"On the twelfth day of Christmas...."

Well....let's be honest here.  Would you really want twelve drummers drumming through your house today?😉  Perhaps you wouldn't object to this though....😋

This is the day for Three Kings Day Bread!  Just when you may have thought the goodies of the season were all gone, here is another chance for something very tasty!

Today is known as Twelfth Night, and this will be stored away for the season.

In less than eleven months, it will assume its position once more!

On this winter week-end, may you stay safe and cozy!

Books for 2018....

If you have kept up with this blog for any length of time, you will not be surprised to know that there is already a stack of books waiting to be read.

These are only three of the list that I will be reading as I prepare to be a class leader once again for the Conference United Methodist Women Mission u.  Training is scheduled for May, and I must have the list completed by then!  Needless to say, it's time for me to start reading!

I've often been known to begin reading a book and not be able to put it down until I have it finished! Just in case I need to utilize a bookmark with these books, I am ready....

Susan Branch has made this one available via Twitter.  Notice the listing of the dates for the full moon in 2018!  Were you able to see the one on Monday night?  There is another chance for a January full moon if you missed the first one!  (I really think I'll be putting this bookmark to good use.)😊

Do you have some books to read on your list for 2018?

Beginning a new year....

Rabbit, rabbit!🐇🐇Here we are....the first day of a new month, and the first day of a new year!  Have you made any preparations for 2018?

Here are a few things I have ready....

A dear friend surprised me with "Devotions from the Front Porch" as a Christmas gift! This book has already been a blessing to me.

It just isn't the same unless I have Susan Branch's current calendar displayed on the wall, and the notepad she designed helps get me through many responsibilities!

I have also found that a daily planner is an absolute necessity!  So - with these "tools" at hand, this coming year should be off to a great beginning!

First, though.....

Black-eyed peas and collard greens are at the top of that list that never has been made for today! Oops! Needing to remember that those "tools" are handy!

I send wishes for a Happy New Year to each of you!

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!