THIS WEEK IS FULL OF TURKEY JOY

Real dishes, glassware, turkey!

MAKING preparations for the BIG MEAL 

on THURSDAY.  It will be wonderful.

On the other hand, I have some health issues 
that popped up on their own.  Makes LIFE unpredictable.  

Washing my hands a great deal.

Having running water and soap is something to be THANKFUL about.

SLOW PACED WEEK-END FOR ME as I rested a great deal.  My right eye was so sore and red, I began to think maybe just maybe I have PINK EYE.  SO I'll keep AN EYE on it.  

WIKIPEDIA TO THE RESCUE AGAIN.  
Conjunctivitis, also known as pink eye, is inflammation of the outermost layer of the white part of the eye and the inner surface of the eyelid.^[4] It makes the eye appear pink or reddish.^[1] Pain, burning, scratchiness, or itchiness may occur.^[1] The affected eye may have increased tears or be "stuck shut" in the morning.^[1] Swelling of the white part of the eye may also occur.^[1] Itching is more common in cases due to allergies.^[3] Conjunctivitis can affect one or both eyes.

DO you ever think that things like this happen so one really slows down and focuses on heavenly things? I sometimes wonder.

I'm getting ready to sip some peppermint coffee for my morning beverage.  Think I will try whipping up some celery juice to drink for lunch.  I'll have to use a blender because my food processor is long gone.  WISH ME LUCK.

Off to the laundromat this afternoon to wash some towels and maybe some casual shirts.  I need to return to the grocery store to leisurely shop for the last items needed for THANKSGIVING meal.  I will be doing semi-homemade meal as the store will help me with the pumpkin pies I will use.  My pumpkin pies just never turned out so I am wise enough to use the grocers.  

Last night I started to assemble a 6 foot collapsible spiral tree that I bought at GOODWILL last week for a smidgen of what a new one would cost from WALMART.  

All the pieces were there except for the instructions.  Welp.  Can it be that hard?            

I started and HUBBY finished it.  I TRIED.  Together we are a team.  Plugged it in and let it shine bright in the LIVING ROOM.  If we put her outside, it'll be after THANKSGIVING.  I LOVED IT!  The extra lights sparkled JOY in my soul.  

A village of these would be so pretty and easy to store when not in use due to being collapsible and already wired with lights.  Hum.  Will give this some more thought.


These are a different style, but thought the colors were gorgeous.  

Having a village of these would be lovely to display in the cold season of  CHRISTMAS.  Adding some warmth helps during WINTER.

Getting some ideas!  Yes.  I need help.

I read some on the Delany Sisters about their health regime. May start to take tyrosine.  They took this along with castor oil.  Praying for strength.  

I listened to opera as I sat in my chair.  Maria Callus.  Cody Austin.  Montserrat Caballe, her husband and daughter....and more.  OPERA is growing on me.  I want to go in person to at least one opera in 2020.  I can continue to listen at HOME.  My voice is not so strong.  Thyroid being removed didn't help, but I can practice in the privacy of my HOME and not be bothered with how I sound.  I about blow my husband's eardrums out when he has his hearing aides in.  Grins.  That's loud, right?  hehe

As I sit, I do wiggle and move my arms about.  I have some light weight weights that I will use in 2020.  AND AWAY I GO.  Short walks, slow stretches and weights.  Vitamins and minerals.  Filtered water and boo-coo vegetables.  Small about of chocolate.  Green Teas.  A HEALTHIER MEmeeeeeeemeeeeeemeeeeee. Sewing, reading, drawing, writing, etc. etc. etc.  GOALS FOR 2020 and beyond.

I did watch some videos about FRED ROGERS.  I still don't agree with swimming in the nude.  Nope.  I thought his youth was interesting as he was overweight and called fatty Freddie.  An only child until he was 11 when his parents adopted a girl.  Shy.  Creative though.  Musically inclined.  He slimmed down and stayed at 143 pounds.  Passing away from stomach cancer.  

The internet is very helpful in this regards to reading and watching 
you tube videos.

OVER THE WEEK-END I VISITED Wichita, Kansas COW TOWN MURDOCK HOUSE via computer.  I love that place.  Mooooooo.

http://www.oldcowtown.org/Pages/Residential.aspx

FRIDAY NIGHT I ventured off to a WOmen's meeting where we made CHRISTMAS SWAGS.  Great snacks, conversation and a craft with my Daughter.  She treated me to a STARBUCK's Peppermint Mocha. It was delicious.  Peppermint makes a comeback this morning as I am sipping an off brand one as I type.

JIBBER JABBER:  So that's Christmas Trees, Opera Singers, Mister Rogers, Christmas Swag, Peppermint Mocha Coffee, The Delany Sister's advice, COW TOWN, laundry, nutrition, and exercise.  Preparing for THANKSGIVING GET TOGETHER and TURKEY.  No time for PINK EYE.    

So off to a busy and productive day.  I will be full of JOY as I give more thought about what I am THANKFUL for.

Thanks for stopping by.  
May you have a pleasant week,
d

Be.......

IF YOU CAN'T BE PRETTY...

BE DYNAMIC!

CHARMING!

V I V A C I O U S !

KIND!
honest!

WELL GROOMED!

SMELL good!

THOUGHTFUL!

C R e A T I V E !

Tidy!

ORGANIZED!

GODLY!

HAVE CHARACTER!

thrifty!

Be.

you matter,

d

LUXURIOUS HONOR

GRAYS MARKET WHERE ARE YOU???

WEEK-END.  The week-end before THANKSGIVING is an awful time to go shopping for last minute items as well as the whole shabang due to the huge overflow of shoppers.  I'm rather a slow paced ninny who likes to dawdle while shopping.  Taking my dear sweet time.  Tis a luxurious honor to be able to do this.

The other day, a foolish man was trying to BULLY me as I was driving the speed limit in town down Main Street.  He apparently did not like the fact that I was physically ahead of him while he had places to go.  Well...I did as well.  Believe it or not I have the right to be where I was when I was.

He drove his pick-up truck behind me tailgating my car bumper.  If I had slammed on the brakes, he would have ran into me and been ticketed for being too close.  hum.  The thought crossed my mind.  Instead I continued driving the speed limit.  Foolish man... as the company he works for is printed on the side of his truck as I could read it as I entered into the right turn lane.  

duuuuuh...peeps can read.  Should not bully this old woman here.  I don't like being bullied.  I can take my business elsewhere.  Alrighty then.

Planning on doing my shopping on Monday for the rest of my THANKSGIVING MEAL as the turkey, ham, paper products, cups and chips are taken care of.  Streamlining the meal as best I can.

Grocery List PLEASE:
 Pumpkin Pie
Whipped Cream
Sandwich Buns
Hot dogs
Mac 'n Cheese
Two types of cheese slices
Spring Salad
Salad Dressing
Mayo
Mustard
plasticware
Tea bags
Bottled water
Plasticware
Aluminum pans


This week will fly as I prepare for THANKSGIVING.
After Thanksgiving, Christmas decorating will kick in.
Cleaning the house for company will take some doing.  THREE WEEKS in here to get this accomplished and CHRISTMAS GIFTS.

I'm running behind on the gifts.  To make this easier GIFT CARDS ARE IN ORDER.  I use to have the Christmas gifts wrapped and ready to give at THANKSGIVING.  This was a great feeling to have as I was allowed the rest of the season to focus on Christmas Day.  Things have changed.  I can still focus on CHRIST's birthday and be content, not wired.  Just relax and take deep breathes of the glorious season.  Candle Light Services and singing.  Warm wishes and peace on Earth, GOOD WILL toward mankind.
 Luke 2:13- 15
…13And suddenly there appeared with the angel a great multitude of the heavenly host, praising God and saying: 14“Glory to God in the highest, and on earthpeace to men on whom His favor rests!” 15When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let us go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has made known to us.”…

I'll be looking for the NATIVITY SCENE this week, so I know where it's at.

Have a blessed week,

d  

HAPPY 18th BIRTHDAY

The day she was born seems just like it happened yesterday.

18 times 365 = 6570 give or take a day.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

and many more,

ALEXIS.

Much LOVE and happiness,

Gma

MERRY THANKSGIVINGS

LAST NIGHT BEFORE RETIRING TO BED, I could hear rain and ice hitting the window by my chair.  I stopped for a moment wondering what that noise was?  Twas the rain that had been in the forecast for a wintry day in the last days of late AUTUMN coming to pay us a visit.  Next week it is suppose to be dry.  I pray that is true as it will make THANKSGIVING all the merrier.  

TODAY as I look out the window the sky is so grey it could easily be mistaken for WINTER.  I need to make a mad dash to the dollar store to purchase some freezer bags for the turkey I baked yesterday evening.  The turkey will be frozen then thawed and warmed for turkey sandwiches in a week.  

This Sunday, I believe I will go ahead and make a trip to TOPEKA to SAMs to purchase the rest of my THANKSGIVING items needed for FAMILY GATHERING.  The turkey was baked and carved last night.  The ham is already sliced, bagged and stored in the freezer as well for Ham Sandwiches.  The miniature bags of potato chips are bought.  Paper products done.  I want to get the boxed Spring Salad from SAMs and some salad dressing plus cheese slices for sandwiches.  All Beef Hot Dogs on buns.  Mac 'n cheese.  Need two types of bread for sandwiches for variety.  

Wanting this THANKSGIVING DAY MEAL to be a little unconventional, but we will not starve.  A new TRADITION to make things easier this year.  Will be filling and we will still have fellowship as FAMILY.  That matters.  Wanting an easy meal to share so more time is spent together and not slaving away in the KITCHEN.  Paper products will make the clean-up just that much easier.  ENERGY will be spent in conversation.


YESTERDAY when I was out and about, I stopped at the THRIFT STORE and bought a beautiful NUTCRACKER that was in their window.  He needs dusted, but will be a nice addition to my collection.  A NUTCRACKER, miniature wreath, Santa, a few Christmas ornaments.

I THINK THIS YEAR I will line some NUTCRACKERS down the center of the Dining room table for a cheery centerpiece.  Will let you know how that turns out.

THRIFT ITEMS I bought earlier were unwrapped and washed.  Did some research on some of the glassware and I think I hit the jackpot.

AINT HE PURDEE?

I washed my Lennox Santa.  He has a bag for CHRISTMAS CANYDY.  This is a great candy dish to have.  It is a bit challenging, but I will WAIT to decorate.

It's beginning to look a lot like CHRISTMAS at the stores and outside as the snow has begun to fall.  The Street decorations are up and shining.  I will be persistent and WAIT UNTIL AFTER THANKSGIVING TO decorate for the Christmas season.

HoHoHo.  Merry Thanksgiving.  
I am thankful for.....so much.  So very much.
d

I HEAR A TRAIN A COMIN'

HEARING THE TRAIN WHISTLE AT ABOUT 10:08 this morning caused me to get excited about the BIG BOY No. 4014 rolling through my small town.  About a minute later, I stood at my kitchen sink looking through the garden window and watched the top of the train roll down the track at a distance.  For a very short amount of time and through a very limited space I got to see this train roll quickly through town.  

UNION PACIFIC's CELEBRATION of the 150th Anniversary of the completion of the TRANSCONTINENTAL RAILROAD features BIG BOY.

Here’s a hype train you can get on, if only metaphorically: a restored Big Boy steam train will make a Wednesday morning stop in Manhattan as part of Union Pacific’s celebration of the 150th anniversary of the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad.

The 132-foot-long, 1.2 million pound Big Boy No. 4014, a steam train originally commissioned in 1941, will stop between 9:30 and 10:15 a.m. at the South Manhattan Avenue rail crossing. The train is the only one of eight in existence that is still in operation.

https://www.wibw.com/content/news/Big-Boy-makes-it-way-across-Kansas-565238982.html?fbclid=IwAR3WCvE4n9NkT9zBA9vDBT-H_8LDr7XFI49gMqe0q1w5M2Uopr_8aooD1yg

Something special on a Wednesday.

A thrill for many to see and hear this 

BIG BOY,

d

Pot Of Coffee and A Whole Lot of Talking

WE MET UP WITH OUR DAUGHTER AND GRAND at the Mexican Restaurant which serves the best, very thin chips with salsa before the meal.  I look forward to their root beer as it is the BEST.  I had shredded chicken enchiladas with red sauce, rice and beans.  AFTER our meal, we went over to our daughter's for a pot of coffee.  


When we entered the door, DOTY came out fired up and oh so excited to see us.  It's been a while since we were in her house.  Her tiny hairy body was so excited to see us she sang a high pitched song and begged for attention as we were petting her back.  This much excitement makes me a very happy visitor.  

She is so full of energy it's invigorating to watch.  I just love her.  LOVE her.  

We had a nice chat and visited.  Just enough time to sip a cup of coffee, unwind at Daughter's and look outside through the picture window to see the FLINT HILLS.  It is a healing balm to my weary soul.  I need a strong dose of scenery every once in a while.  

Sometimes I wish I could look out our back window and see the rolling hills covered in AUTUMN browns and golds that disappear with WINTER then awaken again when perky SPRING comes.  

Home we went and I seriously took a NAP.  These days it doesn't take very much effort to run out of gusto and need an afternoon NAP.

I know I slept with my mouth open.  YAWN.  Not a pretty sight.  We had left over roast beef for SUPPER which I made into a stew.  Out of soda crackers so we had ritz instead.  This added a nice flavor.  Twas really good if I do say so myself.  

Watched a series on the big screen and stayed up late.  Slept well considering that I sweat while sleeping and can't get an answer as to why.  Autoimmune messed up.

Things to do this coming week in preparation for THANKSGIVING.  Afterwards CHRISTMAS will happen with JOY and excitement in the cold.  Hope it snows come Christmas Day!!!

Bucket list is in need of being rewritten.  Some quiet time is needed to give this some thought.  I think the last time I did this one of my dear friends passed away.  sigh.

Every day is different.
Lovely to be a HOMEMAKER!
d

TURKEY COUNT DOWN

THOUGHT THIS WAS GRIN WORTHY.  Laughed out loud.  How many of us have been told one thing just to be led into a drama that we needed to get out of really fast?  I don't think this turkey stands a chance.  Already believes the lie and dressed for the occasion.

THANKSGIVING THIS YEAR will be adapted to some short cuts to make the meal run smoother as I am low on ENERGY.  Most of the food prep will be done ahead of time on a different day than THANKSGIVING DAY.  10 days until lift off!  

~MENU~

Turkey 

Ham 

All Beef Hot Dogs 

Cranberry Sauce 

Relish Tray 

Corn 

Green Bean Casserole

Mashed Potatoes and gravy 

Dressing

Macaroni and cheese

Dinner Rolls and butter

Pumpkin Pie with whipped Cream

Water

Iced Tea

Coffee

*********************************************************************************

MENU

Baked Turkey 

(Baked week before.  

After it cools, bag, freeze.  

Day before event, thaw in fridge.  

Thanksgiving Day heat and serve.)

Ham slices 

(Already sliced and in the freezer ready.  

Thaw in fridge day before Thanksgiving 

then on TD warm and serve.)

All Beef Hot Dogs 

(Will pop in a pan full of hot water and warm Thanksgiving Day.)

Cranberry Sauce 

(store bought...open day of and serve.)

Relish Tray of pickles and olives (day of.)

Corn 

(Prep a day before, cool, bag and stack in fridge until Thanksgiving day then warm before serving.)

Green Bean Casserole

(Prep a day before, cool, bag and stack in fridge until Thanksgiving day then warm before serving.)

Mashed Potatoes and gravy 

(Prepare mashed potatoes on Thanksgiving Day.  

Gravy fixed on day the turkey is baked.  

Cool, bag and freeze.  

Warm up on TD)

Dressing

(Prep a day before, cool, bag and stack in fridge until Thanksgiving day then warm before serving.)

Macaroni and cheese

(Prep a day before, cool, bag and stack in fridge until Thanksgiving day then warm before serving.)

Dinner Rolls with butter

(Store bought.  Warm 15 minutes before meal)

Pumpkin Pie and whipped Cream 

(store bought and ready to serve.)

Water

Iced Tea

Coffee

THIS WAY MOST OF THE FOOD WILL BE WARMED THE MORNING OF THANKSGIVING INSTEAD OF DOING ALL THE LABOR THE DAY OF.

Meal at NOON.

THANKSGIVING DAY

Set table.

Mashed Potatoes and gravy made. 

Ice Tea brewed.

Turkey warmed.

Ham warmed.

Hot Dogs warmed.

Dressing warmed.

Mac 'n cheese warmed.

Corn warmed.

Green Bean Casserole warmed.

Dinner Rolls warmed.

Cranberry sauce in serving dish.

Relish tray prepared.

4 Serving forks: 2 Large ones for turkey and ham. 

                              2 Small forks for hot dogs and relish tray.

3 Large Serving spoons: dressing, 

                                        mac 'n cheese, 

                                        green bean casserole.

1 Large Slotted serving spoon: corn.

1 Small serving spoon needed: cranberry sauce.

Butter knife.

Place food items in serving bowls and dishes.

Fill glasses.

Say GRACE.

Serve.

Eat.

Chat and visit.

Clean-up.

Clear the table.

Wash and dry the dishes and pans.

Put away.

Hum.......

Is there is a PLAN B???
ON SECOND THOUGHT....PLAN B might be:

Turkey sandwiches, Ham sandwiches and Hot dogs.
Mayo, mustard, cheese slices, salt and pepper.
Miniature bagged chips.
Combination salad with salad dressing.
Mac 'n cheese.
Pumpkin Pie with whipped cream.
Beverages.
Paper plates, paper napkins, throw away cups and utensils.

Will prepare meats at home.
Purchase 2 types of fancy buns.
Bagged chips.
Sam's Spring Green Salad and dressing.
Prepare mac 'n cheese.
Buy store bought Pumpkin Pie and whipped cream.
Have already bought throw away cups, plates and napkins. Need plastic ware.

SIMPLICITY NEEDED.
This week I will prepare meats and freeze.
A trip to Family Dollar and Sam's early next week for aluminum pans for meats, mac 'n cheese, buns, plasticware, bagged chips, pies.

STILL THANKFUL TO BE GATHERING AS A FAMILY and having fellowship and food!  Counting our blessings.  Amen and amen.

PLAN B this year.
Blessings,
d

SUNDAY THOUGHTS FOR EVERY DAY: WESTERNIZED INTERPRETATION OF 2 Chronicles 7:14

2 Chronicles 7:14

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.”

King James Version (KJV)

MANY TIMES I HAVE HEARD PEOPLE REFER TO THIS OLD TESTAMENT SCRIPTURE AS IF IT APPLIES TO OUR PRESENT DAY...IF WE HUMBLE OURSELVES, PRAY,SEEK GOD'S FACE, AND TURN FROM OUR WICKED WAYS, OUR HEAVENLY GOD WILL HEAR US AND HEAL OUR LAND.  I began to question if this could apply to our society in the here and now or if this is history and applies to ISRAEL?  I have come across a sight that explains. Here's some info from the sight.....  

The first problem that the modern-day, “Westernized” interpretation encounters is that the United States does not have the same covenant relationship with God that ancient Israel enjoyed. The covenant with Israel was unique and exclusive. The terms that applied to Israel simply did not apply to any other nation, and it is improper for these terms to co-opted and applied to a different nation.

Some might object that Christians are still called by God’s name and in some ways have inherited the covenant with Israel—and this may be true to some extent. Certainly, if a nation is in trouble, a prayerful and repentant response by Christians in that nation is always appropriate. However, there is another issue that is often overlooked.

When ancient Israel repented and sought the Lord, they were doing so en masse. The nation as a whole repented. Obviously not every single Israelite repented and prayed, but still it was national repentance. There was never any indication that a small minority of the nation (a righteous remnant) could repent and pray and that the fate of the entire nation would change. God promised deliverance when the entire nation repented.

When 2 Chronicles 7:14 is applied to Christians in the U.S. or any other modern nation, it is usually with the understanding that the Christians in that nation—the true believers in Jesus Christ who have been born again by the Spirit of God—will comprise the righteous remnant. God never promised that if a righteous remnant repents and prays for their nation, that the nation will be saved. Perhaps if national repentance occurred, then God would spare a modern nation as He spared Nineveh at the preaching of Jonah (see Jonah 3)—but that is a different issue.

https://www.gotquestions.org/2-Chronicles-7-14.html

God is still on the throne,
d

PRAIRIE HARVEST RECAP

GIVING THANKS this month.

Entertaining thoughts about what I'm THANKFUL for.

Thankful to you for stopping by 

and visiting me in blogland.

God bless and the all the best

this season,

d

AS THE SEASON MORPHS INTO CHRISTMAS, I want to slow my pace down to take some time soaking in late Autumn.  The temperature have chilled out and I'm not.  The early sundowns fading into darkness have challenged me to find interesting things to do at HOME.

My bucket list needs updated as the season changes.  Retirement is inching along this month as Hubby will retire at the end of December.  I ask myself, "Can you believe we are at this phase of our lives?"  The list of things I hope to get accomplished before 2020 begins have grown some.  If I don't succeed the list will just carry over into a new year and that's that.

It amazes me how odd this is as we are in our mid 60s.  Like where did the time go?  What happened to us?  Where are we going?  Will there be time for......how's about the money?  This has been an ongoing question throughout my adult life as a married woman.  The medical bills have grown and in order to pay them, the sacrifice of doing without much kicks in.  Praying for strength, favor, guidance.  Praying.

TRUSTING in GOD will help.  Help.

Being creative is a must,
d

DOTY HARVEST

SHE's my Daughter and Grand-daughter's doggy named DOTY!  
This name suits her to a T.  

A bundle of energy... so very playful.  
LOVE HER.  

LOVE HER.  LOVE HER.

Always in the thick of things.  

She's a character.

Not difficult to enjoy.
A heart-load of love.

Harvest Blessings to all.......

d

Doreen Virtue Testimony: "Why I left the new age to follow Jesus"