Men's brains vs. women's brains....so funny!

Prayer questions

My questions are:
Why do you pray?
Whom do you most often pray for?
How much time do you spend each day in prayer?
Do you kneel, stand, sit, lie down most often?
Do you end up feeling better after you pray or do you feel more heavy hearted?
Do you keep track of your prayers and answers to prayer?

I'm just curious as I ponder my own prayer habits. 

LIFE...Mary Engelbreit

For every silver lining, there's a black cloud.

Yes, that's backwards.  The saying is, "Every cloud has a silver lining."  That's true....for every trouble that presents itself in this life, there's some kind of benefit we can gain from it.  As a Christian, I believe Romans 8:28, ^"We know that all things work together for the good of those who love God: those who are called according to His purpose."  So, I pray for God to bring the good out of 'bad' situations.

Today though, I want to discuss, 'For every silver lining, there's a black cloud.'   It is that way, though, isn't it?  On the wake of wonderful, happy times, there are often 'black clouds' that try to steal our joy.  Do you know what I mean?  Have you ever returned from a wonderful party, vacation, reunion, whatever, and had someone try to bring you down and make you feel bad?

If not, then perhaps my situation is unique.  But, I feel sure that at least some of you have experienced that.  So often, in the past, I let someone completely steal my joy and happiness.  But, not now. :)  I know how to disconnect from those who choose to live life in the negative, 'poor me', guilt-trip way.
Guilt used to be my way of life!! Especially when it came to family!  I always felt responsible if everyone wasn't completely happy.  I accepted the accusations of neglect, the blame for a family member who was miserable or any bad thing that happened I believed was my responsibility..my fault.

I'm wiser now. :)  What a load off my shoulders!! I'm not responsible if other people choose to be miserable and negative.  If I know in my heart that I have not intentionally done anything to hurt anyone, then I just give them to God and let Him take care of them. I can't fix it, but I can pray...that's the best thing and all that I can do.  It hasn't been easy to dump that baggage!  I'm not talking about dumping people.  I'm talking about throwing out the dirty bath water, not the baby.  I love the baby, but the junk has to go!   When I say it hasn't been easy, I mean it has taken lots of tears, prayers, and counseling to get past it.  Now, I'm free.  I still care, but I don't let it change my joy in life.  I choose to be happy and free. 

At the age of 61, I've learned this lesson.  I hope that you will learn it much sooner so that you can enjoy more of your life!  Whatever you might have actually done wrong, ask God to forgive you..He will..then let it go!  If you've hurt someone, apologize sincerely.  What they do with the apology is up to them.  The freedom comes from knowing that God has forgiven you and you have done all you could do.  An adult's choice to be miserable is his/her choice alone.  The misery almost always comes from being self-focused...'They did this to me'...'I'm always left out'...'Everybody hates me or neglects me.'...'I deserve more'.   So self-centered is misery.  Don't let that be part of who you are.  Be free!!

http://www.maryengelbreit.com/blog/category/favorite-quotes/

From my friend, Gina Hodges' blog: Stuff I Think About

 Love it!!   +Gina Hodges  


Stuff I Think About: Friends: I wrote this poem in 2008. Friends My diet isn't working The pounds upward, they creep. Do you think it could be caused By the co...

We are what we believe we are. So what are you?

So what are you?
I believe I am loved! Perfect in God's eyes because I'm His child! I'm protected!  I'm a designer original!  I'm given all I need and much of what I want! I am not abandoned, but well cared for! I'm a child of THE King!  I'm the light and salt in this earth!  I'm destined for a home and place much greater than this earth!  I have all I need for now and everymore. I'm satisfied and happy!
Now, tell me again, what are you? :)

A rare family get-together.

We cooked steaks on the grill and sat around this beautiful table laughing so hard at the stories told, the kids playing.  Just did my heart good!

Mr. Man and I drove to Tennessee this past weekend to meet up with our four sons at the youngest son's lake house.  We'd not done that before for several reasons.  All of our sons live in different states and our son has only had the lake house for about a year.  It's beautiful there!   His neighbor was kind and invited the 'overflow' to stay at his vacation home next door.  There were so many of us that we just couldn't all sleep at our son's house even though it's pretty big.

We'll have to work something out to be able to get our girls and their families here another time.

But, as a mom, I was thrilled to see our sons all together again after so long!  They had a great time catching up, their kids did as well!  They got along so well and are old enough to remember this weekend and the new bonds they've formed with their cousins.  That's life these days, I suppose, families live so far apart due to jobs, etc.  This weekend was special and so worth the traveling!


There was boating, playing ball, a makeshift slip and slide(seen below) that worked really well. :)  So much fun!

This is the makeshift slip and slide. They soaped it up really well and tried all kinds of stunts and races. LOL

Occassionally the kids went inside to rest and watch a LITTLE BIT of TV. 

This is our youngest granddaughter in front of her uncle's HUGE TV.   I love this picture.

We're all back in our own states, in our own homes now.  But this was a weekend to remember and I pray we are given more like this.

Thank you, God, for your blessings.  You work all things out for our good because you love us.  Please continue to bless our 'babies' and their babies and continue to draw our whole family closer and stronger.  We'll remember to thank You for it all!

Blessings everyone.  Hug your loved ones every chance you get!

This is a cause I care about. I hope you will support his return.

http://supportbowe.org/contact-elected-officials/contacting-elected-officials-tips/

Please support this family as they try to get their loved one home.  It's been too long!  We support our vets and leave no one behind!

Hamstring owie.

We've spent most of the day on the TN river.  Beautiful.  Some of our group wanted to wake board, some wanted to ski, and others wanted to sit it out.  We had ....let's see...11 people on the boat.  Which was a bit too much to get up to top speed, not to mention to get around with skis and such.  So, our captain dropped me and four grandbabies and one of the daughters-in-law off on the ''''''beach''''''' to watch.
Now I live in Pensacola, Florida where we have the most amazing white sand beaches.  It honestly looks like snow.  So, I was unprepared to step out of the boat and sink into thick, slimy MUD! MUD!  We managed to make our way to the 'shore' with the sound of 'thuck', 'thuck', 'thuck' as our feet lost suction with the mud.  We were, thankfully, left there with four chairs, three lifejackets for the little ones and a swim noodle.  We left the towels and water with the 'poor' boaters.  Well, within the first ten minutes I took a flying slide through the mud, into the air, and made a three point landing on my bottom, left arm, and right hand.  oh.my.word.  I do not like mud, Sam I Am!  I do not like mud in the sun, I do not like mud on my buns! I do not like it here or there, I do not like it anywhere!  The youngest grand was bathing in mud...slathering it all over her lovely four year old legs.
At any rate, we settled our muddy bottoms in our chairs or floating in the muddy water while the 'brave' ones tried and often failed to conquer the water on skis, wake boards, and those pull behind thingies.
They had lots of fun and we enjoyed watching them try.  There were lots of pictures taken and I'll post them when I can.
The bad part of the day came when Mr. Man got out to water ski, not having done it in about 30 years...and pulled his ham string on the first try.  I mean, agonizingly pulled it to the point where he can't put weight on it even now, eight hours later.  Poor guy, he refused to be taken back to the house, though, because he didn't want to ruin everyone's good time.  So he suffered through it.  He's now finally lying in bed, but his leg is propped up and pain meds are helping.
Please pray that he makes a miraculous recovery in the morning.
We have another whole day here before we start our drive back on Monday.  I want him to be able to enjoy the family God has blessed him with.  We are truly blessed and thankful.
Maybe sometime soon our whole family, with the daughters and their fams, will be able to get together.  But, for now, I'm enjoying my sons and theirs, too.
God bless you all.  I'm off to bed.

Time with the fam!

Good morning!!  We are enjoying some time away from home with family.  Gosh, isn't it hard to put into words what your family means to you?  At the age of 61, I can say that I value family now more than ever before.  So many people I've loved have walked through Heaven's gates, I have learned to treasure my time with family while we're still here.

My kids and grandkids may get sick of me telling them I love them, but I'll tell them anyway.  Whether we're traveling states away or walking across the street, whenever we part, I make sure to say "I love you."  And, I tell them lots of times inbetween.  I do love them so much...cherish them!

Watching the kids play dodge ball or 'Monkey in the Middle' or going for a boat ride together.  Some families get to do this all the time, ours doesn't.  Our kids live in four different states.  My heart is overflowing with thanks and joy.

I am soaking up every minute of it!
Mr. Man is determined to ski today.  It has been about 30 years since he last went skiing.  I will NOT be going out on the boat with them to watch it.  I just can't. They can video it for me.  Praying he has fun and doesn't break a leg. :)

Enjoy your day.  I hope it is full of family or full of fun memories of family time.
Blessings!

Do it!

Grits!!

I'm wondering if you love grits like I love grits!?   There's nothing quite as warm, cozy, and yummy as a steaming bowl of white OR yellow grits(although yellow grits are difficult to find these days) with a pat of butter and some salt.  Oh yum.
I loved them as a child, too, but for some reason..no matter how careful I was..I ended up with grits in my hair and on my face.  The more I tried to get it off, the more I got on me! :) It was rather comical.
Growing up, I thought grits were supposed to have big lumps in them.  Once I grew up and went out into the world, I realized they were supposed to be completely lumpless!  Mama was good at many things, but cooking wasn't one of them.  I can't blame her, she worked full time, sometimes two jobs to support us four kids. (My daddy and why she left him is a story for another time).  Anyway, mama could make a few things VERY well.  She made THE best potato salad and coleslaw and she made a yummy roast.
Just reading my friend, Gina's, blog about her mother's sewing reminded me that I used to draw a picture of a skirt or dress I wanted(like someone's at school) and mama would cut a pattern from newspaper and make what I wanted!  I did NOT get that talent.
Back to grits.  They NEED to be eaten with toast smeared with more butter.  Oh my, I'm making myself hungry. Back in the day, I also thought that toast had to be burned black and then scraped off!  I really did! We didn't have a toaster, mama toasted bread in the oven..and she'd forget to check it. Well, she did have four kids running around!  So, we'd scrape the black off, butter it and eat it.  Again, later, I learned it wasn't required to blacken bread before you called it 'toast'.
My grandfather was from the north and he...yuck...ate his grits with SUGAR. Sugar?!  He was wise in so many ways, how could he get that so wrong?  I never could understand that. Now I hear other people say they like their grits that way.  They must not be from around here...bless their hearts. ;)


 This image was originally posted to Flickr by sashafatcat at http://flickr.com/photos/91255327@N00/3530598902. It was reviewed on 21 September 2009 by the FlickreviewR robot and was confirmed to be licensed under the terms of the cc-by-2.0.

Love Our Vets

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This is from their Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/LoveOurVetsPtsdFamilySupport

It's the small things

I had such an enjoyable day, just running errands and visiting with friends.
My beautician, Gigi, is such an encouraging, cute, little lady!  I'm always blessed when I go there and I think she feels the same way. :)
Then ran into sweet people everywhere I went today.
Had nice chats with my neighbor and her cutie pie grandson, Hayden, who had a lemonade stand this morning.  He earned $30!
Another friend came over and chatted later.  Now hubby is home and we're ready for our mini vaca starting tomorrow. 
It's the little things that make for a great day.  Something huge doesn't have to happen!  Count your blessings name them one by one.  Remember that song?  That's what I'm doin'.  Counting each and every blessing, big and small.
Here's a chapter from the Bible I've enjoyed reading today:
Colossians 3

I hope you have seen lots of blessings in your day today!

Big Lagoon State Park

I took this photo at Big Lagoon State Park.  I love going there with grandchildren when they visit.  There's the intercoastal waterway where you can find shells, see dolphin or go fishing and there's also a wonderful nature trail, picnic tables with BBQ grills.  On the day I took this picture, my three oldest granddaughters were with me.  The twins were catching small fish with nets and throwing them to this heron who happily gobbled them up.  The girls love critters of all kinds..yes, even snakes!  I love to see the various creatures God has made and marvel at His awesome imagination!  Some people have an idea that Heaven will be boring...sitting around on a cloud, swinging your feet. LOL  But, it will be an amazing place where you could not possibly be bored!
I worship You, Lord and I praise You for your love and mercy.  Thank You for the world You've given us to enjoy and explore!!

Scooter and Violet have come a long way in a week's time.

Scooter and Violet learning to get along.

Aw, Scooter is finally learning to love his new little sister, Violet.  Sweet.

Sleep peacefully

Good night everyone.  Peace be yours from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Magnolia

Photo of storm system rolling in

After we'd been wihout power for a couple of hours, we decided to take a ride in the air conditioned car!  We ended up at Walmart to get a couple of pints of ice cream to cool us off.  While Mark ran inside, I took this pic of the next storm rolling in.  It was quite impressive and a little scary!  This line reached all across the sky from the West as it rolled in.  We high-tailed it back home and enjoyed our Ben and Jerry's by the light of our handy dandy flashlight. :)  Good times.

Stormy night

The view from under my Magnolia tree this morning is pretty soggy!  A storm came through last night that wreaked a bit of havoc in the area.  A large oak tree fell across the road and took out a power line which immediately took out our electricity.  We're in Florida, in mid summer.....it's a bit warm, needless to say.  We were about 7 hours without electricity, with it finally coming back on at midnight. YAY! Thank God for electricity!! I've been in several countries and visited several villages that have no electricity or running water.  We take so much for granted! 

So, from under my Magnolia tree the view is small branches all over the yard, but it's a beautiful sunshiny day at the moment!  My flower garden is flourishing with all this rain and intermittent sunshine!  I'm thankful for a home and air conditioning, plenty of food and comforts.  I pray for those who have none of these things.  I pray that I will know how and when to help them.  Lord, open our eyes to those less fortunate and help us be Your hands and feet here on this earth.

Much to do today, but for now, I would say it's time for sweet tea under the Magnolia tree.
Be blessed today!!

Sing to Him, sing praises to Him

Pancreatic Cancer

Pancreatic Cancer has taken three members of my family: grandfather and both sisters.  Please pray and advocate for a cure!

Have Faith...and Coffee by KMerick on Etsy

 

I found this print on Facebook and then located the artist.  She's KMerick on Etsy.

Such a cute print, I'm very tempted to get it!

Most recent project

This is now my husband's Man Cave.  Two weeks ago this room was Florida Gator orange and blue. It was our youngest son's room.  Now he's grown and has his own apartment.  We thought it would be a nice room for my hubbie, Mr. Man aka Mr. Picky Pants (if we're talking about what he will and will not eat).  He chose the color of the wall.  It's called Emerald Coast.  I was concerned at first, but it looks good!  Now he can watch football, Nascar or bowling in comfort.  He deserves it! He's still working 10 hour days after all these years.  And, he lets me come in and enjoy it with him if I want. :) 

My to-do list

Eggplant Rollatini Recipe | Just A Pinch Recipes

Eggplant Rollatini Recipe | Just A Pinch Recipes
Yummy.  I'd love to try this.  I wonder if  Mr. Picky Pants aka my husband will try this.  ..ah..probably not.

Chocolate Lovers | Discussion Groups | Just A Pinch Recipes

I just found this yummy page.  ooooo...ahhhh...yum!

Chocolate Lovers | Discussion Groups | Just A Pinch Recipes

Trader Joe's

Trader Joe's

Recipe for  Chocolate Quinoa Bake

Too important to ignore!!!! First Responder Communication with Deaf and Hard of Hearing Citizens

LOVE this! Cutting a Watermelon

Cutting a Watermelon 
Check this out!  Great way to cut a watermelon for kids or grandkids! 

MSW Birthday Giveaway: Britax B-Agile Stroller

MSW Birthday Giveaway: Britax B-Agile Stroller

Cornbread Salad Recipe

There are several recipes out there for Cornbread Salad, but this is the one I use.  It has been very well received!  You may need to add more mayo depending on how dry your cornbread seems to you.  I use Light Hellman's Mayo.  Enjoy!  Oh, yeah, this is a Southern Dish.  I'm from Dixie, yes I am!

Cornbread Salad

June 5, 2011 at 12:42pm

2 boxes Jiffy Corn Bread mix (cooked as directed, cooled, and crumbled)
1 cup chopped onion
1 cup chopped bell pepper
1 cup pickle relish
1 lb bacon fried crisp and crumbled
1 can Mexi-corn
4 fresh tomatoes chopped
1 cup mayonnaise(I used light, but regular might make it more moist)
2 tbsp pickle juice
salt and pepper to taste

Mix onions, bell peppers, relish, corn, tomatoes, mayo, pickle juice, salt and pepper.
Layer with bacon and with cornbread. End with cornbread on top..garnish with tomatoes.
Set aside in refrigerator for at least 8 hours.

Help for Vets with PTSD

A friend of mine is very much involved with helping returning vets deal with PTSD.  We lose about 21 vet each day due to PTSD.  Here's one website that could be helpful.  I will be posting more soon.  Be there for a vet, their war isn't over.
http://www.loveourvets.org/

Sit down and stay a while!

I'd love to hear about you and your family!  Sit down, stay awhile, chat! : )

God's capacity to forgive

This beautiful quote and picture are from the album Tozer Tuesdays by Regal Books.  Good night, friends.  The Lord bless you tonight.  I hope you have a loving church to attend tomorrow..get your worship on. :)

Avocado Watermelon Salad in cute blue jars from Target

I made a big batch of my Avocado Watermelon Salad today and put it in these cute pint size blue jars I bought at Target.  I love it!  Just refrigerate them and I have a serving size ready.  That should get me through today and tomorrow.  YUM!

The Spice Who Loved Me: AFAM: Watermelon- Snow Capped Watermelon Peaks

The Spice Who Loved Me: AFAM: Watermelon- Snow Capped Watermelon Peaks: Snow Capped Watermelon Peaks......did you hesitate a moment there? Snow in June, you say? in Newfoundland, yes it is possible. The 'sn...

Wow!!  Love it!

I love, love Watermelon!

I love, love Avocado Watermelon Salad.  This pic looks like the one I make, but I don't add cilantro.
Mine has chunked watermelon, chunked avocado, diced sweet onion(red or Vidalia), lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper to taste.  So refreshing and YUMMY!

It's Saturday!

I hope you're having a beautiful Saturday morning!  Ours is rainy, but still beautiful.  We enjoy our Saturdays probably more than any other day of the week.  Even though I have retired from my job as interpreter in the school system, my husband still works full time.  So, Saturdays are our day to work around the house, shop, go to a movie...whatever strikes our fancy.  We're FREE on Saturdays to just BE.  What do you do on Saturdays?

Stingray giving birth

Without my kids....

Only a mom can understand a mom!  There is no one who can take the place of our kids..and I mean no one!  There's a bond and a love for our kids that exceeds all earthly understanding.  Our kids are God's gift to us and I wouldn't trade them for anything in this world.  Bless, them Lord.  Bless them each and every day.  Bless each mom reading this now and show them how much You love them as Your very own children.  Bless their relationships with their children and teach their children to honor and love their parents.  Thank You for being the perfect Father to us!!

Will Cook For Friends: Chai Iced Tea Cubes & a Giveaway of My Favorite Teas!

Will Cook For Friends: Chai Iced Tea Cubes & a Giveaway of My Favorite Teas!

I love this clean look.  It doesn't take much to make me happy! : )

Happy Friday, everyone!!  It's a beautiful day in Northwest Florida.  The sun is shining, the sprinklers are leaving silvery, glittering droplets on my Japanese Yew making it look very festive!  My garden is looking pretty good these days.  I dedicated it to my mama who had teh ultimate green thumb.  I've never been known for that.  In fact, I would kill my plants..innocently enough by overwatering or underwatering.  When they looked well past saving, I would take them over to Mama and she would nurse them back to health and return them to me.  But, this garden is doing well and I'll post a picture soon.  I pray over it and God is blessing it! :)  Yes, I pray for my gardens!!

I haven't mentioned yet how much the presence of God in my life means to me.  None of us can live and breathe without Him and I am so aware of that.  He is my source of strength, my joy, my reason for continuing on in such a crazy world and he's my real peace.  When things seem to much for me to handle, I can turn to Him for all I need.  He's always there for me and He always, always loves me, no matter what!!!   I'll post the story of my getting to know the Lord, soon.

Today, Mr. Man is off work to have some medical procedures done.  So, like yesterday, I may not be able to post much.   Time to get this show on the road! : )
Maybe one more cup of coffee and more nature watching before that, though.......

Mississippi Kitchen: Appetizers

Mississippi Kitchen: Appetizers

You will have peace

You are valuable

I love .....

Who's in my life?  The most fabulous people!  Mr. Man, my husband for..soon to be..40 years!!  I always say that's a long time not to kill somebody! :)  I love him more now than ever.  There have been lots of rough times during those 40 years, though.  Times of poverty and fear, frustration and anger.  But, there have also been times of joy and plenty, peace and happiness.  We made a committment all of those years ago and quitting was only a passing thought during the rough times.  I'm so thankful we stuck with it!  He's my best friend and the one I want to be with the most in all the world.  

Next to him is our kids.  I love our kids with everything I am.  Nothing and no one can take the place of them!  They're all grown now and most live out of state, but they are always on my mind and in my prayers.  Having grown children makes me realize how my mother and every other mother of grown children has probably felt.  I miss them!  I miss being needed like I was. I miss being part of their lives.  Oh, they love us..a lot.  But, they have their own lives, their own families and friends, jobs, homes, interests, and issues.   That's just normal.  It's the way it's supposed to be, it's the way we were with our folks, too!  It's just life.  But, I still miss 'em. :)  We're proud of them! They've done so well for themselves..God has blessed them!  And, they are ALL tenderhearted, loving people.  How blessed WE are!

AND, we have twelve...yes, TWELVE..grandchildren!   Some are biological and some are adopted..all are special!  I cannot get enough time with them, I tell you!  They're growing up so quickly and I miss that we're not there for their every dance recital, ball game, lost tooth, pumpkin picking, present opening, school play, etc!   If your grandkids live near you, you are blessed indeed!! I do my very best not to be green with envy when my friends talk about the fun they're having with their grandbabies.  OH, I hope they know how special that is.

This is why I'm blogging.

When I retired from the school system last year, a friend told me I should have a blog.  I thought about it, but the priority at the time was taking care of my sister, Judy, who had pancreatic cancer and only months to live.  I thank God that I had the opportunity to spend a lot of time with her and be with her when she passed from this life to the next.   Our other sister, Phyllis, passed away from the same disease ten years earlier.  Again, one of my best years with her was the last year of her life.   Our mom passed away four years ago.  My brother and I are the only ones left of the original four children. Our dad passed away when I was sixteen.

Now don't be sad!!  I'm not.  Of course, I went through lots of grieving.  But, I'm okay!  I'm really okay.  My faith in God and assurance of seeing my sisters and mom again, keeps me going!!  Life is good!

I celebrate life and memories.  I celebrate our wonderful children and grandchildren and the soon-to-be 40 years of marriage my husband and I have shared!  Like I said, life is good!

So now, I'm retired and free and decided to go ahead with the blog!  I'm writing about all the things that I enjoy.  Recipes, home, family, beauty, God's love!  I hope that you will be blessed by this blog and that you will share your story with me, as well.

Life is good!  God is good!!