Leave It to Beaver and Baked Carrots

Tonight, I had a late start in getting supper going. I made a huge pot of mashed potatoes, some crock pot chicken and a new recipe for cooked carrots. This meal called for lots of pealing and paring, dicing and mashing. To make my tasks a bit lighter,  I popped in a Leave It To Beaver DVD. I love watching this show as much at age 50 as I did when I first saw it at about 4 years old. I don't mind telling you  that I laughed out loud several times. DD heard me one time and hollered out to me, "I love that episode."  Haha. Timeless comedy!

Here is a new recipe (new to me at least) for baked carrots.  Simply scrub or peel a pan full of carrots--you can use the baby carrots that are so easy to find these days or the regular sized carrots. Just try to make sure they are sliced or presented in uniform sizes for consistency in baking. Drizzle a bit of olive oil over the carrots; then dash a bit of sea salt and pepper on top. Toss a bit and place in a pre-heated over (425) for about 25 minutes. They are so flavorful this way! This will remind you a bit of carrots cooked in a beef stew or pot roast all day. They are still a little crisp  but not crunchy. You may substitute butter for the olive oil, but I think the oil brings out the carrot flavor!

God Bless America . . . Land that I Love

May God bless this country as we honor those who have fought and died for her. I hope we can once again be a country worthy of such a sacrifice and worthy of His Supreme and Divine Love. 

We must return to Him as
the Light from Above."

A Night on the Town . . . and On the Ground

DS1 recently celebrated his 19th birthday and received some birthday money.  He is usually very close with his money, but after a night on the town, he came home with 2 gallons of sweet tea from Chick-Fil-A.  He was so pleased with himself! He and his friends (one of whom works at this establishment) ate supper at Chick-Fil-A, then went to see the new Star Trek movie. DS had already seen the movie with mom and siblings, but was excited about seeing it again. As if this were not enough excitement, they all went to the soccer field at the College where they engaged in "Star tripping." I have never heard of this pastime, but he was so tickled  when he came in telling us all about it. Apparently, you fix your eyes on a particular star, then spin around in place about 10 times, all the while watching that same star. Then, someone else shines a flashlight in your eyes and that makes you fall down. Now, being dizzy and falling down doesn't sound particularly appealing to me, but they seemed to love it. And believe me, this is a crowd of teetotalers.

These are nice young men. They each love the Lord and serve Him with gladness in their own unique ways.I am grateful that DS1  has such good friends even if I am a bit confused about "star tripping."

Thanking God for His Traveling Mercies

DD's best friend and her family went recently to a very large city, and she commented that they were pretty much awestruck.  That's how I feel in the city--I am a Country Mouse for sure. We praise God for their safe travel, and ask His blessings for our other friends traveling this week. It's wonderful to see new places and visit family, but so good to be back home.

Holly Hobbie

Here she is--Holly Hobbie! I love Holly Hobbie!  She is very difficult to find these days, especially in cross stitch designs. I found this 1972 book on the Amazon Marketplace. I cannot wait to get started. I wonder if any of you remember that Sears had two different color schemes of quilt patterns for girls' bedrooms in the 70's? One was comprised of predominantly pink and green patches; the other, blues and browns. Once in a while, I run up on  a picture of one of these. I can't help but think that Sears marketed these in light of the Holly Hobbie designs of the day. Oh well . . .

Here it is! After I posted, I did a quick search. Aren't they lovely?

I am looking forward to starting on this pattern. I have to finish the dancing girls' sampler first. I am about 60% done. There are many things in my sewing basket to keep me busy this summer!

Oh My Goodness!

For DS1's birthday, we went to the new Star Trek movie--the second in the "reboot" series. I was really unhappy with some of the liberties the director and writers took with the original show's canon in the first movie--not that my opinion mattered. This time, I went in with some skepticism, expecting the same. Well, what a surprise. The movie was fantastic, and as my sons said, it was much like an apology to all of us offended by the first one! There were so many times throughout the movie that I wanted to jump up and holler. At the end, I clapped. What a great movie. I am so grateful for our children who have become Trekkies right along side their mother. They knew all of the inside references and details which were paying kind homage to those of us who have lived in the 23rd century since September of 1966!  DS 1 is going back on Friday, and  I hope to talk DH into going so that he can see it this time around!

Happy Mother's Day!

Tennessee Ernie Ford

This is the time in the semester when everyone is stressed: DH, me and the kids. All of the year's activities seem to culminate in about a two-week period of events, exams and performances. None of this is bad, just hectic. Last night, I was working on everything for school today, and the laundry and the dogs, and dishes--yikes. "Calgon, take me away!" Well, DH saved the day by cleaning up the kitchen for me, remaining calm and putting on one of our Tennessee Ernie Ford records! As his deep voice resonated throughout the house, I felt a sense of calm and joy--really, really, really. Why? Not because of Ernie himself--it was his songs! (having said that, I  think Ernie would be pleased to have brought the Lord back into my mind through this beautiful record!)

I think we all need reminders of His presence in our lives, not because He steps away or neglects us--just the opposite. We get too busy to pray, to sing His praises and to remember the joy of our salvation. The half-brother of Jesus, James, reminds us in God's Holy Word, draw nigh unto God, and He will draw nigh unto you.