Friday's Fave Five - October 30, 2009

It's once again Friday and time to participate in Susanne's delightful meme at Living to Tell the Story. I love this meme and the group that posts at FFF. They are a witty and caring bunch!

1. Last week I shared how I bought some new dishes for fall, but missed my opportunity to buy goblets to match them. Well, I found glasses that match with the dishes pretty well, so decided to get them, too. They weren't my first choice, but sometimes you just have to go with the flow. So, here is a picture of my new plates and glasses along with my famous pumpkin placemats!



2. Here's a picture of the scenery outside the door where I work. I love when the leaves turn colors!

3. Last week's Ladies Retreat went so well. We had an amazing speaker who was very humorous. I always think you get your point across better with humor. More importantly, the presence of the Lord was felt strongly.

4. Food for thought:

"The life we live on earth is merely practice for heaven. So why is it so difficult at times to maintain our spiritual growth and press on toward our goal? We get distracted by the world, we get lazy in our effort, and we live in a culture that demands immediate gratification rather than appreciating long-term goals" … from David Jeremiah, Turning Point Devotionals

5. Home made Amish butter mints - I bought some this past summer when we visited Amish country. Sad to say, my stash is almost depleted. But I can order from them and they will ship to me those little morsels of buttery perfection.

So, how was your week? Join the gang at Susanne's Living to Tell the Story and share your favorites.

Random Dozen #9

1. Tell me something about your favorite teacher.

My favorite teacher from my elementary days was a little German lady named Miss Siebert. I had her for both 3rd and 4th grade. She always made me feel like I could accomplish anything that needed to be done. But the thing I remember most about her was that she would not put up with any whining. I struggled with having eczema on my hands, and the kids would make fun of me. I went whining to her about it one day. She turned red and grabbed me by the shoulders and shook me and said that she was tired of me feeling sorry for myself! And so I learned that people do not want to hear your problems. (Imagine in today's world if Miss Siebert shook a student!)

2. Tell me about one pivotal moment in your life.

You mean besides the one above? Actually, I think there are many pivotal points in a person's life. Every decision you make changes the path you're on. For example, when I lived at home, my parents were frequently coming up to So. Illinois (we lived in Florida) to visit relatives. Once I was old enough to have a job, I usually stayed home while they traveled. But in 1975, for some reason, I decided to go with them. While visiting my granny, I met my future hubby, and the rest is history.

3. About favorite colors--a lot of people will ask you what it is, but I want to know why it is. What feeling or memory does it evoke?

For many years, my favorite color was blue. I wanted everything blue. I think maybe because blue is calming and serene, just like me ... Lately, I've decided that burgundy is my new fave. I think it looks warm and rich.

4. What's a sure sign that you're getting older?

My love for sleep is increasing.

5. Please don't sermonize, but Halloween--is it a yes or no for you?

No Halloween, no way, shape or form. (Too bad I can't sermonize, this is a topic I am passionate about!)

6. What's your favorite musical?

(I can't believe Linda is asking this question!) My all time favorite musical would be "Sound of Music." My second favorite is Rodgers and Hammerstein's "Cinderella" starring Leslie Ann Downes.

7. Are you more of a city mouse or country mouse?

First of all, when it comes to mice ... EWWWW! I would like to be a city mouse because there are fewer mice to get into my house! Right now, I'm a country mouse surrounded by fields, where field mice like to play and then try to get into people's houses.

Seriously, it's always been a dream of mine to live in the city where I can get pizza delivered to my door, where Wal-Mart is less than 5 minutes away and where libraries are just around the corner ...

8. Did you know that it is possible, for a small fee, to name a real star after someone? (It's true! Google it!) If someone were to name a star for you, would you appreciate it for its whimsy and romance, or would you say, "Are you kidding me? For $19.95 we could have gone to the movie and actually bought popcorn." This question comes from Paula at His Ways Are Not Our Ways.

Well, yeah! I'd love to have a star named after me! My love language is words of affirmation; I'm pretty sure having a star named after you would feel like a good word.

9. What's the craziest thing you've ever been doing and texted during it? I only thought of this b/c I was about to try to text during my walking video but I didn't. Paula, you do know that this blog is rated G, right?

Texting while at a stoplight. It is a known fact that if you want a long stoplight to do something, it will immediately turn green. It's like "Jerri's Law" or something.

10. "It's not a party unless _______."

It's not a party unless we play Apples to Apples! I've taken this game to every party I'm ever invited to since I first discovered it. Also, it is required for a party to have some form of chocolate served.

11. When you're stuck in traffic or a waiting room, what do you do to pass the time? PS: There are no magazines available.

Play TextTwist Turbo on my cell phone, or make notes in my planner. Once I've done that for awhile, if I still have to wait, I imagine a dream home and decorate it in my mind.

12. If you weren't yourself, would you be friends with you?

Well, I'm kind of shy, so I don't know if I'd approach me to introduce myself or not. (This concept cracks me up.) But once I got to know me, I believe we'd be best friends! *grin

If you'd like to read other random answers, visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

What's On Your Mind '09 - Pathway to Someday

On the last Tuesday of the month, Shane, our What's On Your Mind, '09, hostess asks us to take a picture and write about it. I've probably written about this picture before but I love it and it speaks to my imagination so well!

I took this photo a couple years ago when we were at Pine Hills in the Shawnee National Forest in Illinois. I've always liked it because to me it looks like a road going through a tunnel of trees. If you follow the road through the tunnel, it curves just outside and opens up into two meadows, one on either side of the road. It's dark with patches of sun shining throught the leaves going through the tunnel, but once you hit the meadowlands, it's bright and open.

To me, this is an illustration of the pathway I'm traveling to eternal life. I'm in the tunnel now. I can't really see what is up ahead. It's dark where I am, but I do have those patches of sunlight. Those patches, spiritually speaking, represent illumination when God reveals something to me. I need to pray for more and more illumination so the way doesn't seem so dark, or so puzzling to me. Jesus said that He was light for my path. He is traveling with me. As long as I keep my eyes on Him, I can follow Him out of that tunnel. When I look back at where I've been, I lose sight of Him and stumble.

Someday, I'll break through that tunnel. When I do, it will be so unimaginable! God's word says that what He has prepared for us is beyond what we can dream. I've always been a big dreamer, so this excites me very much. I know one thing, Heaven will be filled with light, because He is the light. Wherever He dwells will be pure radiance.

Someday, I'll look back at that time in the tunnel as nothing, because my time toiling on the pathway to heaven is like a blip in the radar screen of eternity. It's going to be worth the journey, no matter how long it takes to get there.

Someday, I'll experience these words:

“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9

Would you like to share a picture and tell its story? Join us at Heart Reflections!

The Simple Woman's Daybook - October 26, 2009

FOR TODAY...October 26th from Jerri's Daybook

Outside my window... still dark and 46°. I'm not looking forward to Daylight Savings Time ending.

I am thinking... about how wonderful our ladies' retreat was this weekend. The presence of the Lord was so strong!

I am thankful for... the blessings of family, home, church and my jobs. I'm surrounded by those who love me!

I am wearing... brown dress pants, lime green cami, brown, lime green, yellow and white tunic. I see that I'm in a rut - I'm sure I've posted this outfit many times ...

I am remembering... the words to this old chorus:

I'll say yes, Lord, yes

to Your will and to Your way.

I'll say yes, Lord, yes

I will trust You and obey.

When the Spirit speaks to me,

with my whole heart I'll agree

and my answer will be

yes, Lord yes.

I am going... to our Harvest Festival at church Friday night. There will be chili, roasted hotdogs, and singing around the bonfire. I hear there's going to be chocolate, too ...

I am reading... I just finished Deborah Raney's "Yesterday's Embers." I'm going to have to find something new to read.

I am hoping... to get a lot accomplished this week. (I always say this!)

On my mind... a bunch of filing that needs to be done ...

Noticing that... I feel so much more productive when my desk is clear of clutter!

Pondering these words... "You can't have victory by osmosis." Joyce Meyer

From the kitchen... homemade pizza tonight, oven fried chicken tenders tomorrow. Also, I want to make an apple pie with some apples that are past their prime.

Around the house... I'm getting all my candles ready to be used in these fall and winter evenings. I love the glow of candlelight.

One of my favorite things~ Sunday afternoon naps.

From my picture journal..

This a picture taken years ago of my sister and me. Dig those huge glasses I'm wearing!

To read other daybooks, visit Peggy at The Simple Woman's Daybook.

Friday's Fave Five - October 23, 2009

It's time to reflect on my week and find 5 favorites. Some weeks are easier to find the favorites than others, but they're always there - you just have to look for them!

1. I may have mentioned on my blog before my excessive love of dishes. This week I added a few more to my collection. Kroger was carrying some great fall dishes. I debated for a few weeks then decided to buy the burnt orange plates and the fall goblets. Well, remember the quotation, "He who hesitates is lost"? The goblets were gone when I went back, but the plates were still there. I have some fall placemats with pumpkins on them. The plates look awesome with them. (Sorry, I didn't get a photo of them yet.)

2. My friend, Marti, is a multi-talented woman. She is our church librarian, a quilter, a great cook, and a gardener extraordinaire. She shared the fruits of her labor with me and brought me a jar of some awesome-tasting apple butter. Apple butter holds fond memories for me, because while we were dating, my hubby and I shared many an apple butter sandwich sitting at my granny's table after a date. (I lived with my granny.)

3. Double-stuff oreos. Need I say more?

4. I'm reading a new-to-me author, Deborah Raney. I just finished "Remember to Forget" and "Leaving November." I enjoyed them very much.

5. Favorite quote of the week:

"Anything made with love, bam! ~ it's a beautiful meal." Emeril Lagasse

May all your meals be served with love!

If you'd like to read other favorites, visit Susanne at Living to Tell the Story.

Random Dozen #8

1. Candy corn: Your thoughts? I love candy corn! I like to mix candy corn with peanuts, then it tastes like a Payday candy bar, but much easier to chew!

2. Briefly, what was the first conversation you ever had with your spouse? (or best friend, if you're not married.) (Or someone significant, like your librarian.) Hmmm... after 33 years I can't remember the exact words, but the first thing I remember my hubby asking me the day we met was if I had plans that afternoon.

3. Could you ever become a vegetarian? I could, but I wouldn't want to!

4. Have you ever dressed up your pet in a costume? No, it would be hard to dress a parakeet in a costume.

5. Name something about childhood that you miss (like Clark Bars, Teaberry Gum, Malibu Barbie, cracking fake eggs on people's heads with your fist and "It's the Great Pumpkin" airing only once a year). Ooh, I did like Teaberry Gum! And Barbies with lots of clothes to dress her with. And books like the Bobbsey Twins (seriously - I did read them) and Bambi and The Wind in the Willows. Later on, I read all the Nancy Drew mysteries. I also miss The Wonderful World of Disney on Sunday nights. I also liked all the variety shows they used to have on TV. It exposed me to all kinds of different talent. Now you never see things like that, except for maybe America's Got Talent ... And playing jacks and jumping rope. You never see kids do that anymore either.

6. Have you ever won a trophy? If not, what do you deserve a trophy for? I once won a trophy for placing 2nd in a Florida state FBLA clerical competition. I was proud of it for a long time, but years later it became a dust catcher and I sold it at a yard sale. Now, I'm wondering, why would anybody buy a used trophy?

7. When do you think is the appropriate time to begin playing Christmas music each year? December 1st.

8. What's your favorite board game? Definitely Scrabble. I love word games. Scrabble means good memories for me because my granny loved me to play Scrabble with her. We did it for many years.

9. How do you feel about surprises (receiving, not giving)? A few times I have been surprised with gifts, I like that, but generally I do not like surprises, nor am I gifted in giving people surprises.

10. Is it easy for you to say, "I'm sorry?" Yes, it is. I'm not perfect, never claimed to be perfect, so why not just admit it when I goof up?

11. What is your favorite candle scent?

I have several, I like black cherry, mocha, sugar cookies, french vanilla. I also like cinnamon, but sometimes it is paired with apple in an overpowering way.

12. October is traditionally "open house" time in public schools. If you had a literal open house in your home (like a reception) what light snacks would you serve visitors and what would you show them (as in art projects, graded papers) that would uniquely represent you? What an interesting question (how do you come up with these questions, Lid?) Let's see, my all time favorite snack to serve people is Taco Dip. I've served it so many years that I'm getting tired of it, but if I were having an open house, I'd go for easy, so yeah, it would be taco dip. As for what I would show them at my house that represents me, that is a toughie. I would say my scrapbooks, only I haven't gotten too far on them. I could say all my dishes, candlesticks, etc., because I believe that setting a nice table to have family meals are important. I could say all my books because I will always be known as a reader.

Maybe I will have to make some kind of display that uniquely represents me ... This will take a lot of thought! More than I have time for today ...

If you'd like to see other random answers, visit Linda at 2nd Cup of Coffee.

What's On Your Mind '09 - Prayer - Just Like A Clock

Today's challenge from Shane at Heart Reflections:

Daniel 6:10: “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Do you take God seriously? Do you cry out to God for everything? Read through Daniel’s story. What moved you? How can it change your own prayer life?

I have always loved the story of Daniel. What a guy! What a testimony!

If you read the whole chapter, you'll see that the administration searched and searched but could find nothing to accuse Daniel. Nothing except he prayed too much!

If people searched my life today, could the only thing they'd take exception with be my prayer life?

I personally think that Daniel prayed all the time, just as I do. I keep a running conversation with the Lord all day long. However, Daniel also made a point of praying intentionally. He prayed formally three times a day with the windows open toward Jerusalem. I wonder if he did it in that manner so as to be a testimony for those around him?

Another thing I noticed, the bible said he prayed giving thanks. Three times a day, every day, just like a clock, Daniel made a point to find something to be thankful and gave God praise.

Well, you know the story. Daniel went through the trial of being put in a lion's den with very hungry lions. Yet, God, stopped the mouths of the lions and kept Daniel safe.

Would the story have turned out differently if Daniel had not been a man of prayer? A man of thanksgiving?

The bible says that satan is like a hungry lion seeking whom he may devour. We need to take seriously being in close communication with God. It should be an utmost priority.

Let me be intentional about giving my Lord praise, intentional about asking him for help just like Daniel did. Daniel 6:11 says that Daniel was found praying and asking God for help.

I'd like to be found praying and asking God for help the next time a trial comes my way!