Tea With Thee

Dear Beloved, I have missed having tea with

thee. It's been awhile. I so needed a friend today to

share some concerns. Thank you for being that

friend. I am delighted to have some time to visit

with you. Tea of your choice, Cucumber

Sandwiches, Carrot Salad with Raisins and

Grandessa Signature Milk Chocolate Covered Macadamia Nuts imported from Australia to sweeten the palate.

OHHHHH these smooth milk chocolates are soooooo good.

On the box of the macadamia nuts...it says NATIVE TO THE SOILS AND HEAVY RAINFALLS OF AUSTRALIA, THE MACADAMIA TREE CAME TO HAWAII FROM AUSTRALIA IN 1882. ENJOY THE TASTE OF THE AMAZING MACADAMIA NUT THAT THE ABORIGINES HAVE ENJOYED FOR THOUSANDS OF YEARS!

No wonder this chocolate taste so good.
Today I had some Lab work done per my request. The Lab Tech did an almost pain free job on my arm. That helped! Next week I will revisit my Physician about how the month has gone taking blood pressure meds. Keeping a BP Journal. Seem to be tolerating the medicine alright. 3 weeks ago I visited with my MD about wanting to have some blood work done to check my Thyroid as well as to be checked for Diabetes.

Two years ago, my Mom had her thyroid completely removed and there were some tumors and cancer cells. Want to stay on top of this for myself as well.

Last summer my oldest Brother found out he had Type 2 Diabetes and he had NO SYMPTOMS. Did I say that right? Yes...NO SYPMTOMS...none. Want to stay on top of this also.

3 weeks ago after I left the doctors office and returned home that night I was feeling around on my neck and found a lump close to the thyroid area...hummmmm...so when I see my doctor next week I will be talking to him about this lump. Not happy about this.

Today, I bought a little book about Afternoon Teas! This should be fun to see what is said about this wonderful time of day. Would you like another finger food size sandwich?

My day went something like this:

Got Lil Miss ready for the day after I groomed myself and off we went.

Drove leisurely through the Prairie to the Doctor's Office. The drive ministered to my soul.

Lab Appointment.

Shopped at Dollar Tree.

Lunch with sweet Hubby.

Stopped at the Senior Center...they were having a sale...bought 2 little shelves. I spent $6.

Treated myself to a Mocha Frappe.

Shopped at Aldi's.

Drove home through the Prairie listening to my French Lesson.

Went to the little Grocery Store.

Home again to unload!

Daughter offered to fix Supper. I didn't have to think twice about this. I said, "PLEASE!!!"

Would you like to join us for Supper?

SUPPER:

Sirloin Strip

Baked Potato with real Butter and Cottage Cheese

Medley Salad of Baby Carrots, Cucumber and Broccolli

Natural Apple Sauce

Iced Tea

Tonight I have got to work on tidying the Master Bedroom!!!!!!!! Lord, I do need an extra boost of energy...just about now.



Wonderful day and the sun was shining!!!

Thank you for having Tea With Thee...

I love ya and wish you well,

d

Homemaker

MOST GRACIOUS Heavenly Father, 
You've given me such a blessed life as a wife and homemaker.  
There's not another home just like this one. 
Unique and custom made.  Thank you! 
I bless your HOLY and precious name.
Always in the name of Jesus I pray,
AMEN
 
~Deanna~

Happy Home Happenings

April Blessings to you!

This past week seemed to pass by so

quickly. I hope to have some new pics

downloaded or uploaded this week onto a

new thumbdrive so I can keep current on

my pictures for blogging.

On Tuesday morning as I drove around while shopping in a near-by city, I listened to my French Lesson. How's that for multi-tasking!!! After a Tuesday morning of shopping I was so ready for an afternoon nap. It's been such along time since I took one that I had almost forgotten what that felt like.

Thursday evening was a time to relax at a gathering

and enjoy listening to Pete Whitebird sing and

share about his life. His Father abandoned him, Pete's

Mother and baby sister when Pete was about three

years old. Pete's Mom would remarry and Pete said

his new father wasn't too fond of him. Pete's a Native

American Chippewa Indian from Topeka, Kansas who

gave his life to Christ in 1973 while on a hunting trip.

If you like Country Christian Music I don't know how you wouldn't like easy to listen to Singer Pete Whitebird. Eleven number one singles on the National Christian Country Charts.

Sooooo thankful when Friday evening rolled around. It was a relaxing time.

On Saturday, the weather was pleasant.

As requested for a birthday present,

my husband and I babysat Lil Miss

while daughter went to an out of town

Beth Moore Simulcast. A blessing.

She talked about the BREAD OF LIFE.



We traveled to another small town to pick up our order of Angel Food. This ministry gives a portion of what others pay for their monthly order to the homeless. Outside of our order we were allowed additional bread. Beautiful variety of different types of bread. Breadsticks, hamburger buns, wheat bread, pumpernickel bread, donut holes and more. My granddaughter chowed down on pumbernickel bread. It is soooooo good!

I wanted to go to the local thrift shop...but first lunch at McDonalds...afterwards my head turned when I saw a sign for an Estate Sale. I walked away with a homemade quilt that I paid $20 for. Felt good about this. Washed the quilt on delicate cycle in cold water and dried it draped on the back of chairs when I got home. Also time spent in the City Park.

Saturday was slow paced
with time on the computer and PBS television to watch Lark Rise To Candleford.

While visiting my email account, a picture my son sent of his Mother-In-Law holding her Grandson at the Airport brought tears to my eyes. Tatyana flew across the ocean from Belarus and will be spending some time with them in the United States.

I continue to Spring clean and sort through items that need to find different places to reside. I have about two weeks to get this house whipped into shape before company comes.

This week I hope to take down the master bedroom panels for the windows to wash, dry and rehang. The windows will be cleaned and the room freshened up before company comes. The 5 windows in this bedroom have shutters on the windows as well and I will need to wash these clean. I might make the bed up with the quilt I bought.

Finishing out Sunday evening with Russell Stover Sugar Free TOFFEE SQUARES covered with chocolate candy is a nice way to end the day while blogging.

What did you do to make your home a happier place?
I bought a quilt and 6 coffee cups from Italy, did some laundry, babysat and praised God. Talked about healing that is going on and spent time with my hubby while sipping hot coffee with half and half in it. Together we hung a new shower curtain and vinyl liner to brighten the upstairs bathroom. Everyday I plan to do a little something to prepare for our company coming.

May your week be peaceful and full of awe,
~Deanna~

Doin' Dishes With COLD WATER

I want to share a short story my Sister told me awhile back about dishes. Please bare with me as I paraphrase this story.

The story is called 'Good As Cold Water Can Get Them'...There was this little boy who went to stay with his Grandpa. He had never visited his Grandpa's place and was so excited that he was going to stay with him for the week-end. Grandpa lived in a very primitive place in the hill country. No electricity, no running water. The toilet was out back in an out house. The little boy was so excited! Probably sleep under the stars.

Grandpa fixed a delicious breakfast of fried eggs, bacon and toast prepared on a wood burning stove. Milk to drink. It was a great meal for a little boy to enjoy with his Grandpa. Time flew and next thing the little boy knew it was lunchtime. Grandpa fixed a yummy BLT sandwich with chips on the side and greenbeans.

The little boy noticed on his plate that there was some dried on egg yoke still on the plate left over from breakfast. So he told his Grandpa about this. Grandpa just shook his head and said, "The dishes are as good as cold water gets them."


Off to play awhile. Grandpa had made the neatest wooden toys you could ask for. Time flew. Time for supper. Gramps fixed hamburgers and fries. Looked great and smelled wonderful. Great meal for a very active little boy. He sat down to eat and noticed that there was hardened greenbean on the plate from the lunch meal. So he mentioned this to his Grandpa. Gramps just shook his head and said, "These dishes are as good as cold water gets them."

Time for bed. The little boy was really tired from his busy day with Grandpa. He heard a dog scratching at the door. Gramps told him to let the dog in. So he did. When the little boy asked His Grandpa what the dog's name was...Gramps said, "Cold Water."

Ha ha I laugh when I hear this story.

Now for reality.

Things have sure changed around here! I have to do the dishes on the go most of the time. My hubby and daughter wash alot of dishes and this is a huge help! With babysitting...I might wash a pot, rinse it and place it in the drying rack and dash off to tend to the Lil Miss. She is one fast moving child.

I don't remember dashing off in between washing dishes like this in the past. This is working for me now. If you have a short attention span...this technique is a keeper for sure. Wash a couple of plates, rinse, place in the drying rack and dash off to see where the little one went to and what she's into!

Sit and read a short children's book for her while she sits in my lap. Twirl her around as she laughs with delight..sit to catch my breath...back to wash the coffee pot, rinse, dash off to help Jr Miss take a potty break...wash hands and dash again...put a load of towels in the washing machine...dash off to answer the phone...dash back to kitchen, put dried dishes away...dash off to pick up a bowl full of cheerios from the floor...dash off to fix lunch...sit a spell...and it continues. I really thought I would lose weight doing this, but I haven't!

I have noticed that through the years chores take on a different meaning with different ways of doing them. I've got to do what works.

I wash the dishes in as hot of water as I can stand. Everyone needs one of these sponges on a stick to reach deep into a glass. They're great. Bought mine at Dollar General for one dollar. After quite a few uses, they will fall apart and that's to be expected. With them only costing a dollar I don't feel so bad about throwing it away when it's beyond repair.

I remember my Mom's glasses had etched in scratched markings on the inside of her drinking glasses. This came from washing the glasses while wearing her wedding ring. The diamonds in her ring would etch a ring inside the glasses. Diamonds cut glass really well! Mom seldom takes her wedding ring off. I love her.

Have a delightful week-end.

God bless and while you're doing your chores...may you enjoy the time you have blessing your home and family because you are there for them. You are a blessing!!! If you're single...may you know that you are loved and have great value in the eyes of God. You are a huge blessing.

~Deanna~

Gentle Day

                 

Relaxing and taking some time to see that it is possible in this fast paced world to take a deep breath and unwind.                  

A deep breath...ahhhhhhh in the shade with a great book 
and gentle breeze.

Thank you God for moments like this when I hear your small and quiet voice...Be still and KNOW that I AM God.

Money can't buy this.

Have a gentle day,

~Deanna~

earth day

This morning there's thunder and lightning with rain crossing the Kansas Prairie. Inside this rock house the sound of thunder echoes in a rumbling kind of way. I'm sipping on hot coffee with half & half in my cup to sweeten up the taste abit.

Because of the storm, I turned CBS television on to check out what this storm is predicted to do and in which direction it's going. Since it's EARTH DAY I was educated about food and clothing that are very GREEN. It just seems like this generation of thinkers are reversing to what originally was very common a hundred years ago before the polyester generation took hold of the 1960s households where petroleum products graced our homes and bodies. This green generation have signs of saving the planet.

NOW DAYS Cotton...not just any cotton, but emphasis is on ORGANIC being attached to clarify that it's very green to be wearing awesome cotton.

Food without the perservatives and chemicals is known to be healthier for people and animals.

The angle I see coming about with the GREEN MOVEMENT is that it easily becomes a RELIGION sort of speak. We have those who worship the Earth, not God. Please don't get me wrong...I believe we are to be good stewards of what God has provided, but I am discerning the false god in all of this. We were created to worship GOD. We were not created to worship the earth...the earth was created for us, not the other way around with us created for the earth.

The big push for going green will eventually suggest the MIND SET that there isn't enough natural resources for ALL of the human beings on the planet, thus we must as good people do away with so many people and down size to X amount of people on the planet so the planet will be self substaining. Heard of this? I don't have numbers handy concerning how many people will be permitted to live on planet earth...it's published and perhaps I ought to post that. I have the feeling that there's going to come a day that if you aren't fitting the mold of a worshipper of the earth...the earth worshippers will look down their noses at you because you aren't a so called good person....then there will be a stiff fine for putting out too much carbon.

For now...know this...if God created us...and HE has...then HE will not tell people to go and multiply and then say...that's enough...no more...stop...stop...stop...the earth will only substain X amount of people...changed my mind here...stop making babies and start killing your elderly...these people over here have less value than these people over there.

I'll have to go back through my notes and get the information posted that says how many people a certain group of people are saying the earth can house...off the top of my head I can't recall.

How's that for a RANT all because it is storming outside.

~Deanna~

P.S. BE comforted by God's Holy Word...

Psalm 100:3 says

Know ye that the LORD he is God: it is he that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11)For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

12)Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will harken unto ye.

13)And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.

Revelation 4:11

Thou art worthy, O LORD, to receive glory and honor and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created.

Family Room At Home Haven

'The Family Room'...Come in and sit a spell. I do alot of praying in this room. What makes your place a HOME? You do.

May your home be a happy place to rest and get refreshed. God love you!

~Deanna~

GRANNY NANNY CHRONICLES with Victorian Vision

Fun Facts about the Victorian Era amuse me from time to time.

Such as TO CONTROL INSECTS, MANY PEOPLE KEPT A HEDGEHOG IN THE BASEMENT.

It curled up and slept in the day, but roamed around the dark kitchen at night eating cockroaches and other insects!

People thought food digested better in the dark, so a dining room located in the basement was considered the best spot in which to eat. (I hadn't heard this one before...but have known some victorian dining rooms to be dark and dimly lit.)

In Abilene, Kansas is a gorgeous Victorian Mansion. The Lebold Mansion has a nicely equipped kitchen in the basement with Formal Dining on the main floor.

Being creative at three has its advantages. Junior Miss enjoys MIXING THINGS. It's not uncommon for her to join her Momma in the Kitchen to help prepare Supper...then there's Gramps/Pops who has an assistant at his side to MIX STUFF UP.

BUT DURING THE DAY we have

time to play at fixing food and such. Here's a gourmet snack straight from the heart of a three year old! Ummmmmm Yummmmmm...potato chips and marshmallows.

Who could resist? Not even a Hedgehog could turn their nose up at this!!!

Here she is writing the recipe down so she doesn't forget how to make this delicious snack for future events.

How ceative are you these days??? I'll admit...I'm lacking. Need some help.

God bless and thanks for stopping by,

Granny Nanny with SOME vision

~Deanna~

HoMe HaPpEnInGs

I'm shaking my head when I see that it's the 20th day of the month ALREADY!!!
Mercy me...where has the month gone? Flew right passed me.

Today was Hair APPOINTMENT Day. I was pleased with the new stylist...she was nice, well groomed and very much a contemporary young Lady with her brownish hair streaked with blonde highlights in a high point ponytail with...I don't know what others call it...but there are SPIKEY STRANDS of hair pointing perkish about the head. Can you imagine this...sorry no pictures today of this big event.

I left with having had her do exactly what I had asked.
Wash my hair.
Cut several inches off the bottom.
Layer the bottom.

She used such good smelling shampoo and applied a mousse afterwards to help control the frizzies.

I left and went to a quilt shoppe

to see the neatest material with funky prints on the fabrics. Off to pick my hubby up to go eat at a new restaurant. Had a California Omelet. Dropped hubby back off to work and went to Ben Franklins. Then time to go home for nap. 30 minute drive and did my best to keep Junior Miss awake till we got home. Success!!! Hurray. She took a 2 and a half hour nap.

Junior Miss was ready for her nap and I was ready for one as well.

I woke up from my nap and looked like I had stuck my finger in a light socket...the frizz control product was not evident!!! I look a fright!!! It will wash out tomorrow or I will just pull my hair back in bun or ponytail. I asked my hubby if I could cut my hair short and very quickly he blurted out, "NO!!!!!" I guess I will have longer hair for a little while longer.

Tonite I had dessert before the meal. This is permitted. My sweet daughter brought home from her workplace a BROWNIE! O Momma it was just right. Moist and delicious. Since it wasn't very large...it was guilt-free.

For Supper we had:
Hamburger Steak
Cooked Carrots
Homemade Gravy over Rice
and Coffee with Creamer

Update on kittens! They're doing well. The neighbor man gave us an update. Yes, the Mother Cat was killed and there were 4 kitties in the litter. The neighbors had been feeding the kittens...they let the kittens out and that is when they ventured out into our backyard. They weren't born in our garage as I thought beforehand. Shucks I was wrong, but glad I was...because these sweet kitties weren't without food for a week.

My Daughter said she'd take care of the kittens...so she has adopted them and named them Pinky and Tootsie. Tonite we had them in the familyroom to play and they are the cutest little things...so playful and fiesty.

Went through some paperwork and here I izzzz typing.
I love you all and pray you are well.
~Deanna~

Billie Hunt

Dear Ones, When I lived in Spring, Texas way back when...I was blessed to attend a Bible Study that Billie Hunt led. Oh how I MISS this. One of the wonderful things about Computers and the Internet is that you are able to visit great places like Billie's site anytime.

These teachings are easy to listen to and watch.

Now one can watch Online Video Teachings:

1) Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea

2) Well Shut My Mouth

3) Recipe For Prayer

4) Hope: The Companion of Faith

5) The Power of Worship

Hope you'll visit her site!

Billie Hunt Ministries at http://www.billiehunt.org/

Thanx for stopping by and God Bless you!

~Deanna~

The Kansas Connection

My cup of coffee is cold now as I have been busy with childcare and chores. That's alright...I like it cold. As I was starting to read Current Events on the computer...I read about the Oklahoma City Bombing that happened 15 years ago. Remembering where I was 15 years ago. Where were you?

15 years ago TODAY I was out shopping at a nearby Thrift Store in Hillsboro, Kansas. I over heard 2 Ladies talking about there had been a Oklahoma City EXPLOSION. It wouldn't be till I returned home that I would hear the rest of the STORY.

I had recently resigned from the Marion, Kansas Elementary Grade School as a Para to the 4th Grade Classes as my husband had taken a job in UTAH. We'd be moving soon and I needed the extra time to prepare for the move. I MADE the FREE TIME and went a shopping.

The terrible Oklahoma City explosion and so many innocent people dead.

Earlier in the school year I read in the local newspaper that explosive caps and dynamite had been stolen from the Marion, Kansas Quarry. I imagined that a High School Kid did this and then what would they do with these things. I had no idea the connection these caps and dynamite had with the Oklahoma City Horror till later.

Terry Nichols was living nearby in Herington, Kansas. The FBI investigated the Marion, Kansas Grocery Store where my son worked because a FAX had been sent from there by one of the bombers. Pretty sure the rental truck Timothy McVeigh used in the bombing came from Manhattan, Kansas.

15 years ago, I was 39 years old...living in a dinky rental house in Marion, Kansas, married to my sweetheart, mother to 3 active children, preparing for ANOTHER move.

~Deanna~

Sunday Salad

Life Just Got A Little Easier Spinach Salad

Salads on Sundays for Suppers sounds good to me.

Boil your eggs the day before and have them ready to use on Sunday.

Store eggs in the fridge til ready to peel and serve. Allow at least 2 eggs per person.

An hour before serving salad, place the salad plates in your fridge to be chilling.

Soak the spinach leaves in cold salt water for 10 minutes.

Rinse the spinach leaves in cold water.

Place leaves in between paper towels to absorb water from leaves.

Select large bowl for salad.

Tear salad leaves into bite size pieces.

Cut sweet red onion into thin slices.

Add mandarin oranges.

Shredded cheese if you like.

Add Sliced boiled eggs.

Sprinkle with bacon bits or chunks of ham.

Drizzle Salad Dressing on top.

Don't forget the crutons.

Toss and serve.

Serve on chilled salad plate.

Make a simple salad for Sunday evenings...with easy clean-up.

Life just got a little easier,

~Deanna~