Just Three Things

I've mentioned before that I am sometimes a procrastinator. I don't know why I drag my feet and fill my mind with angst. As I stated in a previous post, sometimes that dreaded task turns out to be simple and moves along fast once it is tackled. This has been a week that reminded me of that as I checked off a few items on my To-Do List.

What I'm Working On

I've finished up The Great Freezer Cleanout and now I am faced with freezer scrubbing duties. When I started the cleanout, I just spent a little time on the morning of our regular garbage pickup and gathered up all of the home-frozen bags and sealed packages and hauled them to the trash barrel for the garbage truck to take away. Then, Mike gave me the nudge to take out all the outdated packages of sausage and meat. So, the next week on garbage pickup morning, I began that sort. Three consecutive weeks of me sort of standing on my head to sort through the sealed packages and zip bags and tossing them into the garbage, and the freezer is really empty. All those dried up bits and sticky bags of mush have been hauled away with the garbage. I have plans to give the the inside and the outside a good scrub down with a spray cleanser and scrubbing cloth. For some reason, cleaning really does make a person feel refreshed in a way and provides incentive to tackle the next little project. 

What I'm Loving

I've spent some quality time in our kitchen lately. While I was clean out mode, I cleared out all the mysteries in the fridge in our kitchen and the fridge in the basement. I washed all the shelves and drawers and the edges and seals as well. I guess I'm now geared up to scrub down the aforementioned freezers.

I also did a little painting. When we updated the kitchen last year, I cleared off the island because I knew the cabinet and appliance installers would want to move it out of the way. I never put my cookbooks and sundries back on the bookshelves because I told myself they needed a good coat of paint and the entire island would look better with touchups as well. So, procrastinator that I am, I had been putting that off and dreading it. Then, when I tackled that project this week, I surprised myself at how quickly the job was done. I'm letting the paint cure and was surprised when the paint store recommended waiting weeks to a month for letting the latex paint cure. Maybe that is why the shelves had gotten dinged up; I'm sure I didn't wait that long before! At any rate, I catch myself smiling and admiring the freshly painted shelves and how clean and nicely they look.

Kitchen Island painted in Hale Navy by Benjamin Moore

I've done some recipe testing in the kitchen as well. One night when we were thinking of ordering take out from a local restaurant, Mike mentioned that he wished the special was chicken and dressing. Now, I have made old-fashioned dressing for Thanksgiving, but I have never made chicken and dressing for a regular old meal. So, while I was taking a breather from some of my cleaning, I searched for good recipes. Then, I included what I needed in my grocery order and stirred up a great dinner. My effort was based loosely on this recipe. In my search for a good chicken and dressing recipe, I stumbled across a chicken an broccoli alfredo recipe and we enjoyed that on another night. In the process, I learned a great way to make chicken taste juicy, flavorful, and delicious using my crock pot. 

What I'm Reading

I am a reader. I have been a reader since before I went to school. I love books. I have grown to love reading on a digital device because it is always available and handy. So, I can just open up an app and read for a few minutes when I'm taking a breather, or when I wake up in the middle of the night, or while I'm waiting at an appointment. I also generally have two or three books going at once. 

I have been reading and looking and thinking and gathering ideas with Marian Parsons (Miss Mustard Seed) while reading the hard copy of Feels Like Home. I find myself turning back and rereading parts and pausing to think about what I have that might be used in ways she describes or how places in our home make me feel the way she describes. The book is just the inspiration I've needed to help me be patient and keep thinking and practicing the art of making the basement be a reflection of us and how we live. I've followed her blog for years. So, I already feel like she is an acquaintance. Reading her book has been a special treat because of the beautiful photography as well as the way she phrases words to encourage readers to love their home.

via Amazon

I've just finished reading Confessions of a Grammar Queen by Eliza Knight using my Kindle app. The book is set in the 1960s and it has really made me pause and think about how things for women in the world have changed over my lifetime. It has also made me think about how some things still need to change and how it seems we have sometimes taken a step back in regard to progress for women.

I've begun reading Greenlights by Matthew McConaughey. I kind of like how it is a bit quirky and has notes included in different formats as well as stories he tells in regular text. I've also begun reading Helen Simonson's The Hazelbourne Ladies Motorcycle and Flying Club. This is another historical fiction novel set just after World War I. I'm reading these two with my Kindle app. One is checked out as an eBook using the Libby app from the library and the other is a selection from Kindle daily deals.

Well, that's just three things that have been a part of my world lately. I hope your world has held at least three wonderful things lately! 

Random Sunday Musings

We've been staying home and that is just fine by me.  Oh, I get up and wash my face and put on make-up and tame my hair each morning.  But, I'm sleeping in because my commute to work is so much shorter.  You see, I just walk over to the little desk at the window in my bedroom and boot up my laptop and I'm at work. 

School closed for us in early March and I've been working from home ever since.  Actually, I think I'm working longer hours and more focused on my laptop and work than I ever have been before.  I don't get to walk around the school building and visit classrooms.  I don't get to stop in the hallways and chat with teachers.  I just sit and work.  Of course, more of my work is troubleshooting than ever before because more teachers are asking questions and trying to improve their edutech game.  I'm also able to sneak in a little bit of creativity every now and then to collaborate with a teacher to model a suggested way of sharing materials and information.  I'm also involved in lots of virtual meetings - lots more meetings than I have been all year long!  These meetings are a way for people to share information and get up-to-date on the latest happenings in distance learning.  Plus, they are a vital way for educators to stay connected while staying apart.

With the nice sunshiney weather, I've also been outside a bit.  I've lounged in a front porch rocker reading a couple of Saturdays in a row.  I've spent a couple of afternoons driving the ATV around and picking up limbs and trash.  I've strolled to the mailbox and back a couple of times.

I've also spent lots of time reading, listening to newscasts, listening to podcasts, and generally trying to stay informed.  I'm disheartened at times and overwhelmed at times and heart-warmed at times and awestruck at times by the things I'm learning and seeing.

It almost feels like we've stepped back in time a bit to the days I've read about back in the 1940s.  It has been suggested that we wear masks when we go out to pick up essentials just like back then.  So, my daughter has been crafting them from scraps of fabric for local dentist offices and walk-in clinics.

She sent me the instructions she used and adapted for crafting the ones she's made. 

Like Mr. Rogers suggested, I've been looking for the helpers.  I thought this suggestion was a great one that is really easy to do and will probably do this for our local hospital, doctor's offices, firefighters, grocery workers, etc.

One of my favorite bloggers put together a wonderful post with Tips for Sheltering in Place and I certainly encourage folks to take her tips to heart. 

Sometimes when I'm overwhelmed I find that I need to look into or listen to something that is more upbeat or entertaining than all these news blasts and updates.  One thing that I saw suggested this week was to listen to podcasts with positive and entertaining themes.  I listened to this one yesterday and it really made me smile. Katie Couric has a newsletter called Wake-Up Call which shares news blurbs that are really just enough information but also has some upbeat information as well.

One of the suggestions that I see posted over and over is to reach out and give someone a call or have a video call with them.  Just check in and see how they are doing and ask about their family.  I always think of my Daddy when I see something like that because he was a master at such things.  He loved to chat and would pick up the phone and give folks a call just to touch base and chat.  Of course, that is one of the things I miss about him most because he would touch base with me almost each and every day.  So, I've tried to do that with our children by calling and video calling periodically.  They are pretty good at sending photos of things the children are doing or text messages of funny little things they say and that really peps up the spirits of Mike and me.

I know that I am fortunate and staying at home is pleasant for me in my nice home in the country where I've got plenty of room to roam around or nice spaces to just sit and chill.  I hope that others are finding those spaces of their own and taking this time to really look at how our world is changing and seeking out ways to make it a change for the better in a random, personal sort of way.

What's Up? It's Wednesday!

What's up with you all out there in the world?

We are holding onto our little corner with all we've got.  I've been sitting at my desk a lot lately and watching the world go by outside the window. 

Things are starting to green up around here and I, for one, am so glad to see it!  I don't think I have ever been so tired of grey skies and rainy weather. 

After having a few days home, I've begun doing some spring cleaning.  Things around here were starting to look a little bit grey as well - grey with a coating of dust!  Shwew!  So, room-by-room I am doing some cleaning and straightening.  Maybe I will get done in time to start all over again!

I've also done some catching up on my reading.  Here are the books I've had my nose in for the past couple of weeks:

Beware The Past
This has been a good read.  I'm about halfway through it and I haven't figured it out as yet.  So, to me that is a good book. 

The Good Liar
I chose this one thinking it was the book that the recent movie was based upon but it is a different book.  It was a really good one, though.  Haven't we all wished we could just disappear from our lives once in a while?  This one set me thinking about that and what would be missed and who would miss it and all the complications it could cause.  It was a really interesting read but, more importantly, it was thought provoking.

The Vanishing American Adult
This book was recommended by one of my colleagues.  It is really thought provoking and I struggled with it at first.  Then, as I read more in small pieces, it really started to pull me in.  It hits so close to home and is something I see all around me and even inside me a bit.  I'd like to recommend at least parts of it to everybody I know - especially those who are raising children.

The Flower Farmer
I was promised a couple of rows in the garden this summer.  So, I ordered this book to get ideas about flowers that are easy care, good for cutting, and have long life after cutting.  It is a good read and I will probably have it nearby all the rest of this growing season.  I have always loved having fresh flowers in the house and have picked up a bundle each week at the grocery for years.  So, this summer, my intention is to cut a bundle or two and have them to enjoy instead of dropping money at the grocery.  I think the tilling and labor will be as good for me as the view of the flowers.

Home Landscaping
This is an old one that has been on my shelf for years.  I pull it out every now and again because it has such relevant information about landscaping and flowers and shrubbery and hardscaping.  We are thinking of doing some work in our yard this summer and I thought it would be good to give this one a look once again.  It will probably stay on the coffee table for a while so I can pick it up and look at it now and again.

A Place for Everything
I ordered this one after reading a Miss Mustard Seed post and finding a used copy of it for a good price.  It is a beautiful book.  It also has loads of good ideas about making storage beautiful and functional.  It speaks to me about having things that are beautiful but using them for every day life.  As I have been swishing away the dust and tidying up, I have been noticing things I have here with a different eye.  I will keep this one close at hand for quite a while because I am really enjoying the pictures as well as the suggestions.

I have also been reading news updates and posts by locals who have relatives in other countries where this virus has already impacted their lives in a big way.  I'm glad we are on the tail end of this one instead of leading the way.  I am glad to be learning from others who have experience on this one. 

One thing that being home and inside has not seen inspiration is cooking.  For some reason, I just am not enjoying being the kitchen creative lately - as in for the past several months!  Part of this stagnation is because we are so blessed that I can just drive through on the way home from work and that is what we've done a lot this past year.  Part of this is because I just like to eat and I'm not picky!  I have seen a few recipes that I want to give a try, though. 

This Chocolate Chip Skillet Cookie looks tasty and easy.

I love a good casserole and might give this one a try.

I recently tried to create a California Crunch Wrap like Taco Bell serves. I don't know how they get all those ingredients in that tortilla and still get it folded up and easy to serve.  So, I'm going to go back to this recipe and enjoy it. 

We have used the waffle iron a bit lately.  I treated Mike to bacon, eggs, and waffles for breakfast one morning.  Then, one night this past week I poured the cornbread batter into waffles to go along with pinto beans for dinner.  Yum!

I created an Instagram account this past year and have been mainly stalking other people's posts.  I've truly been inspired to straighten and tidy after looking at some folks' posts from around their homes.  I also saw some other online ideas that I have shared or pinned to give a try.

I'm on the lookout for an assemblage of stuff that I could put together to make a cloche similar to this one.

I've been looking for reasonably priced topiaries for a couple of items I have here.  Maybe I will just make one. 

I know that I would never have even looked twice at this table in its original state but after the makeover, wow!

I pulled out a bit of my fabric stash to stitch up some spring-like pillow covers one day this week.  I've also been inspired by some recent blog hops I've followed.  I ordered some wooden eggs and hope to make them look something like these.  Wish me luck.

Well, that is pretty much what's up around here.  Quiet and lots of web surfing for us as we stay home more and enjoy the company.

Random Ramblings Volume # 6

First of all, let me confess.

I really don't know what volume this really is.

I just randomly picked out the number six.

So, we're going with it.

Fall has officially arrived here.  We had warm t-shirt weather yesterday at mid-day and by the time it got dark we had sweatshirt weather.  Then, it started raining and today it is really cool.  I'm ready for it and I think Mike is as well.  I know that my allergies are ready for it!  I'm alternately sniffly, stuffy, coughy, and have itchy eyes.

As much as I love my job, I am always ready for the weekend and today is a lazy Saturday.  I got up at the same time this morning as usual but only to let Toby out to take care of his business and feed him.  Then, since it was still dark, I crawled back in bed and snoozed a bit more.  What a luxury!

When I finally did get roused enough to get up, Mike was already in the kitchen cooking bacon, eggs, and biscuits for breakfast and I simply made coffee.  I had clean-up duty but it was worth it to get the generously prepared breakfast with no effort!

I've spent the remainder of the morning sipping coffee and catching up with the blog feeds to which I subscribe.  Every time I glance up and see this little vignette on the chopping block table, it makes me smile.  I love those happy pumpkins even on a grey day!

I also like this cluster of fall leaves in the urn on the island.  It just speaks to me.  Of course, I know that in a while the counter will be cluttered with the fixings of a meal and need to be cleaned again.  But, for now, it makes me smile.

I also smile at this simple seasonal decor on the kitchen mantel.  It truly is the little things isn't it?

I was intrigued by a news post this week.  I saw this photo posted on a blog and had to learn more.  The backstory is quite interesting.

Doesn't this picture make you want to light a fire and put some marshmallows on a stick?  Oh, what a cozy and relaxing looking space at Rattlebridge Farm!

If I still lived in my old house that was close to the road where you could see such a fun decoration, I would copy this idea in a heartbeat!  I just love those striped and polka-dot witch's legs I see around anyway and this is probably the cutest application of them that I've ever seen!  Thanks for sharing Home Is Where The Boat Is.

I cannot tell you how much I agree with the perspective of Emily in Wear Better Pants.  I read the transcript, of course, but I'm sure the podcast is wonderful, too.  They usually are.

I've also done a lot of thinking and trying to encourage my daughters lately because I remember well how hard it is to mother little children like they are doing.  I think they are doing an amazing job and are just, well, amazing anyway much like Karianne describes in her book So Close to Amazing.  I know that they are already keeping this idea in mind and encouraging their children.

I thought this was the cutest idea that it made me want to go to the farm stand and get more pumpkins and pull out my hobby paint and create one.  But, really, we probably won't have any trick-or-treaters and pumpkin season is half over at this point.  I did pin it for next year, though!  I really love lots of Jennifer's ideas over at Dimples and Tangles and often get inspired to perk things up and add a bit of spunkiness and bright colors.

If I was buying for myself, I would get one of these ASAP!  And a pair of those pajama pants with the monogram.  Have you seen those?  And have you seen those sparkly slip-on sneakers?  Don't they look fun?

My daughter has been making these signs. The one above and the one below were donated to her children's school fundraiser recently.  Aren't they attractive?

I'm sure they made the silent auction bids go higher, aren't you?

This one saying home is another of her creations.  I really don't have a spot for any of them other than on my back porch but I do love them!

Well, that wraps up my randomness for a while.  I'm spending the afternoon watching SEC football, sipping on spiced tea, listening to the washer and dryer run, between folding loads of laundry and stirring up a pot of soup.  Hope your Saturday is random and relaxing as well!

Randomness on a Tuesday

All our different family gatherings for Christmas are complete and this old lady is tired.  They hype.  The anticipation.  The excitement.  We took it all in and enjoyed every second of it.  The scurry and bustle of preparation and the enthusiasm and excitement of the little folks for the treasures hidden behind bright wrapping paper and tissue has all been absorbed.

This morning I wandered round the house gathering up stray boxes and bits of tissue that had escaped the first sweep a day or so ago.  I wore my sweat pants and Tshirt and a smile on my face as the memories of the grandchildren and children flitted through my mind.  Ah! The joys of young exuberance!  That is truly what makes Christmas memories.

I think of the pauses as we lifted up thanksgiving for the multitude of blessings we enjoy.  Everyone in the household stops and gives pause.  Then, we are back to living the life and enjoying those blessings to which we just paused and gave thanks.  The dollops and spoonfuls on the plates of the littles before doing the same for ourselves.  Next, we sit in fellowship and enjoy the bounty prepared for sharing.  The chatter and laughter ring out and warm our hearts.

When the last morsel is swallowed, we set aside our plates and move to perch in front of the twinkling lights on the tree.  Soon, paper is ripping and tissue is flying as treasures are uncovered and joy is exclaimed.  Oohs and Ahhs can be heard round the room along with statements like, "I've been wanting one of these for a year!"  The excitement can hardly be contained and toys must come out of the packaging as soon as humanly possible  Trucks and tractors are pushed and scooted along on the hearth and the floor.  Books are thumbed through in anticipation of the places the words will take us.  Clothes are draped across bellies and chests in anticipation of wearing.  Shoot-guns are aimed and scooters and toy trucks are rolled as knees scoot across the floor imagining bigger worlds of the future.

Then, the bounty is gathered up and loaded up.  "Take a little of this ham home with you for tomorrow."  "Can I leave a few of these cookies for you for later?"  The kitchen is cleaned and the food stored away while the bags and boxes are toted to the truck for transport.   Hugs and kisses are shared all around and then out the door they all go to their respective homes and beds leaving our house empty, quiet, and hollow.

We flop onto the couch and comfy recliner and prop our feet up to catch our breath.  After a bit the dust settles, the furniture stops rocking, and the quiet normalness of home returns.  We rest a bit and share some remembrances from our visitors.  Then, I wander round the house gathering up stray boxes and bits of tissue that had escaped the first sweep a day or so ago to store them away until I use them again next year.

When I was catching my breath, I noticed a few things worth sharing...

I loved this series and thought what a wonderful idea this was.  Maybe sometime I can wander through our little town to capture a similar series.  Or wouldn't it be fun to put together a series from years gone by?

I got quite a chuckle when reading this article.  Hallmarks which can be found in my own home.  Yep.  Every. Single. One.

As all the posts from blogs start populating my inbox, I noticed this one and wholeheartedly agree - I'm OK with a mess sometimes!  However, I have been contemplating ways to tidy up my pantry which has grown into quite a mess and needs some straightening and organizing.  I'm thankful that one of our children gave me a little jump-start with some large glass jars for storing staples and items in the pantry that will make it easy to see what we have and what might need to go on the shopping list.  I've saved some inspirational photos like the one here and made a note to myself that I need to get some of those baskets.  Or, maybe I should get some of those inexpensive wire shelves and flip them upside-down for my canned goods.  I also like the idea of the lazy susans used in this one.  So, now you know what one of my upcoming projects might be.

I noticed once again that I need to do something to make my cabinets more organized and have the out-of-the-way items that we only use occasionally easier to access.  To be honest, I'm getting too old and am far too out-of-shape to be crawling on the floor to get things out of the bottom cabinets.  I thought number 23 in this post would be an inexpensive fix for just that.  (I also like 3 and 20.)  I'd like to have one of these made instead of having a drawer where all our knives are stored and knocked around on one another to dull.

Just when I was chastising myself for just rambling and not getting more accomplished, I stumbled upon this post and was affirmed that rambling can be a good thing sometimes.  Happy randomness and rambling to you today!

Random Ramblings Volume 6

Just in case you haven't noticed...

I'm not very organized.

I try to be.

I think if I get certain containers and set them in a certain place to corral the stuff of life I will be more organized and I try that.

But it just doesn't happen.

So, I always seem to have projects to tackle.

Right now my project list is rather overwhelming.

I need to tackle my closets because they are aclutter and overstuffed.
I need to tackle my sewing room because it features stacks here and piles there.
I need to tackle my kitchen because there are 'collections' here and there and everywhere.
I need to tackle the back porch because warm weather is upon us and it has been neglected all winter long.

And that is just the tip of the iceberg.

So, today I tackled the bed.  I made the bed.  I smoothed the coverlet.  I folded the quilt.  I placed the pillows on top.

And then...

I walked away knowing that the other projects I need to tackle will be there for another time on another day.

I'm so disorganized I'm not even certain that this is volume 6 but that sounded good enough to me.  So, in random news:

I was excited and wondered where to start looking for some of these old favorites.  I wanted to tell Bridgette to place Molly up on a shelf where her girls wouldn't devalue her but I realized that the whole reason for having her is for the girls to enjoy.  I wondered where my first edition Barbie might be and if she looked half as good as the one in the picture.  I wondered if I wound up throwing those old Game Boys away or if they are still in a box in the basement somewhere.  Who knew that some of those things would turn out to be valuable treasures after all this time?

Speaking of Barbie, who knew that she has evolved?  Well, I mean, yes, I knew she had evolved because the ones Bridgette played with looked different than my first edition.  She also had different ensembles and different choices for occupations over the years.  So, I knew she had evolved but I didn't really realize she had evolved and could be curvy and petite and tall and that there were changes that startling and newsworthy to the most infamous body in the world.  Wow!  How about that?

My mother and father's wedding in 1959

While I'm talking about fashion and evolution, have you seen 100 years of wedding gowns in 3 minutes?  My mother could have been the example for 1955!  (above photo) Even though she married at the end of that decade, her dress was almost exactly like the example shown - well, only she looked far prettier, don't you think?  Then, our daughter-in-law, Jessica also could represent her decade - only prettier - and at the end of that 2005 decade.  (below photo)  If I were a young woman getting married, I'd choose to emulate 1935 or 1995, I think.  How about you - which decade do you think is most beautiful?

It seems I'm always talking about reflecting and reflection on my professional blog.  Yep, I keep another blog going as well.  Since the focus of it is educational, I figure not many of the readers of this blog even know about it.  Not that you are not educated.  Not that you are not interested in education.  I just know my family and I know you all don't really care about my ideas concerning education because you already know most of them.  And I think my immediate family is really my only audience here on this blog.  Anyway, I'm an encourager of reflection when it comes to teaching and learning.  So, I love that Emily Freeman shares a reflection once each month.  In her March post, she recognized something that lots of educators have come to realize about doodling and I happened to write about it in a recent post over there on my professional blog.  How about that?  Great minds and all that stuff.  She also wrote about the difference between being nice and being kind.  It makes me want to write down all those things she says about kindness and post them in various places along my routine path to remind me to be kind.  After all, "kindness goes far wider and far deeper than we can ever imagine," she quotes from Corey.  Maybe I need to read his book, too.  I do know that I plan to start asking myself the question she poses in this post: Where did I see God today?

The weather has been beautiful this weekend and I've wanted to soak it all up.  Of course, I did soak up a little too much yesterday while we were cutting grass.  I forgot to re-apply sunscreen and my arms got a wee bit too pink.  Well, really, they leaned more toward the lobster-red look last night and I could feel the heat radiating off them.  So, today, even though I was inspired by Mary and my palms were itching, I stayed inside and just enjoyed the beautiful weather from the windows in my kitchen as I weeded through email and edited photos and prepped this blog post.  I may putter around on the back porch a bit as the sun begins to fade and the back porch is in shade but I am ready to do some flower planting.

Finally, I was really glad to read that "Clean Eating" is total BS this week.  I like to eat.  That is probably more of my weight problem than anything else.  Well, that and the combined fact that I don't really like to exercise.  I especially like numbers 2 and 3 on her list of five important things.  Being a farm girl with a degree in agriculture, I know that sometimes the trendy ideas about foodstuffs such as organic and the labeling jargons sometimes fool folks into thinking a product is something more than it really is.  I mean, when we were looking at fat-free diets, why didn't the milk industry jump on that and begin selling their products differently like 2% milk as being 98% fat-free?  Yet, what I really loved is number 5...Embrace indulgence.  I think we all need to indulge ourselves a little bit more in different ways.  Maybe I need to indulge in exercise a little more and that is okay.  But instead of punishing ourselves for the bad, I think we need to embrace indulgence and reward ourselves for the good that there is going on in our lives.  Maybe that would spark us to make sure that there is more goodness going on and we would become better people!

Random Ramblings Volume 5

I've been on spring break this week.  It has been wonderful to have a break from the responsibilities of work!

I've been preoccupied and haven't really accomplished much while I've been on break, though.  I sometimes wonder if Daddy's disease isn't taking over my brain.  I am losing my words.  Several times I have been talking and a word just will not come to my tongue.  For example, I was telling my sister about Mike getting shots in his knees and I could not for the life of me pull up the word cortisone.  The scary thing is that isn't the first or only time lately that I cannot recall a simple, ordinary, everyday word.

I have a hard time focusing on things.  I cannot read for very long periods of time and comprehend what I have read - that is if I stay awake long enough to read more than a page.  My thoughts flutter hither and yon.

I think maybe I've been shuffling random thoughts like Daddy did yesterday morning...

He was fixated on dairying.  He asked me how many cows were left in the holding pen.  I just glibly said, "Oh, a full batch." Then, he asked, "What about that cow off to herself?"  I told him I would check on her.  Only a moment later, he asked what I was going to do about that cow off to herself.  Then, before I could respond, he asked me, "Where is your Mama?"  I replied, "She is sitting over there in that chair.  Why what do you want her to do?"  To which he responded, "Oh, you may as well turn her out with those other cows I guess."  See? A bit shuffled and random...Since my brain has been operating on shuffle and randomness has ruled, today's post has a random focus, too.

First up, let me ask you...

Did you know that "the most infamous body in the world" is changing?  Check out just how she is evolving and why that is a good thing.

With this short little article, I learned

• every single one created since the year before I was born will interlock
• that I am above average on something
• the company producing them is ultra-efficient
• they would be the world's largest population
• they are the world's largest manufacturer of wheels

I was a little bit alarmed when I saw the headline.  After all, this is Lillie's favorite candy.  But after reading this article, I can rest easy - and even anticipate the wonderfulness of change.

I found out that not only can you visit it but you can also go camping in an enchanting southern town that was built for a movie but never torn down.  How about that?  I love the idea that nobody wears shoes there!

I think maybe I'd like to try taking this kind of vacation sometime.  I wonder what I'd learn about my hometown?

While I did this every day this week during break, I didn't really agree with Ben Franklin.

Ann made this look easy enough that I think I'm going to try it!

I found that once again I agree with Maria.  I think the last statement is truly one that I need to post where I see it more often and really think about it.

There are some of my random thoughts for this week.  Do you have some to share?

Random Saturday Morning

I was talking to a co-worker the other day and we were sharing stories and grousing and - well - honestly bragging about things that only a couple of women who have weathered through:

• the breakup of a marriage after learning that their husbands were liars and cheaters
• living as a single woman while raising children and developing a career
• found a wonderful man and started a new life
• become a bonus mother to children we didn't raise but still love unmeasurably
• recognize that we are flawed but try our hardest to be Good Women
• recognize our spouses are flawed but are really fabulous in spite of it
• have a passion for teaching and learning but struggle with the ignorance involved in reforming a public education system we know could be second-to-none
• have parents with health issues
• working together alongside six other women in one room
• family

She shared how her bonus daughter is a wonderful young woman but needs to wake up and grow up and face up to some things...and I shared a couple of similar ideas.  I shared how my husband is wonderful but doesn't really realize it and wear it proudly.  She shared how her husband is so organized and focused and thorough with some things and then is oblivious to some things right under his nose.  We talked about our flaws and how we try so hard to keep our less-than-perfect selves under control and far too often fail.  We updated one another on all the news that is news and groused about the silliness and craziness that is going on in our world today.  Then, we parted ways and re-joined the hustle and bustle of the lives we live.

My conversation with Renee made me realize that having strong women-friends like her is what bolsters us up and keeps us going when the going is a bit rocky and the soles of our shoes are thin.  So, that sort of set the stage for today's blog post of a random nature.  The same random nature that our conversation meandered through...

This post made me want to rush out and buy a tube of lipstick for my daughter and daughters-in-law!  Now, I have never noticed any of them wearing lipstick of any color or name.  I think they may smear on a dab of gloss or something every now and again.  So, maybe the tube of lipstick wouldn't be for them to wear exactly.  Maybe it would just be there to be in that little zipper pocket on the side of the inside of their purse with the emory board and a band-aid or two.  It might even wallow around in the bottom with a couple of ink pens, a fast-food receipt, a matchbox car, a half-a-pack of gum, a kid's meal prize, and a petrified French fry only to be discovered when digging for their keys.  Then, it would remind them not to get lost in the demands of the children and the desires of the husband and the needs of the family and the guilt of wanting to be a Good Woman and they will Speak Louder.

I saw this post and realized that I could do something like that and maybe, just maybe I need to have a feather to tickle me a little bit.

I decided that I am just letting that front bedroom with my Granny's quilt simmer.  I'm not indecisive.  I'm not frustrated because I cannot find the perfect fabric for a bed skirt and window treatment and pillow shams.  I'm just letting it simmer.

I saw another addition of buffalo checks into Kim's life and determined that I WILL add buffalo checks SOMEWHERE in my house within the next year!  Plus, I realized that I am also going to watch for a coupon and add the beautiful toile that I love so much featuring the hunter and fisherman and pastoral colors and scenes SOMEWHERE in my house as well!

I read Karianne's post and tears welled up in my eyes and emotion swept over me and I realized that this is more the attitude that we need to wear daily than the one I've been wearing.  I realized that I truly miss sharing literature and particularly Holocaust literature with students and promised myself that I would work with a teacher next year and do just that.

This morning during my coffee slurping, I saw a couple of crafts that I definitely want to tackle and pinned a few ideas for later.  The two which seem simplest and accomplishable for now are creating leather tassels and decorating beautiful eggs.

Several of the blogs I subscribe to read showed spring tablescapes and spring door decor and springing up of their homes and I realized that I never even transitioned from the Let-It-Snow decorations in January to the Valentine's decorations.  However, sometime today I'm going to search for some eggs and bunnies and spring floral sprigs and transition to hopeful spring decor.

That is how my random day has stacked up.  How about yours?

Random Tuesday

I learned a few things this week.

Well, maybe I learned some things and came to realize a few others.

We had a little video chat with our eldest grandson this week.  It started out with me feeling the need to touch base and see the cute little mite.  Harris and I were catching up and he was filling me in about his school (mother's day out) and his puppy.  Then, Mike happened to stroll behind me within the phone's camera range and all of a sudden I was unimportant.

Forget whatever we were talking about.

Harris said, "Whatcha doin' Mike?" And I suddenly became just the phone holder.  They had a chat about calves or tractors or something.  Then, Harris informed Mike that, "I got Hope.  She's in the shop." And he wanted to see Toby.  So, I had to adjust the camera range while Mike held Toby just so and Toby took center stage.  Then, like most two-and-a-half-year-old boys, Harris was dashing off and wiggling on the couch and his mother and I were left to catch up on what had been going on in our worlds.

Then, I was editing photos for posting to this blog and noticed this one:

I noticed how Mike was trying to keep Luci's wiggly little self safe in the chair and prevent her from falling or bonking her head.

And with this one, I noticed how they both enjoy acting silly together and teasing one another.

And I realized what a loving happy grandfather he is to all our little ones and how they love him right back.

I saw this article about American Girl Dolls and thought I should learn a bit more about them since Lydia just got a new one and I know that those girls have several in their house.  I didn't realize that the dolls had changed since Mattel had bought out Pleasant Company, the American Girl Doll company.  My daughter, Bridgette, was given several of the early dolls back when Pleasant Rowland still had it as a mail-order company.  Now, her girls have those dolls as well as one or two of their own.

I also learned that Julia Roberts has produced several movies based upon the American Girl books.

I learned several things at work about using Google Forms and Google Slides even though I have been using those tools for at least five years. I think any educator who isn't using the Google Apps for Education suite and encouraging students to do so is missing out - big time!

In other random learnings/realizations...

I was intrigued by this picture of sheep in the pasture.

I was inspired to breathe deeply in a breathless world.

I'm thinking of either joining a writer's group or forming one of my own.

I saw this viral video for clearing your lawn of leaves without a leaf blower.  I guess this works well for a city lawn.  However, when my husband normally mows about five acres of lawn where there are oaks and maples in abundance, I think he would just laugh if I showed him the video, don't you?

Random Wednesday

I needed some inspiration because our menu has fallen into a rut.  I need to cut back on the calories I'm taking in or pick up on the exercise I'm putting out.  So, I've turned the cooking channel on and let it play - hoping to do the former so I could avoid the latter.  Bobby Flay and Ina Garten and Ree Drummond have great ideas.  I'm not sure their ideas work for my kitchen all the time but they have great ideas.

For example, they featured crystallized ginger and kale and things like that.  Those things are not staples in my pantry and fridge.

So, next I turned to my cookbooks.  Kay Robertson, Ree Drummond, Paula Deen, and Betty Crocker have some great ideas.  They also have enough variety that I can pick and choose and substitute things that actually are pantry and fridge staples around here.

Then, I turned to my Pinterest Recipe Board.  It sort of seemed like everything there is pretty much a dessert.  Maybe that is why I am needing to cut back on the calories or pick up on the exercise.

Of course, when I turned to Pinterest, I also lost an hour or so to random web surfing and that is when I turned these things up:

I loved the Tips and Tricks for Easy Christmas Decor.  Who doesn't want a big holiday to be easy?  I loved that Ashley used thread spools for a garland.

via The Handmade Home

Practical and pretty!  I also loved her tassel garland.  And, her number one tip is the absolute best.  Perfect advice for just about any situation!

Marian, of Miss Mustard Seed shared great thoughts in this post.  Isn't it reassuring that even the decorator gurus have something just outside their shots or that they have an everyday-in-the-kitchen look and a gussied-up-for-a-post look?

When I stumble across things about canning jars, I always give them a look because my children are all about the use of some jars.  So, when I saw 37 Magical Ways To Use Mason Jars, I gave it a look and I really like the Gratitude Jar.  What an easy way to be nice to somebody.  I also wanted to make the Mason Jar Lid Christmas Tree Wreath.  I'm going to make the Mason Jar Christmas Tree and put it somewhere in my house.  Really!  I thought the Simple Centerpieces were a fabulous idea - and who doesn't love simple?  I've seen all these recipes that are made in jars and I think I'm going to have to try one of them - maybe the one featured in this collection.  The Reindeer Mason Jar Hot Chocolate Mix and the Candy Jar struck my fancy and so did the Peppermint Pampering one.  Maybe my entire family will just get canning jar gifts for Christmas this year!  Simple.  Who doesn't love simple?

I re-visited this post and realized I still need to integrate something leopard print into my life.  Soon!

This post about Sitting On A Bench For Five Minutes made me stop and think.  Am I really paying attention to what is going on around me in life or am I just rushing through it?

Finally, I've also been thinking and lifting up prayers for the folks in Paris.  I immediately thought about my reaction when our country was attacked and thought about all those mothers who have children in Paris and thought about how I just wanted to hold my children and make sure they were safe.  There is no making sense of terrorism.  I just pray that we all can make peace with this senseless stupidity and pray that things like this can be averted in the future.

You say...

You say po-taa-to.  I say po-tah-to.

Well, not really.

I say po-taa-ta.

After all, I am a southern girl.

So, I speak southern.

Yesterday, Mike informed me that I am a redneck.

I told him that I like to think I am someone who knows how to make do.

I told him that I like to think my recent project showed ingenuity.

I told him that I like to think my recent project is what is part of a current trend of up-cycling.

He laughed.

You see, with the onset of cooler weather, the pesky flies have been finding their way into the house.

If you've ever been on a farm...

...a farm with livestock...

you know that there tend to be lots of flies.

Usually those pesky things will stay out at the barn and only one or two will sneak into the house.

When the weather starts to chill a bit, they become desperate and start to seek warm shelter in order to survive.

So, they've been coming to the house...and in the house...

...and I've been fighting them.  I've declared war.

So much so that my handy, dandy, dollar-store fly swatter had become...

...well, a bit worn...a little wobbly..to be perfectly honest, it was falling apart!

So, being the frugal, DIY-er, who knows how to make do, I didn't make a special trip to the dollar store to get a replacement.

No, not me.  Instead, I used my ingenuity and up-cycled.

Random Tuesday

Yesterday was a random day.  I spent the day catching up on tasks that had been allowed to slide for a while.  It was a productive day.  My uncle and aunt came over and completed some random updates and repairs.  His second career has been in carpentry and he is a master and a perfectionist.  They installed a new door at the basement entrance.  They also added a wood piece at the laundry room door entrance.  Plus, they re-attached the back deck flooring to the corner support post.  It was a lot of randomness that turned out wonderfully.  Guess who my favorite aunt and uncle are today?

In other randomness...

Have you noticed any of these new fall flavors? 31 of them that you need to get your hands on!

I think I'm going to have to try out this recipe for dessert sometime.  I might top it with ice cream, though.

I also want to try out these ideas for pie that are not really pies.  I might top that with ice cream, too.

I am wishing that a Trader Joe's would move into our small town - not because I am a big shopper there.  I think this article explains exactly why.

I would sign up for this paint-along class if I thought my efforts would turn out to look like the example.

Finally, I think I need to share these 22 things with my Mama...and maybe I should take her some ice cream, too.

Random Ramblings Part 3

We've had a bit of down time since the grands went back home.  When we have down time, Mike and I tend to wallow.  We veg out.  There is TV involved.  There are books and blog readings involved.  Social media overload is involved - taking it in and adding to it.  The good thing is that I have discovered a few things.  Important things.  Things like:

I noticed that The White House now allows photography for the first time in 40 years.

not this white house - we always encourage photos

I'm not getting married again but if I did, I would want a few of these monograms and I'd want a door like that to hang them on, too.  (I guess these would be good for showers, teas, Mother's Day celebrations, birthdays, and other occasions or even just for an everyday pick-me-up!)

I might have to craft me a bit of porch decor like this monogram, too.  It seems even easier that the one below!

When I saw this project, I asked myself, why did I give those cabinet doors somebody gave me years ago away?  And isn't that a cute little knob to hang Toby's leash upon?

He's probably thinking about that, too.

I loved the July 4th Google Doodle didn't you?  You can read about it's Americana Story, too.

This article made me think about how we are living in a world divided and it made me wonder how I can contribute toward making it more of a world that is united, rooted, and established in love.  Mainly it provided an opportunity for me to think and continue to think about how I can and should be.

I learned the secret to happiness.  Well, not really learned, I guess, because this article simply reaffirmed what I already knew about being and becoming happy.  Plus, it made me strive to look at things in a more positive light and be a more positive influence in the world.

What do you do when you have down time?

Random Ramblings

Spent some time cleaning out my email box during the morning hours and catching up on things I had avoided letting take up my time - like my computer here at home.  When you work with a computer, just like when you work with people, after you get home, you want some solitude.  Anyway... I thought I'd share some of my random ramblings discovered.

Things like...

I love how Anita at Far Above Rubies has used my go-to shades of pink flowers to coordinate with her black furniture on the porch.  I also love that every member of the family has his/her own spot for sitting on the porch.  I cannot believe she got a photo of it empty!

I found 17 Clever Ways to Use Mason Jars.  I especially like the chandelier and the solar lights.  Maybe that's because I've got a light project in the works for my back porch.

I also saw some cute ideas for Dressing Your Door with American Spirit.  How easy would that initial or denim banner be to create?  I really like the straws and stripes and the bandana wreath, too.  They could both be cute for other celebrations like cowboy/cowgirl birthday parties or wishing on a star get-togethers.

I've been wanting to work on our walkway to the back porch, too.  So, I guess that is why this DIY Backyard Path selection caught my eye.  I really liked the pallet walkway but it got the axe from the hubs because he fears we would trip over loose boards.  So, I'm still cruising for ideas, I guess.

I was glad to know that I'm not the only one who has had hydrangea blooms wilt and, more importantly, a way to perk them up!

I want to rush to the grocery store to get an angel food cake so I can make this No-Cook-Strawberry-Tunnel-Cake.  Looks yummy!

Instead, I guess I will sign off and do a bit of floor-sweeping, dog-nose-smudge window washing, and flower watering.

Hope you have a happy random rambling kind of day!

Random Ramblings

Periodically I will see something from one of the blogs I follow or a link that I chase in one of those blogs and I will quickly click/copy/paste the link into an email.  Then, I shoot it off to one of the daughters or daughters-in-law with a quick note of...

This porch is getting a spruce up with summer items and pops of colors like you are using.

via

...saw this today and thought you might like it...

via

or, thought you might need to be reminded of this...

via

or, this makes me think of you...

via

or...

via

...any number of quick jottings to let them know the post might be of interest to them because it struck a nerve with me.

Today's post is just that.

Random ramblings of things I've stumbled across that I think somebody else might like as well.

You know, things like...

via

Wow!  I really like what this sign says and wish SOMEBODY would make a sign for me that says this but in a style that would be a better fit to the style of my home.

or...

via

Maybe we should get together and stitch up a couple of these cute summer totes.  Maybe we could add a monogram, too.

or...

via

This nautical designer copy-cat tote is a cute one, too.  Maybe we should try this summery version first.

or...

via

Oh, how much I'd love to try some of these Skillet Desserts - especially the Chocolate Peanut Butter Skillet Cookie.  Yum!

and...

via

I wonder if this recipe is the one I used to make Peanut Butter and Jelly Bars when the children were little fellows.  I should make them again sometime soon!

What have you stumbled upon that you felt the need to share lately?

Happy Random Ramblings to you