Mama said, Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo asks the questions and we provide some answers. The first question is about mama so I’m sharing this photo of our mom from 2009 at a Mother’s Day gathering in Southern California. She escaped to heaven in 2013.

1. It’s like my mama always said, “____________________________________________.”

It’s a Russian saying that gets lost in translation. For scrapes and bruises and other things that we would get upset about the saying goes, “by the time of your wedding it will heal”.

2. May 11th is National Eat What You Want Day. What will you be having by way of celebration?

Everyday is eat what you want day around here. We hosted a card night on the 11th (last night) and I made a batch of my loaded Chocolate Chip cookies for the table while we played “Hand and Foot”. Everyone had their fill of cookies.

3. Describe your idea of a perfect spring day.

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75 degrees with a blue sky and puffy clouds enjoying a stroll in a garden or very old cemetery filled with a variety of Spring flowers and blossoming trees like Dogwood and Lilac.

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4. Success, fulfillment, growth, achievement…pick one and tell us how it relates to your life in some way, either currently or in days gone by.

I’m going with growth. I’m a strong believer of continued Biblical learning so that we can continue growing up in our Faith. Study to show thyself approved...

5. I saw this going around on various social media sites and thought it would be fun to answer here. The last thing you bought on Amazon is your weapon in battle. How will you wield it?  (if you’re not an Amazon shopper, then the last thing you bought online anywhere)

Well we have an order arriving on Friday of 3 items, Prince Lionheart Squish Booster Seat, a fluted tart pan and a book, With the Master on Our Knees: A Ladies Bible Study on Prayer, by Susan J. Heck.

I’ll fling the tart pan at my enemy injuring the villain and then squish him with my Prince Lionheart Squish Booster Seat all the while praying to my Lord and Master to give me the victory!

6. Insert your own random thought here.

On May 4th we had our Colville kids over for dinner and the weather was nice so we spent some time outside after dinner.

These Johnny Jumpups are taking over!

It’s time to get our soccer goal out on the grass again.

A little snack was in order after playing hard and before they headed home.

Hope May is flowering for you!

Awana Awards Night

Our little Cubbie enjoyed her first Awana Awards night on Wednesday. Cubbies are the 3 to 5 year old group.

She really lights up for her friend.

She had lots of fans in the audience to watch her receive her award.

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, AWANA. 2 Timothy 2:15 is the theme verse.

There were hotdogs, chips, cookies, lemonade and games for the kids outside after the Awards Ceremony.

JJ enjoyed himself.

On Thursday our temps got up into the 80’s! Our community participated in the National Day of Prayer at the Colville Courthouse lawn. Several pastors including ours prayed for different groups, our government, our schools, law enforcement and military, our familes, our businesses, and our churches. Stevens County Commissioners read a declaration pertaining to the National Day of Prayer.

We have a busy few days ahead of us here at our Country Bungalow. Do you have any plans for Mother’s Day Weekend?

 

The Presents and Cake

This is a long post as I included all the rest of the fun we had at JJ’s fishing birthday party and the 2nd party on that day for his Uncle Andrew. The venues changed but the fun continued.

When it was time for present opening our little fisherman was getting very tired from all the excitement and he quickly had a melt down but then daddy stepped in and held him and helped him through.

He was pretty disappointed with that underwear but don’t worry Baba and Gramps bought you a bicycle, too.

The fish cake that JJ’s mommy made for him was really cool. The sand is graham cracker crumbs.

Happy 2nd birthday to our precious grandson. He is full of life. He has a few clear words but regardless has many a tale to tell and we are excited for the day the words become clear and we understand the whole story. He loves to do whatever big sister is doing. He enjoys food and is verbal while eating letting everyone know his enjoyment. He loves sticks and rocks and yard equipment.

After cake and before his nap there was time to play with some of the new toys he got for his birthday.

After naps the party venue moved to our country bungalow for a belated Steak birthday dinner for Uncle Andrew who was another year older the week before.

We had birthday pie!

The other birthday boy got to try some Root Beer!

What a fun full day we all had.

The Fishing Crew

These are the people who made up the fishing crew for JJ’s birthday party back on April 17th.

I’ve got a couple more posts to complete our Jaymison’s birthday party fun for the history books.

This week we mowed the lawn for the first time since the beginning of Fall and we have been clearing out some stuff out of the garage and visiting Habitat for Humanity with donations. Hard to believe today is the last day of April. What will May bring? Time will tell.

Smell the Hodgepodge

Time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo comes up with the questions and we come up with the answers. Thank you Jo From This Side of the Pond.

1. What are some memories you associate with spring?

Strawberry Stands in Southern California. Fresh strawberries right from the fields were so juicy, sweet and delicious! Both of our grandchildren were born in the Spring and that is a very special memory being at the hospital waiting to hear about their entry into this world. Addy was born on the first day of Spring. Easter celebrations are also high on the list of things I associate with Spring. Easter is a favorite of mine to celebrate with joy. After we moved to Washington State a trip to the tulip fields in April make for a wonderful visual picture of Spring!

2. April showers bring May flowers…was that saying proven true where you live? Snapdragons, anemones, carnations, lilacs, sweet peas, tulips, lily of the valley, orchids, roses, gardenias…which one on that list is your favorite May bloom?

If I have to choose one I’ll say lilacs!

Here’s a lilac memory from April 2010 of my niece and grandniece at Descanso Gardens in Southern California.

3. What are your top three distractions and how do you deal with them?

Noise, Empty chatter, devices as in smart phones.

If I can’t get away from the noise I have my headphones.

If I can’t get away from the chatter I try to tune it out. I do tend to sigh when the chatter stops.

Devices, I turn them to silent, or turn them off.

4. Do you eat beef?

Yes!

In the course of a week, how often is beef on the menu?

I would say at least 3x’s a week.

A hamburger, steak, prime rib, or a roast beef dinner…which beef entree would you choose and yes you have to choose. Unless you’re a vegan, and then you may pass.

In a restaurant I would most likely choose Prime Rib if it’s on the menu. If not then I’d go with a hamburger.

5. In what way were you creative during the month of April?

I was creative in planning, organizing, recruiting, cooking and serving 58 pastors last Thursday and Friday. We served dinner, a dessert social, lunch and dinner.

6. Insert your own random thought here.

 

These grabbers are a favorite with our grands. Toys just don’t hold as much interest. They were trying to grab uncle Andrew’s feet.

Casting Techniques

Continuing with JJ’s Fishing party and the fun we had watching JJ and Addy casting their fishing line to catch some treats.

Enjoying his ‘catch’.

This girl has form!

There was some fishing out of doors, too.

Fishing was fun and we still have more to share from this special day.

This week we have a forecast of temps that rise each day reaching a forecast of 77 degrees this Thursday! What’s happening in your corner of the world?

Sunset

On Sunday night of our birthday weekend together our family walked down our kids driveway to catch the sunset after dinner.

Psalm 19:1-6

The heavens declare the glory of God,
    and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Day to day pours out speech,
    and night to night reveals knowledge.

There is no speech, nor are there words,
    whose voice is not heard.

Their voice goes out through all the earth,
    and their words to the end of the world.

In them he has set a tent for the sun,
    which comes out like a bridegroom leaving his chamber,
    and, like a strong man, runs its course with joy.

Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
    and its circuit to the end of them,
    and there is nothing hidden from its heat.

A wonderful finale for us as we began our farewells to our ‘Coast’ kids.

Let the Parties Begin!

We are all together again and enjoyed Dear’s famous Tomato Rice Soup with some fresh bread for dinner and then we watched the Seattle Sounders Soccer opener. JJ was a little shocked when we all cheered mightily at the first goal. By the third goal Addy and JJ joined in with the celebration clapping and cheering and were ready for the excitement of the fourth goal. We won’t apologize for soccer indoctrination at our house.

Today (Saturday) we are off to have a Fishing themed party for JJ and then later this evening we’ll enjoy a meal to celebrate Andrew.

And speaking of weather we are heading into the 70’s today! Happy day to you all.