Remembering....

I send you wishes for a happy Monday!  Hopefully it will be a good day for you and set the tone for the week.

The week-end seemed to be all about remembering.  Yes, we remembered to advance our clocks and other timepieces an hour before we went to bed on Saturday night.  It would seem, however, that this computer has adjusted to the time change a bit more smoothly than the adults in the household.:-)

When The Husband and I were married in August of 1969, we located in a small town about an hour away.  As it was too late to obtain a teaching position in that county, I had a daily 60-mile round trip to my position in the county in which I had formerly lived.  It was the next school year that I was able to be placed in a school in a location nearby where we were living.  My assignment was for a first grade classroom - one of three teachers there.  My experience had been in 4th and 5th grade classes prior to that, so EL, a dynamic, petite lady, became a great example for me to emulate as we were all in an open space, teaching 100 first graders together. 

Three moves, three children, and over 40 years didn't help maintain close contact, though I was saddened to hear of the passing of EL.  Her memorial service was Sunday afternoon.  After dealing with Alzheimer's for several years, EL was 87.

For over 36 years I have known NB.  I remember many occasions she has reached out in friendship, especially at the passing of my mother in 1983.  In ensuing years, we shared the responsibility of leading a Girl Scout Troop, with all the fun that goes along with that.  This week-end, I spent some time in the kitchen preparing food to take to her house at the passing of her mother at age 97.

After a 25-year teaching career, I retired 11 years ago.  It wasn't long until I thought it was time to resume a hobby I had enjoyed some years earlier - playing bridge.  So - off I went to the Senior Center where a group was already formed.  This was where I met JS.  Her cheerfulness and helpfulness were two qualities that drew me to enjoy her company.  Sadly, at age 76 and after several battles with cancer, JS left us on Friday.

So - my time has been spent remembering and being thankful for friends that have influenced us through the years.  What a joy it has been to know these people during my life.   It is my hope that I will be known for being a friend to others.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

First Sunday in Lent....

The words of  Claudia F. Hernaman, 1873, seem appropriate for out thoughts today.

                                  "Lord, who throughout these forty days

                                          for us didst fast and pray,

                                   Teach us with thee to mourn our sins

                                          and close by thee to stay."

Today's Mission Focus from the United Methodist Women Prayer Calendar for 2014 is the Cunningham Children's Home, Urbana, Illinois.

May this day be one of blessings for you.

Looking for green....

With the kind of winter many of us have experienced, we seem to have moved into March on the lookout for green!

When Miss Munchkin was here several days ago, she helped me find the green inside the house.

Wasn't this a good beginning?

Miss Munchkin is 7 1/2 years old and is in the second grade.  Yesterday, she represented her class in the school wide Spelling Bee.  Final results - she placed fifth out of 25 spellers through 6th grade!  We are very happy for her!   Congratulations, Miss Munchkin!

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

For a new month....

Happy Friday!  The week-end is upon us!  I hope you have some good plans.  I don't believe there is a massive storm system crossing the country this week-end.

A new month brings along new books to feature.

One of my favorites for this month!

One of Paul Johnson's marvelous illustrations.

Another one! Isn't it beautiful?

On the last page.

The story that Margaret Hodges has written would almost make one begin looking for that leprechaun!  Or - searching for whatever might be found at the end of the rainbow!

I hope you have sunny skies and warm days where you are this week-end.

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

Those pancakes....

Happy Thursday to everyone!  Has your week been a good one thus far? 

On Tuesday's post, I indicated we were going to have pancakes.  Today, I want to share the recipe with you.

The recipe comes from Country Living Country Mornings Cookbook from 1989. 

THREE GRAIN PANCAKES
3 Tablespoons butter
1 1/4 cups milk
3 large eggs
3/4 cup all-purpose flour (I used brown rice flour instead.)
1/2 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 cup rye flour
1/4 cup stone-ground cornmeal
1 1/2 Tablespoons sugar
1 Tablespoon baking powder
1 teaspoon salt (I always use less.)
1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- In a small saucepan over medium heat, melt the butter; set aside to cool.  In a small bowl, combine 1 1/4 cups milk and the eggs.
- In a medium-size bowl, mix the flours, cornmeal, sugar, baking powder, salt and baking soda. Stir the milk mixture into the flour mixture just until well mixed.  Stir in the melted butter.  The batter should be slightly lumpy.  Let the batter stand 20 to 30 minutes.
- Lightly oil a griddle or large skillet; heat over medium-high heat.  Stir the batter.  Using 1/4 cup batter, cook the pancakes until several bubbles burst on the top and the bottom is light brown.  Turn and cook the other side 1 to 2 minutes, until it is browned.

This was the first time I have made this recipe, and I will be making it again!  I thought they were especially tasty with some Honey Ricotta.:-)  Of course, The Husband has leftovers to enjoy before I make more.:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.  

Ash Wednesday....

This Wednesday is observed as Ash Wednesday in many churches.  In the Bible, we find that sprinkling oneself with ashes was a mark of sorrow from sin. 

This is the beginning of the Lenten season, the 40-day period (excluding Sundays) leading up to Easter.  For many, it is customary to give up something for Lent, symbolic of Christ's sacrifice for us.

The theme of today's Upper Room meditation was one of encouraging moderation in all things.  That is certainly an exercise in self-discipline that I am hoping to make a part of my Lenten observance.

What about you?  Do you traditionally give up something for Lent?

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.

This is the day....

Do these colors remind you of something that has been on the blog recently? 

You are correct!:-)  They are the colors of the sugar that was sprinkled on the King Cake!

These are Mardi Gras colors, and they have special meaning.  Green is for Faith, Gold is for Power, and Purple is for Justice.

This day is the conclusion of the Mardi Gras season for this year.  Many people know this day as Shrove Tuesday. 

Is there a special food you associate with today?  What about pancakes?  Are you in an area where there are pancake suppers planned for tonight?  Perhaps pancakes are even on the menu for you tonight.  They are on the menu here!  I'm planning to try a different recipe.  If it is successful, you will hear about it in a day or two.:-)

Thank you for reading.  I really appreciate your comments.