Welcome Blessing

Welcome to HomeHaven.

I am so very pleased and proud of my Children and Grandchildren.

(and when I say children this includes my daughter-in-laws that I call my children)

Family has been a part of building my HOME Haven.

God has abundantly blessed me.

My daughter Ash took this photo of her daughter.

Liked it and wanted to share on my blog.

She has done a super job with her camera.

Did you know that I LOVE BLOGGING?

I enjoy our blogging friendship.

YOU ARE A BLESSING!!!

May you have a wonderful week-end!

~Deanna~

Yogurt

Dear One, Have you tried these new flavored Non Fat Yogurts?

Fantastic Low calorie food with a punch.

The names alone will make your mouth water.

Who ever said Yogurt was boring otta try Key Lime Pie Yogurt

Then there's White Chocolate Raspberry,

not to mention YUMMMMy

Amaretto Cheesecake or Lemon Cream Pie.

COOL and refreshing!

Mercy sakes...it's worth a try.

~Deanna~

Donuts

Hi Friend! Every once in awhile I get a hankering for one of these

sweet thangs...if only this here computer could cyberspace the flavor over the wireless and not have any calories...this would be alright.

I haven't drank any coffee since the first day of Summer. I did have a rootbeer tonight with my pizza. When I break my fast from coffee, I think I should allow myself one of these sweet pink glazed/frosted cake donuts

with sprinkles on top.

How sweet it is!

Yes sir and AMEN!

~Deanna~

Ward-Meade Mansion Historic Site

Thanks for coming by HomeHaven. Today, I'll be visiting a mansion in the Capitol City. Won't you join me? This week I'm returning to Topeka, Kansas to see the interior of the 1870 Ward-Meade Mansion. The Historic Site is located on the grounds of OLD PRAIRIE TOWN at First Street and Fillmore.




Last week I shared some photos of the Gardens and the exterior of the mansion. The interior tour of the house allows you to see the Formal Parlour, Dayroom, Diningroom and hallway with stairs on the main floor as well as the upstair's 3 bedrooms.



Today, I'll take a look at the Formal Parlour and the stairs leading upstairs. We'll enter through the front door and away we'll go stepping back in time to how rooms might have been decorated with Mrs. Meade as head mistress.




It seems pretty common for the Parlours to have a table in the middle of the room for a place to put a lamp, flowers, books and calling cards. A sofa and chair are positioned in the corners of this room along with a musical instrument and fireplace.
Mirror on the wallpapered walls and lace hanging in the windows. Lovely area rug on wood floor.




Now for a cool drink and a place to sit so you can tell me all about your day. Why don't we sit in this Parlour and visit. I'm ready to rest and chat. Chocolate?
~Deanna~

Home SWEET Home

What can we do that will help make our HOMES 
a sweeter place for our families and self???

Inviting and relaxing. 
Warm and comfortable.

Uplifting and refreshing.

Safe and where we want to be.

You can make all the difference how a HOME feels 
by being available to talk and listen.

Time spent in intimate prayer, being filled with God's Holy Spirit and reading the Bible can empower you to be the person God meant for you to be.

He is the one that will give you guidance and direction.

He is the one that will turn your sorrow into joy,
d

Taco Potatoes

Count potatoes that you'll bake for your meal ... one tator per person.  Wash them and poke a few holes into potato with fork.  These holes allow steam to escape potato while micro-waving or oven baking.

Skillet cook crumbled ground turkey in small amount of olive oil til turkey is brown.

Season meat with taco seasoning.
Simmer.
After potatoes are finished baking, place on serving dish, then cut potato in two.

Either leave the potato in two pieces or chop it into bite size pieces.

Spoon crumbled turkey on top of baked potato.

Spoon salsa on top of turkey.
Place shredded lettuce with sliced tomato on top of salsa.
Sprinkle with shredded cheese of choice.

Spoon salsa on top of cheese.

A great low fat meal that's very filling and nutritious.  This has been a favorite meal around HomeHaven for about 20 years!

It has stood the test of time around here.
d

Home Happenings

Hot Summer days cause me to stay inside...unless I just have to run errands. So thankful for air conditioners in cars. Do you remember when cars had units that hung out a window for their air conditioning? Dad filmed one of these autos back in the 50's. I like the ones our cars come with these days. Heavenly.

Last week after my visit with a Surgeon, had a haircut (IT'S REALLY CURLY), lunch in Topeka, returned to Old Prairie Town to buy some GREEN RIVER syrup for HOME use. We visited The Kansas Museum. Will post some pics later. Such fun. They have an old train inside the museum that is in mint condition to where you can view inside the train's interior as well as to actually sit down inside.

Topeka was the homeplace for the famous Menninger Clinic up until recently where this facility relocated to Houston in 2003. I started reading about Mrs. C.F. Menninger (Florence 'FLO' Menninger) who was the matron of this famous family. Found out that she wrote a Bible Study and believed that we should know our Bible. Presented fact not opinion. Called the Topeka YWCA where the study has been held and left a voice mail to see if I can get my hands on the notes for this Bible Study.

The Public Library has Flo's book 'DAYS OF MY LIFE: Memories of a Kansas Mother and Teacher' so I checked it out. Think it will give me some insight as to how life was for her in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

My sweet hubby has seen for himself in storage Dr. Menninger's green leather sofa that he used. The stories that sofa could tell if she were just able.

Plans this week are to prepare for a family wedding. Select the clothing, shoes, jewelry, etc. Have the auto serviced. I have been lacking energy and will have to pace myself for the week.

Here in a few minutes, I will be driving to the nearest Dollar General Store and purchase some items I just can't live without....toilet paper for one! Loves that stuff...not too fond of using old catalog pages to clean up my act...know what I mean? When I have to go out and about for shopping these days I like to make the trip enjoyable. I dislike cranky and wreckless drivers that flash finger signals at me. I'm not into rushing everywhere I go.

Summer cleaning presented an opportunity to have the Diningroom Chandelier cleaned. Sweet daughter was looking at some DVDs and I suggested that if she'd clean the chandy I'd buy the DVD for her labor. It was a go and she did a super job on the chandy and now is the proud owner of the DVD she wanted. Thank you Dear...This worked out for me!!!

Philippians 4:8

For the rest, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is worthy of reverence and is honorable and seemly, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely and lovable, whatever is kind and winsome and gracious, if there is any virtue and excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think on and weigh and take account of these things [fix your minds on them].

May you have a sparkling day,

~Deanna~

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' Salad

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' 
~Salad~


Excuse me...are you in a hurry???
Don't you have those days that it seems all you're doing is rushing around and you barely have time to catch your breath?

I have...many times.  I've had to use the technique of planning way ahead of time for certain activities and then there are those times I think I'm really prepared just to get a jolt of reality that I had to put something together that wasn't planned for.

Pull a rabbit out of your hat and call it good.

'Life Just Got A Little Easier' with this cold Salad.

Few ingredients needed.

Quick and easy prep time.

You'll need a prep bowl, sharp knife, spoon to toss with, clean bowl to serve salad in with serving spoon.

~Broccoli and Cauliflower SALAD~

Ingredients

Broccoli

Cauliflower

Raisins

Green Goddess Dressing

Directions

1) Break off or cut enough individual pieces of broccoli crowns and cauliflower heads for size salad you want to serve.

2) Wash off the veggie pieces in cold water and then shake off the excess water from veggies.

3) Place in bowl after cutting the veggies the bite size you want to use.

4) Add two handfuls of raisins. More if you like.

5) Pour desired amount of Green Goddess Dressing to cover veggies.

(This salad is good with Ranch Dressing as well)

6)Toss and mix salad.

7) Can chill til ready to serve.

This salad could be dolled up when placed in a beautiful crystal dish!

TIP: Nothing wasted...Some people use the left over broccoli stocks for soups, stews or salads. Trim the leaves off of the stock/stems then rinse and store for later date use. They'll freeze just fine.

I just love quick and easy dishes to prepare 
for Dining On The Prairie!

Hows 'bout you?

d

Summer Skies of Kansas

The ever changing skies all have one thing in common.

~God made this beauty~

Have you noticed?