Hot Water

Hello from HomeHaven! Wanted to share a story with you. Maybe it'll help.

Heard the saying
Staying out of HOT water? Sometimes a pan of hot water keeps peace in the home. For real.

When I was a young Momma I attended a large Ladies Group that met in the basement of the Liberal, Kansas First United Methodist Church.

That day the Ladies shared some of their memories that they thought the other Ladies might enjoy hearing. One of the stories has stayed with me all these years.

One of the Ladies shared how her husband always wanted supper ready to eat when he returned home from farming all day. I can't say that I mind him wanting this since he had been out working hard all day, but she had been working hard all day as well and her day hadn't gone very smoothly.

You know how sometimes no matter how hard you try you just can't stay on schedule and it's so important to be flexible???

This Lady had one of these days. One of her tricks she used to comfort her husband was to put a pan with water on the stove to heat up just before he was scheduled to come home. When he'd arrived home and would see the pan on the stove with steam rising...he just knew that Dinner would be served pretty soon.

No questions asked. No complaints. Dinner coming right up.

Got any ideas for supper?
~Deanna~

PS I hope you can stay out of hot water and have a comfortable day.

Kitchens

Dear One, Thank you for stopping by.  Looks like I have some coffee on.

I have never been much of a fan of roughin' it in real life, but pictures of how some people managed inspires me to not complain so much about having a make shift kitchen while other projects are in full swing in HomeHaven.

I came across this picture and thought this sweet Lady probably was thrilled to have a roof over her head.  What she might have done for a Starbucks Coffee.

Though her kitchen is rather primitive...she looks clean and well groomed.  The KITCHEN appears to be in good order.  I am envious and admire the order.   

With hopes of having my kitchen over hauled and remodeled before next winter...I think every once in awhile I will share a kitchen pic that I come across.

Have you ever had to rough it longer than you had planned?  Oh mercy...yes, I have and am.  I hopefully will win a romper room doobie badge when this is said and done.

What kind of meals come out of your kitchen?  Are you single, married, family person?  Are your meals and snacks delicious?  Is there easy clean-up?

The refrigerator, stove and sink are considered the major work stations in a functioning Kitchen.  The major work center is suppose to be within a 21 foot triangle.  In other words the three sides of the triangle are to add up to 21 feet for the best results.  So many feet from the fridge to the stove to the sink should equal 21 feet.

This is one fact I remember from taking an College level Interior Design Class.

That's my story and I'm sticking to it!

~Deanna~

Castor Oil

As I was surfin the web I read that applying castor oil to your face is a great way to reduce facial wrinkles. Really??? So I typed in castor oil and went to the wikipedia. Elsewhere, I typed in castor oil for wrinkles. I got educated!!!

Castor oil is used in a number of ways that I didn't know about. Always thought it was just used as a laxative. It can be, but that's not all it's used for. Castor Oil penetrates deep into the skin thanks to its molecular weight. Which is low enough to penetrate into the stratum corneum. Ricinokic Acid is the main component of castor oil and exerts anti-inflammatory effects.

Interesting to say the least.

Have any of you used castor oil on your face? If you have would you mind sharing your opinion about it and if you liked the results?

Hope to hear from you. I'm interested in natural remedies.

Spring cleaning will begin just any day now. This past week-end, I saw colorful festive yellow flowers popping up in Saint Louis. This was refreshing and much needed. My winter has been along one.

Needing Spring. Truly.

~Deanna~

Lifted Up and Carried

Dear Ones,

You are precious to me. The body of Christ is a Family.

You see these two children...one is riding and the other one is lifting and pushing a heavy load.

You who offered kind words and prayed for me over the week-end were like the child in the illustration that lifted and pushed the heavy load. I was the one needing help being carried and moved.

Thank you for your sweet prayers and gentle words of encouragement. Thank you, thank you. I felt your prayers.
At times Life has a way of challenging us...trying our patience.
S t r e t c h i n g past the comfort zone. I am so glad and thankful that the week-end went as well as it did. I'm more rested and feeling better.

Friday evening was a very quiet and I do mean quiet evening as my husband and I took a long drive to a different state for the week-end. We visited Family and saw our new grandson. By Sunday evening we are freely talking and discussing what needs to happen in order for us to not perish.

This week will be a busy one. I would much rather feel peaceful with the many challenges that are going on than to be an emotional basket case!!!

Have you ever heard that the mess you're in can be turned into a message?
Have you ever heard that the test you are facing can become a testimony?

With Saints like you praying and giving encouraging words, I was comforted. Thank you and I Thank God for you.

I was overwhelmed on Friday. 
You have helped remove a heavy burden.
d

Airing Out The Dirty Laundry In Public

I'm far from perfect. I am discouraged today...marriages have their share of struggles or should I say the people within the marriage have their share of struggles.

I am beside myside this morning. I have cried a ton of tears, cried long into the early mornings and shook with disgust the consequences that follow from ignoring living a simplistic and balanced life. No amount of 'COMMUNICATION' penetrates my husband's neglectful ways.

I could pull my hair out of my head due to the frustration that comes from a husband that at times is so hard headed and neglectful about finances.

The hurt that comes from being ignored is tiresome and painful.

This may not sound like a happy place right now. Today it isn't. It has been a ongoing struggle that shouldn't be. Truly, you cannot change another's poor habits. Talking has gone nowhere. Working out a plan has gone nowhere. Praying about the situation. I am the one that needs to change. Those things that I cannot change in another person are a fact...they are there. I am the one that has the need of changing. If I grow more callus toward my husband...there will be a distance that grows and will cause more challenges that will not help the situation.

I don't understand how wanting a happy home~happy marriage stays happy when the husband
repeatedly ignores what hurts the wife.

The husband's prayers will be hindered when he is at odds with his wife. That's not very exciting or comforting.

When the husband and wife are not on the same page about the nuts and bolts of running a household...it can cause strife...it can create a tense environment...it generally causes problems that just don't disappear on their own. Rolling up your sleeves and working hard at getting to the bottom of the problems will require an effort. Pretending that if we close a blind eye to interior problems within the home will make the problem vanish...is delusional.

Wisdom from the Lord is needed. Willingness to change is needed. Working together is needed.

GrAnNy NaNnY ChRoNiClEs

GRANNY NANNY here. It's time for The Granny Nanny Chronicles.
Hi There!!! What do you do to entertain a very active Toddler after it has snowed and snowed and snowed and snowed and it's time to stay inside??? Here's a suggestion. You scoot the furniture together and let Toddler pretend that this is a special place to sit...and stretch while playing...and watching the television.

WORD WORLD is one of our favorite children's programs. Found it on PBS. PLEASE excuse the torn up walls in the background of the TV room. It really looks aweful right now. The old wallpaper will eventually be completely removed and new wallpaper put up.


If I could wave a magic wand I would and then it would be all done. For the time being this is the reality of how things are around here. Still have to live while remodeling projects are going on. AND LIVE WE DO. Here goes.

Cold weather or not, we have to play and have time to be three.

Armchair pushed up against the sofa makes a NEST. Warm and cozy.

Plez excuse the ickky walls. One of these days...the wallpaper will be gorgeous and there will be a built-in shelving unit to house the BIG SCREEN TV that will be here. Oh won't that be great! WORD WORLD will be even LARGER.

That's spelled L A R G E R. Let's build it...let's build it now! For you WORD WORLD viewers you know what I'm talkin' 'bout.

Little magnetic letters in a muffin pan makes playtime fun. It's a WORD WORLD for sure. Toddler is 3 and she can spell her first name. Pretty good for a youngster. That's about it for today. Take care and talk to you soon.

Granny

The Stressed Chair

Beloved, Blessings to you today from HomeHaven. Here's something that's helps make our home a haven.

I love this old red high chair!

Two of my children used this high chair as babies. I had a modern high chair for my first born. At the time there weren't the neat high chairs that morphed into a booster chair. The high chair was a high chair and that was that.

When I discovered this red high chair at a Yard Sale it wasn't as weathered as it is here. It was missing the foot rest and some side bars, but liked it and used it anyways. These children that I used the chair for are now 32 and going on 30 and have children of their own.

The chair has since served as a prop on the front porch holding potted plants and holiday decor. The Seasons have stressed the red chair.

I'm getting more use to stressed furniture and liking it all the more as I am forced to relax about formality. Forced I tell ya.

I believe I will move this red high chair back inside and place a baby doll in it at the top of the stairs on the landing. I have a baby doll!

God Bless you and if the seasons of life have taken a toll on you...I understand more than ever how this can happen. I want and need the Good Lord to refresh me to where even if my outside packaging is getting old and wrinkled, saggin' abit...that my Lord will make my Spirit sore and be revived! Amen.

Love you and wish you well,
d

SpRiNg In The Air...oh I luv u!

Beloved, Soon the April Showers that bring May FLOWERS will be here to enjoy!

Are you ready for SpRiNg? I am more than ready.

So ready for SpRiNg...I could scream: Hallelujah! Can I hear an AMEN?

In the front flowerbed at HomeHaven are a few flowers starting to shoot up through the ground. It's exciting and I sigh with a deep breath...ahhhhhhh SpRiNg is growing close.

March 14th will usher in Daylite Savings Time. Eleven days and counting.

I've noticed that it's still light out at 5:30 in the evening as I wait for my husband to return home from work. This alone makes the evening better.

Sweet Blessings to you!

Have a delightful week and God Bless you real GOoOD.

Hope to hear from you.

Your Friend,

d

Fresh Air

HomeHaven Howdy! Had a great drive from the little Kansas prairie town I call home into the City! Blue skies and fresh air. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh...it was refreshing. It restoreth my soul. Convinced me that SpRiNg is coming very soon and I am sooooo ready for a tad bit warmer temperatures.

I visited a Beauty Supply Store and I seem to feel so out of place in these shoppes. So many products to choose from and I'm not sure why some people want to do to their personship what these products are suggested for. The Hillbilly comes out of me at these places and I'm sure bein' a Hick is very obvious. Oh well. I iz what I iz. I walked out of the store, took a deep breath of the clean Kansas air and drove to my next destination. Which was...the Thrift Shop.










OOOhhhhh AAAhhhh!
I found some Autumn Decorations
(for little of nothing) that will be put away til next Fall
and some very nice greeting cards.


Lunch with my Hubby


and gentle conversation about what's going on.











Trip to newly remodeled Dillons Grocery Store then home again...home again.


The drive home was very pleasant and Toddler fell asleep in the car.

Taking my Coffee Break before unloading the goods.

Load of laundry in.

Think we'll have turkey burgers and salad for supper.

Did you have a good Day???

Blessings and take care,

~Deanna~

Goin' For A Drive

Might be a little bumpy...but I'm goin' for a drive! What do you suppose I'll see??? Why don't 'cha ride along with me and see some Kansas sites.

God Bless you real good,

~DEANNA~

Home Happenings

Oh Beloved...how did your week-end go? Please come in and chat with me. Wanna see some treasures I found awhile back? Pretty neat, huh?







Very tired today. Traveled this week-end to celebrate a Grandson's Birthday and visit with family in Oklahoma. Quick trip. The party was great with alot of little children energizing the atmosphere as there was plenty of playtime, refreshments and presents being opened. Nice Party. BUZZ LIGHTYEAR was there. HANDSOME as ever. The Kids seemed to like him and Woody, the Cowboy. I still can hear Tom Hank's voice. Think little Mic Man had a very HaPpY 3rd BiRtHdAy. Hugging the Grandchildren is sweet. His Momma Shell made the cake. Delicious. All together I think there were 18 people present.




That evening, we women folk went to shop at 'Ross' located at the Mall. On the way there, I realized that the traveling cash was in my hubby's pocket and I had $2 plus change to my name. This was good for me? Prevented me from buying unnecessary goodies that I know I would have bought if there had been more $$$ in my wallet. I had checks and credit card, but no need to spend?

A very BRAVE act on my part. An act in discipline. Almost pain free. I lived to tell the story.

I bought a $1.99 bottle of Creamy Cliven Shampoo from Italy. Not bad and I walked away not feeling deprieved. Me and shampoo have a thang goin on!!!







Went home and watched the old 1938 black and white movie 'Jezebel' starring Bette Davis with her Bette Davis eyes and Henry Fonda. Wished this movie was colorized...the interior sets are so beautiful, not to mention the wardrobe the cast wore.







We spent the night and woke up to Shell's pancakes with sausage links, coffee and orange juice.






Had a shower, loaded the car up and when it was time to head back to HomeHaven we stopped in Arcadia at Pops for lunch. The Birthday Boy's Family met us at 'POPS' and we had one of their great hamburgers and soda. Said our good byes and traveled back to Kansas dropping in to see my folks and a nearby brother. Got home late and I am tired today.

Still in my housecoat. Will have a slow paced day. Lord willing.


How did the Month of March sneek up on me so fast? Have bills to do, paperwork that doesn't go away, laundry, and major clean-up. This month...I HAVE TO get the spare room reorganized. HAVE TO. HAVE TO.

Daylight Savings Time starts in 14 days! Ready for the evenings with more light as SpRiNg comes. March hopefully will be the start of cleaning up the backyard, clearing out the basement and having the Master Bedroom ceiling completed.





The month of April embraces and celebrates Easter on the 4th. I'm off to a good start and have Easter treats for my Grands already. Think during Toddler's Nap time today I will assemble 5 Easter Baskets for the Grandchildren...getting them ready to go. Will put them in a plastic box for safe keeping.











The BIG 3-0...My daughter will turn 30 in April...thinking ahead of time how to treat her for her big day. She already says she wants a huge chocolate cake. If I take her to a tearoom or spa...will that hurt?


EARLY Today before Toddler woke up and my babysitting duties kicked in...I was thinking about the Bible Story where Jacob wrestled with the Angel of the Lord. They wrestled all night and finally the Angel dislocated Jacob's hip. Now that would have hurt...As far as I know Jacob walked with a limp the rest of his human life.

Do you know the story???







Think this is great place to stop for the day.
So glad you stopped by. Thank you for sharing with me. Did you watch the Olympics?

~Deanna~

twizzlers

Yes...I know I'm 54, but that doesn't matter in cyberspace!!! Twizzlers TRULY are one of my favorites. What's yours?

Have a SwEeT week-end.

Deanna