In Memory...

YUK!!!!!!

Unfortunately, this is true. And I'm sure there are also some dust kitties, doggies, and perhaps even a dust King Kong lurking somewhere ready to attack. What I'm really trying to say is that I need to take a little blogging break and attend to some much needed spring cleaning. So if there are any regular visitors here, I do apologize for the lack of posts for the next few days. Be back soon-God bless.

"Cheep" Thrills

Birds of the Garden Summer

I live in a congested, somewhat urban area in a long, narrow bungalow (think "shoebox-with-a-roof") that sits on a long, narrow lot. I am a nature lover and until I'm able to move to a more rural environment, I try my best to invite nature into my little postage stamp backyard. And the best way I've discovered to do this is by feeding the birds. I have several feeders in a few locations, including one on a post outside my cat's favorite window, a sort of kitty tv for him.

Spring is a great time for bird watching -there's lots of singing and birdie courtship going on out there. Just the other day I spotted a beautiful, blue-suede blue jay trying to impress a lady jay. His normally pointed crest was puffed out into a kind of pompadour and he was doing a little dance that would have made Elvis proud. The two of them flew off together and I'm sure their love nest is located in one of the nearby trees. And this morning I saw a starling with a long piece of palm (the kind that churches give out on Palm Sunday) in his beak. He must be building one blessed nest!

It's a pretty inexpensive hobby, too. I prefer using feeders, but you can also just throw some seed or bread on the ground. Birds also enjoy eating many kinds of nuts, fruits, and berries. Click here for some more detailed information on feeding. For some ideas on homemade bird feeders, check out this kiddie site. A bird field guide is also nice to have so you can identify your new feathered friends. And a pair of binoculars will come in handy if you want a closer look.

One more thing: once you start feeding them, they will remind you if you forget. My feathered friends like to line up on the fence outside my kitchen window and chirp when the feeders are empty. And yes, I do believe they called me "cheap".

Show and Tell

My "Antique" Rock

I noticed that many of you ladies have posted lovely pictures of vintage jewelry, furniture, and other beautiful heirlooms, so I thought I'd show you one of my "antiques".

My show and tell is this rock I found at the Jersey shore many years ago. I was walking along the beach and I spotted an upside-down horseshoe crab that was struggling to flip itself over. Now I've always thought these creatures had to be one of the strangest (and ugliest) things that God created, but the animal lover in me felt sorry for it so I turned it right side up and watched it scoot away into the ocean. Then I looked down and saw this rock in the same spot where the horseshoe crab had been. I picked it up and noticed that it had many fossils on it and also pieces of shells. Being a teenager at the time, I thought it was the most amazing find ever. I've held onto it all these years-it's even spent time at the bottom of one of my fish tanks. I'm thinking of someday returning it back to the beach where I found it-there's a little nature center there which displays many items found at the Jersey shore and I think this is where it belongs.
Thanks for hosting the "Show and Tell", Kelli!

Dogs and April Showers

I remember reading somewhere that the difference between cats and dogs is this: A dog thinks YOU are God and a cat thinks HE is God. Well, I know better, but my dog seems to think I can control the weather. It's been raining here today , so the pooch and I did not go for our after dinner walk and boy was she mad! My dog throws things when she doesn't get her way and she also likes to tip over her bowl filled with food. A bit spoiled , you think? So anyway, I let her outside and she manages to sneak by me with one of my shoes in her mouth so I end up chasing her around the yard in the rain to fetch my footwear. And she's enjoying every minute of it and barking at me and I think she's saying: "HA HA - I got you outside! Now make it stop raining and WALK ME!"

So now here I sit, slightly damp, at the computer with my wet and somewhat stinky dog sleeping nearby. And while she did not get her way, she seems content that we're having this time together.

And it's a gentle reminder to me to spend more quality time with God , to thank Him for what He has given us. While I may not have all the things I want, He has provided me with everything I need.

And that's what I call contentment.

As for the cat-well we won't go there today!

You Know Spring Has Finally Arrived in NJ When...

1. You can FINALLY take those flannel sheets off the beds.

2. You can't find a parking space at your neighborhood Home Depot or Lowes on a Saturday.

3. Playballs of various shapes and sizes mysteriously begin to appear in your yard and you do not have children.

4. Your new favorite room is the front porch.

5. Your cat is dive-bombed by a blue jay while he is sunning himself on the front porch.

6. YOU are dive-bombed by bees while gardening in your lime green NY Yankees t-shirt.

7. An ice cream truck playing "La Cucaracha" starts making daily appearances in your neighborhood.

8. The daffodils that you don't remember planting are blooming.

9. You take your dog out for a walk after dinner and it's still light outside when you get back.

10.You spend less time blogging on the computer because it's just too nice to be indoors.

(Hmmm, maybe it's time for a laptop)

Show and Tell

I just love the idea of a Friday show and tell-thanks to Kelli at There's No Place Like Home. Sorry I'm a day late.
This is a painted Mrs. Butterworth bottle I found at a shop in NJ that sells mostly vintage items. I don't think this is very old, but I love the details like the rick-rack trim and the beautiful painting on Mrs. Butterworth's apron. It's signed in the back by J Weinperl. I have no idea who that is, but they sure are talented. There are so many tiny details on this piece that can't be seen in the photo. I'm sure the artist put a lot of time into this Mrs. Butterworth makeover and I'm happy to have her in my home.

Earth Day Craft

Here's a little something I picked up at the Country Folk Art Craft Show. I think it's a lovely way to reuse a pretty glass bottle or other glass container. And it's also very simple to make. All you need is a strand of rice lights (this one has 20 tiny bulbs) and whatever you want to decorate it with. There are no holes to drill, you just put the lights into the bottle opening. This one has a grape cluster made of clear and opaque green beads and some raffia tied around the bottle neck. It looks really pretty when it's lit-my photos do not do it justice. What a creative way to use something that would have otherwise ended up in the trash.



Hmmm-I wonder how this would look with a cobalt blue bottle? How I wish I was creative enough to think of something like this. I don't remember the name of the booth where I bought this from or else I would print it here. Anyway, happy Earth Day to whomever reads this. I plan on spending most of the day outdoors, cleaning up a bit and enjoying this beautiful planet the Lord created for us .

Country Folk Art Craft Show

Here's where I'm going this Saturday with my sisters. There are some really beautiful things here. Yes, some of the items can be pricey, but there are many inexpensive things as well. And we get a lot of wonderful ideas just browsing all the booths. I just need to steer clear of the ones with the free samples of pretzels and dips! If I find anything nice (and I'm sure I will), I'll post pictures. There's also a vendor outside who sells the yummiest kettle corn. There I go talking about food again. Anyway, if you would like information about future dates and locations click here.

Taco Night

Hola-it's taco night at mi casa! Okay, it's not the most elegant meal in the world but it's definitelty one of the easiest things for me to make and it's quick. And I'm making it healthier by using ground turkey instead of beef and topping them with a low fat cheese and salsa. Maybe some beans on the side and a salad? Oh yes- some rice for hubby-he LOVES rice! Yo tengo hambre! (I'm hungry!)

Nor'easter 2007

Waaay too much rain today in NJ. It's high tide now, I'm not too far from the bay, and it's starting to get pretty windy here. So far we have a little water in the basement, but we're keeping on top of it so it's not too bad. The heavy rains seemed to have stopped for now, but there are still flood warnings posted. Well, it could be much worse-at least it wasn't snow! Hope you are warm, safe, and dry wherever you live.

A Time To Plant

Yes, I know it's too early for tomatoes and cucumbers , but I love to garden and I just can't wait to get my hands dirty, so I picked up these little guys at Lowes this morning. I just love that store-I see so many things there that I want for my home, but I need to win the lottery first lol. Anyway, these are broccoli plants and they do well in cool weather, but since we're expecting a major nor'easter here tomorrow I'm going to wait a few days before I plant them. Maybe I should have also purchased some lumber to build an ark.

Personal Trainers

Yay!!! I went to my Weight Watchers meeting this morning and I lost 1.6 pounds this week. A total of 12 pounds since I went back about 2 1/2 months ago. I was ready to give up because that scale wouldn't budge for the longest time. And that's pretty much my fault-my willpower stinks!! Just look at the recipes I have posted so far on my blog: cake and cookies! What a bad, bad, bad, dieter I am! Well, I've been praying for help with this, since I really need to lose about 40 more pounds to be at a healthy weight. I've asked the Lord to guide me in making better food choices and help me resist all those tempting goodies that come my way. And so far it's working out pretty well. I couldn't ask for a better personal trainer!
Now all I need is for Spring weather to come to NJ so I can spend more time outdoors with my other personal trainer. She's slim and trim, full of energy, and she's nudging me to get away from the computer and get out there and walk. And she means business! I guess I'd better get going! Oh, and here's her picture:

I have no idea what that thing is hanging out of her mouth-I dont remember it being there when I took the picture. Silly doggie! Oh by the way-her name is Raven.
Also, I was wondering if you ladies can reccomend any scripture passages that may be helpful with my weight loss journey. I need all the help I can get!

Excuse Me, Are You Jesus?

A dear friend sent me this email today. I would like to share it with you:

EXCUSE ME, ARE YOU JESUS? As you read this think about what you would do! This is really powerful and makes one think!!!!

A few years ago a group of salesmen went to a regional sales convention in Chicago. They had assured their wives that they would be home in plenty of time for Friday night's dinner. In their rush, with tickets and briefcases, one of these salesmen inadvertently kicked over a table which held a display of apples. Apples flew everywhere. Without stopping or looking back, they all managed to reach the plane in time for their nearly missed boarding .
ALL BUT ONE !!! He paused, took a deep breath, got in touch with his feelings, and experienced a twinge of compassion for the girl whose apple stand had been overturned.
He told his buddies to go on without him, waved goodbye, told one of them to call his wife when they arrived at their home destination and explain his taking a later flight. Then he returned to the terminal where the apples were all over the terminal floor.
He was glad he did.
The 16 year old girl was totally blind! She was softly crying, tears running down her cheeks in frustration, and at the same time helplessly groping for her spilled produce as the crowd swirled about her, no one stopping and no one to care for her plight.
The salesman knelt on the floor with her, gathered up the apples, put them back on the table and helped organize her display. As he did this, he noticed that many of them had become battered and bruised; these he set aside in another basket.
When he had finished, he pulled out his wallet and said to the girl, "Here, please take this $40 for the damage we did. Are you okay?" She nodded through her tears. He continued on with, "I hope we didn't spoil your day too badly."
As the salesman started to walk away, the bewildered blind girl called out to him, "Mister...." He paused and turned to look back into those blind eyes. She continued, "Are you Jesus?"
He stopped in mid-stride, and he wondered. Then slowly he made his way to catch the later flight with that question burning and bouncing about in his soul: "Are you Jesus?" Do people mistake you for Jesus? That's our destiny, is it not? To be so much like Jesus that people cannot tell the difference as we live and interact with a world that is blind to His love, life and grace. If we claim to know Him, we should live, walk and act as He would. Knowing Him is more than simply quoting Scripture and going to church. It's actually living the Word as life unfolds day to day. You are the apple of His eye even though we, too, have been bruised by a fall. He stopped what He was doing and picked you and me up on a hill and paid in full for our damaged fruit. Please share this. Sometimes we just take things for granted, when we really need to be sharing what we know.
GOD BLESS YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

Butterfly Bush

If I could have only one plant in my garden it would be this one. It's also called a buddleia. This shrub is a butterfly MAGNET! I've also seen a few hummingbirds-a rare sight where I live. It blooms through most of the summer and into the early fall here in NJ. The blossoms look very much like lilacs and are very sweet smelling. It can grow quite large if not pruned regularly. It's also best to remove the spent blossoms to keep it blooming longer. It likes full sun and is very hardy and besides the occasional pruning, it requires little care. One of my favorite things to do on a lazy summer day is to sit on my front porch with a good book and a cool drink and and see what comes to visit my garden. I never tire of watching all these beautiful, wonderful creatures the Lord created-so much better than tv!

M&M Party Cookies

It's a brrr 32 degrees here in New Jersey. It feels more like winter than spring. So what's a girl to do?-why bake some cookies of course! I usually make these for Christmas with red and green M&M's, but I used the pastel colored ones for Easter. I know they look kind of weird, but they're still pretty yummy. I once made them using the peanut butter filled M&M's and they turned out awesome.

1 cup shortening (I use unsalted butter)

1 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

2 tsp. vanilla

2 eggs

2 1/4 cups sifted flour

1 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 1/2 cups M&M candies

Blend shortening and brown and white sugars in a large bowl. Beat in vanilla and eggs. Sift remaining dry ingredients together, add to sugar and egg mixture, blending well. Stir in 1/2 cup of candies. Drop from teaspoon on ungreased cookie sheet. Decorate tops with remaining candies. Bake at 375 degrees, 8 to 10 minutes.

There's No Place Like Home

Isn't this the sweetest little postcard? I found it while thrifting with my father a while back. I keep it in a frame since it is rather fragile. I love the cute bonnets on the young ladies who are spinning and knitting. And the little kitty cat is so precious! It's postmarked April 18, 1907. Wow- 100 years ago someone, perhaps feeling a bit homesick, mailed this postcard. Could they have imagined that a century later it would be floating around the blogosphere? Or framed and hanging on the wall in a home in central New Jersey that was not even built yet? I'm glad that someone thought this little card was too nice to throw away and I hope it will still be here 100 years from now for someone else to treasure.

Crumb Cake Recipe

1 box butter yellow cake mix
4 eggs
2/3 cup oil
2/3 cup milk
Mix all ingredients and pour into greased and floured cookie sheet. Bake 20 minutes at 350 degrees. Cool cake.(Leave in pan)

Crumbs

Mix:

4 cups flour

2/3 cup brown sugar

2/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

3 teaspoons cinnamon

3 sticks of butter-softened

Sprinkle crumbs on cool cake. Bake at 350 degrees, 20 minutes longer. Sprinkle powdered sugar on cake.

Easter Memories

I came across this photo a few weeks ago while working on a scrapbook for my sister JoEllen's (that's her on the left) 50th birthday. That dapper lttle guy is my brother George and the fashionable young miss on the right is yours truly. I think this may be Easter 1960 or 1961. Every year my Mom and Nana would take us to the local Robert Hall's to find the perfect outfits to show us off in church on Easter Sunday. And don't you just love our Easter bonnets? It gets better-I remember wearing a bright tangerine knit suit with fishnet stockings and white go-go boots in the late 60's for Easter one year. Fortunately, no pics of that stunning ensemble exist! How about you-do you have any memories or better yet, pictures of yourselves in your Easter finery when you were young?

Is It Spring Yet?

These cute little crocuses growing outside my home say it is. And so does the calendar. But the weather here in New Jersey-well that's another story. Yes, we have been blessed with some nice weather here recently, but now there may be possible snowshowers at the end of the week! Well, I really shouldn't complain-we did have a pretty mild winter here. Anyone for an Easter egg hunt in the snow?