~ Ramblings ~

Just a quick post to say "hello". Both friends mentioned in my previous post have passed away and I feel sad.  I I also feel very grateful to have my health and independence, to be able to do the things I want and take time to smell the roses. Next week will be brighter and I'll have my mojo back!  :-)


Have a wonderful weekend and hug the ones you love ~

~ 20 Things To Start Doing In Your Relationships ~

A friend of mine has been hospitalized since the 3rd week of May due to pnuemonia and then diagnosed with ARDS (Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome). He hasn't had anything by mouth and has lost a great deal of weight even though he's being fed through a tube. He's always been extremely strong, a "mountain man" as he describes himself and a lover of the outdoors.


Another friend I went to school with was diagnosed with Stage 4 colon cancer 6 weeks ago. She had a chemo treatment the first of June and a lung collapsed. She got over that and then last Wed she had another treatment. A massive heart attack followed and even though her husband & the paramedics did CPR, she was without oxygen too long. The ventilator and all life support was removed Thurs morning and she was placed in hospice care.  There have been several times when the family felt the end was imminent and she rallied again.


Bottom line, life is wayyyyy too short!   I don't mean to be a downer here but these are huge reminders to NOT take life for granted. Live in the moment, tell everyone you care about that you love them and don't go to bed angry at another.


Enjoy your week!  I shall return with a happier post, I promise.

Jeremiah 29:11

NIV

¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

~ Take a look! ~

Don't you just love this?

If you are not familiar with Lisa's blog, Simply...This, That and the Other, then you must pop over and see!  She is a fabulous cook and shares so graciously with others. It's not only the attractive food she creates, it's all in the packaging. I've been fascinated by her unique and creative ideas for a long time.  She posted about it today....for "me"  :-)  Now, my assignment from me to myself is finding cute bags, tags, twine, ribbon, etc., and setting up my own speciality shop. 


Wouldn't you just LOVE to live near her and be the recipient of something like these strawberry shortcakes shown above and other treats shown below?

Adorable mini-pies ~

Gorgeous crepes...cut with a cookie cutter!

There's just no doubt about the contents...she labels everything so beautifully. Dishes made for her family are displayed as if you were in a 5 star restaurant.  Take some time and look over her blog...see the great recipes and the additional creative packaging!  Tissue warning though ~ you will be drooling all over your keyboard.


Lisa, I hope you don't mind that I shared a few photos...they are watermarked though. :-)

~ Left Brain, Right Brain ~

I'm definitely "right brain" ~ which are you? 

Sour Cream - Orange Pecan Pound Cake

Southern Style Sour Cream ~ Orange Pecan Pound Cake This recipe has been adapted from one I found online but have forgotten the source. 1 c. shortening (Very important: cream shortening until light and fluffy,    about 5 min., using an electric mixer. When adding other ingredients,     mix until just blended. Over beating can make the cake tough.) 3 c. sugar 6 eggs - room temperature 3 c. flour 1/4 tsp. baking soda 1/2 tsp. salt 1 (8 oz.) carton sour cream 1 tbsp. & 1 tsp. orange extract ~ I like to add grated orange peel also. 1 c. chopped pecans Cream shortening; gradually add 3 cups sugar, beating well at medium speed on mixer. Add eggs, one at a time and beating well after each addition. Combine flour, soda and salt in a small bowl; add to creamed mixture alternately with sour cream, beginning and ending with flour mixture. Mix just until blended after each addition. Stir in orange extract and chopped pecans. (You can also put the chopped pecans in the bundt pan prior to adding the batter.) Pour into floured and greased 10 inch bundt pan. Bake at 325 degrees for 90 minutes or until wooden pick inserted in center of cake comes out clean. Oven temps vary so be sure and check after the first hour. Allow cake to cool in pan for 10-15 min. Remove cake from pan and let cool completely. You can frost with a glaze of powdered sugar and orange juice or just dust with powdered sugar. Add some fresh fruit if you like along with whipped cream or ice cream. Enjoy! Joining the following ~

~ Hints ~

Perhaps a shade of grey.....but not "50"  ;-)

Granite Grey ~ Behr

My new favorite color combo ~

Add some more color....always!  These are a few that I'm loving.

And some black....black and white, two favorites!

I've had such a struggle re: bedding but I'm going with solid white. Mark this down in history, ok?  I've never, ever, never had solid white. I love having white sheets during the summer ~ seems they always look and feel so much cooler. Using the white bedding will allow me to change decorative colors also for the fall and winter.


Anyway, a guy is coming on Monday to provide an estimate for painting my bedroom. I love to paint but just can't do this much anymore due to my funky knees. He will also tell me how much paint and then....then I have to decide on the color for the walls. It's a must to do this economically so the finished product may not be as quick as I'd like. Oh well, the "doing" is the fun for me.


A question for you ~ I have a dark wood bedside table and I want to paint it.  Do you have a suggestion?  Black, white, silver, purple stripes, orange polka dots, red gingham, ????  LOL   That's another color decision. 

~ Take What You Need ~

I hope you have a wonderful weekend! 


I think I've finally decided what I'm going to do with my bedroom. And...I'm getting excited!