A movie recommendation....

I can't recall that I've ever made a movie recommendation on the blog before, so this is a "first."

A couple of years ago, I read a book by R.J.Palacio.  Wonder was listed on the United Methodist Women Reading list for that year, and it had also been a New York Times bestseller.  The book has now been made into a movie, and we included going to see it in our Thanksgiving plans. 

We were not disappointed!  How wonderful it was to be able to have a movie all the family could watch!  That is my recommendation!

Making lists....

Are you a list maker?  For many of my years, I was employed as an elementary school teacher.  That was definitely the time of list making for me!  In recent times, however, about the only list I make is the grocery list - and I truly depend on that one!!

Had I made a list for last week, it might have included something such as these -

-Have fresh towels in the bathroom.

👍Got that one done!
- Be sure beds are ready.

👍Got that one done, too!

-Bake that cake!

👍Yum! Better hurry past this one!

-Set the table!

👍The platter is ready and waiting for that turkey, and the place settings need flatware!

So - how did I do?  Well, the Thanksgiving guests have come and gone, and this is what I face today.

It is time to attend to the laundry, and it would appear that I have a large basket full to tackle!

Am I making a list this week?  Well, that laundry would be right at the top!  Also, it's time to start baking those cookies!

Which shape should I bake first?

Perhaps I will include addressing some cards....

They are definitely already in the house, just waiting for attention!

What about the tree?

This one was in the local bank just before Thanksgiving.  Isn't it beautiful?  Ours will not look quite like this one, though we think it will be just a lovely.

Yes, it is definitely the season of the year that making lists is helpful!  What about that one to dear old Santa?🎅He's making his list, too!😊

By request....

Some of you have wondered if I am still around.😊Oh, yes! I'm still here.

Then, there are those of you who have wondered if I am ever going to refresh this page.😉Well, you will now have a different page to pop up on your computer!😄

There have been many happenings that have kept us busy since I last posted.  There is one, however, that I'd like to mention at this point.

Have you heard of this book?  Or perhaps you may have heard of this effort.  I first heard of the book at the first of the summer, and it was several weeks before I was able to carve out time to read it. 

The Turquoise Table movement is all about extending hospitality and creating community, and that just fits in perfectly with what we feel is our purpose here.  So - we have launched a new initiative in our neighborhood!

First, however, one must have the proper setting!

It started out like this, but became this....

Our first Turquoise Table event was for blueberry pie and ice cream!

Thus begins our effort to become "front yard people" again!

Do you know your neighbors?

A good beginning?

Let's see....just where IS a good beginning? 😉 It has been awhile, so there's a lot of catching up to do.

Do I begin with the United Methodist Women Mission u event in July?  I was a class leader and was blessed by the presence of some amazing United Methodist Women in my class!

This altar display in our main worship gathering location holds special meaning.

Do I mention the continuation of our #HappyReadingBC on Twitter as we discussed our most recent choice?

This first novel by Louise Penny has kindled interest to read others she has written!  Of course, it is becoming a tradition to have that hot fudge sauce (introduced by Bronwyn in North of Supposed to Be, last month's book) available for enjoyment while we post our comments on our current selection.

So very easy to make with the microwave!

Or - do I mention the fact that this very day is the first day of school for students in our local school system? 

There have been several events leading up to this particular day, one being a luncheon served by my church to the complete staffs of two schools that are located near our church. 

The tables were covered with black and wonderful positive descriptors were written on the labels at each place.  An extra surprise was the Chick-Fil-A gift card that was taped to the back of each one!

Chicken and ham sandwiches were added to the table at serving time, and bowls of potato salad, Watergate salad, and potato chips were available.  In the background, you are able to catch a glimpse of some supplies which were also provided for the teachers.  The following picture will give you a better idea.

Each of the two schools took dry erase markers, hand sanitizer, sanitizing wipes, and tissues with them. These were the four items that appeared most often on wish lists from each school.

So, we definitely send wishes for a good beginning to this school year for all the students and teachers! 

The next best thing....

....well, perhaps it's the next best thing.😊 When one is miles and miles away from the coast where lobster is a feature of summer, that 20-minute drive to Red Lobster just has to substitute.

Lobster Tacos will work - at least for now.

On Twitter, there is a book club - #HappyReadingBC - and we recently read Marcia Ferguson's book.

Of course, our meeting/discussion was not complete without Bronwyn's Hot Fudge Sauce on top of ice cream, then whipped cream, and a maraschino cherry! A true summer treat!

The best thing about this is that there were leftovers for future enjoyment!

I recently attended a baby shower, the first one in many years.  You will be able to determine what the gender is by the following pictures....

Yes!  A little girl is expected!  Everything was pink, pink, pink - quite a familiar hue as we reared three daughters!

We had a lovely time as guests of neighbors recently.  They had even planned entertainment!

All the guests participated in playing these lovely colored bells by watching for our corresponding color to appear on the cards that were displayed by the person directing the activity!  First time for me to have this experience, and I truly enjoyed it.

There was heavy fog one recent morning, and the spruce appears to be trimmed in lace.

Now, in closing, I'm trying an experiment and hope you will be able to hear the accordion music that was part of our afternoon with neighbors.

Sending you wishes for a good week-end!  It is truly summertime here, so we're staying cool!

Keeping our eyes sharp!

Wow! Here we are at the end of the first week of July already!  Did the time pass quickly for you?

It was time for that yearly eye exam recently.

Do you see any frames you like?

Although I could use a bit of a prescription, these still seem to serve me just fine.

No new glasses this time!

The women's chorus in which I sing had occasion to regroup, with heavy hearts, unfortunately.

We met for a special rehearsal to review these selections which we then sang at the service of a former member.

If blueberries are ripe, it must be time to bake!

A blueberry pie and blueberry muffins were first on the list!

Of course, food seems to be front and center in this blog's history.😋😋That is apparently still the focus, especially when there is a holiday.

A spinach souffle from Susan Branch's new Heart of the Home (p. 84) and that favorite summer squash casserole - served in patriotic blue as well as a star-shaped baking dish - both from Longaberger.

While lasagna isn't usually a dish that is thought of for this season of the year, it was what this baking dish was requesting!

As you can see, it was met with great acceptance!

There are some standbys that I keep handy for reference during the summer -

- but I've added this one to expand my library.  It is still waiting for that first try!  Stay tuned!

We've spotted - not hard to do as it's right by the front door - the efforts of birds....

....to build a nest above this light!  Not a good spot, unfortunately, and much of the "supply" winds up here....

It is always a pleasure to have an opportunity to eat at Cracker Barrel!  While there are many good choices, this is what appealed to me....

Have you been shopping at a Farmer's Market near you?  Many fresh vegetables are available, and one recipe I like to make at this time is succotash....

This is one of my very favorites!

I send along wishes for a good week-end ahead!   

The last week of June....

Summer is definitely here!  There are a few things that have helped me navigate this summer heat.

For skin care....

....and for lips....my favorite beauty consultant provided these!

The first pedicure in MANY years has given pretty toes for summer's sandals!

A road trip is a good way to celebrate the beginning of summer, and here are some scenes from a visit to Asheville, NC....

Do you like shopping for antiques?

What about lunch?

Christmas in June?

This did give a cool hint on a warm June day.

The perfect spot for outside eating.

Still working through the week-end, we enjoyed some time with our Sunday School class....

Isn't this just the cutest garden shed?

Such a lovely garden!

The bottle tree!

A train layout....reminder of times past.

While visiting with friends during the week, we were greeted by Miss Princess....

....and on our walk, discovered that there will be another hatching in the bluebird's nest!

If this seems like it describes your day perfectly....

.....perhaps this is good advice for you to follow....

I wish you a happy week-end!