Sunday, August 31, 2014....

These words come from Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty -

"There is nothing I can give you which you have not,
  but there is much that while I cannot give you, you can take:
No heaven can come to us unless our hearts find rest in it today.
  Take Heaven.
No peace lies in the future which is not hidden in this present instant.
  Take Peace.
The gloom of the world is but a shadow;
  behind it, yet within reach, is joy.
Take Joy."

The Mission Focus from the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for today is the United Methodist Neighborhood Centers, Chattanooga, Tennessee.

May your day be filled with peace and joy!

Reviewing....

Yikes!  Another August Saturday!  Do you remember that this month has five of them?  This is the last one - which means September is just a day away!  Do you, along with me, wonder where this month has gone?  It has been said that when one is busy, the time passes quickly.  Were there some special things that gave you the feeling that the month was flying?

Here are a few things that kept us busy here:

There were a couple of UMW-related week-end events.  One was a Social Action workshop, and the other was this meeting at which I was the guest speaker, plus I installed the new officers.

The new listing for the UMW Reading Program for 2015 arrived!  That is always exciting!  Earlier in the month I submitted the order for materials for our next Conference event which is next month.  Also, there was an occasion to be involved in a Conference Call with some others who are involved in Program Resources in other areas of the country.  This was a "first," and very beneficial.

Of course, we had that birthday party for Munchkin the Second!

Did you know about this one? The Husband and I celebrated our 45th wedding anniversary in August!

Somehow I found time to work in this....a bit of work for the dermatologist.

....and this - something for the ophthalmologist.

Can't leave this without letting you know that our church community garden has donated over 1700 pounds of fresh produce during this growing season.  Fall crops have been planted.

So - it has been a busy month here.  Perhaps September will have a more leisurely pace.:-)  One can always hope.:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Friday's book....

Friday has arrived!  Has it been a busy week for you?  Are you anticipating some enjoyable things for this three-day week-end?

For a change, the book I have selected for today is this one!

Those of you who know my family may wonder why I made this choice when I registered with Blogging For Books.  My family is liberally "peppered" with vegetarians, so this doesn't seem like something for consideration, does it?  I was quite taken by the picture on the front, noticeably prepared in that iron skillet, and that's really what influenced my decision.

For more information about the availability of this book and the author, try Here or Here. 

The first thing I did when I began thumbing through the book was run to the freezer to take out the package of lamb chops I had there!  That took care of the decision about dinner! Then, as I continued examining the book, I realized there was a gold mine of recipes that a vegetarian would enjoy!  Creamy Corn-Blue Cheese Polenta, Cassoulet-Stuffed Red Peppers, Sweet Potato Galette, Dijon-Creamed Spinach - these are just a few of the delectable choices for vegetarians!  If that is not enough, try the Roast Fingerling Potatoes and the Warm Arugula Salad!  I can hardly wait to try them all!  I know there will be some new favorites here.

Of course, I would be remiss if I didn't mention the Pan-Seared Pork Tenderloins, Turkey Kabobs, Pork Loin Roast, and Five-Spice BBQ Pulled Pork.  These are only a few of the meat recipes included.

There is also a section of one-pot favorites.  Try the Shepherd's Pie Cupcakes or Rahm's Childhood Corn Chip Pie!  There are enough ideas to create one meal a week for the year!

I received this book by Blogging for Books for this review.  The opinions are my own.  It is a choice I am really glad I made!

I am linking today with this site.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

The new one is underway....

Thursday already!  Whew!  The week is really passing quickly!

Our new chorus season is underway.  There have already been three rehearsals.  We are ever hopeful that the temperatures will be cooperating, and we will be able to call this our "fall season.":-)

I want to share some of the songs we are rehearsing with you.

First, there are these fall standbys.

Are these familiar to you?  When the season begins to change from summer, these songs generally come to mind.

This is one that was new to me.

There are a few sections to this one that are a little tricky to learn.

We are not all seriousness, of course, and this will be part of our program.

Do you remember when this song was first aired?  It will join standbys like "Rocky Top" and "Football Hero."  We have to be sure to have room for those "Big Orange" favorites!

Then, there will be these two that will lead us into thoughts of that November holiday!

I do prefer my turkey, having roasted in the oven, sliced and on a platter, however.:-)

This is a favorite of mine, and I am glad the director has included it in our program.  We will also be singing the "Armed Forces Medley."  

So - we will have some packed rehearsals in order to learn this music.  There are eight dates for performances on the calendar!  We will be finished with them before Thanksgiving, which will give us December off for all THAT month holds.  No word yet on our costume for this one.  We have accessorized with red boas to sun visors, but I don't think those are in the mix for this season.:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

A good season....

How is your week progressing?  This is the mid-week point already!

The blueberry season here has been a good one.  As we have more than one variety, we are able to have fresh blueberries about two months.  They have been enjoyed in pies, muffins, and the usual treats, though a new one was added this year!

Blueberry Dump Cake!  Here is is ready for the oven!

The recipe comes from TheSouthernLadyCooks.  I contacted her for permission to include the recipe on my blog. Unfortunately, she did not respond positively.:-(  So, if you want that recipe, you will have to do a search of her site for it.  I'm sure many of you have baked those Dump Cakes before, so you would have an idea how to proceed.

Here it is, just out of the oven!

  

See all that yummy goodness!!  This was definitely my favorite recipe using blueberries this summer.  Can't you just imagine how this would taste with ice cream or whipped cream?  Oh, my!

Baking dish - Longaberger Traditions.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Someone asked....

Several days ago, when I mentioned that Machoman had built a loft bed for Munchkin the Second, someone mentioned they would like to see that bed!   Here it is, and it is PINK!

I lifted the curtain on the right side to try to show a picture of what things looked like underneath, but there was not enough light.  You are able to see the shelves at the left.  Underneath, there are fairy lights around the frame!

This shows the steps that come down from the top:

They are on the far corner at the bottom of the bed.  

Munchkin the Second is a true "girly-girl," and she chose this lovely shade for the walls in her room last year.

Yes, she loves pink and purple!  She loves horses as well!:-)

Machoman says that he built in this way in case she decided to take it to college with her!:-)  It is certainly a very sturdy loft bed!

I notice I have added an extra follower!  Thank you so much for coming along with us!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

The week-end....

Happy Monday to you!  Was it a good week-end for you?  Does the week ahead look like it will be a good one?

Part of the week-end was a busy one for us.  A trip out-of-town was needed as I had agreed to be the speaker for a United Methodist Women event in another District.  This picture shows the arrangement that was prepared for the Remembrance portion of the program.

A short post today.   Lots of housekeeping duties await!:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Sunday, August 24, 2014....

Coming from Apples of Gold, compiled by Jo Petty, we find these words....

                                                 "I've found a little remedy

                                                      To ease the life we live

                                                 And make each day a happier one -

                                                      It is the word 'forgive'."

From the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for today, the Mission Focus is the Bethlehem Centers of Nashville, Nashville, Tennessee.

My wish for you is for a blessed Sunday.

Taking a look around....

....to see if I might glimpse some signs of fall.....

....while this continues to give us beautiful summertime blossoms!

Can it be true?  Is this "Burning Bush" changing color?!?  Yes!

And - across the street, in the neighbor's front yard, I am able to see this:

This dogwood tree is one of the most beautiful sights in fall.

If these images are not convincing, I found these:

Doesn't this just have "fall" written all over it?

And this one, regardless of the lack of holiday-related images on the cover, tells me that it is time to begin that Munchkin the Second shopping! :-)

Do you think she will be able to find anything in this one that "tickles her fancy?":-)

The week-end is here, and I hope you have some good plans for this Saturday.  It is expected to be a hot and rainy (possibly) one here!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

In a perfect world....

....there would be no stories such as this one to captivate our interest and attention.

The first novel written by R. J. Palacio was a #1 New York Times Bestseller.  It is easy to understand why.

August Pullman has been home schooled all his life, and he is entering the fifth grade, for the first time in a public school.  "Why is that such a captivating subject?" you may ask.  "After all, there are many similar children who go through the same experience."

Yes, there are.  You may actually know some of them, as I do.  However, August has a bit of a challenge.  He is one of those "1 in a million" chances to have been born with a serious facial irregularity, as well as other life-threatening concerns.  So, this book, though a work of fiction, describes some of the ordeals he faces. 

In Auggie's favor, thankfully, is his wonderfully supportive and loving family, and as the book progresses, we are able to witness not only his growth, but the growth of his classmates.  Do things go smoothly?  No!  Not at all, though with the help of those to whom Auggie's welfare is a genuine concern, fifth grade is completed on a very successful note!

This book comes from the United Methodist Women Reading List for 2014 and is listed in the Nurturing for Community category .  It would make a wonderful gift for a middle-schooler you might know, as it is listed as a Youth book.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate  your comments.

A week already....

Thursday is here, and our Munchkin the Second has been eight years old an entire week!  We helped her celebrate at her party.

She requested a "Puppies and Kitties" theme, and going along with that was the wish to visit the local animal shelter, taking them some food for the dogs and cats who were there.  She isn't fond of hearing those dogs bark, and there was a lot of that going on at the shelter, so I don't think there was a very long stay there.  

Munchomom also honored her request to have both white and chocolate cake.  

Here is a picture showing the first stage of preparations.

Somewhere these bone-shaped candles were found!  Aren't they cute?

Here is the table ready to serve.  The Meow Mix was Cracklin' Oat Bran cereal, and the Puppy Chow was made with a mix of Cocoa Puffs and Kix.  In the green bowl are Scooby-Doo bones - graham crackers that Munchomom had luckily found in a discount grocery - only one  box!

The cake was easy to predict.  There was chocolate cake under the chocolate frosting, and white cake under the white frosting!  There were extra chocolate cupcakes with white frosting for those who may have wanted that combination.

Now, why didn't I get a picture of the amazing loft bed that Machoman built for Munchkin?  Beats me!  You would be amazed!  Munchkin is really enjoying it!

So, the week-end is almost here.  I hope you have some good plans for some relaxing times.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

The last full day....

Is it Wednesday already?  My goodness!  How time passes!  I hope your week is going well for you.

For our last full day at More Than A Vacation, we began with a discussion on this book that I have already mentioned in a previous post.

Remember this one?

A retired Emory and Henry professor is quite an authority on Ron Rash, the author of this book, and we had quite a spirited discussion about the novel.

In appropriate fashion, our mid-day meal was a covered-dish affair!

Of course, I would begin with the desserts!:-)

There were these pecan tarts, coconut cake, that wonderful meringue-topped old-fashioned banana pudding, and dessert bars made from a recipe belonging to one of the assistant librarians when I was a student!  The edge of the platter in front shows sliced heirloom tomatoes, locally grown.

There were some "healthier" choices.

No southern pot-luck is complete without fried chicken!

Macaroni and cheese, hash-brown casserole - true pot-luck faves!

The day came to a close with a covered tent Italian buffet meal on the green of the Barter Playhouse, bringing us back to Abingdon, the town with decorated wolves on display!

One of many all around town.

While Emory and Henry is considered to be a small college, it continues to make a huge difference in people's lives!  If you want to know more, you could find what you want through Google.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

On down the road....

....because we are headed to the opening day for this:

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum!

We are in Bristol, VA/TN, a "twin city."

One side of the street has the Virginia flag between the American flags.....

.....and the other side of the street has the Tennessee flag alternating with the American flags.

There is also this sign greeting us as we enter town!

Anyway, back to the Museum.  Actually, the picture above was taken from a "wayback machine" in the Museum.

A coming event.

There were many displays.

The development of Appalachia.

Do you remember porches on earlier houses?

A beautiful wall hanging!

The tour through the Museum begins with a video presentation in the auditorium.  From there, entrance to the main displays is located.  There were amazing opportunities to trace and experience the growth of country music.

It was appropriate that we close out our time in Bristol by eating at an original lunch counter.  They stayed open into the evening just for our group.

This is just one half of the counter.

We even merited a special sign on the door!

Whew!  Well, we are finished with our trip to Bristol.  Now we head back to campus to hear a presentation on MoTown Music given by one of the college professors.  It has been a full day, and lots of fun. 

Have I mentioned that I actually lived in Bristol, VA "way back when?":-)  I taught school while I lived there.

We are not finished with More Than A Vacation  yet!  The next post will share some things about the following day.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Are you still with me?

The beginning of another week for the month of August is here!  Will it be a busy one for you?

You will recall that I've been taking you through More Than A Vacation.  Are you still with me?  We have yet another stop to make on the same day that I left you in downtown Meadowview.

In Bristol, Virginia has been a college called Virginia Intermont.  When I was a student at Emory and Henry, it was a women's junior college.  I am not sure about the directions it may have taken in the number of years since I graduated, but wherever it had headed did not prove to be in a successful direction.  Consequently, the college closed its doors following the past school term.

During the summer, it was announced that Emory and Henry was acquiring the Equine Studies program, now known as Intermont Esquestrian at Emory and Henry.  Virginia Intermont has had a history of success with this program, and there are pictures to follow that show some of the horses that were in the barn the afternoon we visited, as well as the rings that are available for riding.

The horses, of course, are always hopeful that there may be a treat awaiting them when people pass through the stable.  It would be great to see some of them go through their programs in this arena.

There have been several National Championships awarded to the program.  Now, Emory and Henry will be able to offer, for the first time, a concentration in Equine Studies.  The former Virginia Intermont equine department staff has been given office space on Emory and Henry campus, and they have already relocated there.

Country Girl would have dearly loved this availability when she was a student at Emory and Henry.  We told her that she was just 20 years ahead of her time.:-)

Well, you may think that I have finally finished with this day, which was Friday, August 1.  I believe I have mentioned earlier that the Alumni Director and the committee plan a very full, packed schedule for us, and there were still stops to make ahead of us.  More on that another day!  I hope you will return.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.