A Real Optimistic Hodgepodge

 

From this Side of the Pond

It’s time to answer some questions again. Thank you to Joyce From This Side of the Pond!

1. Realist, idealist, optimist, pessimist…which one are you? Elaborate. 

I would say I’m a combination of a realist and optimist. Because I have embraced what the Bible says about God, mankind, and salvation, I know the reality of my sinful condition and the depravity of the world we live in. Being born again I have peace with God, the Sovereign Creator, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Christ provided the atonement for my sins. I know that God will bring me safely home to heaven with Him and that all things will work together for His good and my sanctification.

2. What’s something currently on your wish list? 

Freedom to move about the country in a carefree way.

3. Three things on this week’s shopping list? 

Tissue, eggs, conditioner.

4. According to Trip Advisor here’s a list of the top ten things to do in the US this summer-

Chicago Architecture River Cruise, Skip the Line Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Tour, New York In A Day  guided sightseeing tour, Charleston’s Old South Historic Horse and Carriage tour, Grand Canyon helicopter tour, Full day iconic sights of LA, Beverly Hills, Beaches and more, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour, Beneath the Streets Underground History tour (Seattle), New Orleans Swamp and Bayou Boat tour, Gangsters and Ghosts tour in Chicago…read more about each excursion in the link here. 

Of the ten attractions listed which do you find most appealing?

Charleston’s Old South Historic Horse and Carriage Tour.

Have you already experienced anything on this list? 

Yes. I’ve done the Architecture River Cruise, D.C. at Dusk guided night tour. I was born in East Los Angeles and raised in southern California and have been to several beaches and iconic sights of LA and Beverly Hills. We moved just north of Seattle in 1988 and have enjoyed taking many car loads of visitors to see the Seattle sights. We never went on the Underground tour, though. Oops!

5. Besides home and work where do you spend the most time? 

Both Dear and I are retired so we do not leave home for a workplace. I would say time wise we regularly spend most of our time away from home at our kids’ homes or at church.

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

If you have Rhubarb you might want to try this recipe posted on my blog yesterday.

Rhubarb Almond Cake

Rhubarb is ready for Spring picking or pulling or plucking. What do you call the harvesting of Rhubarb, anyway? Did you know that Rhubarb leaves are poisonous?

The recipe I picked to bake called for a pound of Rhubarb.

I got the recipe here.

BTW the rhubarb discolored my metal tart pan in an ugly way. I didn’t realize that would happen.

This is a post from a couple years ago but since my rhubarb is prolific again this year I’m reposting. This was a yummy recipe.

Smiles and Connections

We took a quick trip to Spokane on May 7th and the Fred Meyer Garden center was hopping and the Oscar Meyer Weiner Mobile was front and center. It’s always fun to see one of these vehicles and it prompts my mind to start singing that jingle…Oh I wish…

On the highway drive to and from Spokane these fields of yellow were a fun thing to see, too. There has been some debate on what kind of crop it is. Some felt too early for Canola also known as Rapeseed.

This past Wednesday after Dear worked on taping and mudding some ceiling drywall in the Shop we decided to head to Chewelah for early dinner (real early) and after our meal we stopped by this relatively new establishment on Main Street in Chewelah called Mountain Market on Main. We were glad we stopped. So far there are three separate shops in this old restored schoolhouse, Gather, Flora, and The Nest.

We had a nice long conversation with the owner of the building and came to find out we had mutual friends and connections from our times living on the west side of the Cascades. It’s a small world after all. There are plans afoot to expand the services offered in this great building. This will be a fun destination for family and friends who come to visit our corner of the world.

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name ~ Hymn

All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name!

All hail the pow’r of Jesus’ Name!
Let angels prostrate fall;
Bring forth the royal diadem,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Refrain:

And crown Him,
crown him,
crown him,
And Crown Him Lord of all.

Ye chosen seed of Israel’s race,
Ye ransomed from the fall,
Hail Him Who saves you by His grace,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Let every kindred, every tribe,
On this terrestrial ball,
To Him all majesty ascribe,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Oh, that with yonder sacred throng
We at His feet may fall!
We’ll join the everlasting song,
And crown Him Lord of all!

Deer Invasion

We had a record amount of deer in our backyard this past week.

They had their fill of our bushes and delicacies and then headed to the front of the property.

When they head for the road we all get a little nervous to see if they make it across the 50mph road with no incident!

Safe passage this time. Happy Saturday everyone!

First Haircut!

This little 2 year old needs a haircut.

An appointment was made on Monday May 10th! He looks pretty cool in his upside down shades waiting on the porch of the salon.

He was very unhappy and shed some tears until they pulled out a lollipop. Then all was right with the world.

A very nice little boy cut. He’s growing up so fast. Sigh…

This morning I’m JJ sitting while sister and mama have something to do without little brother tagging along.

Not much planned for the weekend which is fine with me. Do you have plans?

Thursday Bible Verse Challenge ~ The Psalms

Continuing in our Bible Verse Challenge for the months of May and June in The Psalms. Add your verse or portion from the Psalms and I’ll post it here.

This week I’m sharing from Psalm 19 (The Law of the Lord is Perfect). Psalm 19:1-6 addresses God’s Word, a general revelation. Next week I’ll share Psalm 19:7-11 which is God’s Word, Effectual Revelation.

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, runts 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 it’s heat. 

From Maristella:

” I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits,
and in his word I put my hope.”
Psalm 130:5

From Vera:

“I love the Lord, because he has heard my voice and my pleas for mercy. Because he inclined his ear to me, therefore I will call on him as long as I live.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭116:1-2‬ ‭ESV‬‬

From Patricia:

Psalms 96:1-6

Sing to the Lord a new song;
sing to the Lord, all the earth.
2 Sing to the Lord and praise his name;
every day tell how he saves us.
3 Tell the nations of his glory;
tell all peoples the miracles he does,

4 because the Lord is great; he should be praised at all times.
He should be honored more than all the gods,
5 because all the gods of the nations are only idols,
but the Lord made the heavens.
6 The Lord has glory and majesty;
he has power and beauty in his Temple.

From HappyOne (Karen)

Psalm 40:1-3 KJV
I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me, and heard my cry.
He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.

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.

Bellefontaine 016

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.

Bellefontaine 154

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!

On the Move…

We’ve had several deer coming through the yard lately. They’ve been moving about in groups. This one was rushing to join up with her gang.

We are warming up again in these parts so I’ll have to be watering again.

Hats Off to Mothers

On Saturday we had a lovely event at our church in honor of Mothers. We enjoyed special music, skits, and a devotional. For our meal we had tea sandwiches and salads with cupcakes for dessert. That’s me on the right with the Fascinator on for my version of a hat.

On Sunday we had an encouraging church service and after church we went out to lunch with our Colville kids and grands. Josh and Laura sent me this gift that will have a special place in our home.

If you look closely you’ll see each of our children’s names. Such a thoughtful gift.

Happy Monday Everyone. Hope this new week is a good one. I’ll be mowing the acreage today. Spring grass grows fast!