Fear Not

When Tuesdays roll around, I usually am at a loss what to blog about. This morning I prayed about it. This is what the Lord impressed upon me to share. It is actually from a little devotional booklet that I use every day, called OUR DAILY BREAD. It's amazing to me how these little lessons are often so "right on". They seem to apply directly to something I need to hear or to know, exactly right then. The devotion for each day has a scripture portion along with a life illustration. Today, the scripture was Isaiah 43:1-4. The life lesson that was the other half of today's devotion, was shared by a husband whose wife had a very difficult pregnancy. She became weaker and weaker. There was danger that he would lose both his wife and newborn child. The promise in this scripture was a great comfort to him at that time - just knowing that the Lord was there with him, had not abandoned him - knew what was happening in his life. At one time in my life, the Lord made this portion of scripture very personal and real to me. I was a new believer at the time and didn't even know there was an Isaiah 43. But, somehow, He took me there and showed me His heart and it lifted me out of a very scary place. There were several times in my life (before I was a believer) where I was so frightened that I literally couldn't think straight. During those fearful times, I didn't eat, had no appetite (for me this is VERY unusual), just moved about on "automatic pilot". Nothing registered in my mind. My mind was so focused on what I feared. Drove places and had no memory of how I got there. As a new believer, again walking through a dark place once again, I had confidence that I never had before. I KNEW the Lord was with me, He was carrying me and I was lifted. I mean, I, literately FELT, lifted up. I did not feel that disconnected effect I had in the past. It's never returned. I had a vision of what these experiences looked like. As an unbeliever, walking through these kinds events, I felt like I was drowning, in dark, swirling, murkey water up to my shoulders and rising. After I was rescued, walking through some of the same kinds of events, I saw myself running through ankle deep, clear, refreshing water. All the while splashing like a child in a kiddie pool.

".......Fear not for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name, you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you and through the rivers, they will not overwhelm you..............." Isaiah 43: 1-2

A Visit To The Canal

When Sammy visits Grammy, we usually include a visit to the canal. I'm speaking of the Erie Canal, built in 1825 and opening up points west to economic development. The canal cut the cost of transportation by 95% and was a monumental feat of engineering with its locks to move the water through varying elevations. The canal brought goods and services from Albany NY to Buffalo NY, a distance of 363 miles. The barges were pulled by mules which walked along the canal banks pulling their precious cargo. None of this means a hill of beans to Sammy though. To her, it's a wonderful place to visit because there's an ice cream store that sells fresh homemade icecream................plus she gets to feed the ducks who make their home in the canal's waters. Grammy empties her cupboards of every half finished bag of crackers, pretzels, gold fish, stale bread, cereal, etc. and we set out for the canal. We usually run out of our own duck food and end up buying some from the shops along the canal. Sammy runs like a tornado along the banks, bag of "duck food" in hand, shouting to her sister, "c'mon Megan, there's a thousand pieces of duck". (This is the terminology Sammy uses to describe a huge amount of anything)

There are many points of interest along the canal which runs through several small towns in our locality, including our own town. There are restaurants whose tables overlook the canal, icecream shops which have tables and gazebos on the banks so you can lick and gaze at the peaceful waters. In my town, all along the downtown, our town has set up water and electricity connections so that touring water craft can hook up and spend a few days touring our town. Our Philharmonic Orchestra gives concerts there in the Summertime and there's also an annual duck race, but this time it's yellow rubber duckies. I'm at a loss to imagine how anyone gets those duckies to race.......but they do. To me, the Erie Canal remains a charming piece of local history. I love to visit along its banks...............and most especially with my precious girls ♥ ♥ ♥

House Tour

A couple weeks ago my brother and sister-in-law came to visit for a couple days. He's a semi-retired radiologist and had a week of freedom from reading x-rays. They arrived on Tuesday at lunchtime. We headed directly for Wegman's for lunch. Strange to eat at a grocery store. You usually buy food there and bring it home to prepare it and have meals. But Wegman's offers something extra. During lunch hour there's a section right in the front of the store where a chef with a huge hot grill does his act from 11:30 until 2:30 every day. It's always a surprise what lunch is going to be. The Tuesday afternoon we went it was a Greek gyro. The main ingredient is that wonderful combination of beef and lamb that is used for gyros. Then the "fixin's" are all your choice. Lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and tzizicki sauce. If you don't like one, just say so, if you like a lot of one, again, just say so. It's made to order. We took our lunch up the elevator (an elevator in a grocery store??????) We ate on the balcony overlooking the shopping area. Nirvana......... While we were visiting with the chef, we told him we were hoping that today would be the day for Philly cheese steaks. He said, "no, that's tomorrow". So, naturally, lunch on Wednesday would also be at Wegman's. I'll leave the rest of our adventures for another post and get to the point of this post, which is a house tour. My brother loves to shoot, shoot, shoot with his smart phone. He walked through my house shooting pictures. He sent me all the pictures of our very busy two and a half day mini vacation and I made him a paper bag scrapbook as a remembrance. Come along with me on a tour of my home.............

Sandal Toes

Sandals are my shoe of choice all the time. The only exception is when there is fresh, cold snow on the ground. Then I'll wear boots. Just had to do that one time this past winter - hooray...... I think some of you may just now be starting to think about breaking out your sandals. If so, you need snazzy sandal toes. I often give myself a $50.00 pedicure right in my own bedroom. I start by putting a huge beach towel on the floor because I have been known to dump over a bottle of turquoise nail polish on the white carpet (not good). I have an vintage enamel basin that I use as a footbath. I fill it up with bubble bath warm water and have a nice soak. Next come the pumice for nice smooth baby skin, followed by a soothing rub of cream. I attend to the cuticles and nail length. Then the fun part. After a base coat, I pick a color. I've been using a lot of turquoise and also very dark, dark purple (almost black). But for Springtime and Summer...........strawberries.

Hot pink polish with white polka dots. OK, OK, I know strawberries don't have white dots. The strawberry seeds, which are on the outside of strawberries, are sort of black. I tried that and I didn't like it. I like white dots better. If you happen to hang out with any little girls and they see these strawberry toes, they'll want them too. Go ahead and give them a treat.

When Sammy Gets Big She's Gonna Get Married

One day Sammy told me a "story". I'm gonna marry Matthew (her classmate at pre-school) when I grow up, Grammy. (Me) Oh, you are? (Sammy) Yup, and I'm gonna have 12 boys and twelve girls !!!!!!!! (Me) Oh, you are? What will you name all those children. Without hesitation, she proceeded to spout out 12 girls names, then 12 boys names. Boys and girls are terms I use loosely. Here they are: The girls names will be........... 1- Ariel 2- Belle 3- Sleeping Beauty 4- Cinderella 5- Melody 6- Snow White 7- Strawberry Shortcake 8- Ginger Snap 9- Apple Dumpling 10-Angel Cake 11-Amanda 12-Rainbow And the boys names are: 1- Brandon 2- Eric 3- George (after Curious George, I'm sure) 4- Mickey Mouse 5- Sponge Bob 6- Squidward 7- Patrick 8- Gary 9- Alvin 10-Theodore 11-Simon 12-Huckleberry Pie She told me Matthew doesn't know about this. She wants to surprise him !!!! She already has her wedding ring. The hairdresser gave it to her for being a good girl while getting a haircut.

Not Your "Run of the Mill" Breakfast

On Easter Sunday morning, I woke up at 5 a.m., not for a sunrise Easter service but because I was in "caregiver" mode, staying with my niece who had, two days prior, heel surgery to repair a disconnected tendon, turned in foot, incorrect arch, etc. resulting from a 2011 car accident. She needed to take pain meds every 4 hours, including during the night, she needed her ice pack changed and fresh water to drink.

Her husband had emergency appendix surgery just 4 days before, therefore, we were interested in him recovering and getting some good rest and recuperation and leaving the care his little bride to the two aunties (my sister and myself). Try as we might to stand in for her own mamma (our sister), who now resides in glory with Jesus, we did the best we could to cherish and cared-for her like her Mama would.

She does continue to mend and heal day by day as does her hubby (our nephew in law). Is there such a term? I like to just think of him as my nephew.

At 5 a.m. on Easter morning, after I had attended to my niece, my heart told me - this family needs a special Easter breakfast. I didn't want to make something ordinary. But I wasn't at home where I keep all my recipes so I had to "wing it". I made a favorite family pancake, as well as I could remember without the directions.


FAMILY PANCAKE

2 cups of flour - 1 tsp. salt - 4 beaten eggs - about 2 cups of milk (remember I'm, "winging"). Enough of the egg and milk mixture to create a batter with the consistency of a thinnish pancake batter. (like gravy, honey, etc.)

What makes it special is: to cook in a large metal handled skillet 2-3 peeled and thinly sliced apples - 2 tbs. butter - 2 tsp. cinnamon - until apples are soft - add 2 tbs. brown sugar to apple mixture and keep cooking until sugar is melted. Pour the flour-egg-milk mixture over the apples and put the whole skillet into a 350 degree oven for about an hour. Test for doneness by inserting a toothpick into pancake. If no uncooked batter is on the toothpick, it's done. Let it cool about 5 minutes. Dust with powdered sugar,then slice it in wedges, garnish with a sliced strawberry and serve with a nice hot cup of coffee.

Unbeknown to me, she took a picture of it for her facebook page........




When I make this at home near my recipe box - I make up the batter the night before and store it in the fridge in a glass 4 cup measure. I also cook the apples and store them in a plastic container. In the a.m., before guests are awake,I put the whole thing together in a PAM coated skillet, oven at 350 and bake the pancake along with little link breakfast sausages. I usually invert this one and sprinkle powdered sugar on top - then serve in wedges.

MY FIRST EVER PAPER BAG SCRAPBOOK

Making a paper bag scrapbook is something I've been wanting to do for a long time. I don't know why I waited so long. It was so much fun to do that once I got started I could not stop until it was finished. But, of course, that's how I am with every new venture I try. I cannot wait to see the end product.

I did watch a youtube video to get the general idea of what needs to be done.

I used 3 regular brown paper lunch bags, folded each one in half having the top and the bottom of the bag matching. I placed them one on top of the other, like the video showed. I punched 3 holes on the "spine" of the book. I did use reinforcements for each hole. Later I will bind the book by tying ribbons through each hole.




I folded each page along the inside of the row of holes, leaving me page surface for scrapping, of 4.25" by 4.75". I glued pretty scrapbook paper to all the pages.

Then I began to gather all the photos for my little story. I wanted the scrapbook to tell the story of my March visit with my granddaughters. The book is actually for them. I don't want them to forget all about Grammie while we're separated. They are engraved on my heart so I carry them with me always. But they are little and are busy as little bees, scurrying here there and everywhere, living life at full throttle. This paperbag scrapbook will be a remembrance, for them, of our time together.



Because I used 3 bags, I have 6 pages and there are 3 slots where special goodies can be tucked. I used tags to write little legends or paste pictures to tuck into the slots. I changed the string that came on the tags, with ribbons to pull the enclosures out of the slots.

This will go in the mail and be a little Easter present for the girls.