Happy Easter!

I'm taking the weekend off.  Wishing everyone a blessed Easter!  Resurrection Day!!  

My son, Joey, arrived last night.  So blessed to get to spend time with both of my boys this month!!  My three guys a few years ago...

Peace and Hugs!!

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and tell us which shoes you like best to complete her outfit!

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

The photos are always from the Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

I picked another dress for Easter.  She can wear it again for the Kentucky Derby!  Count down on the shoes 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you like best for the model.

My thoughts:  I think this is a very pretty dress that I could have worn 40 years ago!  For the shoes, I really like the "corsage" on the first pair but I am choosing #2 today.  What are your thoughts?  It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!!

Peace and Hugs!

Up from the grave He arose!

Wednesday's Hodgepodge...

Thanks to our hostess, Joyce!!  You can join in HERE. 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 544

1. What do you love about your life right now?  I'm strong, I'm brave, I'm loved, I'm blessed beyond measure by the Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit.

2. March 26th is National Spinach Day...are you a fan? If so, how do you like yours prepared/served?  I do like spinach and have for as long as I can remember.  I like it raw in a salad, sauteed with a little bacon, or cooked and sprinkled with some vinegar. 

3. In this current season would you say you need to spend more time looking inward or that you need to get out of your head? Tell us why.  Gosh, I don't know.  Probably a little of both at this stage of my life.  It is too easy to retreat to my recliner in front of the TV.

4. Are you following the 'March Madness' madness? (That's US college basketball in case you're out of the loop) What's something that feels like actual madness to you right now?  I am not following college basketball.  The guys at work talk about it often, however.  I'm not making any headway on my bathroom project or in the den.  Procrastinating is my madness right now.  

5. How will you celebrate the Easter/Passover holiday this year?  My son, Joey, will be here Thursday.  My church has a Good Friday service and Easter Sunday service.  I'm hosting seven for Easter dinner.  Looking forward to it.

6. Insert your own random thought here.  This time of year, for seven years, was Relay For Life time (American Cancer Society).   I was a team captain for Jeremiah's Friends, made up of friends from church.  We were the first or second highest money raisers for each of those seven years in the small group category.  Our name represented Jeremiah 29:11 (HOPE) and Jeremiah, the bullfrog, was our mascot image.  

The last three years of those seven, I was actually a cancer survivor (haha.. I'm still a cancer survivor!!).  We honored the memory of my parents, my brother, and Joe's first wife (who died of brain cancer) with luminaries around the track.  This photo shows my team carrying the banner (I'm on the end to the left) for the first lap around the track - always the survivors' lap.  The Relay For Life event started at 6:00 pm and ran through breakfast the next morning.  At least one member of each team is supposed to be walking the track during the event.  Cancer doesn't sleep and neither do the teams during the event. 

Not sure why this became my random thought, other than the photo came up and I went with it.  The school stopped letting us use their football field/track and our team just decided to quit.  Raising money isn't easy and I didn't want to be the leader anymore.  It was a good run and we did have some fun.  We always had over $7,000 each year.

Peace and Hugs!!

Prayers, always, for all cancer survivors!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

I had such a fun lunch on Friday with my museum friends, Kalisa and Marilyn.  Marilyn took over part of my job when I retired seven years ago.  Kalisa worked in the Curatorial department and she retired about three years ago.  Marilyn got us caught up on Museum news and we had good food at Reececliff.  It was after 3:00 when we finally parted.  We agreed that we need to make this a monthly thing.

On Saturday, our little neighborhood had our second annual potluck.  Dee and Bill hosted it this year.  It started out with 14 coming but one neighbor, Betty, had company come and Anne and Paul had a medical emergency.  Ten of us carried on and there was enough food for the entire community, I think.  We had grilled brats, lasagne, fruit, rice & broccoli, two kinds of pasta salad, fruit-filled jello, and birthday cake for Bill.  

Al, Jim, Dee, Sharon

Bill, Marlene, Deborah, Duane

Me and Judy

Dee and the birthday boy... 75 years young

   

It was fun with lots of conversation.  Jim and Sharon live a couple of houses down and across the street.  I had never met them before but nice folks.  They are still working and are also runners.

Sunday school and church yesterday.  We finished Genesis in Sunday School and will start Exodus after Easter.  The kids marched in with palms and that is always so sweet.  I got home and did my usual two loads of laundry.  I had leftovers from the potluck for my dinner.  Everyone went home with extras. Yum.

This coming week, I have Kroger delivering groceries on Tuesday, lunch with Shirley on Wednesday, and son Joey arrives on Thursday!!  Another week filled with family and friends and fun!!  There will be eight for Easter dinner!!  Blessings in abundance!

Peace and Hugs!

Then sings my soul, my Savior God, to Thee 

how great Thou art, how great Thou art!

Palm Sunday...

 Peace and Hugs!

The Saturday 9...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

If You've Got the Money

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love to answer the questions, however, and here are today's questions!

Saturday 9: If You've Got the Money (1950)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) In this week's song, Lefty Frizzell is eager to go out on the town and hit all the night spots. What are your plans for the weekend?  I will participate in our neighborhood potluck today and tomorrow is Palm Sunday.  I'm a greeter at church.

2) He tells his girl he'd rather ride in her Cadillac than his old car. Back in the 1950s, Caddys were quite the status symbol. Lefty bought a white one with the profits from this record. Elvis also had a fondness for Cadillacs and preferred pink. Have you ever owned a Cadillac?  Nope.

3) Lefty was a big deal in Big Spring, TX. He was a popular attraction at local bars, a favorite among oil workers who liked to unwind by listening to live music. How do you relax after a tough day?  In my happy place (recliner, in front of the TV)!

4) This was Lefty's first hit. He wrote "If You've Got the Money" and recorded a demo for producer Jim Beck to play for established singers. When no one else wanted to record it, Beck decided to give Lefty a shot. The result was a million seller that spent 22 weeks on the country charts. Tell us about someone who took a chance on you.  Most recently, I could say my boss.  Who hires an old woman to be a staff assistant for Fish and Wildlife?  Mine did!!  I think he is happy with his decision and I know I am!

5) After this record became a hit, success came quickly to Lefty, perhaps too fast. He signed conflicting contracts with promoters and managers which resulted in lawsuits. Have you recently consulted a lawyer or had a document notarized?  Yes.  I am a personal representative for a friend's estate.  Never again!!  Don't do it!!

6) This song hit number one on the country charts twice: first this version and then in 1976 by Willie Nelson. Do you have a favorite Willie Nelson song?  I love this one and all of Willie's music.

7) In 1950, when this song was popular, Americans began using credit cards. Do you pay with a credit card to get rewards? If yes, what rewards are you accumulating (cash back, airline miles, etc.)?  I have a couple that give cash-back rewards.  I don't care about miles.

8) Also in 1950, Sears Roebuck and Co. acknowledged a major spike in catalog sales and took the unusual move of devoting the cover of their Spring/Summer catalog to their "satisfaction guarantee." This was meant to allay the fear of customers uncomfortable with ordering by mail instead of buying in person. 74 years later, Amazon delivers more than 3 million packages every day. Would you rather check out a product yourself in a store, or do you prefer the convenience of ordering from home?  I have never been a shopper.  I LOVE sitting in my happy place and ordering from Amazon. I will say that I can't buy shoes in a store.  They don't carry my size (12W) and I also need tall slacks, which are also hard to find.  It is much less frustrating for me to just order online like I have done for years.

9) Random question -- You're singing along with the car radio to your favorite song when you reach your destination. Do you wait until your song is over to get out of the car?  No.  But I do sometimes continue humming!

Peace and Hugs!

Till on that cross as Jesus died 

The wrath of God was satisfied 

For every sin on Him was laid 

Here in the death of Christ I live

Friday Fotos...

 

Another week with no photos except the following few:

Vinny, enjoying the sunshine in my "breezeway" which is this little bit of screened-in walkway from the den to the shed.  I let the boys go out there now and then when I have time to sit with them.  I don't trust them to not climb the screens after a lizard.  Vinny loves the sunshine!

The pine trees sprout new growth during the spring and I always notice it around Easter time.  One of my coworkers brought this to me last week.  It had fallen on the ground.  They look like crosses and it seems like the trees are celebrating our Risen Lord.  

I took this picture last year when I was out on the property with my boss.  He had never heard the story about the crosses at Easter.  He stopped so I could snap a picture...

That's it for photos on Friday.  I'm having lunch with two of my museum peeps today.  Marilyn and Kalisa are meeting me at Reececliff.  It will be fun!! Tomorrow is the neighborhood potluck.  Also fun!!  I'm a greeter at church for Palm Sunday.  March has been a very fun month, full of family and friends!!

Peace and Hugs!

Precious Lord, take my hand...

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

There isn't a linky and there aren' t any rules.

Check out the dress and pick the purse you like best.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

Photos are from The Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

Easter!!  She has her bonnet and her shoes but needs help deciding which purse to use.  Count down 1-2-3 and tell us which one you like best.  It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing!

My thoughts:   Since the dress has pockets... I'm choosing purse #1 today.  It has a handle and she doesn't need a wallet for Easter Sunday services.  What are your thoughts?

'tis the season

Peace and Hugs!

Cherish the old rugged cross...

 

The Wednesday Hodgepodge...

 Thanks to Joyce for today's Hodgepodge!!  Y'all can join in right HERE!

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 543

1. Spring is officially upon us, no matter what the weather may be in your neck of the woods. Is there any 'spring cleaning' on your to-do list? What's your most dreaded task?  Spring cleaning is always on my mind but it rarely gets done the way it should be done.  I just can't get down on the floor to do corners and baseboards/trim.  My metal knees feel like they are cutting through skin if I kneel down.  It's not an excuse, it's the truth.  SO... I have plans to begin some projects that will take professionals to assist including flooring and painting.  A little at a time but it's coming.  Dreaded... bathrooms.  Joe used to clean the bathrooms.  He spoiled me.

2. What's something many people seem to love, but to you feels like 'watching the grass grow'?  Soccer, baseball, basketball, golf, tennis... I do like hockey and football.

3. Mint grows in abundance during the spring season. Are you a fan?  Not really.  I don't hate it but I don't seek it out.  What's your favorite food with a 'minty' flavor?  Mint chocolate ice cream (especially Breyers).

4. It's been said, 'Absence makes the heart grow fonder.' Agree or disagree? Explain.  I don't agree.  My family members are all far away.  I don't love them any more or less because we don't see each other often.  Perhaps if this refers to having a plate full of pasta after being on a diet... yes! LOL

5. Are there any festive spring events in your city or town? If so, will you take advantage of them?  Not "festive" especially, but we do have the Detroit Tigers in town for spring training, and the Lake Morton Historic District has a Home Tour in April.  Lots of 1920s craftsman-style homes and 10-12 are on the tour.  In May, we have Mayfaire-by-the-Lake, which is a juried outdoor art festival hosted by Polk Museum of Art.  

6. Insert your own random thought here.  My neighborhood is having a potluck this Saturday!!  We did one last year in my carport.  This year, Dee and Bill (across the street) are hosting it in their carport. There will be 15-16 people from right around us on our street.  I love my neighbors and feel so blessed to live where I live.  Pictures from last year.  We had about a dozen last year and hope it becomes an annual event!

Peace and Hugs!

The old rugged cross...

The Tuesday 4...

 Thanks to Annie for today's questions!  You can join in HERE!

Name that Show!

 Welcome to Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  

Here is a repeat of one Toni used in January 2019...

Name 1 Or More

1.   Name a TV series show or shows of which you have seen every episode at least twice:  Somebody Feed Phil is one of many.

2.   Name a show or shows you can't or would not miss:  Somebody Feed Phil; Vera; Death in Paradise; The Voice; Home Town...

3.   Name an actor or actors that would make you more inclined to watch a show:  Sandra Bullock; Liam Neeson; Sam Elliott; Melissa McCarthy...

4.   Name an actor or actors who would make you less likely to watch a show:  Jane Fonda

Peace and Hugs!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

 

That pretty much says it all...

I had big plans to get some things done on Saturday.  Only played around with a couple of things and sat in front of the TV the rest of the day and evening.  I have to say that the cats were chilled out too.  They don't mind company, especially when they get attention, but they like things "normal".

I went to Sunday School and church, put a pork loin in the crockpot, did two loads of laundry (including sheets and towels from the guest room), and then sat down in front of that TV again.  I watched a movie on Netflix called "Damsel" which was about a dragon and some nasty royals.  My sister recommended it and I did enjoy it.  After that, I watched "Made in Italy" with Liam Neeson.  It was better than Damsel.  My nieces got me watching "Tournament of Champions" on Max.  It's a fun and interesting cooking show.  I'm on Season two.

That's all she wrote!! 

Peace and Hugs!

For God so loved the world 
that He gave us His one and only Son to save us 
Whoever believes in Him Will live forever

Happy St. Paddy's Day!

 

Saturday 9...

 Thanks to Crazy Sam for today's Saturday 9!  You can join in HERE!

Charlie Mops

Welcome to Saturday: 9. What we've committed to our readers is that we will post 9 questions every Saturday. Sometimes the post will have a theme, and at other times the questions will be totally unrelated. Those weeks we do "random questions," so to speak. We encourage you to visit other participants' posts and leave a comment. Because we don't have any rules, it is your choice. We hate rules. We love memes, however, and here is today's meme!

 

Saturday 9: Charlie Mops (2007)

Not familiar with this week's song? Hear it here.

 

1. This week's song is about a legend, Charlie Mops, the man who invented beer. Tell us about something you enjoy so much you could sing about it with the same enthusiasm the Salt Sea Pirates sing of beer.  I've never heard this song before and I've never heard of Charlie Mops.  Oops!!  As for something I could sing about with enthusiasm... pasta, perhaps.  

2.  The lyrics tell us beer goes well with breakfast, dinner and snacks. Think about what you dined on yesterday. What beverages did you have with your breakfast, your dinner, and your between-meal snack?  Coffee for breakfast.  I don't eat lunch.  I did have a snack before going to the airport with Jeff and that included a bottle of spring water.  For dinner, I had some leftover spaghetti and meatballs with a glass of milk.

3. "Charlie Mops" was chosen because it's an Irish drinking song and Sunday is St. Patrick's Day. Do you expect to raise a glass in honor of the day?  I'm not a beer drinker.  Not much of a drinker at all.  I will definitely have spring water!

4. Beer is not the only beverage often dyed green for St. Patrick's Day. In 1970, McDonald's introduced the Shamrock Shake, a milkshake made with a minty green syrup. If we were to go out for shakes right now, what flavor would you order?  Chocolate. Period.

5. Legend has it that wearing green makes you invisible to leprechauns, who can be mischievous pranksters. Is there anyone you would like to avoid today?  No.  I can't think of anyone I ever try to avoid.

6. For all our talk of green, it was not the original color of St. Patrick's Day. Through most of the 18th century, blue was worn across England and Ireland to honor St. Patrick. The Irish switched to green to express their independence from the English. Which color do you wear more often: blue or green?  I do love green but wear blue jeans most days so have to say blue.

7. Today St. Patrick's Day is observed all over the world. In Tokyo, it's not a single day but a weekend celebration. When you think of Japan, what's the first thing that comes to mind?  Japanese Steakhouse, Bento Boxes, Soba Noodles...

8. One of the biggest parades each year in Buenos Aires is for St. Patrick's Day. Have you ever participated in a parade? I marched in many parades while in the marching band during high school.  We did not have a St. Patrick's Day parade, though.

9. Georgia Southern University in Statesboro, GA, crowns a Miss St. Patrick's Day. Tell us about an event you recall from your college days.  Graduation was the biggest/only event.  I was not on campus and was working while studying. No bars, no sports, no fun at all, actually. 

Peace and Hugs!

O Danny boy, the pipes, the pipes are calling

From glen to glen and down the mountainside

The summer's gone and all the roses falling

'Tis you, 'tis you must go and I must bide.

PS...  Jeff got home safely last evening.  
The cats are missing him almost as much as I miss him!

Friday Fotos...

 

It has been such a fun week!!  Last Friday, my nephew and his family arrived for the weekend, then son Jeff came for his visit, and today, I have to take Jeff to the airport for his flight back to Virginia. The house is going to be so quiet when I get back from Tampa this evening.  My heart has been so full!! 

I posted this photo, but here it is again.  After the Phillies' spring training game last Saturday, nephew Lou took us all to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner.  I joked that I was going to have Jeff take me out for steak, so they did it instead.

Some of you have seen this photo as well.  On Tuesday, I took the day off and we went to Clermont to have lunch with Kali's parents.  We had a great time there, too...

On Wednesday, Jeff went to work with me and got a grand tour of the property with my boss.  They were gone nearly three hours!  I think Jeff got to see places I've never seen!  Jeff said a wild turkey flew at them but they didn't see any gators.  Jeff wanted to take me out to dinner.  He said I could have steak again or crab legs and shrimp...  Cravin' Crab won!!

Last night, I made spaghetti and meatballs, salad, and garlic bread.  I invited my neighbor, Bill, to join us.  Dee is visiting her daughter in Georgia so Bill and their pup, Princess Leah, have been keeping busy by themselves all week.  He and Jeff enjoyed talking while I cooked.  Dinner was good, if I do say so myself.

As mentioned above, it will be a very quiet weekend!!  Next weekend, I'm hoping son Joe will be able to come down for a few days.  Fingers crossed!!

Peace and Hugs!!

Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine...

Whimsical Fashion Fun...

 

There isn't a linky and there aren't any rules.

Check out the dress and choose the shoes you like best.

It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing.

Photos are from the Storybook of Dreams and Beauty.

A sweet vintage early spring look for today.  Count down on the shoes 1-2-3 and tell us which ones you like best for the dress.  It is all for fun and just a whimsical thing.

My thoughts:  This outfit made me think of Lavern & Shirley!!  That was a fun sitcom.  This isn't a look I would have worn but I like it.  As for the shoes, I'll go with #1 because of the low heel. What are your thoughts?  

Peace and Hugs!

Amazing Grace, How Sweet The Sound...

The Wednesday Hodgepodge plus...

Thanks to our hostess, Joyce, for today's Hodgepodge.  You can join in HERE! 

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 542

1. Thursday is National Pi Day...are you good at math? Nope. What was the last thing you had to calculate? Bank balance.  Did you use your head or technology? God gave us calculators to use, so I use them!!  :)  Last slice of pie you ate?  I am not a big pie lover so I don't really remember.  Maybe Thanksgiving. 

2. What makes a house a home?  Love. People. Pets.

3. Your current favorite green thing?  I love the color green and have several green tops hanging in my closet.  The curtains and bedding in my guest room are green(s).

4. How do you define achievement?  Successfully completing a project...  How does your personal definition look similar to, or different than, society's definition?  Perhaps society looks at a big picture while I can see success in small things.  What's something you think is worth achieving in life? Leaving a legacy of kindness and love.  Worth has nothing to do with money.

5. What song is a good soundtrack for your life right now?  Blessings!!  

How firm a foundation, O saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said
Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled?

6. Insert your own random thought here.  Jeff and I had a great day yesterday.  I took the day off and we drove up to Clermont, where Kali's folks live.  We met them at Carrabba's and had a great lunch, then went back to their house for a couple of hours.  It was a great time with truly beautiful people.  I'm just sorry Kali couldn't come with Jeff this time.  I missed her!

Peace and Hugs!

Monday's Weekend Recap...

Whew!!  What a whirlwind weekend I had!!  It was so fun and it went by much too fast!!  I am tired and could have done without that losing an hour thing, but it's a good tired!!  

I will post pictures from Saturday.  We had a lot of fun at the Phillies spring training game.  It was hot - mid 80s - and I was putting on sunscreen every hour!!  Worth every drop of that factor 70 (which worked wonders).  The gang from Maryland and New Jersey arrived Friday in the early evening.  They flew into Orlando and went to lunch at the Rain Forest Café, over in Disney Springs (one of Maya's favorite places).  I ordered pizza for our dinner, since they had a big lunch. We got all caught up and watched some TV before everyone declared the day over!  

Saturday let us sleep in a bit.  I made scrambled eggs, bacon, and sausage for breakfast.  We also had bagels, orange juice, and coffee (of course!).  They wanted to leave early for the stadium and we were so glad we did!!  Traffic was not as bad as it would have been later, and the crowd waiting to get in was not horrible yet.  The girls wanted to shop for Phillies shirts and souvenirs.  I got a big pretzel (a must).  I will let the photos show the rest.  It was a standing-room-only crowd!

Nephew Lou and his granddaughter, Maya (my pen pal!)

The Fanatic... (green outfit in the red car)

Me, great-niece Nikki, and gr-great niece, Maya

Me, Peggy (niece-in-law), and Maya

Nephew Lou looking at two of his three girls, Jackie and Nikki 

(Lexie couldn't come this time.)

Nephew Lou, Maya, and Nikki

Lou, Peggy, and 1/3 of my face...

We went to Longhorn Steakhouse for dinner on the way home.  

Sweaty and windblown but we had so much fun!

When we got home, Maya wanted to make earrings to take to her Aunt Lexie.  I got out my beads and findings.  Maya picked out the beads and put them on the "nail".  I used plyers to make the circle to hang on the hooks.  She wanted some too, but her mom said she is still too young for dangly earrings.  We made a pair for the jewelry box that she can wear when she gets older.  She was okay with that.

We were sad to say goodbye the next mid-morning.  I skipped Sunday school and church so we could have another good breakfast and say farewell.  It went by much too fast.

I got beds stripped and towels ready for laundry.  Son Jeff would arrive at Tampa airport at 2:30!! Because of the terrible traffic on Saturday, I left a little sooner than I would normally and was happy I did. The Strawberry Festival is on right now, in Plant City, between Lakeland and Tampa.  I still had about 30 minutes in the cellphone lot.  His plane was about 10 minutes late getting in. 

When we got home, he said he was happy to eat left-over pizza (I had a whole large one left from Friday).  We heated up slices and they tasted fine.  We watched some TV, talked a lot, and got lunch scheduled with his girlfriend's parents tomorrow.  I'm taking the day off and we will meet them in Clermont at Carrabba's for lunch.  Kali couldn't come with him this time but I love her parents and will be happy to seem them.  Not sure what else we will do this week.  Jeff says he is just happy to relax and chill.  He is a Meat & Seafood Manager at a Safeway store in Virginia.  On his feet and busy all the time.  I think he will come to work with me one day this week and will get a tour of the property and the lakes.  Might see some gators!!  Pictures of Jeff will follow.  I didn't make him pose yesterday!

Jeff and his lady-love, Kali, from a few years ago...

Peace and Hugs!

Praise God, from Whom all blessings flow... (over-flow!!)