Soothing Sunday

I had a million things to do today. Instead I watched Guardians of the Galaxy, ate ice cream, and laid on the couch all day after going to church this morning. 

Once upon a shipment....

I placed an order with Amazon Prime. It shipped the next day. I noticed it said it must be signed for. I wasn't home the day they brought it, but they left the note on the door saying to sign the back and leave on door and they would deliver the next day. I did that. The next day it never came. Then I got an email from UPS saying they had left my package at Advance Auto in my area. I was so confused. Turns out that Advance Auto in some areas are now designated drop off points. So if someone in there area is not home to receive a package that requires a signature, it goes to Advance and they hold it for 7 days. If you don't pick it up, UPS comes and gets it. Anyway, so the next day I went to Advance and got my package. It was fragile so I was a little concerned about it going so many place. I got it home and opened it up and there was packing on the top. I thought, oh good. 

I removed the packing from the top and from the sides. Turned out the packing was protecting the main box. Even better.

I opened the main box and found two smaller boxes (my item has 4 pieces to it). The extra boxing made me even happier.

Then I noticed that each of those boxes had very good packaging. 

Talking about building the supsense, I was so excited to see my item. Look at all the boxes and paper I had to go through to get to my actual item.

But my, oh my, it was well worth the wait. Isn't she an absolute beauty. The intricate pattern and the unique handles makes this one of my favorite tea for one sets that I own.

She looks nice in her new home.

Quick and easy veggie soup

 I love homemade vegetable soup. This was a simple recipe my husband came up with years ago and it is one of my favorites. This makes enough for 2-4 people, depending on serving size. I have condensed the amount of veggies because I like mine more broth and less veggies. But the beauty of this is you can adjust to increase/decrease to your needs. I have on occasion browned and drained hamburger to put in it as well. But today was just basic soup. Here are the ingredients. 

First I pour the V8 juice and tomato juice in a stock pan.

Next I add the mixed vegetables. I just use a small bag of frozen corn, green beans, carrots and peas. You can also buy the frozen stew or soup veggie package. Whatever your personal preference.

For my use, I peel and slice and wash two average size potatoes to put in it.

Since I like the little extra flavor an onion adds, I just break apart good size pieces to put in there. I don't like to eat them so I don't want them too little. But you can chop them up fine or use onion powder. Or if you are not a fan of onion, simply leave them out.

Next I put in some garlic powder. I don't message I just sprinkle it in till it looks about right for my taste buds.

Then I sprinkle a package of brown gravy mix on the top.

Last, I add salt and pepper. Not a lot, just enough for some extra seasoning.

Stir it all together and place over medium heat till it starts to boil. Then reduce to low heat and let it simmer until you are ready. Just be sure to stir occasionally while it cooks. 

When it has simmered enough, fix a big bowl full and serve it up with crackers or a sandwich of your choice. I personnally love peanut butter and Miracle Whip sandwiches with it. But most of my family ate it with grilled cheese. 

I hope you try it one of these cold winter days. If you try it, come back and leave a comment on what you thought. Happy cooking!

All because 2 people fell in love...

 On January 17th 1981, forty years ago. This girl had herself a date with this guy that a friend from work hooked her up with. She was excited but leery since she had only seen him in person one time, but had talked to him on the phone several weeks before being brave enough to say yes to his request for a date.

She already had her outfit picked out of jeans and a new pink sweater she had just gotten for Christmas a few weeks earlier. She was finally past the nervous "first date" stage and looking forward to the evening with excitement. Her best friend Becky had agreed to come and babysit the twins so she could go on a date. 

She woke up to about 7 or 8 inches of snow and was just sure her young man would cancel. When he called her later to confirm the time, she asked about the snow. He said "I have been asking you out for three weeks and you finally said yes. I'm not going to let a little snow stop me from picking you up. 

So he did. And they went to see Urban Cowboy at the Keith Albee theater in downtown Huntington. Afterwards, they went to the In Between to grab a meal and have a drink. She had a coke because she had never drank alcohol. After a nice meal, they went back to his place to watch TV and he taught her how to play backgammon. She one the first two games,which he later admitted to letting her win. When she won the second game he leaned across the board and gave her a kiss. Her heart melted at that moment and she knew "He's the one." 

She came home from the date and told her friend Becky that she was in love and she was going to marry him. He must have felt the same way because they talked everyday despite working different shifts. They saw each other every weekend. And on Valentine's day just a few weeks later, he proposed.She said yes. Two months later they got married.

Forty years ago they never realized how happy they were going to be. He truly was her soul mate and understood her like nobody else ever could and stood by her side through all the trials of life and marriage. He supported her decisions of anything she wanted to do. He cooked for her, helped her keep the house clean and even ran her a bubble bath and brought her a snack and a Pepsi so she could relax and read in the tub while he worked in the kitchen. 

They had there whole life ahead of them. But nothing prepared them for the fact that 34 years later she would lose him at 63 years old. But those 34 years were happy times with lots of memories. Raising the twins, watching them get married and leave home. Missing them but enjoying the empty nest days. The thrill of getting the call that said "You are going get a grandbaby" FIVE TIMES. Watching those grandbabies grow and and laughing at their antics and feeling the love they gave back to their mamaw and papaw. 

It was a wild ride, Allen, and I miss you every day of my life. But on this day 40 years ago, you started me out on a road to love and happiness and I have never regretted a minute of it. I wish I could have you back, but at least I have the memories of all the years we had together. 

I will love you always.

 

Sunday's Song

"So lay down your burdens, Lay down your shame
All who are broken, Lift up your face
Oh wanderer come home, You're not too far
So lay down your hurt, Lay down your heart
Come as you are"

These lyrics to this song are so beautiful. It confirms what we all know. God will take us just as we are. How many times do people think they need to overcome a certain sin or tackle a certain demon to "get ready" to get saved. God takes us like we are. He knows our weaknesses and our faults. He loves us despite them. And flip that the other direction and look at how judgemental we have become. We look around our churches and are the first to point fingers. I have heard good Christian people say things like "I was shocked to see him (or her) at church because of "such and such" reason. I heard a preacher say one time that church is not for the saints, church is for the sinners. And that is so true. And God doesn't prejudge us so we shouldn't be judging others either. Like this song says, God wants us to come as we are.

Sunday's Song

 "There was another in the fire, standing next to me. There was another in the water, holding back the sea. And should I ever need reminding of how I've been set free there is a cross that bears the burden where another died for me"

When life gets you down or you have worries and stress, it is then that so many people call on God to get them through. Once they are through the tough times, some are quick to forget who got them through. But let's look at it from another angle. How many trials and tribulations do we NOT have in our life? God protects us no matter what. The next time you think or say you are feeling blessed, stop for a moment and think of the words of this song. Maybe the hard times are still there. Maybe the problems are battling to reach you and bring you pain. But they can't get to you. There is another in the fire. There is one who is standing in the water. God has his armor of protection all around us, but we take it for granted simply because our life is going good at that moment in time. So instead of dwelling on all the bad times, the hard moments, celebrate. Celebrate everything good in your life and remember that you have all the good because God is keeping the bad things away. I hope you enjoy my song choice for the day. Maybe it will bless you as much as it has blessed me. 

2020 My Year in Review Part 1 of 4.

I was laid off for 2 months the first of the year. Since I had been having foot trouble I celebrated my relaxing days eating ice cream. I fixed some good meals and baked way too many desserts.

I had been sick at the first of the year and the doctor wasn't sure what it was. In hindsight, I have wondered it it was Covid because I had a lot of the symptons and it took me two weeks to shake it. I was on steroids for awhile and spent a couple of scary weeks with my BP at 147-155 over 88 - 95. But I read up on blood pressure and started drinking lots of water, walking, and listening to music. I even went to an animal shelter and took an adorable lovable kitten into the "visitation" room and played with her for an hour. Two weeks of my own treatment and I got my blood pressure back to my pretty regular rate.

Did some crafts for Valentine's and painted a baby blue beach designed box into something for my steampunk room. I was going to make the little bookmarks but never did remember to. I think I will try some this week.

Did some antiquing and found the thumbprint dish I had been looking for for 3 years. I got it for just $10.00. And I did a lot of reading. This was one of my favorites. It was over 400 pages long and I started it one day and finished it the next morning.

Wanted a little black bird for my steam punk room. Found a white one so I painted him black.

On March 3rd, I got called back to work. One week later, I got laid off because Covid-19 became a reality. 

I did survive the great toilet paper shortage of 2020.

All in all, the first quarter of the years was good.

to be continued.....