Sunday, May 31, 2015....

The Mission Focus for today as listed in the United Methodist Women 2015 Prayer Calendar is the Neighborhood Center in Camden, New Jersey.

May this day be one in which you find yourself surrounded by love, joy, and peace!

The sweet potatoes....

....are in the ground.

Now, they need rain!  We are almost five inches behind our usual rainfall total for the year.  Perhaps there will be some rain here this week-end.

For the table....

Thanks to Trader Joe's, these add a decorative touch to the table.

Have a wonderful week-end!

Away.....

....for awhile to search for my "blogging mojo!"  Have a great week-end!

Preparations.....

.....are underway to bring out the red, white, and blue!

This will keep us ready for Memorial Day, Flag Day (June 14), and Independence Day (July 4)!

Another "beginning...."

Spotted just appearing -

The buds indicate there will be plenty more!  We are loving the blooms of spring here!

The beginning....

....of many more....

....the hollyhock appears!  (Hose in background is in place for watering later in the season).

Other buds....

....for other blooms!

I thank Kim at My Field of Dreams for sending seeds from California!  We will love these blossoms!

Sage....

The sage is blooming -

We should probably trim back the blooms, but we think they are really pretty.:-)

Blueberries....

It appears that we will have blueberries this season.  Several pictures follow to attest to this!

Often the mockingbird will debate with us about who deserves the best harvest. :-)  We just forward them on to this one - 

- if there are any cherries remaining, that is.  The birds get these even before they ripen!  That is our bird feeder.:-)

Cookbook Wednesday - minus the usual....

The Usborne Publishing Company publishes quality material for children, and while I have been going through my books and setting some aside for the Library Book Sale, I have kept several on my shelves.  Books such as Science and Technology, Children's Encyclopedia, Living World Encyclopedia, and Big Book of Experiments are some of the titles.

It was a pleasure when a student offered me this one -

This was part of a Chick-fil-A Kid's Meal offer in 1997.  Unfortunately, I will not be sharing pictures of the information inside the book.  

I can tell you that you will never see an octopus as good as the chocolate ones illustrated in this book - nor will you find yourself running away from the cheesy snakes and caterpillars.  Flower candy is pretty as well as good enough to eat, and anytime pizza is mentioned, it seems that the children come running!  The crown cake illustrated on the front of the book might be a good version to have for Epiphany.  I'm going to enjoy trying the version of egg-in-the-hole that the book suggests by baking it in the oven!

This is the last of the children's cookbooks that I will be featuring.  Yes, there will be others!:-)  It will be awhile before I exhaust my supply.:-)

Still waiting....

.....for the Oak Leaf Hydrangea to come into full bloom....

Perhaps it won't be too long.

We're also waiting for measurable rainfall in this new rain gauge, a birthday gift to The Husband!  We may have received 1/10 of an inch yesterday afternoon.

Sending wishes for a Terrific Tuesday to you!

Over the week-end.....

....we took a trip to visit with Muncho Mom, Macho Man, and the Munchkins.  It is always a lot of fun as Macho Man and The Husband take over responsibility in the kitchen, and we women have an extra chance to relax a bit. 

This is part of Macho Man's handiwork -

This was a gluten-free cake (King Arthur's mix), and the frosting had avocado as an ingredient!  It was delicious!

These roses came from a local supermarket - Chantilly, they are called.

When we arrived home, though, this is what greeted us from the week-end -

The David Austen rose has burst into bloom!

We expect summerlike temperatures here this week, with no chance of rain until the week-end.  How is it where you are?

Sunday, May 10, 2015....

In Luke 18:15-17, we find these words -

         "People were bringing even infants to him that he might touch them;

             and when the disciples saw it, they sternly ordered them not to do it.

                              But Jesus called for them and said,

                              'Let the little children come to me,

                                       and do not stop them;

                               for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.

                               Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God

                                as a little child will never enter it.'"- New Revised Standard Version

As listed in the 2015 United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar, the Mission Focus for today is 

Mac Donnell United Methodist Children's Services in Houma, Louisiana.

May you have a day surrounded by love, joy, and peace. 

Doing some "make-up" work....

Unintentionally omitted on Cookbook Wednesday, today's post adds two more states to the mix.

Connecticut!

Florida!

Also, there are some other "firsts" that have appeared.

The first David Austin rose - The Lark Ascending.  There are other buds about to bloom!

Yes, I know.  The damaged leaves need to be trimmed off!  Oh, dear!  

These are the first blooms from the dogwood tree since we set it out a few years ago!

Here in the United States, this is Mother's Day week-end.  I hope you have a happy one!

Also for Children....

There have been a few recent posts regarding books from the United Methodist Women Reading List for 2015.  There are also books for children included on this list, and I am including the covers of them today.

"Deep in the Sahara" is a book about a young girl who wants to wear a malafa, a garment worn by Muslim women.  The story deals with her journey to discover the meaning of the garment.

"My Name is Blessing" tells of a young boy who is born with a disability.  His name actually indicates this.  While there is love at home for this boy, his grandmother sets out with him on a search to find a place that will honor him and take care of his needs.

What is it about the power of a smile?  Amelia's smile spreads around the world and brings happiness and satisfaction to people she may never meet.

I am still hoping to read about the chickens and their attempt to build a wall.  Perhaps you may have read this book.  Let me know what you think.

What are you reading these days?

Some "firsts...."

The first rhododendron bloom on our two-year old bush -

The first Knock Out rose bud - 

The first time the lilac bush has had more than one or two blooms -

The first appearance of what will become grapes - we hope!

One of the first buds on the David Austin rose -

There are others, and I'm anxious for them to bloom.:-)

What is blooming where you are?

Did I miss yours? Cookbook Wednesday....

If I have correct recall, I have followers in these states:

This cookbook, another one for children, has been on my shelves since 1997.  

Did I miss any of you?  Please let me know!