Knocking Me Out

This is one of my beautiful 'knockout' roses---the absolute perfect rose for women who do too much. This is quite a unique rose bush in that it requires very little maintance, other than providing plenty of water. A couple of months ago I planted a row of these, in alternating shades of pink, along my fence line. I can hardly wait for the big show! In time they will create a hedge about 4 feet tall, and the greatest thing is this---they bloom all year! That's right. Now I can have beautiful blooming roses in my yard even when Jack Frost arrives. What a treat!

4 quarts, 6 pints...

...1 half pint and 2 bottles of syrup. When I inventoried and organized the freezer a day or so ago I discovered some figs from last years harvest that I had completely forgotten about. So, because figs will be in again in about 6 weeks, I spent yesterday afternoon making strawberry-fig preserves, dotted with paper thin lemon slices, of course. They look like beautiful, vibrant rubies when the sun shines through this window.

Thursday Trivia...

the 'dressy' (but not formal!) dining room
"After the Bath"....in the dining room

Unfortunately, the front of my little cottage---where the so called 'formal' rooms are located---faces the east, making that part of the house uncomfortably warm this time of year. Realizing that today we would again see temperatures in the mid 90's, I knew I should do something which would in some way remedy the situation. After much wavering, I removed my favorite ivory colored Belgium lace curtains from the dining room windows and replaced them with a window treatment which would provide a significant amount more insulation. Actually, I liked the end result more than I thought I would...though not enough to pass on the pretty lace ones! On the wall not seen in the picture is a painting entitled "After the Bath." I had originally planned to hang it in the bathroom upstairs but it actually looks quite nice in the dining room as the color of the walls brings out a lot of the colors in the background of the painting. I really enjoy painting but have difficulty finding enough time to devote to art right now. I hope that in the not too distant future I will have plenty of time on my hands to paint and garden and quilt and do a number of other things which are constructive and creative as well as enjoyable....

I'm back...from a little piece of Heaven on Earth...

Mom's home!
I'm still mad 'cause she stayed so long... "Now she can cook my favorite dinner!"
Andi was one happy little girl when I returned from 18 days in Montana. Look at that shocked expression when I first walked in! She took off running in circles like she was in a marathon then, after pondering a minute, crawled under the bed and sulked before parking her cute little self in a dining room chair. Talk about a grand performance! I missed my baby girl like crazy, but the trip was absolutely wonderful---every minute of it--- and I would give anything if I could simply close my eyes and wake up there again. The breathtaking scenery was a constant reminder of the magnificent vastness of God, the only One who could speak such wonder into being.

In My Cottage Garden.....

....the gardenia's near the entry are heavy with blooms, permeating the air with the sweetness of their glorious perfume.

My Mother Kept A Garden

My Mother kept a garden,
a garden of the heart,
She planted all the good things
that gave my life it's start.
She turned me to the sunshine
and encouraged me to dream,
Fostering and nurturing
the seeds of self-esteem...
And when the winds and rain came,
she protected me enough-
But not too much because she knew
I'd need to stand up strong and tough.
Her constant good example
always taught me right from wrong-
Markers for my pathway
that will last a lifetime long.
I am my Mother's garden.
I am her legacy-
And I hope today she feels the love
reflected back from me
~Author Unknown

LiFe GoEs oN!

Marvelous Montana!

What Rhonda Means

You are wild, crazy, and a huge rebel. You're always up to something. You have a ton of energy, and most people can't handle you. You're very intense. You definitely are a handful, and you're likely to get in trouble. But your kind of trouble is a lot of fun. You are truly an original person. You have amazing ideas, and the power to carry them out. Success comes rather easily for you... especially in business and academia. Some people find you to be selfish and a bit overbearing. You're a strong person. You are well rounded, with a complete perspective on life. You are solid and dependable. You are loyal, and people can count on you. At times, you can be a bit too serious. You tend to put too much pressure on yourself. You are very intuitive and wise. You understand the world better than most people. You also have a very active imagination. You often get carried away with your thoughts. You are prone to a little paranoia and jealousy. You sometimes go overboard in interpreting signals. You are balanced, orderly, and organized. You like your ducks in a row. You are powerful and competent, especially in the workplace. People can see you as stubborn and headstrong. You definitely have a dominant personality. You are usually the best at everything ... you strive for perfection. You are confident, authoritative, and aggressive. You have the classic "Type A" personality.

What's Your Name's Hidden Meaning?

Flying or Falling,

They are the same when it comes to Love...

Good Things to Remember...

Savannah and Andi

---No man/woman is worth your tears and the only one who is will never make you cry.

---If you love someone, put their name in a circle instead of a heart. Because hearts can break, but circles go on forever.

---Everyone hears what you say. Friends listen to what you say. Best friends listen to what you don't say.

---If my friends were to jump off a bridge, I wouldn't jump with them, I'd be at the bottom to catch them.

---Don't frown, because you never know who's falling in love woth your smile.

---Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a harder battle.--Plato

---It takes a minute to have a crush on someone, an hour to like someone and a day to love someone--but it takes a lifetime to forget someone.

---Yesterday is the past, tomorrow is the future. Today is a gift that is why we call it the present.

Soup for Savannah

Savannah wanted soup today and, no, not the variety in the red and white can. Baked Potato Soup. And only the kind Granmommy makes. Having added that little tidbit in, how could I put her off? It truly is quite a treat but, trying to get a little more trim and toned, I couldn't partake of the culinary delight this time. Here's how you do it:

Baked Potato Soup
3-4 large baking potatoes
5-6 green onions
3 tablespoon butter
¼ cup flour
1 8 oz. carton heavy (whipping) cream
3-4 cups milk
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
cracked black pepper to taste
sea salt to taste
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup crispy fried bacon

Bake the potatoes until soft (I usually microwave them). This can be done the day before, and potatoes can be stored in the refrigerator until ready to use. Cut them in half, and scoop out the potatoes from the skins.
Thinly slice the green onion, separating tops from bottoms and set aside. Melt butter with white part of green onions over medium heat. Cook, stirring with a wire whisk, about 2 minutes. Sprinkle with flour, and cook, stirring, another few minutes until mixture is pale golden. Add cream, milk, pepper and salt, and continue to stir while cooking over medium heat. Add potato, green onions, sour cream and bacon. Gradually add grated cheese, and stir until all cheese is melted. Garnish with onion tops, bacon and grated cheese and serve with crusty french bread and garden salad.

The Blatant Thoughts of Andy Rooney...

In case you missed it on 60 Minutes, here are the thoughts of Andy Rooney regarding women over 40:

As I grow in age, I value women over 40 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why: A woman over 40 will never wake you in the middle of the night and ask, 'What are you thinking?' She doesn't care what you think. If a woman over 40 doesn't want to watch the game , she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do, and it's usually more interesting. Women over 40 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you if they think they can get away with it. Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated. Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 40. Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 40 is far sexier than her younger counterpart. Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one. You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her. Yes, we praise women over 40 for a multitude of reasons. Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed, hot woman over 40, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year old waitress. Ladies, I apologize. For all those men who say, 'Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free?', here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage. Why? Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire pig just to get a little sausage!

This is Love...

I know what love is.

Love is the commitment of two people who don’t deserve each other. Some people feel that love fails them because they cannot seem to find anyone who is perfect. Finding a perfect person is a pointless pursuit. Everyone will fail each other. The person to look for is someone who will love you in spite of all the times you will fail them. The person to look for is someone you will still love in spite of all the times they will fail you.

This is love.

Good Thought

Sunset as seen from my Dad's front porch, Lake Sam Rayburn.


"Sunsets, as beautiful as they are, are a dime a dozen,

but you are filled with the breath of heaven,

made in God's image." ~Joel Osteen

Looking Ahead...With Anticipation

In light of the many times I am tagged with requests to let others know my feelings and assorted details of my life by answering a list of questions- I've devised one that I hope may be interesting.... not that you need to answer anything here but, what would your answers be to these questions?

I'm learning that, sometimes, there are no seemingly right or wrong answers in life- that each decision leads to the here and now, where there are always more questions and answers holding everything needed for the moment. I wish you a blessed New Year, a safe New Year...and a New Year filled with Love and Peace and most of all, filled with Jesus.


1. In one word describe your expectation for the year 2008.

Favor---the God kind. I believe and expect that God will bless the relationship I have with the man He sent my way and shower us with His favor.

2. If you won the lottery tomorrow, who would you give the first dollar to?

I would give God the first ten percent. He can do more with the remaining ninety percent than I can do with the whole.

3. If you had to choose fame or fortune, which would you choose and why?

Fortune. Fame comes with too many pitfalls. Fortune would allow me to bless others who come my way.

4. What three words would you want associated with your name in memorial?

Faithful, loyal, loving

5. What does the word “time” mean to you?

Time is an illusion we use for our benefit when it suits us least.

6. What three guests (anyone) would you invite to a dinner party?

Assuming my significant other is already present, of course....my mother, my friend Mike Hayes and author Mark Hanson, a phenomenal man whom I had the pleasure to meet in 1983 while in Napa Valley.

7. Name one work of art or literature you wish you would have created.

Proverbs. My absolute, all time favorite of the favorites.

8. What is your one weakest point of character? Your strongest?

My weakest is probably patience; my strongest is definitely loyalty, hands down, no doubt.

9. What one quality would you most like to give to your significant other?

His qualities are overwhelming and abundant so anything I could offer would be but an extra portion. But, perhaps a little extra patience wouldn't hurt. After all, he may need it with me along!

10. If a life affects all others, who would you say yours least affects? Most affects?

Least affects: I believe one cannot say, not knowing which of our actions has the most rippling effect. I believe a simple smile to someone can and does change the world.

Most affects: My beautiful grandaughter, Savannah and, of course, my patients.

11. BONUS: Are you where you thought you would be when, ten years ago, you thought of your future?

Yes and no. I have changed, the world has changed and like John Lennon said, "life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." I am happy even though I feel I have much to discover, create, and more to experience in love. I am healthy, gainfully employed and have a roof over my head... all is well; all is getting better. I'm favored of God and, yes, all is truly getting better--one sweet day at a time....

A Happy Kind of Day....

Let us be grateful to people who make us happy;
they are the charming gardeners
who make our souls blossom.

Savannah Chelsie, my love, my life

Candy Making Day

I was off work today, the humidity was low and the temperature was a little cool, therefore, it was a good day for making candy. Divinity, Rum Balls, Turtles, and Peanut Butter Fudge were on the agenda as well as Justins favorite, peanut brittle. This is a simple a quick version which is every bit as good as the recipe which requires stovetop cooking. The bad thing is....it doesn't last long.


Microwave Peanut Brittle

1/3 cup white corn syrup
1 cup sugar
1 cup dry-roasted peanuts
1 teaspoon butter
3/4 teaspoon vanilla
1 teaspoon baking soda

Spray a baking sheet with butter-flavored nonstick cooking spray (or use regular butter). In a 4-cup Pyrex measuring cup, combine corn syrup and sugar. Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes. Add peanuts and microwave on HIGH 2 minutes. Add butter and vanilla, and microwave on HIGH 1 minute. Stir in baking soda, and quickly pour out on greased baking sheet. Spread it out if it looks thick. (It'll look like you ruined it at first, but it regains its rounded shape as it cools.) Once it's hard, after about 5 minutes, break into small pieces.

Cookies, Cookies And Yes, More Cookies

Pounds of butter--nothing but the REAL stuff, mountains of sugar, dozens of eggs, chocolate--lots and lots of chocolate--pecans, walnuts, cherries, sprinkles, vanilla--real pure vanilla and, for good measure, a little flour to hold it all together. Gee, I don't know what I would do without my wonderful fire engine red Kitchen Artisan Mixer these days! But everyone loves wonderful, homemade Christmas cookies. I live in an old neighborhood which has a history that runs pretty deep in this city and most of my neighbors are elderly. But my, what a wealth of knowledge they are. Most of the ladies are retired educators and many of the men are retired school principals. Sprinkled among the group are a few doctors from the era when medical offices were in houses right smack in the middle of a residential area. Back in the day when it didn't matter if you had no insurance or if funds were low. They treated you anyway and trusted God to provide when money ran short. Most of them are in or near their 80's now and they're mighty wonderful folk, all of them. And I just can't help but laugh when they call or come by to check on me when the weather is bad or something unusual is on the horizon. So at Christmas I honor them with a little token of something special from my kitchen and, after hours and hours of measuring, baking and festive wrapping, it's time to deliver. This years selection includes:

Peanut Butter Chocolate Stars
Pistachio Mexican Wedding Cookies New Orleans Praline Treats
Old Fashioned Sugar Cookies