Stepping Back 100 Years!

We have some very talented people at our church who can transform a gym into a great themed venue. Others come up with a menu and cook and serve a nice dinner with dessert to 90 of us. The cast of the murder mystery did a great job, too. We had to find out who killed Chuckles and how they did it. There were several puzzles to solve to get more clues. One table of 8 got all the answers correct and won gift cards to small businesses in our town.

At ‘Carossino’s’ in ‘Chicago’ we enjoyed Cherry Spritzers, a plated salad, cheesy bread, stuffed shells, meatballs with sauce and a lovely triple dessert.

To get into Carossino’s for the evening we walked through a back alley (a transformed hallway in our church) through a phone booth with a false door. We knocked on the false door and were ready with our password to gain entrance.

Photo fail…I forgot to get a photo of the back alley and phone booth!! If photos from our church get posted I’ll ‘borrow’ some to add to this post. Many of the 90 of us were dressed for the 1920’s era.

By the way, it was Blondie who killed Chuckles.

Happy Valentine’s Day Everyone!

In the Pink Hodgepodge

It’s time for Wednesday Hodgepodge where Jo From This Side of the Pond asks the questions and we rack our brains for the answers! Thank you, Jo!

1. Something little you are loving right now? 

I was tempted to say our little grandchildren but I’ll love them forever not just now. The little thing I’m going with is a jigsaw puzzle. It’s been fun to conquer those little pieces putting them all together to form the whole of the picture. Here is our 11th C****19 puzzle. The 1000 pieces were extra large so the completed puzzle was very large.

2. Red roses or pink peonies?

Pink Peonies.

Red wine or pink lemonade?

Red Wine

Red lipstick or pink polish?

Pink Polish

A cotton candy colored sky or a fiery red sunset?

Fiery Red Sunset

A book-movie-song you love with the word red or pink in it’s title? 

Love is a strong word for these choices I made.

Book: Redwall       Movie: The Hunt for Red October      Song:  When the Red Red Robin

3. What’s something you currently have your heart set on doing-going-seeing-or experiencing?

It would be amazing to walk along the sand at a beach before summertime. We enjoy the ocean beaches in winter. 

4. Who would you most like to have a heart to heart with right now? Is that possible? 

An in person heart to heart with our estranged brother. All things are possible but it would be difficult for sure. For me this would only work face to face, not on the phone or in an email or text. 

5. Write an acrostic for the word L-O-V-E. 

LoveOneValentineExclusively 

Here’s my exclusive Valentine

Now and then…

6. Insert your own random thought here. 

Speaking of Love…

My Favorite Valentines

I bought these cute felt envelopes a year ago at the after Valentine’s Day sales. They are about 9 x 12. Addy got some leggings, long sleeve tees and a book plus a little stuffed Valentine bear.

Jaymison got some clothes and a stuffed Valentine doggy.

I got to babysit early this morning while Dan and Jamie went out for breakfast.

JJ was asleep and woke up after his parents were gone and I was relieved he didn’t seem to mind that they were gone and that I was on morning duty. He ate all his breakfast for Baba.

Addy came out to the living area after waking up and before her folks headed out the door. She was fine staying with Baba, too. We read her new book and waited for JJ to wake up. The photos I have of her are from yesterday when we did some baking together with her mommy and while JJ had a nap.

Baba, take a picture of the chocolate!

And I cannot forget my Dear who has been my very favorite Valentine since 1972!

We are eating in today having steak, baked potatoes, butternut squash and something green. A Strawberry Boston White Creme cake/pie for dessert that called out to me at Safeway Grocery Store. It was only $5.00 today. Speaking of calling out when I was shopping in the aisles I heard a familiar little voice say, “there’s Baba!” What fun it is to live in a small country town and be able to bump into our loved ones at the stores!! Addy and I had some unexpected extra time for hugs and a kiss. Hope you have a day and weekend filled with lovely things.

Beloved, Let Us Love ~ Hymn

Beloved, Let Us Love

Belovèd, let us love: love is of God;
In God alone hath love its true abode.

Belovèd, let us love: for they who love,
They only, are His sons, born from above.

Belovèd, let us love: for love is rest,
And he who loveth not abides unblest.

Belovèd, let us love: for love is light,
And he who loveth not dwelleth in night.

Belovèd, let us love: for only thus
Shall we behold that God who loveth us.

Words: Horatius Bonar, 1880.

Wrapped in Love…

It’s that time of year when the signs are all around us. This week for Susanne’s Friday’s Fave Five I’m concentrating on love. Some deep thoughts and some not so deep.

1. I love Jesus who gives me hope for today and my future.

2. I love fresh flowers and how they brighten up a room.

3. I love my family and friends.

4. My palate loves chocolate, especially mixed with nuts!

5. I love to watch for birds flying to the feeder. This is especially enjoyable in the sunshine!

And for the record I don’t think that “love is all you need”.

Hope you have opportunities to show love to those around you this week.