of the bright cheerful colors but of all the memories it preserves. All the fabrics were scraps of clothing items my mom made for either herself or us girls on her Singer Treadle Sewing machine. This beautiful machine still sews a perfect stitch and I believe she plans to use it to make the bridesmaids dresses for her first grand daughters wedding this summer! Pretty incredible when you realize she was given this machine by her pastors wife who sewed all the clothes for her four boys on it before she gave it to my mom!

Back to the quilt - I was only nine years old when I cut out ALL these shapes for this quilt. If you've ever cut double knit , you have a real appreciation for this endeavor. After pinning the pieces together, I worked the treadle while my mom guided the needle on the machine. Having had three nine year olds now, I realize how great the desire must have been to have this quilt for my "Holly Hobby" bedroom! I can't imagine my kids sticking with a task this momentous! Because of all of Mommy's duties as a pastor's wife and mother, there wasn't time to hand quilt it so we took the quilt top to a lady that did machine quilting. She sweetly put a beautiful pink sheet for the backing- because you see, even then I LOVED pink!

My great-grandmother Somerville quilted and Grandma Fair did too. I have a baby quilt that she made using patches that she had had her nine children embroider as children(including the boys)! It's very fragile and is packed away.

Thursday's Thought

2008-06-05T09:57:00.002-04:00

"You are as much serving God in looking after your own children and training them up in God's fear, and minding your house and making your household a church for God, as you would be if you had been called to lead an army to battle for the Lord of Hosts."

- Charles Surgeon

Ronald McDonald House

2008-05-30T11:22:00.001-04:00

Once a month, the youth group at our church gathers the menu items and goes to the Ronald McDonald House next to Cincinnati Children's Hospital and fixes supper for the residents and patients there. We've been doing this for over two years, I believe. Whenever Scott Susan, the youth director isn't able, I drive the church van full of food and young people down there. It's alot of fun and a great way of fulfilling the Great Commission by feeding the hungry, binding up the broken hearted and healing the sick. I know, we aren't doctors and nurses but you'll have to admit there's nothing like a good homecooked meal when you don't feel well. Smile! The residents and staff volunteers are ALWAYS VERY glad to see us.

Last Friday was our turn to go and since Scott was out of town, I took the van full of young people and food downtown and supervised the meal prep. This is such a pleasure.

We have a GREAT bunch of kids!

This little guy is staying at the Ronald McDonald house while his bone marrow transplant "takes". Isn't he adorable? He's four years old and from Michigan. His mom told me so far so good - but the other little guy that had one done the same day wasn't so blessed-he's already enjoying heaven. I think this little fellow needed the love and attention we gave more than the food. For whatever reason, he found me and claimed me for the evening. He brought back alot of pleasant memories from the five years we were in Africa - even made me a little homesick!

This month was also pretty special when one of the folks that has been there for a while, came up to me and in very broken English thanked me profusely for the food. Her son is a patient at Children's and has had no appetite. Believe me, this is VERY distressing to the parent of a child who's ill and yet doesn't want to eat. Our Benji's been that way after just about every one of his eight surgeries. Anyway, the parents had fixed him a small taco and taken it over and he ate it all and wanted more! He also asked them to ask us what seasoning we had used in the meat so they could make it again. I had taken my big thing of taco seasoning from Sam's to season the meat with so I gave them what was left (about half) and rejoiced with them. This family has been very distant and reluctant to our advances at friendship so this was a real miracle. They are from Columbia, South America and who knows what the future will hold!

This month, my friend, Michelle, came with us for her very first visit. She was a big blessing as she washed and shredded the lettuce for our tacos and washed a PILE of dishes.
Thanks so much for coming along and all the work you did, Michelle!

So next time you go through the drive thru at McDonalds and see the little collection bin under the window, you know what the money's for - providing a home away from home for sick kiddos and their families!

Tuesday's Teatime ~ Mother-Daughter Tea Part 2

2008-05-27T16:26:00.017-04:00

Good Afternoon, Ladies! It's time for our Tuesday afternoon teatime! We'll enjoy our fresh scones, mock Devonshire cream, strawberry jam and Constant Comment tea while we look at the pictures of the Mother-Daughter Tea I hosted last Tuesday! We had a lot of fun and the ladies drank a lot of tea (seven teapots full and about three gallons of iced tea)!

Aren't friends just the greatest? I was so thankful Karen and Sharon came to my rescue and helped at the tea. Here they are (Karen's in the yellow and Sharon's wearing pink) helping to place the food in the proper areas as the ladies arrived for the evening.

As the ladies arrived, Karen relieved them of their food and Sharon gave the ladies 12 and under a questionaire to fill out and the ladies 13 and older a different sheet of paper with a unique question on it that they had to get answers for from 15 other ladies. Some of the questions were: 1.What's the favorite book you've ever read beside the Bible?,

2. What's your favorite song?

3. If you had a million dollars how would you spend it?,

4. What's your favorite snack?

5. What's your favorite beverage?,

6. What were you doing 10 years ago?,

7. What's your favorite childhood memory?, etc.

Later in the evening we went around the circle and each lady shared her question and a unique answer or similar response. It was very interesting and sometimes really funny.
Here Marylou,her mother and daughter, and Karen and Kianna are getting settled in. Each lady brought her own tea cup and prizes were awarded for the prettiest, funkiest and most unique. I wish I would have taken a picture of each winner with their teacup. Oh well, maybe next time! Whoops, did I say "next time"? I must be really tired! ;)

Heather Dickinson, her daughters and new baby were our guests of honor for the evening. We appreciate the sacrifices they make as a family in order to share the Good News with the people of Columbia, South America. We were also VERY glad little Elijah made his entrance in time that Mommy could be up to making it to the Tea!

After Heather asked the blessing, she led the way in the buffet line.

There was plenty of time for fellowship throughout the evening. Here Connie and Kristin are sharing.

It's hard to tell what Tammy's telling Grandma Jowers and Margaret; but, don't let the serious look on her face fool you! She's one of the best perpetrators of laughter- the good medicine!

When I first gave out the invitation to the Tea, I told the ladies that I would take keepsake photos of them and their daughter. That's when we thought there'd be only a couple dozen attending. When the numbers started rising, I decided I 'd better get someone else to do the pictures. Brenda Herring does an awesome job and she so graciously came and did photos - after going for her ultrasound where she found out she'll be having a boy later this fall! Congratulations, Brenda! And thank you SO much! You made a memorable evening even more memorable! You can see a couple of the pictures she took here: http://herringhappenings.blogspot.com/2008/05/why-i-havent-had-chance-to-blog.html

For the ladies 12 and under attending the tea, we played three games. The first was a tea bag toss. There were two teams and they had to toss a tea bag back and forth with a hat. The team that got the farthest apart without dropping their tea bag won. Adrean and Sarah won this game and received a special gift to take home.

One of the other games we played with the younger ladies was like hot potato but instead of a potato it was a hat filled with tea time attire. Whoever had the hat when the music stopped, got to put on one of the teatime accessories. These young ladies were the winners.

The other game we played was "Pass the Gift". You start the gift out with whoever and read a poem . Oddly enough, the young lady who started with the gift did end up with it! You can find the poem on creativeladiesministry.com, this game was a lot of fun.

Then it was time for the rest of the ladies' games. We started out by reading the questions they'd been given on arrival and had worked on throughout the evening. One of the question sheets had been marked with a rose stamp for a special door prize.

We also played "Pass the Gift" but with a couple little extra twists from the younger ladies version. And no, the person who started this time did not receive the gift in the end!

The winner also received a gift for her neighbor on her left!

When the young ladies 12 and under arrived, their questionaire was "How Well Do You Know Your Mother?" It had various questions they answered and if they were too young we had some of the older young ladies to help them (or a couple of the moms helped their daughters which kind of defeated the purpose but they didn't understand so...if I had this game again, we'd pay closer attention to this detail). After we played "Pass the Gift" with the ladies 13 and up, I read the "How Well Do You Know Your Mother?" questionaires out loud and then gave them to the mothers to keep. We got a lot of good laughs out of this one. Moms are REALLY special people if you ask their kids and sometimes they have some interesting quirks! - at least in their children's minds! Lol! One of the these questionaires also had a rose stamp so that little girl and her mother received a special gift to take home as well.

I failed to take a picture of the favors I made for each of the ladies but this is a picture of the ones I copied. It's a sweet paper doily carefully folded with a tea bag inside and a bow and flower sealing it. Each attendee received one of these to enjoy at a tea party they could later enjoy at home. All in all it was a delightful evening.

Happy Memorial Day!

2008-05-26T20:15:00.007-04:00

This is Ross McGinnis. He is my third cousin. His grandpa, Tim and my dad were very close cousins as boys. Some of you may remember the story that was national news a few months ago about the young soldier who saw a grenade coming into his Humvee. His buddies in the Humvee had no idea what was happening so this soldier threw himself on the grenade to save his buddies. That soldier was Ross. Next Monday, his parents will be at the White House to receive a Medal of Honor for their son's bravery. Only one soldier and one Marine have received this medal since our war with Iraq and Afghanistan began.

You can read Ross's story here: http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/mcginnisra.htm

Freedom isn't free.

These brave young men and many just like them are fighting for our freedoms.

Thank you, Ross!

Thank you, Ryan and Josh and Joe and Brent and Luke!

You are in our prayers!

We'll keep a yellow ribbon 'round the maple tree until you're all home - safe and sound!

We've had a wonderful day enjoying the freedoms you are fighting for!

May God richly bless you!

God Bless America!

Land that I love!

Stand beside her and guide her

through the night with a Light from above!

We started out our wonderful Memorial Day with the parade and ensuing ceremony in the lovely city of Loveland. The American Legion put together an awesome program of music, a speech by a veteran of World War II, taps and a gun salute. The ladies of the American Legion were selling crepe paper poppies made by disabled veterans and their president gave a little speech with the story of the poppies, too.
My grandma always had one in her car so we got one for each of us.

This afternoon was spent with our friends, Wayne and Sharon Hutchinson and their family at their property. We enjoyed a yummy cookout, walk in the woods and lots of fun and fellowship. Thank you, Wayne, Sharon, Kaitlyn, Kyle, Katrina and Klayton!

You're wonderful friends!

We plan to end the day with a visit to Dan's brother, Dean's grave. We'll place some flowers there for his parents (we were already there Saturday) and then drive over to King's Island to watch the fireworks. Home for ice cream and off to bed - grateful for all the many wonderful freedoms we enjoy because of those who've given their lives for

our country and the freedoms it provides for it's citizens!

God Bless America!

Mother- Daughter Garden Tea ~ Part 1

2008-05-24T08:27:00.013-04:00

This Tuesday, I hosted our church's monthly Ladies Night Out. About a dozen of the ladies get together the third Tuesday of each month and just fellowship. Sometimes we all bring a dish to share and sometimes we go to a restaurant. In January, we planned who would host which month's meeting, the theme, etc. I took May and being the tea lover that I am, said we'd do tea and croquet on the lawn.

Usually my yard is in peak performance and I thought this would be fun and . . . like I said, there are usually only about a dozen ladies so no big deal. ;) About the middle of April, I put together these invitations, rolled them up, tied them with a bow and placed them in a basket to hand out on a Sunday evening at church. Of course, all the ladies are always welcome at these meetings so each lady received an invitation. I put this clipboard in the foyer with an RSVP sheet and menu where the ladies could sign up for either

"Scones & Muffins", "Sweets", or "Savories".

Remember, I live in a cottage. A dozen ladies and their daughters is no problem; but, the numbers started climbing - 50, 60, 70, 80 until the Monday before the tea there were 81 ladies/ daughters RVSP'd to come to my tea!

Oh, boy! This was my baby - no committee or anything to help!

Sink or swim - do or die, we were committed!

Time to rally my troops - aka "DJ" and "Lorna"! Could have never done it without them.

We've been having a late Spring here in southern Ohio which being interpreted means, "It's been raining cats and dogs!" - and it's been chilly, too. There's no way I could fit 80 people in my cottage so it would have to be cancelled! "No", my pastors wife said, "you can have it in the Comargo Camp Dining Hall if it rains." Well, it rained all day Monday so that evening, DJ, Lorna and I went out to Comargo and set up the dining hall.

Tuesday evening, fifty-eight of the eighty-one people came for a fun evening of food, fellowship and games!

Here are pictures Lorna took of the food buffet before the ladies started partaking:
Scones and Muffins
Sweets
Muffins and Fruit
Fruit and Vegies
Savories and Sandwiches

Check back next Tuesday for more on this Tea. I will share the games we played with pictures, other activities and the favors I made and gave to each guest.

Have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "I"

2008-05-22T21:52:00.003-04:00

Here are some blessings I enjoy or have enjoyed that start with the letter "I":

1. Ice Cream ~ mmm yummy! I don't really have a favorite ~ chocolate chip cookie dough, moose tracks and mint chocolate chip are among them though!

2. Ibuprophen ~ so thankful we have this wonderful pain reliever available .
3. Information ~ especially the immediate access to it via the internet!

4. Indiana ~ where my parents and two of my sisters and their families live ~ a beautiful state where I've spent 5 years of my life.

5. Images ~ I enjoy viewing images with the most wonderful gift of sight.

6. Influence ~ I 've been blessed by the most positive, godly influences which have made such an important impact on my life.

7. In-laws ~ I have the some of the best in-laws in the world!

8. Inspiration ~ positive influences are a daily inspiration to me ~ especially that of my Heavenly Father.

9. Interstates ~ living near a large city at the intersection of three states, I enjoy our country's wonderful interstate system.

10. Interaction ~ I enjoy interacting with my family ~ including the family of God.

11. Interior Design ~ love it!

12. Irises ~ such a beautiful intricate flower. I have white and purple ones blooming right now.

13. Irish heritage ~ one look at all my freckles and you know I'm Irish! My Great Grandma and Grandpa Fair came over from the old country.

I trust you're having a blessed week. I hope to publish a post tomorrow with pics and details of the Mother - Daughter Garden Tea I had Tuesday with 58 guests. I apologize for no posts the past couple of weeks. In planning a tea for 81 (23 either didn't show or cancelled the day of the tea), there hasn't been much time left for blogging! LOL!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "H"

2008-05-08T16:40:00.004-04:00

Thirteen Blessings beginning with "H".

1. Home - I love my home! Wherever I'm hanging my hat, tis home!

2. Heaven - A blessed hope and where I'll someday be finally home!

3. Hope - what a blessing to have "bright hope for tomorrow!"

4. Hydrangeas - one of the most beautiful, intricate flowers God created. My daughter got me an Endless Summer one for Mother's Day last year that I just love.

5. Hats - aren't they such a beautiful crowning adornment protecting us at the same time? LOVE hats! Rachel used to be the Hat Queen- wonder if she still has a few? (She looks REALLY cute in them too!)

6.Houses- wonderful protection from the elements and the world. Some are so beautiful!

7. Highways- nice smooth roads that go just about anywhere. I 'll never forget enjoying them after coming back from Africa where roads are mostly cow paths.

8. Homeschooling - so thankful we're able to enjoy this legal alternative to an education.

9. Homemaker - my current job discription

10. History - one of my very favorite subjects

11. Holiness - thankful for the way of holiness

12. Heritage Lace - one of the favorite lines we carried in our store and with which I love to decorate.

13. Husband - thankful for the father of my children and all this special man has added to my life!

Enjoy a blessed weekend!

Vintage Thingie Thursday

2008-05-08T15:25:00.005-04:00

Aprons, vintage things, oh my! Sounds like something right down my alley! When I read about this fun meme on Karla's blog, I thought, "Now that would be fun!" So today I join the rest of those celebrating vintage things at http://anapronaday.blogspot.com . Won't you join us and share a picture of something old and meaningful to you? . . . And if you're like me and LOVE beautiful old things, it'll just be a matter of what you show and tell about first!

This beautiful lace curtain fluttering in the breeze at my bathroom window is actually a vintage tablecloth I picked up at an Estate Sale in Florida. I love the way it filters the sun shine in the afternoon. I just folded it over the rod (which gave it a "valance") and then gathered it up twice on the bottom and pinned it for a balloon curtain effect. A lovely vintage item I enjoy everyday ~ no linen closet living for this piece!

Tuesday's Teatime

2008-05-06T16:24:00.001-04:00

Well, girls, I wanted to set up one of the tables for the Mother-Daughter Garden Tea I'm having here at my cottage tearoom on the 20th; but, it just keeps raining and it's not supposed to quit until Saturday! I'm not complaining about the rain as we really need it but it's not really condusive to a Garden Tea, if you know what I mean!

We'll have to post that picture later, I guess.

So for today, I'll do a little tea and also pick up on the one theme I wasn't able to join in on

~ that of handmade tea related linens. I was finally able to locate this lovely table topper I purchased from our neighbor's Estate Sale many years ago. Do you see the darling teapot embroiderd in the front? There are three of them evenly spaced around the edge!

I think of Virginia often ~ as her muffin tins are my favorite. They are VERY old yet they bake a beautiful muffin EVERY time! I'll have to share a picture of them on next weeks

"Vintage Thingies Thursday's" post.

And since we are thinking of Virginia, we'll have

Blueberry Muffins made in her tins with our tea!

They'll match our little cloth and china "to a tea"!

Have a "tea-lightful" week and don't forget to stop over at www.gracioushospitality.blogspot.com and visit all the other entrants' blogs.

Thursday Thirteen ~ "G"

2008-05-01T09:34:00.005-04:00

Good Morning! I hope you are having a wonderful week so far! Blogworld has taken a back seat this past week as Spring colds and life as a Mommy took precedence. We'll pick up where we left off and try to do a little catch up too with Gracious Hospitality's Teatime Blog-a-Thon.

"G" is a very interesting letter - with two different ways of saying it in the English language. "G" as in God or "g" as in geranium. It doesn't take up as much space in the dictionary as some of the other letters and there seem to be alot more nouns than adjectives or adverbs.

Anyway, here are 13 "G's" I've encountered on my life's journey:

1. God - I serve a gracious and glorious God. I'm glad He's the Guardian of my soul. His glorious gift of grace makes my heart glow with genuine grateful love!

2. Groom - I married my gallant groom in Glencoe, Alabama - just outside of the city of Gadsden. Rev. William Gale (who introduced us) assisted my father in marrying us.

3. Gay - my middle name. When my mother chose that name in the late '60's, it meant happy and carefree.

4. Golden Gate Bridge - we crossed this grand structure in 2006 when we did a vacation/ furniture delivery to California.

5. Gingerbread - the white wooden kind on houses ~ LOVE that stuff! The more- the better!

6. Garden - One is nearer God's heart in a garden than anywhere else on earth - so the saying goes! I LOVE to garden - flowers more than vegies. A garden gate, a green grassy lawn, a gingerbread laden gazebo with garlands of gardenia and red geraniums planted all around ~ a wonderful place for a group of friends to gather! No, I don't have a gazebo but who wouldn't love one? By the way, don't you just love the picture at the top of this post?

7.Godiva chocolate - especially white chocolate truffles~mmmmmmm!

8. Grandparents - my fathers side is German. I have two wonderful grandmothers still living one 88 and one 92.

9. Guava - my very favorite fruit juice - mmm, yummy!

10. Groceries - shopping for groceries can be an interesting game. I'm so blessed to be an American where I can go from one beautiful, safe, clean, comfortable, well-stocked grocery store to the next and buy whatever I may need to feed my family. God bless America!

11. Glass -I really enjoy collecting pretty glass serving dishes and drinking glasses.

12. Garnet - my birth gem.

13. Gelatin - we have flavored gelatin for every Sunday dinner. It's actually good for you, strengthening nails and bones. A glass of un-gelled gelatin is the perfect remedy for those suffering with nosebleeds.

Have a wonderful Rest-of-the-Week!

Tuesday's Tea Time

2008-04-22T10:23:00.006-04:00

Yes, this is posting late but they say, "Better late than never." The Sweet and Savory of Tea is this weeks theme and since tea begins with scones, I'll refer you to a previous post

I shared the recipe for the best scones ever! We enjoy them with mock Devonshire Cream and Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam.

Next we have tea sandwiches, quiches or other savories. I really enjoyed a different cucumber sandwich at the last tea I was at and I'll refer you to Karla's blog for a recipe that sounds very similar - if not better. I also enjoy chicken salad made with rotisserie chicken and put in phyllo cups purchased in the frozen section at the grocers. These stuffed mushrooms would also be yummy ~ especially at a tea served in the cooler months.

Stuffed Mushrooms

6 T. butter

1 cup soft breadcrumbs

1 cup shredded cheddar

1/2 cup chopped walnuts

1/2 tsp. salt

1/4 tsp. pepper

Rinse mushrooms and pat dry. Remove stems, chop and set aside. In large skillet, melt butter. Brush mushroom caps with butter and place in lightly buttered shallow baking pan. To remaining butter in skillet, add chopped mushroom stems. Saute 2 minutes. Add crumbs, cheese, nuts, salt and pepper; stir lightly. Spoon into mushroom caps, piling high. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes (until stuffing shows lightly browned).

These Sweet Tropical Loaves are a #1 favorite with the volunteers at Bethesda North Hospital. So easy and they can be made in mini loaf or mini muffin size for your tea party. I've adapted the recipe from one found in Taste of Home.

Sweet Tropical Loaves

1 Yellow Cake Mix

1- 8 oz. can crushed pineapple, undrained

1 c. evaporated milk

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

Combine in a bowl, beating at low speed until moistened and then on high for 2 minutes. Pour into greased loaf pans or paper lined muffin tins. Bake at 325 degrees for 20 minutes for mini muffins, 35 minutes for mini loaf pans or 45-50 minutes for 8"x4"x2" pans OR until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean. Yield: 2 regular loaves.

I hope you enjoy these teatime recipes. Have a wonderful day!

Menu Plan Monday ~ April Week 4

2008-04-21T10:09:00.002-04:00

This darling little Tea Cottage sits beside my utensil holder by the stove. I bought it many years ago at Great Day in Sparta, Michigan. It was part of a series of one of those promotions grocery stores will sometimes run.

This is the menu our family will enjoy for suppers this week:

Monday: Lasagna, rolls, salad
Tuesday: Sausage, blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs, fruit juice
Wednesday: Chicken Tetrazzini, peas, rolls (we didn't end up having this last week)
Thursday: Baked macaroni and cheese, sliced and fried polish sausage, green beans
Friday: Fixing and serving supper at the Ronald McDonald House - not sure what's on the menu
Saturday: Taco Crescent Pie
Sunday: Ham Loaf, Cheesy rice, peas, apple cinnamon muffins

Have a wonderful week!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "F"

2008-04-17T15:54:00.002-04:00

The life of Denise by the letter ~ "F":

1. Friends ~ fellowshipping with friends in the faith is a very favorite pasttime.

2. Flowers ~ I love flowers ~ fascinating four o'clocks, forsythia, I love them all for their beauty and fragrance.

3. Furniture ~ I have a deep appreciation for fine furniture after owning a furniture store for nine years.

4. Family ~ I LOVE MY Family! My mother's family, the Fair's, hail from Ireland. That's where I get all my freckles!

5. Fabric ~ she who dies with the most fabric wins they say! Smile! I've gotten rid of and used up alot so I probably won't "win!" I do love visiting fabric stores or the fabric department of department stores. Fancy brocades, french toiles, fine silks ~ they are all so fascinating!

6. Furlough ~ when we came home on furlough in 1981 after spending five years in Africa, we couldn't fathom all the changes that had taken place.

7. Fountains~ I love fountains. The way the water splashes and the sunlight dances through the droplets, the sounds of the water. Nothing quite like it!

8. Father ~ I've got THE best earthly and Heavenly fathers EVER! Hands down!

9. Fruit ~ favorite snack. Juicy tangelos, guava, bananas, strawberries, blackberries, mmmmm!

10. Feet ~ I'm very thankful for my two feet that take me all the places I need to go. When I broke my foot last year, I realized what a valuable possession they were.

11. Feminine ~ I love feminine things and being feminine. God's crowning creation was woman because He loves beauty. I delight in being feminine because it pleases my Creator when I continue to spread beauty in His lovely world.

12. Fish ~ probably my favorite meat ~ especially wall-eye... Culvers makes the best. Mmmm!

13. Florida ~ lived there for seven years. Four years on the Atlantic side and three on the Gulf. I like the Gulf side best.

Tuesday's Teatime ~ "Dressed to a Tea"

2008-04-15T15:05:00.010-04:00

This week La-tea-dah asks us to share pictures of how we dress for tea. I love hats; but, can you believe, I don't own a hat for wearing in public ~ just an old straw one for working in my garden! So, on my list of things to get: a hat ~ just for tea!

This January a few of us got together for tea at a friends house. She had seen pictures of Jan Karon's tea and thought it looked so pretty with everyone dressed in white; so, she asked us to do the same. Some of us went with winter white; but, the overall effect was very pretty. See my profile picture for how I dressed for this special tea party.

Miss Sharon was the only one that had a suitable hat ~ I love this view from the back as she takes pictures. Isn't her hat darling?

Miss Miranda isn't the fou-fou type but she looks so pretty in her ivory cardigan and khaki skirt. Miss Karen ~ ever the lady~ looks so elegant in her white cotton blouse complete with a cameo brooch at the neck and white linen skirt. She even had a pretty handbag to match!

This is of my niece's bridal tea at a lovely tearoom in Stuart, Florida. The mother of the bride, my sister-in-law, is dressed in pink in the foreground. Other guests wore sundresses or cotton skirts and blouses for this lovely spring occasion.

The bride, seated next to the window with her sunglasses on top of her head wore a sundress. Her bridesmaids also wore pretty cotton sundresses for this special occasion.

To view other pictures of the tea I enjoyed with friends in January, visit this post http://denisetruesdale.blogspot.com/2008/01/blog-post_19.html .
For more pictures of the bridal tea, check back in a few posts when we tell of favorite tea venues.

Don't forget to visit La-tea-dah at: http://www.gracioushospitality.blogspot.com/ for more tea attire!

Menu Plan Monday ~ April Week 3

2008-04-14T09:55:00.001-04:00

This week we'll be attending a convention in Dayton. It's become a family tradition and we all enjoy getting together with friends and enjoying the wonderful services and seminars. Sometimes we get to see people we haven't seen in years ~ which gets a little scarier every year! Smile! Everyone seems to be getting so old!

Kids I grew up with are becoming GRANDPARENTS!

Now how unbelievable is that? Smile! No, really, it's funny how swiftly life is going, isn't it?

I've been reading Steve Covey's book, "The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People." In it he brings up a very valid point: You never hear a person on their death bed lamenting the fact that they wish they'd gotten more accomplished or attained more things; but, that they wish they'd spent more time with their families. That's a big part of the reason we go to the IHC every year ~ our families are there and folks who've become like family over the years are usually there too.

That being said, here is the menu I put together for this week based on the schedule for IHC!

Monday: Fried Chicken, cheesey rice, green beans

Tuesday: Lasagna and rolls

Wednesday: Hashbrown casserole, peas, rolls

Thursday: Chicken Tetrazzini, Jello, rolls

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Shake 'n' Bake chicken, Four Cheese Potatoes, corn

Sunday: Turkey and all the fixin's!

Have a splendiferous week!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "E"

2008-04-10T10:14:00.002-04:00

Okay, this week I count thirteen blessings I enjoy or have enjoyed that start with the letter "E"!

1.Easter- my favorite holiday. When I rise early to rejoice with the earth the Difference that was made for eternity. Like the apostles on the road to Emmaus, He encourages me on our daily walk together!

2. Education - what I provide here at home for our children. It's not for the faint of heart as it requires a lot of energy, effort, and efficiency; however, it is an exceptional and efficient way to prepare our children for life and living!

3. Email - a wonderful modern invention allowing easy exchanges between friends.

4. English - a wonderful heritage. My great-great Grandmother, Elizabeth Smith lived during the Victorian era. I love to hear my grandmother talk about her ~ she was quite a lady. The godly Eldreds on my husbands side were also English.

5. Estate Sales - I LOVE Estate Sales! They're enchanting entertainment I enjoy very much!

6. Ellis Island - Been there once and climbed to the top of the crown of the Statue of Liberty when I was carrying DJ ~ nightmared about it the rest of the pregnancy! It was a very claustrophobic experience.

7. Elections - I was employed by the Board of Elections as Presiding Judge this year for the very first time. I have a new appreciation for poll workers ~ it's not as easy as you'd think and a TON of responsibility. Learned alot about the election process and the very important role of the Electoral College.

8. Evening - I love evenings- the close of the day when we enjoy the excellent example of modern inventions called electricity!

9. Erie - Lake Erie. I was born not far from this beautiful lake and have seen it many times.

10. Equator - crossed it twice!

11. Emily -one of my niece's names.

12.Eyelet - love it ~ so feminine and comfortable ~ kind of like espadrilles. Had a pair of white cotton eyelet espadrilles once ~ sooo comfy and pretty!

13.Embroidery - a relaxing pastime I don't get to do much of during this chapter of my life; but, I do appreciate a fine piece of pretty embroidered linen.

This was a more challenging letter but there you have it ~

thirteen things in my life beginning with the letter "E"!

Menu Plan Monday ~ April Week 2

2008-04-07T09:43:00.007-04:00

Good Morning from my cottage tearoom's kitchen! What a lovely spring morning! I think the birds are trying to out-do each other singing praises to their Creator this lovely day. Don't you just love to hear the birds' song?

These are pictures of the tops of my cupboards. I thought I would share them for all the tea enthusiasts checking out my blog!

Now to the task at hand ~ This is the menu plan for our family this week:

Monday: Fried chicken, Four Cheese potatoes, green beans

Tuesday: Sausage, Blueberry pancakes, scrambled eggs and fruit smoothies

Wednesday: Chicken Crescent Ring , corn

Thursday:Baked macaroni and Cheese, fried Polish sausage, french style green beans

Friday: Tacos

Saturday: Shake 'n' Bake chicken, Julienned potatoes, peas

Sunday: Glazed Spiral Sliced Ham, Hashbrown Casserole, Jello, Rolls, Corn

Have a lovely week!

Thursday Thirteen ~ "D"

2008-04-03T12:35:00.004-04:00

Today I present my life to you around the letter "D" ! Thirteen Things that start with this letter and are in my life. Hmmm!
1. Dan ~ My husband. I appreciate his tenacity as he deals with a cruel debilitating disease.
2. DJ ~ my oldest son (Dan II). He's the one that helps me with my blog and designed my new template! Isn't it pretty and cheery?
3. Daugher ~ I'm blessed to have the sweetest, dearest daughter on earth! She is my Sunshine!
4. Daddy ~ that's what I call my father ~ otherwise known to my family as "the most perfect man that ever lived!" Smile!
5. Dainty Daffodils ~ the first darling sign of my favorite season. I planted pink ones this year ~ a winning combination, don't you think? I also planted pink daylilies last fall ~ can't wait to see their pretty faces!
6.Daily Devotions~ the best part of my day when I spend time with the Divine Triune, He gives me direction that makes a difference and keeps me from getting discouraged and being disappointed with the details of a seemingly difficult life!
7. Dainty Dishes ~ Dining or Decorating, there's nothing that gives such a delightful domestic touch as a beautiful dish whether a large platter or a small bowl.
8. Diana ~ my first sister, dear friend and confidante. I love my sister, Diana!
9. Doctors ~ so VERY grateful to have some of the best doctors in the whole world to help me take care of my son and husband. They are few and far between and I'm so thankful God gave us such detail-oriented ones from the get-go. God Bless Dr. Sandrock, Dr. Crawford, Dr. Morman and Dr. Espay!
10.Delaware ~ pretty state we passed through the summer before last when we visited Plymouth Plantation, Martha's Vineyard, Nantucket, Boston and Sturbridge Village.
11. Delicious Devonshire Cream ~ with scones or in crepes and always with Strawberry Preserves. . . mmmmm! Excellent dessert!
12.Democracy ~ so downright thankful to enjoy a government of the people, by the people and for the people!
13. Decorating and Designing Interiors ~ something I thoroughly enjoy doing ~ probably in the top 5 things of favorite things to do.

So there you have it! Some more of the blessings God has blessed my life with! He Is GOOD!

Tuesday's Tea Time ~ Gracious Hospitality's Blog-A-Thon

2008-04-01T09:33:00.001-04:00

This week La-tea-dah's theme for the Hospital-i-tea Blog-a-thon is Decor-a-Tea. Being the tea lover that I am, there's tea accoutrements all over my house! Here are a few places in the main areas that have been graced with the thought of "Tea":

This vignette is in the little bit of hallway off of the great room leading to the main bath and children's bedrooms. There isn't much space here so just a small touch is all that could be used. This darling cup and saucer was a gift from my Secret Sister a few years ago. The charming clock is a gift from my husband ~ it plays a different bird's song every hour on the hour.

This grouping is on top of the pie safe in my kitchen. The tea set is a prized possession my parents brought back from South Africa after I was newly wed. I remember taking tea in South Africa with a similar set during my childhood there. The teacup stand holds a few of my teacups and a small teapot. The green teacup is a keepsake from the week we spent at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island a few years ago. The little book standing beside the stand is by Susan Wheeler, " Tea with Victoria Rose." It kind of ties all my different themes together~roses, bunnies, pink and tea!

My favorite Bunnies by the Bay rabbit, a chocolate pot, tea for one, and tea cup in my favorite china pattern adorn the top of my refrigerator. Don't you love the fake cake and slice of cake made with ~ dried rose buds ~ of course!

A sweet card depicting two bunny girlfriends having tea~all decorated especially for my birthday by a dear friend. This sweet grouping is on the front of my refrigerator.

This is my trash can! Isn't it pretty with it's tea sachet hanging from the handle, teapot lamp from my dear daughter and another piece of the Tea Time lace under the pretties!

This is a close-up of the collection on top of my secretary ~ see the Tea pot on the lace hanging down from the top? Just love that lace!

This beautiful oak secretary with it's curved glass door houses the rest of my Blue Peony china and my cookbook collection. There are a few of my tea accoutrements mixed in with the china~ just to make it all look prettier!

This grouping is on the wall in my dining room. My youngest sister, Amy, gave me the charming picture for my birthday many years ago. D. Morgan painted this dear print of sisters having tea. Around the picture is this poem:

Memories of childhood may someday fade
But never the special games we played.

Though our tea party days have come to an end,

You're always my sister ~ always my friend.

This curio is in the living area of the great room ~ right next to the dining room. In it, I've displayed all my Old Country Roses china ~ including the regular teapot and a chintz teapot in the Old Country Rose pattern. Later this week, I will plan to post more pictures of my living area. I'm making a victorian style valance for the window and plan to re-arrange the furniture so I can add an ottoman I'm bringing up from the family room!

I hope you've enjoyed your little visit to My Cottage Tearoom!

Don't forget to visit La-tea-dah at gracioushospitality.blogspot.com for more posts on decorating with tea!

Menu Plan Monday ~ Week 5

2008-03-31T10:18:00.001-04:00

Message from DJ, Here is a bigger picture!

Good Morning! This week La-tea-dah's Blog-a-Thon theme is "Decora-tea". Since today is also the day I do my Menu Plan Monday, I thought I would share a picture of my kitchen window ~ complete with Heritage Lace's Teatime Lace,
my teacups hanging on the sides of my cupboards,
the little lace teatime suncatcher found in a charming shop on
Mackinac Island and a minature teapot!
In case you can't tell, my kitchen is all about pink, tea, roses and bunnies
(there's a china bunny on the window sill that matches my teapot and teacups).
~Just a few of my Favorite Things!
Smile ~ sigh!

All that aside ~ we're down to the business of planning this week's meals.

Monday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas (per Lorna's request)

Tuesday: Chicken Flavored Rice, Chicken, and Green Beans (per DJ's request)

Wednesday: Save-A-Step Lasagna, Rolls, Tossed Salad

Thursday: Sausage-Potato Slow Cooker Dinner, Rolls, Applesauce

Friday: Seasoned Pork Roast, Baked Potatoes, Tossed Salad

Saturday: Baked Ziti, Sliced and Fried Polish Sausage, Peas

A lovely Spring week to you all!

Tea Time Tuesday - Resumed in in collaboration with Gracious Hospital-Teas Blog-a-Thon

2008-03-25T13:57:00.000-04:00

La-tea-dah is hosting a tea themed blog-a-thon through the month of May. Well, you knew I'd want to be a part, didn't you? I figure it's a great way to resume my Tuesday's Teatime and she already has the themes planned out! I missed last week when we were supposed to show a picture of a favorite cup and saucer and tell their story so I'll do that first.

This teacup and saucer were given to me by my sweet mother (along with a matching snack plate) for my 34th birthday. I love the design ~ it's so "Mommy"! Elegant, beautiful, sweet ~ a real classic! My sister, Veronica, found it for her at an antique shoppe in Reading. "If teacups could talk" I wonder what kind of stories this one would tell. Was it one of a lovely complete set of china gracing the dining hall of a manse in Indian Hill or was it a cherished one of a kind treasure of a stay at home mom who just enjoyed a cuppa once in a while ~ maybe while her husband was off fighting in one of the World Wars? Hmmm!

This week we're to share a favorite book or tidbit "Litera-tea". One book? Hmmm~ how about my three faves? "If Teacups Could Talk" is full of yummy recipes, ideas and inspirational stories. It's my favorite for good comfortable reading. "The Charms of Tea" is a beautiful book with more yummy recipes and lots of pretty decorating ideas with tea themes. It's my favorite for decorating ideas. And "Country Tea Parties" is so neat. It gives tea theme ideas for each month along with the recipes for the menu ideas. It's my favorite when planning any kind of special event.

Please visit La-tea-dah at gracioushospitality.blogspot.com for a list of all the other entrants in this fun blog-a-thon and join me next week for the theme she has planned for it.

Menu Plan Monday - Week 4

2008-03-24T20:50:00.000-04:00

Yes, it's spring! Lots of cleaning to do, schoolwork to be finishing up, wardrobes to re-work, etc. This week we need some simple meals - yummy, but simple, so this is what the Truesdale's will be enjoying for supper this week.

Monday: Leftover Turkey, Gravy, Mashed Potatoes, Fresh Noodles, Corn, Fresh Rolls

Tuesday: Save-a-Step Lasagna, Rolls

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Quesadillas

Thursday:Barbecue Chicken, Macaroni & Cheese, Green Beans

Friday: Fish & Chips

Saturday: Ham, Au Gratin Potatoes

Have a lovely week enjoying your first full week of Spring!

He is Risen ~ Just Like He Said!

2008-03-23T17:30:00.001-04:00

Every Easter Sunday morning, I like to watch the sunrise. It's the only time during the whole year that I actually take the time to watch this lovely time of day happen. Mary went early to the tomb and found it empty and the angel reminded her of the Master's loving promise. I love to reflect on all He had done since His last supper with His friends and subsequent death on the cross. It's marvelous to think of the overwheming love of my wonderful Savior and all He did after giving up His life ~ the grappling for the key of sin and death and hell that He could procure for me eternal life with Him. What love!

This morning it seemed like the sun was taking forever to come peeping over the horizon. Maybe it's because I had a million and one things (more or less) to do before arriving at the church early to set up the bells for our Junior Church's Bell Choir performance, but anyway... I decided to "just run over" and pour hot water from my whistling tea kettle into the waiting bowl for our Sunday Dinner jello. I did and came back and watched from the front door - still no sun. So much to do! "Well, I'll just run and get the ice water and pour it in and bring it back over and stir it while I watch". !!! Just that quick, the sun peeked over the horizon! I missed it! The thought came to my mind ~ "Be careful, don't get so busy doing the mundane tasks of life, getting caught up in the pressure of what has to get done and miss being ready for His Second Coming!" It would be so easy to do ~ everything's so necessary and some could be considered to be for His Glory; but, if I don't take time to spend with Him communing with Him, my focus can go amiss. I've got to keep my lamp trimmed, filled and burning bright.

A Blessed Easter to you!

Easter Parade!

2008-03-20T11:43:00.000-04:00

This week Miss Sandy at Quill Cottage is inviting bloggers to join her for an Easter Parade down Blog Avenue. What fun!

I thought I would join the parade and share a recipe and a decor idea.

This is challah - a Jewish bread. I made some to give away and we had some for supper last night after remembering the last supper Jesus shared with His friends before going to the Garden of Gethesemane and then on to Calvary. It is a yummy sweet bread and very simple to make.

Challah

9 cups flour
1 1/4 cups sugar
3 pkgs. dry yeast
1 Tbsp. salt
2 1/2 cups lukewarm water
1/2 cup oil
4 eggs
beaten egg

In large bowl, combine 2 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt, water and oil. Mix well. Add eggs and 1 1/2 cups flour. Mix well. Add remaining flour one cup at a time. Mix well between each cup of flour. Knead well. Let rise, covered with a towel, for 2 -2 1/2 hours. Divide dough and braid into three large or three small challahs. Brush with beaten eggs and let rise until double in size. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

This is a three tier basket that I padded with moss
then added ceramic eggs, chocolate eggs, bunnies and spring flowers to.

It graces the center of our dining room table during the Spring/ Easter season.

Please visit Miss Sandy for a list of all the participants in the Parade: quillcottage.blogspot.com

Thursday Thirteen ~ "C"

2008-03-20T08:18:00.000-04:00

Spring has arrived!

The sun is shining this beautiful morning and the birds are singing!

My lilac buds are getting fatter by the minute

and

I expect to have daffodils by this time next week for sure!

Like King Solomon said, "The time for singing has come!"

(Song of Solomon 2:11-12)

Now for thirteen things in my life that start with the letter "C":

1.Children - I LOVE children and I have three. I also thoroughly enjoy working in our church's Junior Church every Sunday. Can't get enough of being with children!

2.Camping - love to camp - in our 29 foot Prowler ;) - Not much for really roughing it. We've been to 38 states so far and also do at least two church camps every summer.

3.Charming Cottages - love looking at them and...living in one... especially ones loaded with Cabbage Roses - you know, the big fat old fashioned kind! Cottages are so cozy and inviting, don't you think?

4.Clocks - what cottage would be complete without lots of neat clocks? Love those chimes! I have a darling Grandmother Clock my husband got me for our 15th Anniversary, a white cuckoo clock (kids that come to Aunt Nesi's ALWAYS love that one ... waiting for the bird to come out, you know?) and lots more. I'll have to do a post of all my clocks sometime.

5. Cream Cheese - anything with cream cheese... cheesecake, cinnamon rolls, truffles... Oh, you want something out of this world delicious? A caramel cheesecake! Had some at Stephanie's shower last Saturday ~ to die for delicious!

6.Candlewicking - I've been collecting this antique glassware since I was in college. "Uncle" Steve Geise got me started and I've been adding to this cherished collection since!

7. Coffee, Coca-Cola, and Cappuccino are my favorite caffeine-loaded pick-me-ups. Sometimes they're about all that keep me going!

8.Chicken - my favorite meat. Someday, I'm going to have a flock of Rhode Island Reds, too! Might have to wait til I get to heaven but... ;) By the way, Bro. Kennedy's Chicken is the favorite casserole at our house. Mmmmm! Reminds me, I love GOOD casseroles, too! Especially ones with cheese in or on them and a bonus if they're made in a crock pot.

(Bro. Kennedy is actually Deanna Kennedy. One of my babies couldn't figure out which was which and Deanna was finally determined to be the "Bro." between the two!)

9.Croquet - nothing like a good game of croquet on the lawn ... summer breezes, iced tea...

10.Classical music- love listening to Bach, Beethoven, Mozart... good old 90.9 or a morning at Music Hall... sheer delight! Cello's one of my faves ~ maybe that's why my daughter plays one -or vice versa?

11.China - you thought I'd forgotten all about my dishes, didn't you? Pretty dishes, crystal chandelier on low, candles, yummy casserole, classical music, cheesecake and then croquet ~ now THAT is livin'!

12.A little red caboose in Californina. That's where I'll spend winters when I'm old. Always wanted a little red caboose and after visiting Cali, I'm smitten.

13.Church - what my life pretty much revolves around. Getting together with the "family" worshipping our awesome Creator, Savior, Friend and Most Kind and Gracious Loving Heavenly Father!

Enjoy your First Day of Spring!

Menu Plan Monday - Week 3

2008-03-17T20:46:00.000-04:00

Happy St. Patricks Day!

May the road rise to meet you

May the wind be always at your back

May the sun shine warm upon your face

May the rain fall soft upon your fields and

May God hold you in the palm of His Hand.

This is a busy week when we get to celebrate four holidays! Today, of course, is St. Patricks Day. I hope you enjoy this fun holiday with your family.

Thursday is the First Day of Spring!!! Hurray! Hurray!

Friday is Good Friday when we contemplate the death of the One who loves us so much, He gave His life for us.

Then Sunday, my favorite holiday of all - Easter! The resurrection of the Lover of my Soul! What a wonderful Savior!

This weeks' menu is as follows:

Monday: Mashed Potatoes

Gravy with Pork Roast

Rolls

Lime Jello

Corn

Tuesday: Chicken

Chicken Flavored Rice

French Cut Green Beans

Wednesday: Hashbrown Casserole

Sliced and Fried Polish Sausage

Peas

Thursday: Pierogies, Sour cream, Bacon & Chives

Friday: Seasoned Pork Roast

Potatoes

Green Beans

Saturday: Barbecued Chicken

Cheesy Rice

A blessed Passion Week to you!

Happy Birthday, Mommy!

2008-03-14T12:52:00.001-04:00

Today is my mom's birthday! She is in Pennsylvania taking care of her 92 year old mother who just got home from a five month stay in the nursing home after falling and breaking her hip. Thank you, Mommy for being the best Mommy ever! I appreciate your godly example and all the wonderful things you've taught me about my loving Heavenly Father. I hope you have a wonderful birthday and we'll celebrate when you get home!

(The above picture is of two of my sisters, our families and Daddy, Lorna, and Benji when we celebrated her birthday five years ago by having tea at Lady Hamilton's Tea Room in Shelbyville, IN).

Thursday Thirteen ~ "B"

2008-03-13T12:50:00.000-04:00

Thirteen things in my life that start with the letter "B":

1. Boys - I have two. DJ's the one that started my blog and helps me maintain it and ..
2. Benji - my baby. The joy of my life! He's the happiest person I've ever met and has been through more than any other person I know! Go figure!
3. Baking - One of my favorite hobbies - my favorite thing to bake? Bread!
4. Baskets - love 'em! So useful and also so pretty for decorating.
5. Books - can't have too many books. Oh the places one can go and the things one can do - all in the pages of a book!
6.Bloemfontein - used to be one of the most beautiful cities in South Africa. Means "Fountain of Flowers" - need I say more? It's where we used to go once a month for supplies and also where my orthodontist was.
7. Birds - I love listening to and watching birds. Can't wait til it's warm enough outside to have my windows open so I can hear them Praising their Maker!
8.Bunnies - my kitchen's decorated in bunnies, pink and tea stuff. Goes together so well, don't you think?
9. Bows - they're everywhere in my house. Such a nice finishing touch - you know it's done when it's tied with a bow!
10.Bleeding Hearts - one of the most incredibly detailed flowers. I have three bushes of them - pink ones, of course. Can't wait til they bloom again!
11.Beets - pickled. I've been eating them like crazy since I could sit in a high chair. They're high in iron and so good for you! (I buy the canned baby ones and pickle them myself, mmmmmm).
12. Bible - my favorite book. Couldn't live without it.
13. Blessings - I've got sooooo many! These Thursday Thirteen posts are a great way to renumerate them alphabetically. I hope this post reminds you of a few you enjoy today.

March Meeting of Women of Worth

2008-03-11T10:40:00.001-04:00

This month our leader, Linda Davison, couldn't be with us as she was on her way home from Alabama with her husband who had closed out a revival there. Did we ever miss her! Here, Sis. Campbell, Melissa and I are trying to figure out another detail. Bro. Davison, no more revivals over the second Monday of the month - we need your wife!

This month's food theme was "One Dish Wonders". I made my Taco Crescent Pie. I will post the recipe later this week.

Catching up with friends.

Enjoying the food.

Fellowshipping with sisters.

Encouraging one another.

Sisters of like precious faith.

From far and near, we gather for sharing and encouraging.

Mother and daughter and Best Friends.

A cooking demo provided desset - Cinnamon Fried Bananas over Ice Cream. MMMMM!

Taste test. It's a Winner!

Our speaker, Sis. Martha Bryan. She spoke to us of being "Keepers at Home" and encouraged us to be models of Titus 2. She had many helpful tips for us and most of all sets a godly example for us all. Her family lovingly refers to her as Moma and all who know her know she's a godly version of Martha Stewart.

Menu Plan Monday - Week 2

2008-03-10T20:32:00.000-04:00

Greetings from my pink kitchen this wonderful wintry Monday morning! Last Saturday I took the time to make my table look Irish. I used a white lace table topper that reminds me of Irish Linen Lace, St. Patrick's Day napkins in the holder and green candles in the candlesticks. Shamrocks are expensive and tempermental so I used a bouquet of white alstromeria that Lorna found for me at Krogers. My great grandparents were straight from Ireland and the blood runs thick so I always like to do something special for St. Patricks Day.

Now for another weeks worth of menus! This week we'll enjoy tried and true favorites. You may notice we never have beef - only pork, chicken and fish. This is a diet restriction we've adopted as a family since they've found that beef (and dairy products) have a very negative impact on Parkinson's Disease patients. It's funny how our taste buds have adapted - the children actually like chicken taco meat more than beef! We do eat dairy - cheese and sour cream - though I do try to keep it to a minimum. We also use soy butter - it's SO good! Soy Garden is the brand of choice.

Monday: Homemade Noodles with Pork Roast Tips

Corn

Tuesday: Blueberry Pancakes

Sausage

Fruit Smoothies

Wednesday: Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

Thursday: Pork Roast

Bow Tie Pasta & White Sauce

Green Beans

Friday: Baked Chicken

Mashed Potatoes and Gravy

Peas

Saturday: Lasagna

Rolls

Tossed Salad

May you have a wonderful week -- Spring is just around the corner!

A March's Winter Wonderland

2008-03-08T16:30:00.000-05:00

This is the three stooges - they were getting cabin fever so decided to walk down to UDF for a cappuciono. DJ, Lorna and our neighbor, Jamie getting ready for an outing!

My teacup birdfeeder - all full of snow.

Our mailbox. Rain, Hail, Sleet or Snow - didn't apply today. Level 3 Emergency only :(.
This is my street this morning - a winter wonderland surprise. Monday, Lorna and Benji had a picnic for lunch time. It was such beautiful spring weather. We wondered if they knew what they were talking about when they said we'd be getting a winter storm toward the end of the week. They were right!

Thursday Thirteen "A"

2008-03-06T20:55:00.000-05:00

This Thursday I thought I would try something else new - Thursday Thirteen. This week I'll follow Karla's suit and begin with listing thirteen things in my life that start with the letter "A".

1. Africa - I spent five years of my life as an MK in Africa! They were some of the best years of my life and I wouldn't trade them for the world. MK's are some of the luckiest kids alive.

2. Amazing Grace - I couldn't live without it and wouldn't have made it thus far for sure if I weren't a recipient of the Accessible Advocate's Amazing Grace!

3. American - I'm proud to be a citizen of the best country in the world. It's foundation on God's Word is what makes it so wonderful.

4. Allegheny Ancestors - I hail from the Allegheny Mountains along the Allegheny River. My great Grandfather, Alonzo David Wade, was a godly example to us all.

5. Antiques - my favorite collection is my antique dishes. Candlewick glassware is my very favorite.

6. Aunt - Aunt Nesi is one of my names. Ashleigh Ward was the first one to call me that. There are now 13 others who have "technically" joined her and many other dear children call me that too!

7. Attorney - my ambition before I fell in love with Dan and decided to marry him instead! I do plan to go back in the very near future and finish my degree so that I can support our family while working from home.

8. Adjust & Adapt - Something I really had to learn to do 8 years ago when our baby was born with a severly deformed spine and then even more adjusting came when my husband was diagnosed with Parkinson's Disease at the age of 41.

9. Amish Furniture Store - we owned and operated a successful Amish furniture store called The Hay Loft for 9 years before we had to sell due to my husband's deteriorating health.

10. Amsterdam - been there twice! Charming airport and nice hotel. Just spent the night on our way to and from Africa.

11. A Beka - the curriculum we use to homeschool our three children.

12. Accessories - I love Interior Design and a favorite new book is The Art of Accessorising by Christy ------ the grand daughter of Home Interior's founder, Mary Crowley. Accessories make the decor!

13. Alice in Wonderland & Through the Looking Glass - the last book I read to my boys at bedtime - all 272 pages! Some of Through the Looking Glass is very difficult to understand since it's SO backward. Benji understood it the most!

So! Now you may know something about me that you didn't know before!

I better get busy thinking up 13 things that start with the letter "B" ..... Hmmmmmmmm!

Menu Plan Monday

2008-03-03T13:32:00.000-05:00

Greetings from my Pink Kitchen! It won't be long and the branches outside my window will be loaded with lilacs! I can hardly wait - my favorite time of year and one of my two favorite flowers scenting the air with their wonderful fragrance!

I thought I would try something new for the month of March - Menu Plan Monday! My friend, Karla, used to do this and it was always inspirational and interesting. I remembered recipes I hadn't tried in a while and some of the different entrees listed provoked special memories of people or events. So for the first week of March here's what the Truesdale Family will be enjoying for supper this week:

Monday: Rotisserie Chicken
Chicken Flavored Rice
French Style Green Beans
Chocolate Pudding

Tuesday: Baked Ziti with Sliced and Fried Polish Sausage
Peas

Wednesday: Chicken Noodle Casserole
Corn
Fresh Baked Sconces
with Mock Devonshire Cream and Homemade Strawberry Freezer Jam

Thursday: Pierogies with fresh bacon bits and sour cream

Friday:Fish Sticks
Cheesy Fries
Peas

Saturday: Pan Fried Pork Chops
Baked Potatoes with Sour Cream or Butter
Green Beans

Cherubs, Love Letters and Sweet Surprises

2008-03-01T07:46:00.000-05:00

February - Can you believe the second month of 2008 is over? Wow, time flies if you're having fun or not doesn't it?

I promised last post that I would share a picture of the sweet party hat I won (on my birthday, no less;) ) from Miss Rhea of Sweet n Shabby Roses. This darling little cherub has reminded me of the angels God sends our way every day. Sometimes we recognize them and sometimes we don't. Kristal Becker has often been referred to as an angel by friends of ours who find out we know her. They've experienced her touch as she's cared for them in the hospital where she works the cancer floor. This past month, I was blessed by this dear and precious angel when going through some deep, troubled waters with my husband as he battles a very cruel disease. I'm thankful for angels - especially Kristal! May God bless her in special ways as she blesses so many hurting people here in this world.

Love Letters- don't you love them? They make you feel so special and loved and cared for! My very favorite love letter is God's Word. He tells me how much He loves and cares for me, tells me how to deal with problems and sometimes, like this past month, He tells me, "Don't be afraid. Don't (even) be discouraged. I'll fight this battle for you. You just watch!" Read it for yourself if you like. It's the story of Jehoshaphat found in II Chronicles chapter 20. (It's especially meaningful if you have the NIV version to read). You'll find an awesome story of love and care there!

Sweet surprises. Have you ever been bogged down with life and it's responsibilites and then, out of the clear blue, something really sweet or nice happens? Well, that's what happened when I found I won the party hat from Miss Rhea! What a ray of sunshine! I think God had something to do with her husband picking my name from amongst the others. He knew I needed it and He loves and cares for ME! What a God!

May you feel His love in a VERY SPECIAL way TODAY!

All About Shepherds!

2008-02-12T17:11:00.000-05:00

In Junior Church, our theme is about The Good Shepherd. We've been learning all about shepherds in the Bible, memory verses about the Good Shepherd and ... how shepherds are different around the world. The first Sunday, Sarah Susan told us all about shepherds in her home land of Jordan. It was interesting to hear how shepherds are different even though sheep are the same the world over! Imagine that! Grin! A week ago Sunday, I shared with the children different things about Basotho shepherd boys in the land of Lesotho, Africa. Shepherds there wear only a blanket and will most often only have a little field mouse that they catch and roast over an open fire for their lunch. When I asked the children how they thought an African shepherd boy would be different, Austin Eckert put up his hand and said their clothes would be different. He got to come up and I put my Basotho blanket on him. This is him holding his little mouse cookie. I made 50 of these little "mouse cookies" as I didn't think they would care for a real field mouse! These little mice were cute peanut butter cookies shaped like a mouse with licorice tails, sliced almond ears and cinnamon heart candy eyes. They were EXCITED about enjoying those kind of mice!

I found it so interesting that Miss Rhea at Sweet and Shabby Roses also loves working with children and that her husband enjoys jail ministry. My husband really enjoys his hospital chaplain work that he volunteers doing at our local hospital. Next post, I will share with you the adorable little party hat I won from one of her bloggy giveaways.

Tuesday's Tea Time

2008-01-22T21:12:00.000-05:00

This tea set is part of my first set of china. It is called Blue Peony and it's made by Nikko. I fell in love with this pattern when I worked in JCPenney's Housewares Department during college. What really drew me to this particular pattern is the polka dots on the edges and around the floral arrangements. I LOVE polka dots!

Did you notice I said "first" set of china? I love pretty dishes and my sweet hubby has indulged my penchant with TWO complete sets of china! Pretty dishes remind me of my beautiful maternal great grandmother. It seems like she had alot of them. As a young girl, I loved to go visiting to her house. It was so neat and clean and pretty! My corner hutch is another reminder of her. It was made by one of our dear Amish friends, Andy,- my own personal favorite hutch builder. It's all about the details! Isn't that what makes anything extraordinary? Whether it's polka dots on china or extra details on furniture or a ready smile to brighten anyone's day.

Speaking of details . . . Did you notice the little blue bird on the bottom right of the picture? Some dear friends gave us that sweet little "Blue Bird of Happiness" for our wedding. I cherish that little bird as it reminds me it's often the little things that bring us the most happiness.

I made some of Tammy Campbell's Famous Sugar Cookies for our tea time today; but, my blue icing didn't come out very pretty so you'll just have to imagine the prettiest shade of blue icing on a sweet little teapot shaped sugar cookie for our tea today. The tea I'm serving is French Blend from Miss Annabelle's Tea Room in Loveland, Ohio. I chose that because I personally needed a BIG caffeine boost after an un-restful night and yet still needing to get a lot done! (Smile!) Hope you enjoyed our tea time today! Please join me again next week!

Tammy's Famous Sugar Cookies

(Adapted from the old Betty Crocker Cookbook)

1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

1 cup margarine, melted

1 egg

1 teaspoon vanilla

1/2 teaspoon almond extract

2 1/2 cups all purpose flour

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon cream of tartar

Mix powdered sugar, melted margarine, egg, vanilla and almond extract. Mix in flour, baking soda and cream of tartar. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Heat oven to 375 degrees. Roll dough out to 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick and cut into desired shapes. Bake 7-9 minutes or until edges are LIGHTLY browned. Cool. Frost. Enjoy!

May the Blue Bird of Happiness bring some little extraordinary details your way today!

Today is My Birthday!

2008-01-19T20:57:00.000-05:00

Today is my birthday! When we were in Pennsylvania for a family reunion this past fall, I learned the hospital I was born in was soon to be demolished. Since it was in the adjoining town, my mom, dad and Grandma took me by and we got a picture of my mom and I out in front of the building. I understand it was a very snowy winter day when I decided to make my entrance.

Being a mom myself now, I want to thank my mom for being the best mom ever. We've been through a lot together and the thing that I appreciate the most about my mom is that she decided to serve Jesus when I was about 4 years old - that decision has had a PROFOUND impact on me and will affect generations to come. She's taught me many promises from the Bible that have kept me through some pretty intense storms. She is and always will be THE BEST MOMMY IN THE WORLD! I know, when you've gone over the hill, you shouldn't call your mom, "Mommy" but - that's who she is and always will be to me! It perfectly describes her - loving comforter!

Thank you, Mommy, for always being there for me! I love you! And please give me a raincheck on the fried chicken and macaroni and cheese dinner - that's still my favorite - made just by you!

Tea at Mrs. Bobbi's

2008-01-17T20:06:00.000-05:00

At our church's Christmas Dinner this year, we had a new activity. Different people in the church donated various areas of expertise to be auctioned off during a silent auction that benefited the building fund. It was a LOT of fun and I hope we do it again this coming Christmas. One of the things being auctioned off was a tea party for three. I LOVE tea, as you all know, and told my husband that I would LOVE that for my birthday. So we started the bidding. Well #44 kept bidding against me and it went higher and higher until it would soon be out of our budget so, in good fun, I went to find out who #44 was. It was my friend, Sharon, who had teamed with our friend Miranda to be #44. We worked out a deal with Bobbi and made it a tea part for four and Mrs. Bobbi hosted it at her beautiful house yesterday - just in time for Miranda and my birthdays! We had a wonderful afternoon and the food and tea were WONDERFUL! She served a delicious Cinnamon Tea from a tea room in Jackson and a refreshing Strawberry Iced tea that was a beautiful pink color from the tea room at the Longenberger headquarters. Of course, there were a myriad of other teas, those were just my personal favorites.

Isn't Mrs. Bobbi's house BEAUTIFUL? I asked her if she minded if I took pictures during the tour she gave us after the tea and she said, "Of course not" in her sweet West Virginia drawl.

Tuesday's Tea Time

2008-01-15T22:35:00.000-05:00

Well, today's tea time actually took place last night at the Greater Cincinnati Women of Worth. It was a tea party complete with hats and hors d'oeuvres! We had a wonderful evening with plenty of food, fun and fellowship. Come join us next month, February 11 at Chamberlain Park in Deer Park... it's all about chocolate,mmm!

Magic Mirrors, Party Lines and Mystery Pictures

2008-01-14T09:31:00.000-05:00

In celebration of National De-Lurking Week (last week) some creative friends found ways to get those of you who "listen in" but don't comment to come out of hiding and 'fess up! It was so fun to read Karla, Rachel and Hope's postings and the ensuing comments.

Karla said blogging is like a party line. Some people "listen in" but never comment. Hope convinced some lurkers that she had a magic mirror and knew they were lurking - she even named names and told a few personal traits that were dead giveaways. And Rachel posted a mystery picture that prompted long distance phone calls as well as comments.

I wonder what I shall have to do to get people to "come out"? Like . . . Meredith, Janie, Gayle and there's someone in Southern Cal that's always checking, hmmm - wonder who that could be? I do have a niece that lives there - that reminds me - Jill's another one that's listening in and then there's ... well, I'll stop for now and see what happens!

To make it easier, I'll post a mystery picture and you can guess what it is. Hmmm, you knew it would have to do with tea, didn't you? Have fun guessing!

Shining Silver Tea Accoutrements Science Experiment

2008-01-09T18:45:00.000-05:00

Do you love to polish silver as much as I? It's got to be one of the most thankless jobs in my opinion. My silver tea accoutrements had badly tarnished with lack of use. Since I wanted to use them in celebration of National Hot Tea Month, something had to be done! Time for a science experiment! I had the children help me gather the necessary items: Baking pan large enough to immerse my silver items, Aluminium foil, pan of hot water and baking soda. This scientific experiment is explained at: http://scifun.chem.wisc.edu.HomeExpts/TARNISH.html The baking soda/aluminium combo pulls the sulfur off the siver by a small electrolytic currrent set up through the "salt bridge". Silver and aluminium love to accept sulfur but aluminium does it quicker and will pull the atoms off the item as long as the electrolytic current remains. Reversing the chemical reaction this way leaves ALL the silver intact - rubbing with abrasives and silver cleaner actually removes silver!

January - Hot Tea Month

2008-01-08T21:43:00.000-05:00

Happy New Year!

I hope this finds you all well and enjoying a brand new start in a brand new year. May 2008 be the most prosperous year you've ever lived - spiritually, physically and financially! It's hard to believe we're already to 2008 - life just keeps slipping by.

January is a very favorite month of mine! New Beginnings, my birthday and best of all . . . It's HOT TEA MONTH! Cheers!

I LOVE tea and anything having to do with it. So in honor of this

VERY IMPORTANT DESIGNATION,

this month I plan to celebrate Tuesdays with

"Tuesday's Tea Time".

Today I made scones and Lorna made some mock Devonshire Clotted Cream, we brewed up a pot of my very favorite tea - Constant Comment by Bigelow and had TEA! Dan and the boys even enjoyed the scones, cream and jam. These scones were THE BEST- tender, moist and melt in your mouth delicious and with cream and strawberry jam - mmmmm!

The tea set above is one of my most prized tea sets. It's one of the ones good South Africans use every day for tea - a very important ritual kept promptly at

2:00 p.m. My parents brought it home for me when they came back to the States for their first furlough after I was married. The pot makes excellent tea - something not every teapot does - so I used it today for my Constant Comment.

Basic English Scones

3 cups flour

4 teaspoons baking powder

1 1/2 teaspoons salt

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

8 tablespoons unsalted butter, chilled

1 cup buttermilk

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In large bowl whisk together flour, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Cut in butter to form rice-size pieces. Add buttermilk all at once. Toss lightly with fork untilmixture holds together. Gather dough and knead 4-5 times. Divide dough in half and form into 6" rounds on cookie sheet. Cut each round into 6 wedges using a sharp knife, but do NOT seperate wedges. Bake for 15-20 minutes or until lightly brown. Serve warm.

Mock Devonshire Cream

8 ounces softened cream cheese

2 tablespoons confectioner's sugar

1/2 cup sour cream

Beat cream cheese with confectioners sugar until blended. Fold in sour cream and blend. Makes 1 1/2 cups. Keep refrigerated.

"Stands the church clock at 10 to 3? And is there honey still for tea?"

- Rupert Brooke (British Literature)

Merry Christmas!

2007-12-25T21:47:00.000-05:00

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas from the Truesdales! It’s that special time of year
When we send news and greetings to our loved ones far and near.

This year was very quiet. Unusual, but true
We’re thankful for no surgeries or big changes to tell you.

Dan ministers to sick ones at Bethesda North each week.
In between, he studies hard . His Th.B. he seeks.

DJ is a driver. Seventeen he turned this year.
Cars and computers are his thing - you can keep up with him here.
(djtruesdale.blogspot.com)

Lorna is a freshman. Her piano skills she hones.
She studies hard and helps mom with duties around our home.

Benji is eight now. A diligent scholar is he.
No visits to the doctor He celebrates with glee.

Mom keeps very busy: Homeschooling, cooking, cleaning
Caring for her family gives her life a special meaning.

We hope this Christmas Season finds you and yours healthy too.
These greetings are sent to your house: A Blessed new year to you!

(For those of you who didn't receive our Christmas Greetings via snail mail, please enjoy these holiday greetings!)

Church Christmas Dinner

2007-12-12T10:26:00.000-05:00

Jason serving Benji his salad while Dan and DJ enjoy their food.

Our church always has the nicest Christmas Dinners. They are held at the Oasis Banquet Center in Loveland, Ohio. The salads are delicious and the entree delectable. I love their chicken breast and their cook knows how to make the most tasty mashed potatoes!
Jason was our server this year. He remembered my husband from previous years so they had some good conversation this year about our church, its location, etc. It's been a positive experience for him serving our church family through the years. Maybe he'll be out to church soon! Please visit my son's blog and my pastor's wife's blog for slide shows of the dinner. We all enjoyed a very pleasurable and memorable evening as usual.

So, What Do You Want for Your Birthday, Jesus?

2007-12-07T08:11:00.000-05:00

"Happy Birthday, Jesus! I'm so glad it's Christmas!" Please take a few moments and read the article at: http://info@elisabethcorcoran.com/column.html I promise you won't be disappointed and you'll go about the rest of the Christmas season differently.

Christmas Cookies!

2007-12-06T15:10:00.000-05:00

These cookies look so fancy but they are some of the most inexpensive yummy cookies ever! They are a shortbread type cookie and are very fast and easy to make. A wonderful gift idea!

Chocolate Tipped Butter Cookies

1 cup butter or margarine, softened

1/2 cup sifted powdered sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

2 cups all purpose flour

Wilton's Chocolate Candy Wafers (like you use for melting)

Cream butter; gradually add sugar, beating until light and fluffy. Stir in vanilla. Gradually add flour; mix well.

Shape dough into 2 1/2" x 1/2" sticks. Place on ungreased cookie sheets. Flatten three-quarters of each cookie lengthwise with tines of a fork to 1/4" thickness. Bake at 350 degrees for 12- 14 minutes. Cool on wire racks.

Melt chocolate wafers in microwave. Dip unflattened tips of cookies in warm chocolate to coat both sides. Place on waxed paper until chocolate is firm. Yield: 4 dozen I I have been making these cookies since I first spotted them in the December 1990 issue of Southern Living magazine - my very first Christmas as Mrs. Dan Truesdale! They've been a Truesdale Christmas Tradition ever since! Today I made two batches!

For Christmas - Give Your Heart

2007-12-05T09:43:00.000-05:00

I inherited this "?" (problem? blessing? habit?) from my dad - we LOVE magazines!

Considering the Greatest Giver of all time (God, our Creator who loved the world so much that He GAVE His ONLY begotten Son, that whosoever believed in Him wouldn't perish), I offer this recent gleaning from this month's issue of Mary Englebreit's Home Companion. She has (amongst other things) a really neat thought provoking page called "portfolio - heartbeats: the joy of giving". She quotes several famous people's thoughts on giving. Here are a few I really liked:

No one has ever become poor by giving. -Anne Frank, diarist, 1929-1945

We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. -Winston Churchill, Bristish statesman, 1874-1965

You're a happy fellow, for you'll give happiness and joy to many other people. There is nothing better or greater than that. -Ludwig van Beethoven, composer, 1770-1827

"Everyone loves to get presents, and I'm no exception, but the best gifts we can offer each other -love, acceptance, understanding- don't come from the store. They come straight from the heart." -Mary Englebreit

This Christmas-give your heart.

Laughter, Children and Santa Clause?

2007-12-03T13:05:00.000-05:00

Last night was our first Sunday evening practice for the Christmas Program and all the children needed to be at church by 6:00 p.m. My daughter suggested we help Janie Eisenhart out with her children by offering to pick up the oldest ones at 5:30 and taking them to practice. This would give Janie a few minutes for herself since church doesn't start until 7:30.

Ella, the next to the youngest is free entertainment. She kept us laughing the whole way to church. The funniest though, was when she told us (out of the blue), "I don't believe in all that Santa Clause stuff". Abby, who's very quiet, suddenly pipes up, "Yeah, that's because you're on the Naughty List!" I have laughed about that all day. Needless to say, Ella disagreed.

Children are SO precious. They are so transparent and lovable. I've often said, when we get to heaven and everyone is settled in, you'll find me in the Nursery or the Garden rocking or playing with all the babies. I'm sure there'll be lots - think of all the millions who've been aborted. I'll think I've died and gone to heaven- and I'll be right!

Christmas Bells!

2007-12-02T11:53:00.000-05:00

Christmas Bells! Forty of them in all! All rung by children as they praise the Savior who came so many years ago for US! This is my Junior Church Bell Choir practicing "Night of Silence Medley" for one of their parts in our church's annual Christmas Program. It never ceases to amaze me how beautiful the music they make together is! I love working with them in this area and they LOVE being allowed to play the bells - it's a special priviledge they all look forward to!

Lebanon's Candle Lit, Horsedrawn Christmas Parade

2007-12-01T11:50:00.000-05:00

This is the most awesome parade ever! A Truesdale Christmas tradition, this parade takes place the first Saturday in December. There are between 125 and 175 horse drawn vehicles in the parade and the streets are deeply lined with thousands of people - some with candles lit. Historic downtown Lebanon is beautifully lit for the occasion. We've only missed one year since we moved to Cincinnati 11 years ago. We did have to leave early this year because it was so bitter cold with the winter storm moving in but it was beautiful!

Christmas Music Memories

2007-11-29T11:48:00.000-05:00

Today we were busy baking 23 mini loaves of pumpkin bread to give as gifts and my daughter got tired of hearing the Anthony Burger Christmas CD playing after about 10 hours. (Imagine that!) She said,"Do you mind if I put on that Dennis record"? I was delighted! That is my VERY favorite Christmas record-has been since I was a little girl. A few years ago we visited the Brass Armidillo in Tri-County area (it was an Antique Mall - they closed a couple years ago). As we were browsing the stalls, I found a stall that had a bunch of old records. I LOVE good old records so was going through them when what to my wondering eyes should appear but this record! I was SOOOOOOOO excited. $2.50 and several Christmases later, it made my heart glad to know that my daughter also enjoys my record!

My favorite song from the album reminds us that "Christmas is for the Family" and Dennis reminds us at the end of Side 2, "we're not getting any younger". So, be sure to cherish your family this Christmas season and don't forget to "laugh and pray together" like the song says!

Merry Christmas!

Creative Christmas Gift

2007-11-27T09:11:00.000-05:00

Today I put together these meaningful gifts for a $1.00 and an afternoon/ evening of labor.

Tired of the same-old-same-old, I was excited when I read about this neat idea in one of the homeschool enewsletters I get. Michaels has these mousepad calendars in a variety of themes for $1.00. I chose the Front Porch theme for mine and used Mircosoft Works label program to make my labels. The most time consuming part was entering each name and year for each person in my immediate family (mom, dad, sisters, brother-in-laws, nieces and nephews) and my mom and dads parents and siblings' anniversarys and birthdates. Next year, though, all I'll have to do is print them off and put them on the proper date.
The result is a clutter-free useful gift for some special family members:
a mousepad and a calendar with everyone's special dates on it.

Decorating our Church for Christmas

2007-11-24T14:57:00.000-05:00

This morning DJ, Lorna and I went out and decorated our church for Christmas. There wasn't too much to it - just carrying everything upstairs, unbagging and fluffing everything out and putting it in place. We did a couple new things this year. We put lighted garland and bows on the railings out front and we used gold lame' on the bulletin boards for the background. It was fun to decorate God's House for this time of year when we celebrate the birth of His Son.

Christmas! THE Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

2007-11-23T14:08:00.000-05:00

Today officially begins the Christmas Season. At our house, we already have three trees up and over 5000 lights decorating the outside! Some gifts are wrapped and the calendar is filling up. DJ is like his Mommy - we LOVE Christmas! Not the gifts but the season of Joy celebrating the coming of OUR Messiah, and all the fun things there are to do.

Last year we weren't able to visit this awesome house because of Benji's dangerous health situation. We wanted to make sure we got it in this year so tonight we bundled everyone in the van, turned on the Christmas music and headed to Mason's Heritage Park. The show is old time drive-in movie theatre style and is it ever AWESOME! They played one of DJ's favorites, "The Mad Russian's Christmas" by the Trans Siberian Orchestra, a Christmas Hymn Medley by the Mason Public High School Band and other selections. Now the hard part is going to be to keep DJ from doing it to our house! If you live in the greater Cincinnati area, be sure to bundle every one in the car and Monday- Thursday, you can get your whole car load in for $10.00 if you print off a coupon from: festivalsofmason.com

A wonderful Christmas Memory!

Thanksgivings Remembered

2007-11-22T08:50:00.000-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving!

We celebrated at home this year as we spent last week in Michigan with Dan's parents. His dad had two heart surgeries and thankfully is all better now. The kids mentioned that we ALMOST made it a year without a hospital visit! Last Thanksgiving, we spent the week at Cincinnati Children's Hospital with Benji. He had lived in pain but no other outward evidence (like fever or seepage) after a surgery on October 23 to lengthen his rods. Well, the Monday before Thanksgiving, we were going down Route 4 and I went over a LITTLE bump. He cried out and kept crying for about an hour. We stopped at a Walgreens and I got him some Motrin and chocolate milk. By the time we got home he was doing okay. That evening, Dan took his brace off to help him get ready for bed and immediately called me over. The bandage that ran from his neck to his waist had infection on it! I took a look and a whiff and knew we were in BIG trouble. I called the orthopedic resident on call at Children's and told him what was going on. He said to come as quickly as we safely could and be prepared to stay. Later, that resident about passed out when he removed Benji's bandage and found the rod protruding out of Benji's back and DEEPLY infected. Dr. Crawford did emergency surgery the next morning and determined that Benji had staph infection in his bone. Benji was close to heaven that week, but God intervened. He came home with a pic line and we administered very potent antibiotics every six hours through December and most of January. Visiting nurses came out three times a week and with LOTS prayer, antiobiotics and TLC, a year later, Benji is doing AWESOME. We had a checkup with Dr. Crawford a month ago and Benji doesn't have to go back until next June! PRAISE THE LORD!

Benji and DJ playing with the helicopter the Junior Church got him.
Last Thanksgiving, we spent the day putting a gingerbread house together. We set it all up on Benji's bed table and he, Grammy, Lorna and I put it together and decorated it. Our dear friends, Don and Melinda Shirk let us borrow a bowl and spoon to make our frosting and even sent over a pumpkin pie and some rolls. I had bought a rotisserie chicken at Sam's the day before so that was our Thanksgiving Dinner! We were so thankful to have wonderful doctors, nurses and one of the best hospitals in the world. God is so good!

I thought of Melinda alot today. Wednesday she buried her mom. It was so sudden and such a brief illness. She was so young. Melinda is such a blessing to so many - such a giver with a servant heart. I pray God carries her through these difficult days. Moms are so important - I can't imagine losing mine.

Two years ago, we spent our last Thanksgiving with my brother-in-law, Dean. Dan's folks came down from Michigan for the day and Dean and Ona came over. I fixed a smoked turkey from Sam's, mashed potatoes, stuffing and all the other trimmings. I have the neatest picture of Dan, his dad and Dean all asleep in the living room while Mom, Ona, the kids and I looked at the ads at the dining room table. We talked alot about that Thanksgiving and those memories today. I'm so glad for the memories - no regrets there.

Well, this posting seems a little blue - I didn't mean it that way. Just giving thanks for all God's Blessings I'm still enjoying, all the wonderful answers to prayer and VERY thankful for the Grace that carries us through difficult seasons. Have a Blessed Christmas Season! Don't forget to "rest beside the weary road and hear the angels sing"!

Happy 17th Birthday, DJ!

2007-11-17T21:41:00.001-05:00

Seventeen years ago today, God blessed our home with a beautiful healthy baby boy. We named him Daniel James Truesdale II - "DJ" for short. What a wonderful blessing he has been!
Here is Aunt Amy and Grampsy playing with him the day he was born.
I can't believe it was 17 years ago that God blessed our home with this incredible bundle of joy! What a wonderful blessing he has been - especially with his Daddy's decreased abilities in health. DJ is most importantly a devoted Christian. He's a wonderful worker and blesses so many with his abilities and helpful ways. This past week, he put up almost 5000 lights on his paternal grandparents house decorating it for Christmas. He also did numerous tasks for his "G-pa T-dale" - changing 7 tires out for starters!