April 8, 2008

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  Sure hope you all had a wonderful and blessed weekend!  A not-so-quick update on mine … Saturday we went to the antique mall, and I restocked soap and candles … walked around there and did some ‘window’ shopping, while my dh was working on his things.  Then we left and stopped in to see my father-in-law at the hospital. 
  
  Update here on O.P:  They did not let him go home as planned on Friday afternoon … they say it’s because he needs the physical therapy to build up his strength.  He looked so frail when we saw him Saturday … even though weak, he was in good spirits … he wanted us to ‘bust him out’ of there!   Unfortunately, he is still in there today, so please keep him, and Mom Betty in your prayers … apparently he was doing well in regards to the pancreatitis, but, now they are concerned about his strength … after seeing him, so are we!  We have no idea, and they aren’t saying, when he’ll be going back home!  After our visit with him, we took a late afternoon drive in the country … it was so beautiful.  On our way home we stopped at a local buffet, and had a bite to eat.  It was a good day other than Dad not being strong enough to be back with Mom Betty … she’s missing him so much!  
  
  Sunday morning, dawned sunny and beautiful.  Had a blessed time at church, being encouraged to plant ourselves by the water … take root, letting them grow down deep … stay in the Word … we just need to get alone with God, and let Him teach us!  It was so rich!  Afterwards, some friends invited us out to lunch … they offered to pay, so how could we say no!  They took us to ‘Kabutos’ … a Japanese restaurant where they cook in front of you … the Hibachi Chicken was delicious, and reasonably priced for lunch.  Our conversation turned to a much loved springtime activity … gardening.  We aren’t going to have a garden this year, in hopes that we’ll be moving sometime soon, so, they told us we could help ourselves to theirs, when the time came … a regular community vegetable garden!  They live about 2 blocks away, and being as my hubby loves vegetable gardening, he’ll be helping Mike out ( I’m into flowers, and herbs, myself ) …. He’s planting cabbage, cucumbers, green peppers, three or four varieties of tomatoes, green beans, squash and zucchini … he mentioned some other ones, as well … what a blessing that will be … and they’ll have some great times of fellowship!  The men need that, just as much as us women!  Right, ladies?!  Anyone have any garden plans this year?  I’m hoping to have a few flowers and herbs on my porch to tend to.
  
  After that delicious lunch, we headed back to church for our FPU class (Financial Peace University with Dave Ramsey), where we learned more to help us on our journey to financial freedom.  He has some great tips, and knowledge that is so beneficial to anyone who’s looking to be debt free.  When that was over, we went for a drive to one of our parks here … Eagle Creek … it’s one of the largest municipal parks in the U.S. … it still looked ‘wintery’, not much color, except the grass … but, I’m sure, in no time it’ll look like Spring … we just sat, ‘planted by the water’, and enjoyed the blue sky, and warm sun, along with a nice breeze that a sailboat, or two, took advantage of, ( wish I had a kite ) … the birds were singing everywhere, bicyclists, walkers, lots of ducks and geese enjoying the fine weather … it was just an all around nice day that God seemed to have created just for us!  Thank you, Lord!
  
  Monday was much the same, only a bit warmer, and maybe a little more overcast.  I thought it was going to be nice all week, but now I’m hearing more rain is on the way … later today I have to take photos of a floor my husband just finished laying in a condo downtown … he uses them for his flooring portfolio … we really should call it a ‘floorfolio’!  He lays some of the most beautiful flooring.  This one is an ‘onyx’ stone … hard to explain the look, he couldn’t get over how pretty it was, and it is pretty, but could you imagine paying $45.00 a square foot!  Not me … have you looked at the size of a square foot lately?!  Not much there for that much money!  /  As for me, I prefer the old wood floors … even the rugged wide plank wood floors!  I’m a simple person … nothing too fancy … I’ll have to upload one of the photos of it for you to see.  Flooring is just plain expensive these days, but people still afford to do it … for that, we are grateful!!   
   
  This week, I also have to go through and get some garage sale items together for the weekend … and of course, I have the weekly housecleaning and laundry to do.  Last but never least, I need to do some catching up on here!  I’m so behind, so, I had better get busy!!  I’m hoping to get around to you all soon.  
  
  I’ll leave you with a few photos … now they’re not very good, being a bit blurry, as I’m still learning all the settings on the camera.  I took this weekend to practice with all of the settings, and many of them turned out way too dark.  (   I managed to get a few … I’m learning … please be patient, Canon isn’t finished with me yet!  )
  
  Oh, also I had forgotten about the Twinkie recipe last week … I’m sure you were all terribly disappointed, ;o)  well, you know, we really shouldn’t be eating too much of this kind of thing, but I’ve got one for you today, anyway.  So you enjoy, and have a terrific Twinkie Tuesday!
  
  Blessings,
           ~ Deborah <>< 
  
  P.S. I entered a ‘flower’ photo over on iliveinmycamera
  so if you would, ‘click’ on over there and vote for your favorite! 
  Thank you!  Now, onto the goodies …
  
    

  

  
  
  Twinkie Bread Pudding
  
  24 Hostess Twinkie, cut in thirds
  14 ounces condensed milk

  2 eggs, lightly beaten
  1/2 t. ground cinnamon
  1 pinch salt
  
  Preheat oven to 350*.  Spray a 13 x 9 pan with cooking spray. 
  Place cut twinkies in large bowl. 
  In a small bowl blend condensed milk, beaten eggs, cinnamon and salt. 
  Mix well.  Pour over Twinkies.  Stir gently. 
  Let sit 5 minutes.  Spoon Twinkie mixture into prepared pan. 
  Bake 35 minutes or until golden brown.  Enjoy!
  

  
  
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  I loved the way the horses mane matched the corn in the background.
  
   
  
  Grazin’ Goose
  
  
  
  Lilly Lake residents.
  
  
  
  How do you catch a squirrel?
  Climb in a tree and act like a nut! 
  I didn’t dare!
  
  
  
  We were high on a ridge … all those little dots are ducks and geese!
  There were so many more not in the photo. Sorry these are not very clear!
  
  
  
  There were a couple of small sailboats out …
  we almost asked if we could hitch a ride!
  
  
  
  Another view of the lake.  It’s really huge.
  
  
  
  A Red-tailed Hawk.  This was the best I could get.
  
  
  
  We were trying to figure out what kind of tree this was …
  do any of you know?
  It was really interesting, and I don’t ever recall seeing one like this before.
  
  
  
  Finally, we ran onto a bush that was beginning to show signs of the coming Spring!
  
  
  
  A perfect ending to a very full and perfect day!
  
   Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself,
  except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
  I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him,
  the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
  John 15:4-5 (KJV)
  
  
  
  
  

  • 4:19 am
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