Thrifty Thursday

"The whole thing of clothes is insane. You can spend a dollar on a jacket in a thrift store. And you can spend a thousand dollars on a jacket in a shop.  And if you see those two jackets walking down the street, and you probably wouldn't know which was which."
Helen Mirren

Wordless Wednesday

Monday Musings ... Memorial Day

"On this day, take time to remember those who have fallen. But on every day after, do more; put the freedoms they died for to greater and more nobler uses."

Richelle E. Goodrich

What to give

Last Thursday and Friday, I spent two days looking for pink roses. It was so much fun.

 After shopping at Fresh Market and Trader Joe’s. I found five dozen pink roses. Some of the roses were a deep pink other were a very pale pink. It was so much fun traveling with dozens of roses. 

At our Saturday chapter meeting, roses were given to Legacy members. In addition, we had the opportunity to recognize Life Members.  

There were enough roses to  give to Soros who had accomplished a milestone. Martina now has her PHD.  One soror had received her MBA. Then, roses went to two law students. 

As I was preparing to go home. I had secretly hoped for one rose for myself. All of the roses were gone. Small gifts given away.

Tasty Tuesday

"Cakes are special. Every birthday, every celebration ends with something sweet, a cake and people remember. It's all about the memories."
Buddy Valastro.

At last month's book club, I served this Italian Cream Cake.
A local bakery created this delicious cake. Yum! 

Pet of the week, Falcon

As pet of the week, Falcon has many qualities that are important to pet owners. He is well behaved, good natured, and plays well with others. What more do you need?  

Falcon is also a gracious host. He shares his food. In addition, he allowed another dog to rest in his bed.  No growling … nothing.

Falcon and Josie are waiting for treats.

Falcon and Josie became friends this week. While we were traveling this week, we took Josie on this road trip. It was endearing to see the dogs get along so well. Falcon and Josie have similar backgrounds.  They both are rescue dogs. Falcon was rescued in North Carolina. Josie found her home in Kentucky. 

Thinking about a pet? I suggest you visit your local Human Society. 

Friendship Friday

"There are three faithful friends - an old wife, an old dog, and ready money."

Benjamin Franklin

hmmm ... what do you think? 

Thrifty Thursday

Recycle, reuse, repurpose

What items are you re purposing or recycling ? Where do you find your inspiration?  My inspiration has been to  find new life for old clothing. 

I need help. I text Cindy ( my cousin) to ask for help. Do you know how to make rag rugs? After all, she is a gifted quilter. I am planning to use old shirts and make a rag rug. 

Cindy is talented in finding bargains and creating things that have practical uses.  Cindy shared, " I like the hunt to find things that can be transformed."While she has not created a rag rug, she gave me some helpful tips. 

After we talked in the morning, she sent me this picture. She recently found this $5.00 door at a Habitat for Humanity store. 

After we talked, I remembered.
Our grandmother was a gifted bargain hunter.
My Aunt Mary was also very skilled at finding
the best bargains at tag sales.
I'm not for sure if she still shops at tag sale.
Where do you go to find bargains? 

words from a song ...

"By His truth I can be 
upright
By His strength I do 
endure
By His Power I've been 
Lifted
In His Love I am secure"

Bob Dylan
"Saved" (1980) 

... call her blessed

"Her children rise
and call her
blessed,
and her husband also,
and he praises her."
Proverbs 31:28

Pet of the week, Gus

Gus is this week's pet.  Gus was enjoying a few crumbs that fell to the ground at a Chick-fil-A restaurant.

Friendship Friday

The people who are the hardest to love may need our friendship and love the most. The acquaintance who  has the prickly personality may need us to be available. When they are reluctant to ask for help, can we offer it? When loving a person is the hardest thing to do, we need God's help. I know I cannot love well unless God gives me the strength, the words, and the compassion.

Some folks are just easy to love.  Our conversations are filled with compassion, laughter, and grace. We understand their struggles, their pain,  and their quirky ways.  They offer grace and love to us. We extend love.

Some folks are challenging,  opinionated, irrational, mean-spirited,  ... They may be addicted, scarred by abuse, lonely, and angry. Our time is precious. Why spend time with people who make life difficult?

"Find a way to love difficult people more and you'll be living the life Jesus talked about.  Go find someone you've been avoiding and give away some extravagant love to them. You'll learn more about God, your neighbor, your enemies, and your faith. Find someone you think is wrong, someone you disagree with, someone who isn't like you at all, and decide to love that person the way you want Jesus to love you.
We need to love everybody, always.
Jesus never said doing these things would be easy. He just said it would work." This quote is from Bob Goff's book,  Everybody Always: Becoming Love in a World Full of Setbacks and Difficult People 

Summer Reading List

Summer officially begins June 21.  Have you selected your summer reading list?  What book will be at the top of your list? Will you revisit some of your old favorites? Maybe a friend has recommended a book to you. If you are like me you may want to start reading now to finish your list.

Summer reading is simply delicious. Our summer schedules and vacations allow us extra time to savor that mystery, biography, or science fiction book. Book clubs provide us the opportunity to discuss themes, characters, and life issues in a group.

Last Saturday, one of friends passed away. She was an avid book reader. She loved a lively discussion. I will miss her. Yesterday, family and friends gathered to remember her life.
I regret not having more time with Sandi.

Make time for friends who are battling illnesses. Live life with no regrets.

Tasty Tuesday

I love theme dinners! Our neighbors invited us to a Minnesota theme dinner last month. What was on the menu?

Minnesota Dinner

Wild Rice Salad
Minnesota Iron Range Pasty
Dessert Blueberry Buckle
Chilled Water
Lemonade

"Pasty (short "a")  home baked for laborers' (Mesabi Range iron ore miners)

lunches: thick, sturdy pie crusts filled with meat and vegetables, including potatoes

and rutabagas. Stays hot until lunch, a complete package without need for utensils." This information is from the blog where the recipe is located. 

Click on this recipe: Minnesota Iron Range Recipe

We also had the opportunity to celebrate April Birthdays

It is not just a saying... Minnesota people are really nice.
Grandpa and his two granddaughters. 

Monday Musings ... community

"God put us here to prepare this place for the next generation. That's our job. Raising our children and helping the community preparing for the next generation."
Dikembe Mutombo

I love that I have the opportunity to do life with some amazing women.  What a blessing.

Where is the philosopher?

“Where is the philosopher? Where is the scholar? Where is the debater of the age? Hasn’t God made the world’s wisdom foolish? For since, in God’s wisdom, the world did not know God through wisdom, God was pleased to save those who believe through the foolishness of the message preached. For the Jews ask for signs and the Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to the Jews and foolishness to the Gentiles. Yet to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is God’s power and God wisdom, because God’s foolishness is wiser that human wisdom and God’s weakness is stronger than human strength.”

1 Corinthians 1: 20 -25 

Pet of the week, Josie

Once again,  our Josie is this week's pet.  Josie loves  her home, walks in the neighborhood, treats, snuggles, Franklin, Earle, barking, resting on the grass, running, licking yogurt, tiny pieces of Chic Filet, bacon...

Friendship Friday

"True friendship can afford true knowledge . It does not depend on ignorance. 
Henry David Thoreau

On most days, we stay in touch via Facebook. More recently, we reconnected in person! 

Our friendship developed nearly nine years ago as participants in Bible Study Fellowship. Last month, Jane graciously accepted an invitation to come the the Lexington Newcomers and Friends Evening Book Club. 

Take the opportunity to reconnect with friends! 

Wednesday in the Word

Tasty Tuesday ...yum yum

"You don't have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces ... just good food from fresh ingredients." Julia Child

That is exactly what happened at today's May Cooking Light Luncheon.

Today's Menu

Chilled Water

Miso Deviled Eggs

Creamy Artichoke Soup

Arugula Salad with Lemon and Pine Nuts

Strawberry and Cucumber Tabbouleh

Whole Wheat Pasta ... 

Taco Truck Lettuce Wraps

Strawberries 

While I may miss a few details of the menu offerings... the meal was so delicious.
Most of today's recipes are from May's Cooking Light.