Saturday, December 30, 2017

Saturday 9

I found this meme over at Your Friend from Florida, she says:
Saturday 9: It's Just Another New Year's Eve (1977)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

Welcome to the last Saturday 9 of 2017! Thanks for a great year, everyone.
my answers are in red. 

1) In this song, Barry Manilow declares New Year's Eve is "just another night." How do you feel about 12/31? Is it a special occasion or just another night?
Since it marks the end of another year, it isn't just another night...I think it should be a time to reflect on how you used your year and if you reached any of the goals you set yourself...I think as a couple, we can reflect on our year together and talk about the highlights and lessons learned...As for celebrating, we'll toast the new year with Mimosas while we spend another night at home together...Had hoped to have our hot tub and maybe enjoy a relaxing time in it but alas it still has not arrived.
2) Barry sings that in the past year, "we've made mistakes." What in 2017 do you wish you could do over?
There is nothing glaringly obvious to me.

3) He also sings of happy nights with friends. Tell us about a really good time you had in the past year.
Each year in March, a group of women friends go on retreat...some are quilters and we usually bring a project of some kind to work on...there's usually a jigsaw puzzle out and anyone can stop by during retreat to work on it...Each night after dinner and a short walk for some, we gather in a circle and play games like "I never ever". These evenings with friends filled with laughter, and friendly banter mean so much.

4) The song references growing wiser, as well as older. What's something you learned or discovered in 2017?
With the Internet, I am constantly looking up and learning things...this is especially true when reading a book as I can look up words, customs, and places to learn more than just the story...for instance, I am reading Harm None by Will North..the story takes place in Penzance..I looked it us and now know that the towns mentioned in the story are on Cornwall's coast...I've also learned about customs and some history of the area...I read some where that learning new things is good for the brain as we get older and so I'm constantly learning.

5)  What do you wish you had spent more time doing during 2017?

walking...first I was recovering from shoulder surgery and then I had diverticulitis and by then it was too hot to walk outside...I did do some walking on my treadmill but not enough....then we had some nice Fall days and I walked every day for 1 week before I got this Bronchitis so now it is very cold out and I've not been moving enough...My best friend walks every morning at 6:30 am, rain, shine, cold or hot...I wish I was more motivated to do that....I am too sedentary.

6)  What was the smartest thing you did all this past year?
Get my hair cut short...I had always worn it about shoulder length and in April had it cut fairly short...although I do not especially like the look, I love the convenience and if I am immobilized again like with my shoulder surgery, it will be much easier for someone else to shampoo for me...namely Honey Bear.

7)  As this year comes to a close, what are you most grateful for?

My loving husband.

8) When this week's featured artist, Barry Manilow, was a jingle writer, he wrote the famous "You deserve a break today at McDonald's" song. When is the last time you visited the Golden Arches?

I'm sure its been over a year unless you count stopping to use their facilities.

9) Random question: In high school, were you more popular with the boys or the girls?
I think I'd have to say the boys...although I did have a few very close female friendships.

Let me add that on my post writing page all of this post is the same size font but when I published it, that changed.


Wednesday, December 27, 2017

After Christmas

I'm thankful for the blessings of the season...that we didn't have to travel far to enjoy being with part of our family....I've been trying to arrange a lunch with my siblings and any nieces and nephews who want to join us on January 7st....I'll travel about half way to where they all live and they will meet me there.

Yesterday, I had to try and put away the Christmas gifts and other paraphernalia left from our Christmas celebration the night before and kind of put my house in order...then try and program the fit bit and dot my daughter gave me...Granddaughter gave me the new Tim and Faith album and I tried to upload it to my devices so I could listen to it on my kindle music...so far I've only got one song.

I'm sitting here with a cup of tea listening to Kenny G on my new Echo Dot.
I had an appointment this morning with my hairdresser which she had changed without telling me....I badly need a haircut but will have to wait until tomorrow...I had a manicure instead then went by Sprouts for some of their Honey Fruit Chicken salad which I love and a rotisserie chicken to serve for dinner then use leftovers in Chicken Dumplings tomorrow....

Outside my window it is around 32 degrees and cloudy...the sun has come out a couple of times but didn't survive long...Winter is here in North Alabama....but wee have green pines and cedars, some green grass and bushes so all is not grey..lots of birds coming to the feeders....
I'm looking forward to the hot tub arriving tomorrow and getting to use it on New Years Eve if not before...
Meanwhile I am still battling Bronchitis, using my nebulizer and my inhalers...hoping I won't have to go back to the doctor...
and a couple of winter photos from my picture album.



Sunday, December 24, 2017

Christmas Eve!!!

A Poinsettia given to me by a friend
at Thanksgiving
 My old Nativity which I still love
 My dining room table

 Wil and friends on a bench under the tree...
 Fake gifts under the tree. Do you do that?
I never put the real presents out...I
bagged them up to take to Daughter's
as that is where we'll open them tomorrow.
 And some stitchery I've been working on
for Holly Cottage Christmas quilt...
Hope your Christmas Eve and Christmas Day are filled with family,
Fun and flavors....have a good one...
Mama Bear

Thursday, December 21, 2017

Three Months Later...




Just thought I'd pop in and let my readers know that I am still among the living...I don't have an excuse for not posting...just haven't but I've dropped by your blogs for visits. My baking is almost done, one present left to wrap and I've done all the decorating I was in the mood for....been battling Bronchitis for 3 weeks, doing my breathing treatments and just jingling along with my stitching etc.  This week in Alabama it has been warm, with rain, not very Christmas season feeling but nice enough tonight I think Honey Bear and I will stroll our neighborhood to see the lights.....Daughter and her gang are on a cruise but will return in time for Christmas....I hope to be back here very soon....
Merry Christmas to all of you.
Mama Bear

Friday, September 22, 2017

A Simple Woman's Day Book on Funny Friday



FOR TODAY
Friday, September 22, 2017
Outside my window...
the sun is shining,everything is green, I spy
a couple of Doves around the feeder...
I am thinking...
I should be in the studio working...
A Bible Verse I'm sharing....
      1There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven—
      2A time to give birth and a time to die;
            A time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.

      3A time to kill and a time to heal;
            A time to tear down and a time to build up.

      4A time to weep and a time to laugh;
            A time to mourn and a time to dance.
I am thankful...
for a day at home...been a busy week...
In the kitchen...
there'll be quiche and fruit salad for dinner...
beef  stew tomorrow night...
I am wearing...
blue and white pajamas
I am creating...
more applique pieces for 
Holly Cottage Christmas quilt
A Song that stays on my mind...

I am reading...
Nora Roberts:
Born in Shame
I am hoping...
for progress today
I am looking forward to...
our Fall trip
In his Garden....
sweet potatoes haven't been dug up, yet
still getting okra and pepper..
From my  Photo album

 Looking forward to some scenes I like this...

Happy Friday..
Wil here..
yes, still wearing my summer outfit..
and it is way too warm for a furry bear
can't wait until I can put on my
Fall Sweater
Mama's wanting to put the
scarecrow out on the porch with
some pumpkins
what's happening at your 
place today...
Wil

Wednesday, September 20, 2017

Fall In For the Hodge Podge




1. What's something you'd rate a 10/10? Tell us why.My marriage....we've been married 50 years and it just keeps getting better...

2. What job would you be terrible at? What makes you think so?Telephone Solicitation....I simply hate talking on the phone...so thankful for texts and voice mail

3. When did you last take a fall? What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?
a couple of weeks ago: I was squatting down to get Smokey's mouse from under a chair and when I started to stand up my feet started sliding and I teetered...ended up hitting my elbow on the floor and my head on the door facing..............What's something you're falling for (in a good way) these days?.Oh if only it wasn't food....
4. According to the Travel Channel here are some of America's best fall festivals-
 National Apple Harvest Festival (near Arendtsville PA, close to Gettysburg), Harvest on the Harbor (Portland Maine), German Village Festival (Columbus Ohio), Wellfleet Oyster Fest (Cape Cod), and Wine and Chile Fiesta (Santa Fe NM)
Have you ever been to any of the festivals listed? noWhich one appeals to you most? The apple festival and the wine and chili Does your hometown have any sort of fall celebration, and if so will you make it a point to attend? Yes, we have a street festival on the first Saturday in October.....my women's club sales pizza and drinks, coffee and doughnuts...it is our fund raiser and the proceeds go to charities of our choice....this year I cannot work because I'll be on a tour of New England....my hometown has a harvest festival and I like to try to go about every other year.

5. What is your goodbye message to summer? Hurry up and leave already...

6. Insert your own random thought here.We had some cooler days but today it was 91 and way too hot to go outside and sit on  the porch.

A big shout out to Joyce for continuing to come up with great Hodge Podge..

Sunday, September 17, 2017

SUNDAY STEALING


September 16, 2017

Never Have I Ever

Welcome back to Sunday Stealing which originated on  
WTIT: The Blog authored by Bud Weiser. Here we will steal all types of questions from every corner of the blogosphere. Our promise to you is that we will work hard to find the most interesting and intelligent questions. You may have heard the expression, “honor among thieves”. In that age-old tradition, we try to credit the blog that we stole it from, if possible. We also provide a link to the victim's questions in our "Previous Victims" widget. (It's our way of saying "Thanks!") Sometimes we edit the original meme, to make it more relevant to our global players, to challenge our players, to select the best questions, or simply to make it less repetitive from recently asked questions from a previously post. Cheers to all of us thieves!





I found this on Facebook and thought I'd take the usual Never Have I Ever format and make it into questions that are easier to understand!





1. Have you ever had chicken pox?yes
2. Have you ever shopped in Home Depot?yes
3. Have you ever spied on your neighbors?yes, doesn't everyone watch out their window
4. Have you ever ridden in a limo? no
5. Have you ever had a pet fish?I've had aquariums
6. Have you ever lied about your age?not really lied, daughter will say she's some younger age and I'll add the 21 years between us and say that makes me__
7. Have you ever fired a gun?yes
8. Have you ever been ice skating?no
9. Have you ever played golf?no
10. Have you ever hidden on Halloween because you had no candy for trick or treaters?In the last few years, we've had none so I don't turn on the porch light.
11. Have you ever made a prank call?Don't think so
12. Have you ever gotten a tattoo?no
13. Have you ever had a massage?oh,yes
14. Have you ever locked your keys in the car?yes
15. Have you ever ridden a horse?yes
16. Have you ever been to the circus?yes
17. Have you ever been to Europe?
no
18.
Have you ever built a fire?yes
19. Have you ever been skydiving?no
20. Have you ever bought something at a garage sale?yes
21. Have you ever walked in on someone having sex?no
22. Have you ever faked an injury to get out of something?no
23. Have you ever been to a nude beach?no

24. Have you ever received a speeding ticket?yes
25. Have you ever run a marathon? no
Credit to Bev for these questions.

Saturday, September 16, 2017

Saturday Scribles

Its been a good week, mostly....I began having some back pain and stiffness on Monday....which was a boomer as I wanted to
work in the studio on the Fall quilt....Daughter had gall bladder surgery on Thursday, and is doing well....
Friday Honey Bear and I took a road trip to Etheridge,
Tennessee to the Amish community near Lawerenceburg....We were
looking for some green peanuts, those that had just been picked off and hadn't dried yet, suitable for boiling....It was surely market day as we saw many a wagon load of pumpkins and gourds on the road being pulled by horses and numerous buggies also....school was in session and we saw the children outside for recess dressed in their black clothes and head coverings.....At the farm we stopped at, the woman of the house came out to serve us and two little girls followed to "see the english"....they were so precious and well behaved...no chatting or complaining but just stared...I said hi to them but they didn't respond.....Other things that made the day were the fields with fresh round bales of hay and the corn gathered into shocks....I didn't get any pictures but you can go here to see some by another blogger....We ate a lunch of peanut butter and crackers with fruit in the car as we drove and made a side track to Big Creek Winery where we sampled and were treated to a tour by the friendly owner....then back home to a dinner of tomato sandwiches and key lime pie......

Saturday, September 9, 2017

Saturday Scribles

I thought I would do a catch-up post since its been so long...
I have been working on the Holly Cottage quilt, here are some of the blocks:


I've also started a Fall Maple Leaf quilt which is all pieced, no hand work. All I had to go by is a picture from an advertisement but it has a lot of 2" strips and 2" squares so I've been busy cutting out...As soon as I have a block done, I'll share.
    I  recently had another episode of colitis such as put me in the hospital in April...this time I didn't wait until it was that bad before going to the doctor....after 2 bottles of antibiotics I'm all better.
    There are a couple of trips and conferences in the next few months so not sure how much stitching I'll be getting done.
     We've been having lovely Fall weather this month so I've been spending time outdoors. Oh, yeah, and its football season again. Go tigers!
Mama Bear

Friday, August 25, 2017

Wednesday Hodge Podge


1. Did you watch the solar eclipse? Your thoughts? Sun Chips, Moon Pies, Starburst candies, a Blue Moon beer, a Sunkist orange, or a Milky Way candy bar...what's your favorite eclipse related snack on this list? Yes we watched some on TV, they covered Franklin Kentucky where there was a total eclipse as well as local....We did the paper plate thing to see it outside.
None of the above snacks.

2. What are you 'over the moon' about these days? What's something you enjoy doing every 'once in a blue moon'? 8 days until football season.......
drinking a frappuccino from Starbucks

3. Tell us about something in the realm of science that interests you. How do you feed that interest?
not sure if this qualifies but I like to read about certain diseases and their symptoms....

4. What are a few things you remember about going back to school as a child?
New clothes and books....seeing friends......how hot it was (no AC)

5. I've seen several versions of this around the net so let's make one of our own...share with us five words that touch your soul and briefly tell us why. Fall (there is just something about the atmosphere and the colors, babies and very young children, whenever I see one I can't help but smile, music,especially when it brings a memory, tomato, that first on from the vine in the summer and I get to eat it on a BLT, none of them are quite the same after that. Red, the color just makes me feel good.

6.  Insert your own random thought here.The temperature this morning was 61, I walked outside with my first cup of coffee....Fall is in the air.
Thanks, Joyce, I don't know how you keep coming up with these questions but they always make one think.

Thursday, August 17, 2017

Wednesday Hodge Podge

Hodgepodge Questions-Volume 316

Here are the questions to this week's Wednesday Hodgepodge. Answer on your own blog, then hop back here tomorrow to share answers with all your friends and neighbors. Here we go-


1. Do you try to set rules for yourself about how you use your time? Explain.
I'm afraid that I don't....I usually have specific tasks to do on certain days but that can completely change depending on the mood I'm in after coffee.

2. Monday was National Lighthouse Day. Have you ever visited a lighthouse? If not, do you have any desire to see one up close? Of the 10 Most Beautiful that made this list which would you most like to see in person- We visited one on Saint Simon Island on a tour but I've only been to that one.....there's one on our New England tour in October. Cape Neddick Light in Maine billed as the most photo graphed.
Lindau Lighthouse (Germany), Fanad Lighthouse (Ireland), Portland Head Light (Maine), Yaquina Bay Light (Oregon) The St. Augustine Light (Florida), Peggys Point Lighthouse (Canada), Start Point Lighthouse (England), Tower of Hercules (Spain), Bass Harbor Head Station (Maine), and White Shoal Light (Michigan)

When you've been away, what's your 'lighthouse' telling you you're on the right road home?

3. What have you unintentionally stopped doing? Is this something you need to pick back up and begin again, or is it something you need to let go of for now (or even permanently)?
We've very nearly stopped watching TV...but will be again for Football season.....We both watch videos online via Utube, Netflix, Acorn and Amazon....my sister visited with me this summer and she watched reruns of Ramon....I counted 15 different products advertised during a break...I couldn't stand it. I know there's devices to record and block out those but I don't have one.

4. We've had a full week of August. Share a GRAND moment from your month so far.
 Honey Bear and I started the process of estate planning today with a lawyer...better late than never....that was a biggie.

5. Tell us one song you love with the word 'baby' in the title.


6.  Insert your own random thought here.This Hodge Podge is from last week but I decided to do it today.
I guess I took July off from blogging.

Friday, June 23, 2017

Funny Friday

Happy Friday 
Wil here...
There's a Dinosaur exhibit
at our Botanical Garden...
These huge beasts were animated
and vocal...I wish I could
have filmed it for you...







 But oh my, it is hot out there...
I was afraid they would eat me...
but the little signs told
what vegetation they like...
no meat eaters so I
was safe...
Have a blessed weekend...
Wil

Monday, June 19, 2017

A Simple Woman's Daybook








FOR TODAY
Monday, June 19, 2017

Outside my window...
We had a nice rain this morning
before I got out of bed which
cooled things off and it is only
76 degrees now at 12:45 and
cloudy
I am thinking...
about this post
A Bible Verse I'm sharing....
"I will lift up my eyes unto the
hills, from whence cometh my help"
Psalm 121:1
I am thankful...
for the rain which we needed..
for the one who watches over me...
In the kitchen...
I cooked chicken tenders,
Mac and Cheese, slaw and
fried Squash for lunch....
I am wearing...
a pink and orange top with
fushia capris
I am creating...
In the last week, I've been getting started on the
Holly Cottage Christmas  quilt that I'm doing
with the gals at SAL, Michelle Ridgeway
is the designer.
I finished the first block this morning..
 As reported earlier, I am quilting on
the Trip around the World quilt...
I only do a little at a time as my
back begins to hurt after about 15 minutes...
I've sew all the way across the middle
twice and then filled in one corner...
I am reading...
Product Details
In his Garden....
still overwhelmed with squash...

Okay, gotta go....



Wednesday, June 14, 2017

A Grand Old Hodge Podge



1. The Hodgepodge lands on June 14th this week, Flag Day in the US of A. Do you fly your country's flag at home? I had actually forgotten that it was flag day so out I went to put my flags up so thanks for the reminder. I usually put flags and bunting out before Memorial Day and leave them until after July 4th. Sometimes, often, or every single day? Have you ever visited the city of Brotherly Love (Philadelphia)? Yes I have been there twice but only briefly.Did you make a point of seeing The Betsy Ross House? Have you ever made a trip to Baltimore? I have been to Baltimore a few times. If so, was Fort McHenry on your itinerary? (where Francis Scott Key was inspired to write The Star Spangled Banner)

2. Red flag or white flag? Which have you encountered most recently? Explain. Don't they put up red flags at the beach when its a bad time to go in the water? White flag of surrender? Yes, because I have to realize my limitations in some areas as I get older.

3. Are you a stay in the car listen to the end of a song kind of person? What kind of person is that? Yes. I grew up with music. Mother played the radio throughout my childhood and I learned the words to popular songs and hymns. I have done the same so music was the background of my children's lives. I love to sing and I don't understand people who don't. We have always sung along to the radio or CDs.

4. What are some of the traits or qualities you think a good dad possesses? In other words, what makes a good dad? Patience, a good listener, someone who actually enjoys spending time with children.What's an expression you associate with your father? My Daddy was gentle and loving and very protective of his girls.

5. What's one rule you always disagreed with while growing up? Is that rule somehow still part of your adult life? Is that a good or bad thing? There was no cursing in my house and it is hard for me to be around someone who does or to have to listen to it on TV or the movies. It isn't something I ever disagreed with....My Daddy worked nights a lot when he wasn't off driving an 18 wheeler. He never wanted me to be involved in sporting activities or band since he couldn't be there for it. That was a disappointment.

6. Insert your own random thought here.
Its been over a week since I posted. I have continued to go through some of our things and didn't really have time to post. Last week I had three meetings where I had to take minutes so my computer time was taken up with that. I finally got my " Trip around the world" quilt out and have begun to quilt it. Also, I joined up with the Australia group again to do a quilt and we have certain blocks to do each month. I have gotten June's block prepped but haven't actually started on it. It has applique and embroidery plus patchwork. That is what I've been up to since I posted last.

Please visit Joyce for more Hodge Podge. 

Friday, June 2, 2017

Funny Friday

Good Friday Morning to you
Wil here
What a difference a week
makes...
I was complaining
about the cold..
and now it is in the
80s and the AC feels good..
There are Rabbits living under
the garden shed..
They come out to play
sometimes and to eat...
they eat the weirdest things..
grass and leaves and
even want to get into the
strawberry bed...
They're good at camouflage too..
and often can be seen under
the butterfly bush or
the Elderberry bushes if one
looks very closely for a
little while until one
sees an ear twitch...
Have a beary good weekend.
Wil

Thursday, June 1, 2017

Thursday Thoughts

So...this past Sunday, after
church and lunch out at Ruby's,
Honey Bear and I went to Wally 
World to see if we could find some
food for the Birds...we get so much
pleasure from watching them at the feeders
and in the yard, bringing their little
ones even as I write this...we
also enjoy watching the Robins as
they cock their heads to listen to the
bugs and worms unseen and then find
them and eat them...
anyway,as I was saying...
we ended at the cash register..
paying for about 40 bucks of bird food
when I spotted this little 
Peace Lily sitting there, dying..
yes, she was bone dry, and root bound
and begging for rescue...so I pop
her on the conveyor belt..
 only $5 ...her leaves were drooping
on top of each other but she was so
brave, because she had two
blooms ready to open..
At home, I set her in a saucer and
filled the bottom with water, and
filled it with water and filled it
with water until she was full.
She rewarded me shortly with
her leaves back up and perky
then Monday morning she
opened one of her blooms
as a thank you for her rescue.
I have, since, planted her in a
bigger pot so she will have
room to grow...
Before moving back to Alabama from Tennessee
in 2009-09, I had several large Peace Lilies but I 
gave them to my neighbor...here in this house it is
hard to have house plants as we have so much shade and there's not much room in the windows where we have light available...but I put her in the kitchen and 
she seems to like it there.