Visit to a castle

Over thirty years ago, I visited my first castle in France. Today was my second visit to a castle. This one is in Lexington, Kentucky. Of course you know there is BIG difference.  Driving up the long driveway, I could not resist, I had to take a picture.   Once inside the castle, I discovered I was at the wrong address. The wedding is at another location.   We traveled down the street to the Castle Winery.  We were not late! 

Mina's visit to the castle. 

Today's temperature... a smoking 102 degrees 

Pets of the week

Hoss and Gio, the pets of the week. Last week, Ros (their owner) generously invited me to her home.  It was a lovely afternoon. It was like a mini retreat… gorgeous view,  refreshing ice tea, encouraging conversation, and quiet music in the background. I enjoyed listening to Ros share about God’s provision and guidance in her life. She is an amazing artist. Here is the link to her web:Noble Dogs

She owns two dogs, Giov and Hoss. Have you heard of this breed, Spinone Italiano? 

Giov is on the right. If I remember correctly, Giov is the younger of the two. 

Look at Hoss's face!

Ros shares about her two dogs, "Giov and Hoss are an Elmer Fudd-style bunny huntin' team. I never let them catch anything, but the rabbits out here have their number to such an extent that the sound of our front door opening is their cue to vanish back into the magician's hat.  Undaunted, Hoss and Giov sneak across the driveway swiftly on tiptoe. When it's fall I swear they step between the leaves  heading to the lawn where the bunny party just broke up.  Hoss is the lead man, charging ahead like a water buffalo into the woods, Giov is the lookout man on the street corner waiting to see all of the busted rabbits flee past him.  Although the "dumb bunnies" have long since figured his out, this dynamic duo never lose hope!"
Thank you Ros!

Remember their stories

Day after day, I walk past a wall hanging on my way to exercise. It has become a familiar part of the décor in my craft room. There is more to the story…

Reflecting on the story behind the quilt is painful. Women who were once a part of human trafficking made this quilt.  Today, these women create home decor, pillows, purses, quilts, and so much more.  Look here: Sari Bari

This is part of the wall hanging in my craft room. 

Here in Lexington, individuals are reaching out to women in the adult entertainment industry. They are a part of the Bruised Reed ministry from Southland Christian Church.  

Spurring each other on...

 ^22-25So let's do it—full of belief, confident that we're presentable inside and out. Let's keep a firm grip on the promises that keep us going. He always keeps his word. Let's see how inventive we can be in encouraging love and helping out, not avoiding worshiping together as some do but spurring each other on, especially as we see the big Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (The Message)

Welcome HOME

My morning began with a breakfast with girlfriends. In between prayers, we talk about reconstruction surgery, emergency room visits, match making, recipes, keeping track of medicine, weddings, clothes, and Bible study.  Our conversations are filled to the brim.

Breakfast with girlfriends @ Susan's Home

Returning home, I began to prepare to host about twenty guests.  Meal preparation was easy. We are hosting a pitch in dinner. When everyone contributes a dish it makes the evening go smooth. Plus, we have an opportunity for guests to share their favorite recipes.  Our guests shared some delicious dishes! 

Nikki shared the one the best recipes!  Food so good it makes you want to weep!

Welcoming to our home HOME (Helping Orient Minority Engineering Students)
Individuals on the end are the students.  SOOO Smart!

Pet of the Week

K.C. is the owner of this week's pet of the week. She shares the following about her cat, "Judy was a foundling who has been with me for twelve years.  She has been a faithful companion throughout a wedding, a move to a new state, three houses, and two children.  Judy is happiest when she is cuddled up in bed with one of her humans or snoozing in the sun on the screened porch." 


Do you see a box it the background?  I think it is because K.C. is moving back to Indiana. YIKES. You can discover more about K.C. via her blog, A Real Housewife. 


K.C. and I share of love of books, our husbands, our children, and pets.  I hope she will discover and share my love of BSF. There are BSF classes in Chicago and South Bend. 

Summer Garden

Tonight's  book club members  enjoyed Anne's beautiful garden.

Dessert after discussion

Simply gorgeous

Cowgirls

 “Sometimes we just have to put on our  ‘Big Girl Britches'  and deal with it.”  The Cowgirl’s Cookbook Page 34.

I'm  enjoying my new cookbook. In this small cookbook of less than 100 pages, I have discovered some interesting recipes. Here is a short list of some interesting recipes, Tamarack Tea Cakes, Leather Cookies, Sour Cream and Raisin Pie, Raw Apple Cake, Boiled Pudding with Whiskey or Rum Sauce, Kentucky Corn Pudding, Sharie’s Sauerkraut Salad L, Cowgirl’s Cowslaw, Black Bean Chili, Hens Arms (chicken wings), Beer-Baked Chicken, Fruity Salsa and Queen Green Chili Soup.

I plan to try this recipe for guests this Saturday.

Mustang Chocolate Cake

1-½ cups flour

3 tablespoon dark cocoa

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 cup sugar

½ teaspoon salt

5 tablespoon cooking oil

1 tablespoon vinegar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 cup cold water

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Sift the flour, coca, baking soda, sugar, and salt into a greased 9 x 9 pan inch square pan.

Using the end of a wooden spoon, or you index finger, make three holes, in the dry mixture. Into one pour the cooking oil; in the second the vinegar; in the third, the vanilla.  Pour the cold water slowly over the whole thing. Then beat it with a fork until it’s almost smooth and you no longer see dry ingredients. Be sure to get into the corners.

Bake for 30 minutes. Serve straight from the pan.

Makes about 12 squares (page 69)

Dale Evans... "Queen of the Cowgirls"

Favorite summer drink

What is your favorite summer drink? Ice Tea? Ice Water? What about an ice cold Coca Cola?  I rarely drink soda.  Yesterday, I brought a Nehi Peach Soda.  What goes well with a Nehi Peach Soda?

love

I end most conversations with the words, "I love you." I never want these words to sound routine.  My hope is that the words will remain as authentic and sincere each time I say them.  What better way to end a conversation than with the words, I love you. 
 What happens we understand and accept God's love and forgiveness? Transformation ...
"Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect." Romans 12:2 New Living Translation

Pet of the week

Elvis is this week's pet of the week. Do you agree he looks adorable?  Jane shared this lovely picture of her Elvis.  She shared,  "He has a great personality, always smiling, very kind to children, likes other dogs on his terms, and love carrots."


 What about Jane? She has a passion for life, a contagious laugh, intelligent and beautiful. Plus,  she is my friend!  We become friends through BSF. 
She recently returned from a week at the beach with her college friends. It sounded like so much fun.  I forgot to ask, " Why is his name Elvis?"  

Traveling

I have been able to experience a bit of  Japan via Jerry's pictures to me this week.
What! Kentucky Wildcats in Japan. 

Waiting for the train.

Riding on the train.

Are they wrapping my gift?



Hotel lobby

Starbucks in Japan

Leaving a legacy

“We are common folk. We sit in the bleachers, eat diners, change diapers, and wear our favorite team’s ball cap. Fans don’t wave when we pass. Servants don’t scurry when we come home. Chauffeurs don’t drive our cars; butlers don’t open doors or draw our baths. Doormen don’t greet us and security doesn’t protect us. We are regular folk.

And we wonder: Does God use people like us? He did… “  From Out Live Your Life by Max Lucado. I highly recommend that you take a moment to buy this book.  Discover How to Out Live Your Life, You Were Made to Make a Difference. 

Last Thursday, I attended a program to honor Mrs. Caroline Cross who co founded Leadership Franklin.  As alumni of the program, I joined other individuals to celebrate her legacy. Because of her vision and commitment, we are better-informed and active citizens in our communities. Discover more here:  Leadership Franklin

Then on Saturday, I joined family and friends to celebrate the life of Mrs. Lily Leavell.  Her services were a joyful celebration. The church was filled to honor her legacy to her children, grandchildren, her church, and the community.

Then, I remember Beth and her legacy to her children, grandchildren, and family. 

We gathered at Embassy Suites in Franklin to honor Mrs. Caroline Cross

Why post this picture?  In our community we can be passive bystanders or we can ask questions. What is happening to alter the landscape of our community?  Who made the decisions regarding this crude oil pipeline? This crude pipeline is cutting across some beautiful  green spaces in Middle Kentucky.  Miles and miles of this pipeline...How was the public informed? These are the questions that  we would ask in Leadership Franklin.  Those questions are not limited to Franklin, Tennessee.  Those questions must be posed in every community in which  we live. 

Rhinestone Rodeo

 I might call this Cowgirl and Cowboy week. Why? Here are three interesting facts:

1. Annie Oakley's shotgun sold for $143, 400 at an auction in Dallas, Texas.
2. Dallas the television series returns this week.
3. KET's Annual  Summer Celebration the Rhinestone RODEO is this Friday, June 15 at the Donamire Farm. The evening will include dinner, dancing and an auction.  Proceeds will benefit KET. Kentucky's Educational Television.

Technology

Technology is wonderful when it works. On the other hand, technology is so frustrating when things don’t work.  I love the ability to connect with love ones in Sweden and Japan.

Skype is so COOL.  Sitting in my kitchen, I can see and talk with my family thousands of miles away. Yet, in the past 24 hours, I have missed two Skype calls.   It makes me ANGRY when I cannot get stuff to work.

I will have to use email. 

A Safe Place

I am sad that some individuals do not find church a safe place. To others, church is an oasis in  the midst of life.  It is  thrilling to see people studying God's word  for themselves.  God's love redeems, forgives, protects, defends, restores, and empowers. 


Snapping a picture from the car, I missed a portion of the church building.  

Second Missionary Baptist Church, Anderson, IN
Pastor William O"Neil is an amazing servant of God.
If you visit Anderson, Indiana, I suggest you visit this church.

Bye, Bye, Bravo TV

Bye, Bye, Bravo TV.   Once upon a time, I enjoyed the Real Housewives series. Now, I am weary of the gossip, back biting, snarky comments, fake friendships, cosmetic surgeries, childish behavior, silly parties. ... I will no longer waste brain cells watching this series. My time is valuable. Why would I waste my precious time being entertained by women whose values are in direct contradiction to mine? Did I enjoy their homes, clothes, or jewelry? In part, that may have been a part of the attraction. That is so superficial.  I will no longer be entertained by women who are shallow and cruel.   I woke up to say, bye, bye, Bravo!

Pet of the week

This week's pet of the week is Susie. She is a "rebellious" beagle.  When Susie is busy digging in the neighbor's yard, she ignores all calls to come home.  She has that cute little beagle bark. Cute, sassy, adorable and independent thinking ...


Gordon (my brother)  is Susie's owner. Special thanks to Gordon for sharing this picture. 

She is looking for another place to dig. 

Charles Barkley and Weight Watchers

I attend one of best WW meetings in our city.  Our leader has a natural gift of encouragement. She keeps it 100%. If I need motivation in between meetings, I  go to our Facebook group. What do I discover? Tips, suggestions, success stories, and funny cartoons. Each day, I exercise at least 20 minutes . When it is a struggle, I try tips  from other WW members.  I work at it every day! 

 I also read my daughter's blog. She and her friends discuss health challenges. I am inspired when I read their stories. We all need encouragement! I wonder if Charles  Barkley attends meetings. His smiling face makes me smile.

Cowpokes

 Television’s  “golden age” has been identified as the period from 1949 until the early 1960’s.  Many of the television shows in this period were carry overs from the radio.  For example, Dragnet and Gunsmoke were two programs that would successfully make the transition from radio to television.

One of my favorite programs from this era was Sky King. Why? These cowboys and cowgirls were riding around in cars. In each story, I enjoyed where the good people overcame evil. Today's television shows cannot be described as a Golden Age. I recently purchased a Cowgirl Cookbook. Over the summer, I will be sharing some of the “healthy” recipes on Tuesdays.   Along the way, I hope to share interesting facts. 

My new light switch cover. Where will it go?

Keep it moving

Last night, I had an interesting conversation with Jerry (my husband). This conversation unearthed some important challenges I need to address. Why is the world would I choose to ignore good counsel and advice? Why would I decide to continue in a place that did not produce fruit in my life?   We came up with two answers: pride and spiritual blindness. What will I do differently? How can I avoid making the same mistakes?  We discuss areas of accountability.

Confession and repentance will help me not get stuck in sin. Honest conversations between loved ones  may allow us to be transparent and vulnerable. It can be a safe place to let go of junk.  Keep it moving. 

This couple recently shared their vacation plans.... and permission to share their picture.  Riding on a Harley, they definitely keep it moving. 

They love riding their Harley! It is gorgeous!

"God has not called me be successful; He has called me to be faithful."

Mother Teresa

Pets of the week

Lucy is looking for trouble. 

Maureen's cats Lucy and Charlie are the pets of the week.  Charlie has been described as having a sweet personality.  Favorite activity? Resting on Maureen's lap while she watches the news. Special thanks to Maureen for sharing her pictures. 

Lucy and Charlie  are looking very comfortable!