Memorial Day

Over the past year, I have become friends with mothers who have sons  serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.  It has been humbling to pray for their safety and security as they are away from family and friends.

"The legacy of heroes is the memory of a great name and the inheritance of a great example." ~Benjamin Disraeli

Saul Good

Cozy, comfortable, and beautiful  are three words that describe the interior of Saul Good a restaurant  in Lexington, Kentucky. After dinner at Old Chicago Pizza, we stopped by Saul Good for dessert. Why eating out?  Our friend Dama is visiting from Georgia. Her husband was home working.   Our evening ended with a sweet fondue dessert. http://www.saulgoodpub.com/index2.html
The sweetest part of the evening, our visit with Dama.

A cozy booth

Chocolate Fondue

 Dama's  gorgeous ring

An Elegant Experience...dinner on the train

Our boarding pass

"R.J Corman Railroad Company purchased the twenty mile branch from CSX Transportation in 1987 and developed the Dinner Train which had its inaugural run in 1988." Now over twenty two years later, passengers still experience the same route and landscape through a portion of the Bernheim Forest,passing by  Jackson Hollow Trestle, Limestone Springs, Jim Beam Distillery, Bourbon Warehouse...ending our trip at Bardstown Depot..   

 Jerry's entree

We met this young couple on the train..

Craig and Jennie are celebrating her birthday!  Happy Birthday!

A few moments ago, the railway call was full of laughter and conversation.  Now, it is quiet except for the staff.

After the entree, this young man asked his girlfriend to marry him.  

She said ,"Yes!" 

I am so glad that the train's  tour guide made the  announcement. 

 

.

A Welcome Change...

Our new door provides a light and bright entrance to our downstairs.  This small change that has made a huge difference to create a welcoming place for friends and family when they visit. Instead of shopping at a big box store, you must visit this web site. Our door is from the company. You will be pleased.
http://www.appalachiandoor.net/

After weeks of shopping for a lampshades, I frustrated and disappointed by lampshades at some stores.
Then, I found a local store!  Locally crafted, my new lampshades are wonderful. Here is the lamp...

 If you live in Lexington, this is a wonderful store.
The lamp base is from HomeGoods. The Shannon Lamp created the lampshade.

http://www.shannonlamp.com/

The Dinner Table

What is it about sharing a meal with friends that  deepens friendships? 

"The dinner table is the center of teaching and practicing not just table manners, but of conversation, tolerance, family feelings, and just about all other accomplishment of polite society..." Judith Martin

Chicken and rice... a recipe from Iraq

Bulgar, mint, onion, parsley...

Tea  @ Cuppa Tea

ESL Teachers above

Sunday Dinner

Sunday Dinner Menu

Whole Wheat Spaghetti

Turkey  Meat  Balls

Steamed Broccoli

Fresh Garden Salad

Dessert

Vanilla Apple Crisp

Turkey Meat Ball Recipe

1 lb ground turkey

1 egg

1/2 c. seasoned bread crumbs

1/2 c. water

1 tbsp green pepper chopped

1 tbsp onion chopped

1/8 tsp black pepper

2 tbsp catsup

Preheat 400 degrees. Combine all ingredients  and mix thoroughly.  From about 1 tablespoon of mixture into meatballs.  Arrange meatballs on a lightly greased 10x15x1 inch baking pan.  Bake 15 -20 minutes or until meat ball are no longer pink in center.  Yield 6 servings
Recipe from cooks.com

Vanilla Apple Crisp
 6  large Granny Smith apples
(about 2  1/2 pounds)
Juice and grated peel of 1 organic lemon
Grated peel of 1 organic orange
1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract

Topping
3/4 cup rolled oats
1/2 cup flour
1/2 cup light brown sugar
1/2 cup sliced almonds
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup (1 stick unsalted butter)

1.Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Peel, core, and thinly slice the apples.  As you do, toss them in the bowl with the lemon juice, along with the grated peels, juices and the vanilla.  Empty the apples into a 3 quart baking dish.

2. Combine the oats, flour, brown sugar, almonds, cinnamon and salt into a  bowl.  Melt the butter over low heat and stir into the topping.  Spoon the mixture over the fruit.

3.  Bake 40 to 45 minutes, or until the topping is crisp and browned .  Do not refrigerate. 

More Magazine September 2009

Peony from my front yard

Quinceanera

 Attending my first Quinceanera, I knew that I would be waiting before the festivities began...I was preparing myself  to enjoy the time before the event. As I enter the reception area, I immediately notice the careful attention to detail that has been given to the decorations.  On each table, the centerpieces have been carefully arranged.  At the back of each chair, pink or maroon bows have been skillfully tied.  Bridges and a fountain are a part of the cake...

The music... oh my.... I love the music!

My gift, I did some research this afternoon... I googled about traditional Quinceanera gifts.

Bible: A prayer book or Bible is give to the Quinceanera as a resource to keep the word of God in her life.
Earrings:  Earrings are given to remind her to keep her ears in tune to the voice of God, or to listen to the word of God as well as the world around her.

Ring or Bracelet: is given to symbolize the never ending circle of life, the never ending cycle of womanhood as well as symbolic of her future contributions.
A card and small gift to share with a very special young lady.

Hospitality

According to the American Heritage Dictionary the definition of hospitality is..."welcoming guests with warmth and generosity, having an open and charitable mind, receptive."I want to know, does knowing the defintion help me create a create a welcoming place for family and friends?    It certainly helps.
According to the "Rule of St. Benedict"  here is the definition of spiritual  hospitality " All who present themselves are to be welcomed as Christ, for the Lord himself will say: I was a stranger and you welcomed me...You must honor everyone."

A small quiet place

I am looking for a small bench to sit in a  small space in my backyard. I want to create a quiet area that will serve as a place drink tea in the morning, read a book, or to end the day sitting quietly.

Holding on to what is important

Do you remember the first baby you held?  Was the  baby you held a younger brother or sister?  As the youngest of my brothers and sister, I did not the opportunity to hold a baby sister or brother.  

Forty years ago, I held my first baby... my niece.  Nanette was a beautiful baby. Today, she is a caring mother who is blessed with beautiful children. Nan is special to me.  Today, I hold her up in my prayers.




Happy Birthday Nan!
From left to right, my niece Nanette, niece, Dawn, Renea, and Jennifer.

Have camera will travel

 While every birthday is precious, we enjoy celebrating those milestone birthdays.  It was a joy to celebrate Michelle's birthday. If there is a special event, I usually have my camera.  Picture on the right, my great nephews, Langston, Timmy, and Ty.

Carolyn, Aunt Mary, and Alexis

No ordinary family

 While I don't have or belong to a perfect family, I think we are pretty ordinary. In some ways, we are extraordinary. Depending on the age of each family member, we are in the midst of attending year end parent teacher conferences, t-ball games, braces, high school graduations, weddings, health issues, job searches, and birthday celebrations.  On Saturday, we celebrated Michelle's 50th birthday.  Saturday  was a sweet celebration complete with family, friends, music, barbecue chicken, lemonade, green beans, and peach cobbler.  All afternoon, we had the chance to visit, relax, and savor the celebration.  Birthdays are a great way to share the love.

A Joy Shared... Open House for the bride and groom

I am still recovering from last Saturday's Open House. I always strive for perfection, but alas, I  wear myself out from striving.  All week, I was working on the details, preparing lists, ordering food, shopping, and general house cleaning. When family and friends arrive, my heart melts into joy.

My son in law Kenley, and his brother, dad, and sister.

Verna and Mrs. Wilson

Carrie and Christy Ann

The bride, Jara smiling... and making me smile.

Friends since Asbury College days... Jason and Jara

Kim and one of tired twins!

Fellowship

"Oh what a fellowship, Oh what a joy divine..."

For the past eight months, we have studied the Gospel of John.  One of many things we have in common,a love for God's Word. Through laughter, tears, and  moments of reflection, we have take this journey together.
Each week the truth of God's word has been unfolding to each of us.... Jesus, the Bread of Life, Jesus, the Living Water, Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life... and so much more...

National Nurses Week...

Did you ever hear the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"... My sister, Beth, would always answer without hesitation,  " I want to be a nurse."  Today, she is serving as a nurse at Community Hospital in Anderson, IN.  "Often describes as an art and a science, nursing is a profession that embraces dedicated people with varied interests, strengths and passions because of the many opportunities the profession offers.  As nurses, we work in emergency rooms, school based clinics, and homeless shelters to name a few."  from the American Nurses Association


Happy Nurses Week Beth!

May Cooking Light

"Each person grows not only by her own talents and development of  her inner beliefs, but also by what she receives from the persons around her." Iris Haberli

At Cooking Light luncheons, we are able to learn from each other and share a good meal. Brenda was this month's hostess. Ruthie.. thanks for organizing this group.  Safe travels to Portland.

Today's Menu

Penne and Tuna Salad

Griot w/Sauce Ti Malice

Caprese Wraps with Chicken

Anne's Special Fruit Salad

Strawberry Almond Cream Tart

Almond Butter Snickerdoodles

Peach Mango Smoothies