Tasty Tuesday

 

Friendship Friday ...Janet

 The Lord has blessed her a beautiful voice. 

"He who sings prays twice." St. Augustine. 

Tasty Tuesday

“Americans have been out of love with cereal for a while. Now what? “

 

“That question is facing the three giants of the industry that once dominated the American breakfast table: General Mills, Kellogg, and Post Holdings. There is still money to be made in a slowing declining market."

 

Those brands that have regained their footing or the companies who are working hard to make gains in the marketplace.  What does it take to gain in marketplace?  Superior strategy and investment. “ Aaron Black 

 

What company has been relentless in pushing a heart-health message?  General Mills! 

 

Guess what I discovered in the grocery aisle of our CVS?   I like the post, now they need to market to Gen X 

Matilda

 Matilda is the recently retired  Courthouse Facility Dog for CASA.  When she was working, she attended court, home visits, school visits, and treatment facilities. Her training allowed her to respond to up to 40 commands. 

Where did she receive her training?  Canine Companions in Delaware, Ohio.  Matilda served as the CASA Canine Companion. We hope that she will enjoy many years in her retirement.  During her service, she provided great comfort to children who experienced trauma.  She made a difference. 

Friendship Friday

In her Wall Street article of  April 20, 2022, Elizabeth Bernstein posed this question “Do you have a Strong Circle of Friends?”.  While the article is a few years old it still resonates. At the time, Bernstein’s article stated that we were in a rare moment to reflect on the quality of our friendships. She further goes on to share:

 

“The variety and quality of friends we have, not the number, is most important, friendship experts say, Research show that people with varied relationships have better physical and mental health. Studies show that people who have different friends who help them moods report greater well-being in life, a concept have called “emotionships.”

 

I’m grateful for a strong circle of friends. First and foremost, my prayer circle is my top tier friend circle. Which circle is next? I guess, my exercise buddies are next. Then, I would have to list my Mah Jongg circle. 

 

Who do you need to add  to your Circle of Friends? 

 

 

 

 

 

Thrifty Thursday

 

"Industry,  thrift and self-control are sought because they create wealth but because they create character."

Calvin Coolidge

Wordless Wednesday

 

Monday Musing ... Total Solar Eclipse

 Why is this Total Solar Eclipse special? 

"According to Bradley, the 2024 eclipse will be the "most watched solar eclipse in history due the many large cities it will pass through."  Also it is the last solar eclipse across the United States for twenty years."

Look at my eclipse glasses. I was ready to view the eclipse... the clouds prevented me from seeing anything.  Watching CNN, I was able to see crowds of people from Arkansas, Indiana, Kentucky, Vermont, and New York  looking up to view this amazing celestial event. 

Resurrection Sunday

"The resurrection of Jesus changes the face of death for all His people. Death is no longer a prison, but a passage into God's presence, Easter say you can put truth in a grave, but it won't stay there.

Unknown  

Good Friday

 

On this Good Friday, remembering Jesus's sacrifice with reverence and gratitude knowing that His love for humanity is more than amazing. 

Tasty Tuesday

 Did some bunny 🐇 say donuts?

Monday Musings ...

 "This Holy Monday, may we be reminded that God gave everything for us. 

Be thankful for all the blessings He bestowed upon us. 

May we all have a meaningful  week."

Author  Unknown

Pets of the week, Basil and Zima

 These two adorable puppies are the pets of the week. Basil is on the left and Zima in on the right. 

 One online source shared that the "The Boxer is a medium to large short-hair dog breed. This breed originated in Germany.  The breed has been described as intelligent, friendly and energetic. " Basil and Zima have grown so much since this picture was taken in October of 2023. 

 I am fortunate that these two puppies live in our neighborhood.  They make me smile. 😃💝

Friendship Friday

 "Of all the things 

which wisdom provides

to make life entirely happy,

much the greatest 

is the possession 

of friendship."

Epicurus

Pet of the week

 It has been weeks since, I posted a pet of the week  .Technically, an owl is not a pet.  I will be on the lookout for pets to post. 

Until then, this owl will be this week bird of the week.  This owl lives in South Carolina. 

Friendship Friday

 "It is great to have friends

when one is young, 

but indeed it is still more so

when you are getting old. 

When we are young,

friends are like everything else, 

a matter of course. 

In the old days we know what it means to have them." 

Edvard Grieg

Words ...

 "The most important things

 are the  hardest to say

because words diminish them."

Stephen King

Do you agree? 

Monday Musings... Museum

 "Omaha's Home to History"

"Beautiful architecture blends with memories of a time gone by at the Durham Museum. Making its home to one of Omaha's most unique treasures. Union Station." Source: Durham Museum Website

Last week, we were able to visit two temporary exhibits:  TOYTOPIA and Play Clothes. 

What was most interesting part of the exhibits? The TOYTOPIA exhibit is a lovely way to see the inter-generational  connection parents and grandchildren.. 

Lord's Prayer

"Our Father in heaven, 

hallowed be your name,

your kingdom come. 

your will be done 

on earth as it is in heaven

Give us today our daily bread.

Forgive our debts,

as we also have forgiven our 

debtors,

And lead us not into temptation,

but deliver us from the evil one.

Mathew 6: 9- 13

Cat taking a shower

"Domestic felines do not need to be bathed." says Spano

"Since cats groom naturally themselves. The majority of cats may not like being exposed to water." online source

  Fact:  In most cases cats and dinosaurs don't take baths. 

This is a cool shower curtain. 

International Women's Day

  Dear Daughter, 

On this International Women's Day, I am so grateful  to see how God has grown you to become and an amazing, bold  and caring woman. 

Thrifty Thursday

"

Don't buy anything you absolutely don't need until you are free of debt."

Kevin O'Leary

Wordless Wednesday

 

LORD's love

 "But from everlasting to everlasting 

the LORD's love is with those who

 fear him,

and his righteousness with their 

children's children

with those who keep his covenant 

and remember to obey his 

precepts.

Psalm 103 - 17 - 18 

Family Friday

What do you do to celebrate birthdays?  Do you celebrate the birthday with a special dinner at home? Or do you orchestra a big celebration at a favorite restaurant? 

While I love in person celebrations sometimes that is not possible. Today, we sent group texts and social media posts to celebrate our sweet daughter's special day?  I am looking forward to celebrate our daughter's birthday in person. 

Until then, we will celebrate virtually. 

Success is to be measured...

"Success is to be measured not so much by the position that one has reached in life as by obstacles that which he has overcome  while trying to succeed." 

Booker T. Washignton  

Friendship Friday ...

Which do you think is better ... reading a book or listening to a book? According to one online source, both have benefits.

 "While listening to books activates the part of the brain responsible for language processing and reading book activities more areas responsible for visual processing, both activities engage semantics processing  of information in the same areas of the brain."  June 27, 2022. 

 The best part of reading or listening to books, is  the time I spend discussing books with friends. 

Progress

 

Tasty Tuesday ...

Baklava

Does everyone know that Baklava is a delicious dessert? 

Monday Musings ... Memories

 "When someone you loves becomes a memory, the memory becomes a treasure."

Author Unknown

Remembering Daddy on the day of his passing. His memory is a blessing,

November 18, 1925 - February 19, 1992

Ash Wednesday

 "Even the darkest 

moments of the liturgy

are filled with  joy, and

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten 

fast, is a day of happiness,

a Christian feast."

Father Thomas Merton

Friendship Friday

 Sometimes we need tea with friends.

Tasty Tuesday

Is there a Chicken Salad Chick restaurant  in your community? I hope so! Today was my first visit to this restaurant. My lunch was delicious! 

The best part? Catching up with friends. 

"Have you ever 

wanted to hug a 

place?'

💮💮💮💮💮💮💮

Well, this is how I feel about Chicken Salad Chick."

Monday Musings...

 "January is a month of fresh hope and broken promises. Whether we have planned to eat less, work out more or save money, many of us manage to keep our resolutions for days or even weeks until we finally give into our impulses to eat cake, dodge the treadmill or splash out on a senseless whim.

Logically speaking, a slip-up should not derail our attempts to reach a long-term goal, but all too often, single failure to maintain self-control is quickly succeeded by another, and another until we eventually give up. ...

When we see slip-ups as inevitable, we are more likely  to achieve our goals." 

These words from David Robson in   his article from the  Wall Street Journal January 27 - 28, 2024 If you are interested, the Wall Street Journal is available at your local library. 

This column reminded me of my intentions for 2024. 

While, I do not list resolutions, I do pray about what word I use to direct my intentions for the year. This year, my word is LOVE. 

This scriptures informs my intentions,

"Teacher, which commandment is the greatest commandment in the Law?

Jesus replied, "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all you soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hand on these commandments."

Matthew 27: 36-40 

What are your intentions for this year?  Remind yourself, that slip-up  will happen... just start anew. Keep going. 

Friendship Friday

 "Constant use had not

worn ragged the fabric 

of their friendship." 

Dorothy Parker

I am grateful that I have friends who are reliable and steadfast. When possible they are ready to help me.  Time and time again, my friend "B" has been a super pet sitter for our  sweet Josie. 

Recently, "B"  took care of our Josie while traveled to visit family. Walking a dog in single digits temperature is challenging.  Here, Josie is getting warm after a walk. 

Are you a reliable friend? Who is a reliable friend to you? 

What is this?

 

This  hive was lodged in one of our exhaust vents. This hive explains why our upstairs furnace was not heating properly.  Once the technician removed it the problem was solved.

This little structure could be a metaphor to explain why some things in our lives may not operate as well as they were designed to function. Maybe some emotions are stuck. Anger, resentment, fear,  guilt ... 

Sometimes we need professional help to uncover the reasons why we are stuck and not able to move forward. It is okay to ask for help. 

Thrifty Thursday ... Greed

"There's a difference between ambition and greed. Greed is wanting more. Ambition is wanting better."

Jon Forte, Closing Bell Overtime 

 Wanting a better life for your children may be a universal hope for parents. What does that look like?  How would you define a better life? 

Tasty Tuesday

 

Monday Musings ... Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

"Our lives begin to end

the day

we become silent

about the things

that matter." 

Martin Luther King Jr. 

This year, marks the 30th Annual Unity Celebration  to commemorate the life and work of

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

The day began with a community wide  breakfast  which brings together corporations, small businesses, organizations and churches. After breakfast, volunteers went to work all across our community   to make a difference in the lives our residents.

This year's theme: Unity: Still a Dream 60 years later 

Friendship Friday

 "How about diamonds are a girl best friend?

Nope.

It should be switched around and pointed out,

instead, that your best friends are diamonds. 

Gina Barrera 

Friends from December's Tea

...with a willing heart

During a Wesley Covenant Service the congregation is invited to pray:

"Lord, make me what you will.

I put myself fully into your hands:

put me to doing, put me to suffering,

let me be employed for you, or laid aside for you,

let be full, let me be empty, 

let me have all things, let me have nothing.

I freely and with a willing heart

give it all to your pleasure and disposal. " 

John Wesley June 28, 1703 - March 2, 1791

I wonder if this prayer was as somber and humbling to those in Wesley's lifetime as it is today when I read it.