Another Random Dozen

Linda has thrown us another random dozen. If you'd like to join in just grab the questions and sign in here.

1. Tell me the absolute best way to watch a movie? I have to admit I love going to the theatre to see a show. With a big bucket of theatre popcorn and a coke. But I hate to spend that kind of money on a regular basis, so our other option is at home. Love to curl up on the couch next to hubby with a bag of Lay's original chips and a selection of chip dips, herb & spice or dill pickle for me, onion for hubby.

2. Do you ever think about your own funeral? If so, do you have specific ideas about how you would like it to be? In all honesty I have never thought about it.

3. Are you more of a giver or a taker? Boy would I love to say I'm a hundred percent giver, but then I'd have to do some repenting for lying. I think it depends on the situation and if I'm feeling burnt out at the time or not. Sometimes it's easier to give of material things than it is to give of my time. I tend to be more selfish with my time. I wish I wasn't but I'm being honest.

4. Vacations: planned activities and schedules, or play it by ear? Both, though we do lean more toward being spontaneous.

5. What is one often overlooked item in your home that needs to be cleaned regularly? Definitely the top of my dresser. It seems to be the catch all and I ignore it until I can't stand it anymore or I run out of room, which ever comes first. I don't know where I got that because my mom is meticulous and her dresser is always neat and cleared off. As is my hubby's cupboard. Sigh. But it's a constant struggle for me.

6. Name a cause that means a lot to you. I love supporting Samaritan's Purse. I love that they are involved in helping those who are desparate need in so many ways both locally and world wide and I love how I can choose into which area my support will go. And bottom line is the gospel is going forth. You can click on their button in my sidebar to see all the great things they do.

7. Do you eat a regular old peanut butter jelly sandwich, or do you customize it? And by the way, jelly or no jelly? I don't often eat pb&j. Although once in a while I do like peanut butter and banana sandwiches with a nice cold glass of chocolate milk.

8. If we were having a conversation in person, how would I know if you were nervous? I had to ask hubby and he says when I'm nervous I laugh a lot in the conversation. Go figure that one out. A therapist would have a hey dey with me.

9. Do you have an elaborate bedtime routine, or just the basics of toothbrushing and jammies? Check all the doors and make sure windows are shut, turn off cell phone, click the car lock button making sure the car is locked and toothbrush and jammies. Oh and can't forget the the wrist braces for carpel tunnel. Then when I lay down, I lay on my right and immediately flip the pillow over taking the top and making it the bottom. Always top to bottom. Weird.

10. Have you ever regretted something you wrote on your blog? Not that I can think of at this moment. I'm honest but just believe there are some thing you don't put out there for the world to read. I'm very mindful of my family's feelings about having their lives put out there and make sure I respect that. And I like to lean more toward the be kind/be encouraging kinds of posts rather than venting kinds of posts.

11. Has anyone ever told you that you look like a famous person or celebrity? Did you agree? Nope, although once when I was babysitting the family phoned home to make sure I was there because they saw a girl in the bar who looked just like me. But that's not celebrity so ...nope.

12. If you were going to dedicate a song to a loved one or friend, what would the song be and to whom would it be dedicated? "The Voyage" and I'd dedicate to my hubby cause he's my first mate and I'm his.

The Big City and the New Mall

So I've come to the conclusion over this last weekend that doctor's appointments in the big city with a brand new mall do not fare well on the pocketbook.

I'm not quite sure what on earth happened but my head is still spinning. I walked in empty handed with no plans on buying anything except maybe a pair of shoes for my youngest girl, which was a need, not a want, and I ended up looking like one of those commercials for malls with the woman walking out with a dizzying amount of bags hanging off the ends of my upper appendages.

Except I wasn't wearing a mini skirt.

Or stilleto's.

Which makes me wonder who in their right mind wears stilletos to mall shop? No offense to those that do, I just don't get how you do it. I had "sensible" sandals on and after the 2.7 km (about 1 and 3/4 miles) hike through the mall my feet still hurt. Yes the mall is 2.7 km around and that does not include any side trips into stores. To give you an idea this mall is divided into themed "neighborhoods" so you know where you are. And side trips into stores we did make. Lots of them. Lots and lots.

And did I mention this mall has one of those stores that has a whole mountainside habitat going on inside of it? Oh my word. Now that is a shopping experience in and of itself like no other. I mean, in what other store do you constantly have to watch that you don't walk through someone's camara range as they are snapping a picture? Or come face to face with wolves, bears, fox, fish, geese, porcupines, mountain sheep & goats to mention a few, and get to play on a shooting range? Oh and did I mention they are only too happy to have you, you know, actually buy stuff too?

And really, where else am I going to get this photo op and a pair of fun shoes under the same roof?

My camera, my feet and my mastercard were smokin'. And today? Today we're still recovering.

Photo Hunters ~ Twisted

Today's photo hunter is "Twisted" and I knew right away what picture I wanted to display. From our holidays a couple of years ago. A fun, fun day full of twists!





For more twisted pictures click on the photo hunters button.

Friday's Fave Five #55

Time for Friday's Fave Five! A time to look back over your week and look for five favorite things out of your week. If you are new, you can click over here for more details and then jump right in. This week I am very thankful for this exercise. There have been a few upsetting things over the last few weeks and this helps me to keep focused on the good things in my life that God blesses me with. After my mom-in-law spent a week in the hospital and then my daughter's car being stolen, I am ready to take note of the good.

1. Praise and worship CD's. When I'm going through a stressful time and things are not going the way I planned or are falling apart, I plug in a favorite CD of contemporary praise and worship or hymns and before I know it, I literally feel myself being lifted up. It reminds me that God is bigger than my problems and that He cares for me, that there is a God who has me written in the palm of His hand and that there is nothing going on that He doesn't know about. Do you know how incredibly much He loves you too and cares about what happens in your life?

2. Kay's safety. While the car being stolen is shocking, infuriating and annoying, it is nothing compared to knowing Kay is safe, praise God, and she was in her apartment sound asleep when the nasty person did their nasty deed. As we told her, a car is a material thing and is replaceable.

3. White Chocolate Lemon Cheesecake. Yum, yum. My mouth waters as I think of it. Refreshing and lucious. Definitely a treat.

4. Doctor's good report. Scarey symptoms for my hubby's dear mom but it turned out with no bad news. So that definitely makes my favorites list.

5. Prayers and support of friends for sure is a favorite thing. Whether they support me in something with encouraging words or sound advice or they lift me up before the Lord, it is always a favorite thing in my life. Knowing I do not walk this path of life alone.

What has been five favorites in your week? Please sign onto Mr. Linky if you've shared in a post and we'd love to come and visit you. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!

Another Random Dozen with the Lid

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is once again hosting the Random Dozen Meme. It's been fun getting to know others by reading their answers. Click on the button and join us this week.

1. Please share one middle school memory. It can be good, bad, ugly, funny. Pictures or words, I don't care, just share. Middle school. Back then it was Junior High and included grades 7 - 9. Memories of that era. Sheesh. I tried to forget. Okay, first day of school everyone gathered in the gym, sat on the floor and they would read off which class you were assigned. As your name was called you got up and left with the teacher. In grade 9, not only did none of my friends get called along with me for my class, but as I got up and was walking backwards desperately saying goodbye to my friends and making a quick plan where to meet later to talk of our first day troubles, I very ungracefully went head over heals backwards over top of a student who was minding their own business sitting on that gym floor. As the gym roared in laughter I caught sight of the teacher I was assigned to very exaggeratedly rolling his eyes. I could have died. Must have been very traumatic as I remember it well and it was the first thing that came to mind. These grades were very awkward for me.

2. What's your favorite Beatles song? Was never into the Beatles. The Monkee's were more my thing back then. But I've always really liked the song "Yesterday" and played it on my guitar quite often. I've always liked a haunting kind of melody. It's really funny but my mom lays the decline of the '60's generation squarely onto the shoulders of the Beatle's.

3. If I asked you to describe your most comfortable outfit, what would it be? I don't even know what to call it, but I have these kind of comfy, elastic waist lounging pants that are nice and loose and cozy (they were my saving grace when I broke my hand, I tell ya, and couldn't do zippers or buttons). Maybe with a loose fitting shirt, soft cotton sweatshirt in the winter and loose long sleeved cotton t in the fall or early spring, new socks.

4. Would you rather host a party or be a guest? Well, I'm not much of a party gal and hubby is not into lots of people either. We prefer visiting with just one other family at a time. But when it comes to big family things like Christmas or Thanksgiving or Easter, it's a toss up. I like both hosting and attending. I know, a real decisive answer that was.

5. Do you think we will move completely from traditional books to digital ones, and if we do, are you OK with that? I certainly hope not. What will I ever do if I can never again experience the thrill of being the first to open a brand new book, or smell that new book smell. The thought of holding an electronic device to read, never physically turning a page makes me very sad.

6. Do you learn best by reading, listening or experiencing? Probably for the most part reading but it depends on what it is I'm trying to learn I guess.

7. If you are (or when you were) single, what is the kiss of death for you concerning the opposite sex? (That is, what is one trait or behavior or habit or anything at all that immediately turns you off from considering that person a potential match for you?) If I was single now, I would say smoking. But seeing as I'm not single and I smoked when I was, I don't think that qualifies for the question. What was it when I was dating? Man, that was so long ago I'm having trouble remembering. LOL.

8. Snacks. Salty or sweet? Pass the chips, please.

9. Look around you in a four foot radius. What object is around you that you didn't realize was there or forgot was there? How long has it been there? Two old novels that a friend insisted I take and read, and that I forgot I put on the bottom section of the coffee table. It's been there since spring. Guess I better return them.

10. What is your favorite Tom Cruise movie? Sorry not a Tom Cruise fan. I don't think I can name even one I've seen, never mind a favorite. Did catch the last half hour of Valkyrie the other day when hubby was watching it.

11. You buy a bottle of shampoo and discover that you don't like what it does to your hair at all. What do you do with that full bottle? Try to pawn it off on another member of the family, if that doesn't work, shampoo is a great ring around the collar remover. LOL.

12. Your favorite Fall comfort food? (Last week it was beverage.) Hard to name just one. Love comfort food. Hungarian Plum balls is probably my fave but I don't know if it qualifies for fall as it's only good for Italian plum season which is end of August/September. So I guess I'll say homemade soups.

Fall Into Reading 2009

Guess what time of year it is?! It's fall and that means Katrina's Fall Into Reading is kicking off into high gear. Love this each fall and spring. Puts a little focus into my reading, I get to find all sorts of great reads by reading other's lists and reviews, it gets me to reach my goal of getting through a non-fiction, and is just plain fun looking at everyone else's lists. Oh and did I mention there is giveaways and prizes? Oh yes, there is. If you'd like to join in, it's a no pressure kind of thing. Check it out here.

So here's my list for this fall. As always with me, it's not written in stone. Things could change especially if I don't get some library books done on time or book tour and review books come along. I've got my required non fiction in here, too. That is always a goal and a stretch for me, finishing a non-fiction.

I started this book in the Spring Into Reading challenge and didn't finish it. I put down over summer because it's just not my idea of a summer read but I'd like to try to finish it:

How the Scot's Invented the Modern World by Arthur Herman ~ A book that explores the thought that here is not a facet of our modern Western culture that the Scots didn't have a hand in. An account of the origins of the modern world from the contribution of the Scots.

Now my new ones:

Into the Arms of Immortals by Ginger Garrett (book tour book) ~ Book 2 of the Chronicles of the Scribes Series. Historical fiction thriller about the arrival of the "Black Death" in Europe. The story of the unseen battle, loving presence and eventual redemption as the church fights to stand between the plague and the people all while not allowing medicine to be studied outside of it's walls. A story of the conflict between science and faith, angels and demons, mortality and immortality.

John 3:16 by Nancy Moser ~ When fatal tragedy hits a college town, a string of events brings together a group of desperate people, each looking for a reason to keep living. A father, a dating ocuple, a professional, an estranged couple confronted with what they did years ago. As these lives intersect on a bright fall day, one of the will hold up a sign at a football game with a shor messae: John 3:16. This simple act of faith will have the power to change lives forever.

The Warrior by Francine Rivers ~ Joshua succeeded Moses as the nation's leader. But it was another man's zeal that pushed the people to put their faith into action. Caleb...one of five men who quietly changed eternity.

The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte by Syrie James ~ An intensely researched book that blends historical fact and fiction to explore the passionate heart and unquiet soul of Charlotte Bronte, author of Jane Eyre.

Matters of Faith by Kristy Kiernan ~ On a search for faith by delving into one tradition after another, Marshall is coming home from college with a girlfriend who has certain beliefs about the evils of medical intervention. His parents have little time for spiritual contemplation as their whole focus is on Marshal's younger sister who has severe food allergies. What follows is a crisis that tests not only fiath, but the limits of family, forgiveness and our need to believe.

Wedding Belles by Haywood Smith ~ With hilarious Southern observations, this story takes on mothers and daughters, wedding madness, and midlife passion in this frank and funny novel.

God has Never Failed Me, But He's Sure Scared Me To Death a Few Times by Stan Toler ~ a light hearted look at the challenges that place us in faith's waiting room.

And not pictured but coming in the mail:

White Picket Fences by Susan Meissner (book tour book) ~ Readers of emotional dramas that are willing to explore the lies that families tell each other for protection and comfort will love White Picket Fences. The novel is ideal for those who appreciate exploring questions like: what type of honesty do children need from their parents, or how can one move beyond a past that isn’t acknowledged or understood? Is there hope and forgiveness for the tragedies of our past and a way to abundant grace?

Wisdom Hunter by Randall Arthur (book tour book) ~ A fast-paced suspense novel rich in spiritual depth, Wisdom Hunter explores what it means to break free of Christian legalism—and discover why grace can mean the difference between life and death.

Double Cross by James David Jordan(book tour book) ~ an action-packed story that provides thrilling twists and turns as well as a thought-provoking look at the personal and spiritual struggles of characters who are as complex as they are flawed. Ultimately, it’s a story of self-examination that describes Taylor’s journey toward the conclusion that some sacrifices can never be earned.

The Last Word by Kathy Herman(book tour book) ~ Heart-pounding suspense meets heart-challenging truth as best-selling author Kathy Herman returns to Sophie Trace in her new page-turner, The Last Word (David C Cook, October 2009). Based on Romans 1:16, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the gentile,” Herman’s second installment in the Sophie Trace series triumphantly demonstrates God’s miraculous ability to heal the broken

Unexplainable by Don Cousins(book tour book) ~ In Unexplainable, Cousins shares with readers that God created us to find life in Him, and apart from His involvement, we will never find the life He intended. “As Jesus said, ‘I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly (John 10:10)’.” Cousins explains, “God wants the only explanation for us to be Him. Most people don’t know it, but they too want God to be the only explanation for them as well. When we experience God’s influence in and through us, we enter the realm of the UNEXPLAINABLE.”

Oops and how could I forget the two I have on hold at the library. So if they come in then I'll be adding:

My Life in France by Julia Child

Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment Kitchen by Julie Powell

Well, this will definitely be a challenge!

For more fall reading lists and to add your own, please see Katrina here. If you need details and directions click on the button. Happy Reading!

Photo Hunters ~ Upside Down

Today's Photo Hunters is Upside Down. Boy this one was hard. But we were at the playground one beautiful day last week and was I glad I had the camera. Where but a playground is there all sorts of upside down moments?

For more photo hunters click on the above button.

Friday's Fave Five #54

I can't believe it's Friday already. Where did the time go? This week just zipped right on by. Time again to think back over the week and find five favorite things from your week. If you'd like more information you can scoot over here for the details.

1. "You Raise Me Up". I was watching PBS and they had on the Celtic Thunder "Take Me Home" concert. This is the concert that we were totally blessed to go see this past spring. Seeing this on PBS took me right back to sitting in the 9th row. I had no idea this song was part of the concert but was I ever thrilled when the first strains of one of my all time favorite songs come on. I love, love, love this song and I'm a huge fan of Josh Groban when he sings it. Now I'm not a big opera fan but Paul Byrom's voice in real life is absolutely beautiful. Absolutely breath-taking to hear this song live. Sorta hard to believe that this guy is the jokester of the group. A good chuck of the humorous stuff going on at the concert came from him.

2. Home grown tomatoes. Oh heavens I love this time of year. We actually did a comparison with "on the vine" tomatoes from the store. The tomatoes looked red and delicious but when compared side by side with this

those store tomatoes were sad, sad, sad.

3. Unexpected hugs. My younger girl gave me a hug out of nowhere for no reason. Coming from an almost 15 year old that felt pretty darn nice.

4. A hubby who knows how to fix just about anything. Even though he really dislikes playing the Mr. Fixit role, I am incredibly grateful that he does know so much and he bites the bullet and is willing to do it. He's saved us many, many times where we would have had to pay someone to do the job. Here he's up on the roof because, if you can believe it, when we had a couple of storms this summer the mortar started to come out of the chimney in chunks and it looked like it was going to fall in upon itself with the next big wind. It took him many days frying up on the roof in the hot sun but he did a great job! Thanks, Sweetie!

5. Great deals when you need them. I just love when I go to the store to get something I need and lo and behold there it is on a great deal. This week was sheets that I needed for my daughter's bed at about half off. Yipee!

What are your favorites from your week. Write up a post and we'd love to come visit. Don't forget to sign Mr. Linky so we can find you!

September = Comfort. Food, That Is

Can you believe yesterday reached 34*C here yesterday? That is 93*F! 93! We didn't reach 93 all summer long that I can remember. It's making it very interesting getting dressed in the morning seeing the nights are definitely cooling off. One night was barely above freezing. So if you dress for the morning you are sweltering in the afternoon, but if you dress for the afternoon you are freezing first thing in the morning. The nights are interesting too as it is hot when I go to bed so I haven't put our big quilt on the bed yet and I have the window open, but by 4 am I am waking up freezing. LOL. It's all quite schizophrenish on the old body temperature regualtor.

However, all this heat is doing a nice wonder on the later harvest of tomatoes. Take a look at this baby my mom gave me.

And that wasn't even the biggest one of the bunch. That's an ox heart tomato and it was pretty wonderful. We've been enjoying tomatoes sliced, tomatoes on burgers, toasted tomato sandwiches and even tomatoes in a Monte Cristo sandwich. I know that's not a traditional Monte Cristo but I couldn't help myself.

We've been having a feast on fresh garden vegetables from the farmers market all this last week. I went just a tad beserk last Saturday when visiting it. We've had baby beets with butter and salt and fresh ground pepper, green beens in a spicy pork stew, steamed carrots and parsnips, stuffed peppers, and roasted yellow wax beans sprinkled with olive oil with italian seasoning and chili seeds sprinkled on top. And that's not even to mention the wonderul fresh potatoes. Oh the new potatoes. Boiled with lots of butter and fresh dill or parsley. And you'll know it's a seriously yummy potato if you know I can skip the sour cream. Oh my word, it's comfort food heaven.

At this time of year, I love doing "Stone Soup" with my dayhome. The kids love it. I get the book from the library. There are a couple of versions, so I pick the one with the young boy so the kids relate. Then each of them bring something from home to contribute to the pot. It's a secret what they bring. Nobody tells until they come with it. It's lots of fun to see the different things that will go in the pot. And it makes for a different soup everytime which is a part they find really exciting. Not to mention that putting on an apron and getting to clean and cut up whatever they bring is no small thrill for them. They love to help cook.

And then there is the anticipation of who gets the stone in their bowl come lunch time. Because of course there is a little prize for who gets the stone. Yes, I actually do put a stone in there. One I've had for years and have cleaned and put away for this very purpose. It's a fun harvest tradition.

Do you have any harvest traditions or meals that you do?

Randomness With the Lid

It's time for the Random Dozen by Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee, affectionately know as the Lid, or Lidna, in which she randomly asks us random questions about random things. You can check it out here.

1. Which is worse: a long, boring meeting or standing in a return/exchange line after Christmas? Ugh, two of my worst nightmares. I don't do well in either situation. I'll pick the line up because (a) I'm standing up so that will help keep me awake and (b) my mind can wander all it wants and I know I won't be called upon for an opinion or an answer. Well at least not until I get to the till.

2. Except for maybe Rosie O'Donnell or Ann Coulter, nobody likes confrontation, yet we all have to deal with it. When you feel cornered and defensive, do you "bite back" or become passive aggressive? This is hard to answer because a few factors determine which way I lean. Who it is that's baiting me and the topic or situation instigating the confrontation. But I would say in a general sense, much to my dismay at times after the fact, I am more the bite back type when I am cornered. In fact, I have been known to be called "fiesty" at times. That could or could not be a good thing.

3. Do you know anything about your genealogical background? (What country, culture, ties to prominent historical figures, or other stuff.) My Dad is Hungarian, my Mom a Czeckoslovakian immigrated to Hungary when she was a child. (Much to one of my children's dismay who longs to be Irish for some reason. I think she might have a drop of that blood running somewhere in her veins from her father's side.) They came over to Canada as husband and wife in the '56 Hungarian Revolution. This explains my strong affinity for sour cream and garlic.

4. What is the quickest way a person can endear him/herself to you?

-show themselves friendly, be nice to my kids, have a sense of humor, be honest, be themselves and not have ulterior motives

5. Cake, pie, cookies, or ice cream? (Note there is no "all of the above" option. You must choose one. Feel free to elaborate on flavor or memories tied to this dessert.) If you'd like, you can share a recipe, but you certainly don't have to. Whatcha mean there is no all of the above? Whoo boy, how do I answer this one? Okay. Cake, I can take it or leave it. Unless it's cheesecake. Love pie, depends on the cookie and I love ice cream but have to be in the mood. So if presented with cheesecake or pie, it would depend on the flavors. Okay how about this: warm pie ala mode would be my first choice.

6. Females: Do you regularly change your handbag to coordinate with your outfit? Never. I change my handbag with the seasons or whatever strikes my mood.

7. Are you task-oriented or relationship-oriented? Definitely relationship oriented. I love tasks that involve having others to work alongside with. I tend to shuffle off and procrastinate on tasks where I have to work by myself.

8. IHOP, Bob Evans or Cracker Barrel? Uhm, Ricki's or Chili's? Not a one of those options are where I live.

9. Have you ever left a movie in progress in a theater? Why? Yup. El Dorado. The cartoon version. My elementary aged daughter was very uncomfortable through out the film and when a very adult situation was portrayed between two of the characters we left. We felt fine with it because it showed the kids it was okay to leave in the middle of theatre movie if they felt uncomfortable. A lesson they themselves have used a few times.

10. What is one area of life in which you would like to develop more discipline or organization? Personal time with studying the Bible and prayer. And exercise. Definitely exercise. And portion control. Yup that too. LOL. I guess those are all discipline options. Organization? I guess I'd say time management as I can never get myself out the door on time.

11. Was middle school fun or painful? We didn't have middle school. It was junior high which was grades 7 - 9. I'd say it was alright, nothing great. Probably leaning more towards painful.

12. What is your favorite Fall beverage? Hot Ciders. Specifically these hot ciders. And while I love all the different kinds, the Apple Cinnamon is to die for. It takes just like my Godmom's homemade apple pie. And she made the best.

If you want to play, see 2nd Cup of Coffee to link up.

Now that's different!

Photo Hunters ~ Electric

Photo Hunters ~ Electric

An electric fireplace will do just fine if you don't have the real thing.

For more electric pictures click on the photo hunters button.

Friday's Fave Five #53

Well what do you know? I set this to auto publish at midnight on the 11th. Of October. Sigh.

Whew, hello and welcome to Fave Five! Did you all recuperate from last week's fun party? Thanks again guys, for participating in this lil' ole meme for so long. I so look forward to Fridays! If you're new and would like to join in, here are the details.

So it goes without saying that my first favorite relates back to last week.

1. Giveaways. I love winning giveaways, but I also love to give things away. And for our party last week, we had a little giveaway. And the winner is...

True Random Number Service
Random Integer Generator
Here are your random numbers:2
Timestamp: 2009-09-11 05:07:47 UTC

Translated that means Ellen B. Congrats Ellen. I think Ellen has been participating since the very first one!

2. Surprise gifts. And especially nice from hubby. Yesterday he came home with 3 different Dolce Fragrant Home Sprays for me. Now my home will have a lovely smells of Nutmeg/Orange Zest, Esspresso, or Hazelnut. Ahhhh. Thanks Sweetie!

3. Speaking of hubby, a movie date with hubby. And he was gracious enough to come with me to Julie and Julia. Definitely not a typical first choice for a guy. But I liked it so much he agreed to come along when it hit the discount theatre here and he enjoyed the movie!

4. Watching God provide in my kid's life. I love as they are growing and getting older that they pray and lay their needs before Him and then He answers towards that need. I love when they grab ahold of scriptures such as Phillipians 4:6 which says:

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."

I love watching their faith develop and grow and become their own.

5. Short work weeks. Yipee today is Friday! 'Nuff said.

What has been your favorites this week? If you do a post, sign on up to Mr. Linky and let us enjoy your favorites with you. Have a great weekend everyone.

More Random ?'s from the Lid

Lid at 2nd Cup of Coffee has struck again with another random dozen. Click on the button to head over to her place and join in.

1. What is something that you have changed your mind about either recently or over a number of years? Brussel Sprouts, hated them, now I love them. Crowds, used to love being in them, now I avoid them.

2. Choose either subject, but does your a) church b) job feel more like a dental chair experience or an easy chair (recliner) experience? Lidna, are you trying to get us in trouble? ;v) But seriously, I'm weird with the whole dental thing. I'm nervous as all get out going, and then when the work is being done, I literally almost fall asleep. I'm a strange girl, I know. I mean I can actually say I don't know who else I know that falls alseep in the dental chair. Anyhow, going along with that I don't think I can match up either my church or my job to my dental chair experience.

3. Kisses or hugs? I actually typed "huts," which might have been a more interesting question. Depends on who the giver is.

4. What do you think is the biggest threat to families today? Over the top busyness.

5. A day after you grocery shop, you open a perishable item that is horribly spoiled. Do you take your receipt back to the store to be reimbursed or just throw it away and forget about it? Back it goes, for sure! With a defined budget and not only my family of four (at home) to feed but up to six dayhome kids a day, I cannot afford to pay for something I can't use. But depending on the store and how badly I need the item, I might wait until the next time I'm going there.

6. What personality trait (feel free to address good or bad or both) do you notice yourself adopting from your parents? Oy, Lidna! Must I confess? Let's see? Should I do the good or bad first? Ok, I'll get the bad over with and I'm only going to do one. From both my parents, I get the worrying about what other people think syndrome. This showed up in varying degrees and aspects as I was growing up and I fight it today in myself. On the good, they gave me a strong sense of taking care of your family and putting them first, and of having a good work ethic, of always doing your best.

7. How many slices of bread do you leave in the bottom of the bag when you throw it away? Two? Three? Just the heel? None? (I really want to know if you eat the heel.) See, now here I overly complicate things, too. It depends on the bread. The general everyday loaf of bread? The heel gets thrown out, although hubby will sometimes eat it. An artisan type bread? The whole thing gets eaten. So there, typical complicated me, even in my bread.

8. What mispronunciation or usage error really irritates you? Not using paragraphs or not double spacing between paragraphs. Makes me crazy. Also, not using commas. Yeah, I have nonuse of comma issues, too.

9. In honor of the uniqueness of today's date, what does the numeral 9 mean to you? (Any special life moments attached to the 9th? Are you the 9th kid in your family? Can you count by 9s really fast? etc.) Uhm, it's one number away from my favorite number? In other words, ablsolutely nothin'.

10. Does the general color palette in your closet match the colors you chose to decorate your home with? Okay I totally misread this question the first time around. LOL. Here is my new, improved answer. No my color palette in my closet totally does not match the colors I decorate with. I love living in earth tones of stone, java, sage greens and nutmegs and rusts, all neutrals, with the odd punch of contrasting colors. I like most colors to wear except beiges and neutrals. I love wearing reds, purples, greens and corals. The only place I have neutrals in clothing is in pants or shorts. Go figure. I told you I was complicated.

11. When you're hanging out with friends in the kitchen, do you automatically ask to help, or do you sit there and chat until the host asks if you'd like to help? I'm not implying that the 2nd choice stems from rudeness or laziness, just not a first-response like it is for some people. I always ask if they need help. If they say no, sometimes I'll reoffer as time passes, sometimes not.

12. Let's end on a pleasant note: What do you enjoy about September the most? Plum balls. Yup. Plum balls. Or in Hungarian: Silvas Gomboc. A delicious, delectable mouthwatering potato dumpling with a prune plum dripping a sweet cinnamony sauce hidden inside sprinkled with toasted bread crumbs and icing sugar. My mouth waters as I type. And guess what we're having for supper tonight! Yummy! I know, it really should be a dessert but we have it for supper.

**Note: I took the recipe down for the plum balls because the one I originally had I lost and this one was not the same. The dumpling turned out quite tough in fact. So my dear Mom is going to make them and translate and measure everything out for me and then I'll repost the recipe.

Fall is A'Comin'

Last Friday there was only a couple of kids so off to the neighborhood lake we went. As we got there I was really glad I made everyone bring their jackets. Can we say "Brrr"? It was cool with a real good wind blowing. Welcome September and fall. I don't know if you can tell by these pictures but the grey hue is not photoshopped in, if that gives you an idea of the chill of the day.


Even these guys were having nothing to do with getting in the water choosing instead to grab as much warmth as they could from the meager rays of the sun.

"I ain't dipping my toes into that frigidness, Bub. If you want to know how cold it is, you dip your own toes."

Huddling together in greyness.

But even in all the greyness & coldness of the day, if we but open our eyes, God still lets beauty and color shine through.

Did you find some of God's beauty and color in your weekend?

I've seen others doing it. I've always wanted to. But never had the guts. I figured I'd never be able to be creative enough. But no more. I'm jumping in. I'm joining Photo Hunters. Hopefully, I'll be able to do the theme each week! It's going to challenging but I think it will be lots of fun! So here is my very first go at it with the theme of "Orange":

Photo Hunters - Orange

Friday's Fave Five #52 Partay Time!

It's a Party! Welcome to week #52 of Friday's Fave Five (details here if you're new). Grab a punch or coffee and your favorite snack and let's celebrate. I'm not quite sure why if I started on August 1st of 2008 the 52nd week lands on September 4 but I'm too tired to go digging through the archives to figure it out and besides who am I to turn down a bloggy party. I have been so blessed each week that you have all joined me for this. Even if I'm having a so-so or even a horrible week, searching for those things within it that have been a blessing or made me smile has been a wonderful exercise for me and helps me to be thankful in all things. It has also made me look for the blessings in the midst of the week that I take for granted or might otherwise miss. And having you all join me has been the icing on the cake. By the time I read all the things that have been a favorite for all of you over the week, I am grateful and happy.

Now I was going to have you all look back over the year and find your five favorite things from the year but I thought that would be too daunting a task. How could one ever narrow a year down into 5 favorites. So we'll just stick with the usual 5 favorite things from the week, but we'll have a giveaway. A basket of 5 of my favorite things: a book, a candle, a starbucks, stationary and my favorite chocolate. So if you do a post this week and sign Mr. Linky then your name will go in the hat! Good luck! Now let's party.

1. Grapes. I love, love, love grapes. And this past week I had a inordinately juicy, sweet, tasty batch. Icey cold from the fridge they are so refreshing on a hot day. And something I am finding out in my reading is that grapes can help lower blood pressure (which I need) and grapes have high levels of anitoxident phytochemicals which may help reduce heart disease risk. Mmm, mmm. Yummy and good for me, can't beat that.

2. Flashpoint. I look forward to this show each week. It is a Canadian police drama written by Canadians and filmed in Toronto, but don't let that make you hesitate to watch it. It's about a Strategic Response Unit team. It is not your typical police show, in my opinion, and it really has stories that tug at the heart. It shows this highly trained group of individuals as humans with hearts not just tough automaton cops. The stories are awesome and well written. I think I've cried in most of them, they have such a human element to them. The one about high school bullying I couldn't get out of my head for days, same with the one about a young couple who kidnaps back their baby from the adoptive parents, or the one about a young woman who has a brain disease which is quickly killing her and because of the progression people assume she is on drugs. It's been nominated for 19 Gemini Awards. I can hardly wait for the next season. I think you can catch back episodes at CBS or CTV.

3. Facing Your Giants by Max Lucado. This was a book I had encouraged my church library to get in and then it sat there for months (and I mean months). I'd look at it sitting there and feel guilty for not taking it out and then one Sunday I just felt strongly that now was the time to read it. And thank God, this time I listened to what God was saying to my heart. It was exactly what I needed for right now. I love the way Max Lucado writes. So inspirational and he breaks down details of the bible and stories of biblical characters in ways that one can apply it to their own lives.

4. Potluck with my ladies bible study group. Not only yummy food but great company too. Our studies are good but it's nice to just get together for fun, too.

5. My dog and cat. A couple of simple pleasures in my life. When they sit beside me and just bask in me petting them, it is also a stress reliever for me. And the goofy things they do just make me laugh. I swear my Samson thinks he's a four legged human.

Look at those faces. How can one resist loving on them?

What were your favorites for the week. Don't forget if you do a post and sign on the Mr. Linky you'll be entered in our 52nd week celebration.

A Random Dozen

Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee is hosting a Random Dozen Meme. I'm always a willing participant in a good meme.

1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration? Phone calls from one member of the immediate family or another wondering what is taking me so long.

2. What is something that people are currently "into" that you just don't get or appreciate? Face piercings and mega tatoos, guy liner and guy polish. LOL. I'm an old fashioned kind of gal when it comes to that.

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel "ho-hum" about? Being the first person to crack open a brand new book and smelling the new book smell.

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car? Don't sing in the shower at all. In the car? Any praise and worship song that I've got in the cd player.

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient: It's hard to pick just one because I love any and all salad ingrediants but if I have to I'll say cheese.

6. Advice in a nutshell to new bloggers (one or two sentences): Always remember that whatever you publish will be in the webosphere forever even if you delete the post or the blog.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you? I don't know. I'll have to make a point of asking my mom the next time I see her.

8. What in your life are you waiting for? To be able to work only part time in a job rather than working a full time job and running a home.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from? A book to review from one of companies that gets me to post on the books. (Ok. So I took this question really literally while everyone else took it in a fun direction. I am so boring! LOL.)

10. Today--what song represents you? I don't know. Is there a song out there about raging hormones and roller coaster emotions?

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself? That I was lonlier working at home than I ever knew.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you're wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you're feeling today? Wow. LOL. These are getting hard Miss Lid! Let's see I'm wearing knee length shorts and red tank. What does it say about me? It says I work at home therefore the casual dress but knee length because I still see parents in the day. It says it hot out and I hate being hot. It says I was down to a choice of 2 tanks in my drawer and the red one won because it's more everyday and suited to working with small children than the other one that was in there. And I like red.

Thanks for the meme Linda!