Friday Fill-Ins #96

Janet hosts Friday Fill-ins here. Drop by and see what others have to say. Join in if you'd like.

The Book Giveaway Carnival runs from November 3-8. Don't miss it!

1. My favorite food seasoning is the "trinity": celery, garlic, and onion.

2. A baby's laughter is music to my ears.

3. Lucky is how I feel.

4. My love of family is something I take very seriously.

5. Many people are voting early in my state of Florida.

6. A new light for my microwave was the last thing I bought at the store.
7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a relaxing evening with my husband, tomorrow my plans include blogging, reading my novel, and going to my church and Sunday, I want to go to small group, blog, read my novel, and maybe, just maybe read the newspaper!

Check my sidebar for my book giveaways.

Booking Through Thursday - Conditioning

Mariel suggested this week’s question.

Are you a spine breaker? Or a dog-earrer? Do you expect to keep your books in pristine condition even after you have read them? Does watching other readers bend the cover all the way round make you flinch or squeal in pain?

My Response:
In all honesty, I would have to answer: yes, yes, yes, yes, but I've changed. In fact, I've flip-flopped. When I was a child, I handled books as if they were precious keepsakes. They are.

When I got older, I used to break the spine by bending the book in half so that I could more easily hold it in one hand while I read. I'd press my fingers down the inside spine to force the book to lay flat while open. I'd think nothing of folding down those pages to keep my place. After all, bookmarks fall out! I confess that I've further messed up books by making notes in them, underling and highlighting lines in them. But no longer.

Now, my books are kept in pristine condition; it's difficult to tell by looking at a book whether or not I've read it. In fact, I hesitate to fully open a book too wide. This means I gently turn the pages as I read. Instead of dog-earring a page, I use a Post-it to keep my place. What changed me? I began to sell my books on eBay!

How do you read a book?

Pumpkin

A woman was asked by a coworker, "What's it like to be a Christian?"

The coworker replied, "It's like being a pumpkin. God picks you from the patch, brings you in, and washes all the dirt off of you. Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff. He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed. Then He carves you a new smiling face and puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see."

Look What Came in the Mail!

Jill at At Home in the Country in Hickory Hollow held a "Celebrate the Seasons with Hickory Hollow" giveaway, and I won! The mail came today with bills, catalogs and a package. Look at the cute heart next to my name.



Inside the package, I found a towel. I love the fall colors of the towel: maroon, gold, and two colors of green. To fancy it up even more, a pumpkin cookie cutter is attached with colorful yarn and green satin ribbon! A recipe for Autumn Pumpkin Sugar Cookies is sewn right on to the towel! I heard a rattle, and in the bottom of the envelope, there were three hickory nuts from Hickory Hollow!

Jill is much better than I am at photography, so I swiped this from her blog so that I could share the recipe with you.


Jill made the nicest card too. It says:

"Life's blessings are abundant when each and every one is not only counted, but cherished."

I'm going to stick it in a frame and keep it as a fall decoration for years to come."

You know, some people just have a knack about making a person feel good. Jill has that knack. Thank you, Jill for thinking of me.

I've been Boo-ed. Shimmy Mom gave these instructions: "here is how the Blogging Boo will go. Go to as many friends as you want and tell them they've been "B00-ED." Have them link back to your blog to pick up their Halloween Treat (picture) and tell them to Boo their friends. (Then put the picture in your side bar so everyone knows that you've already been "boo-ed and to send the picture to someone else.) Have a great Halloween everyone."

Blue Monday - My Blue Dish

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from this post, and place it on your blog. Place another one on your sidebar.

3. Return here after midnight when Mr. Linky will be up, and leave your name and your URL. Do NOT link in until after your post is up. Please remember to leave a comment for me.

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

5. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Blue participants.
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I've literally had this piece of pretty on my bedroom dresser top for decades. I enjoy its color and the free form design. It stands about 4" high. It wasn't expensive when I bought it, and I don't think it's worth much today. There are no markings on the bottom. I just call it my blue dish.



Here's another shot to show you the free form design.


Happy Blue Monday!

Have you ever seen a blue panther?

Next Monday begins the Giant Book Giveaway Carnival (November 3-8th).


Blue Monday Participants

1. Anne Fannie 2. ellen b 3. Mojo 4. An Enchanted Cottage 5. Kathy b 6. Rechelle 7. Kim:mom-musing 8. Liz 9. coloradolady 10. Kady 11. Leena 12. Linnea 13. Gemma

14. Elizabeth-EO 15. Heidi Jo the Artist 16. Kim 17. Beverly 18. Sweetie 19. Judi 20. Knitty 21. Baba\'s blog 22. PlantBuddy 23. Shelia 24. Lana G! 25. Susan M. Hickam 26. Theresa

27. Sherrie 28. Linda\'s Blue Gate 29. charli and me 30. bj 31. Dark Oak Woman 32. Backyard Neighbor 33. Tracy-Lynne 34. jsprik 35. Ruthie 36. Robyn 37. sharonanne

Learn more about Blue Monday here.
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Something Really Scary!

To see other participants, click here.

See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - It's Time for Pink Laughs

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other pink items people are sharing.








This is the Family Circus offering for pink October.










I thought that today would be a good time to laugh. I hope you got a smile or two. Happy Pink Saturday!

Please come back for Blue Monday!

Friday Fill-Ins #95

Janet hosts Friday Fill-ins here. If you'd like to play along, check it out.



1. Right now, I'm feeling pretty content.

2. Right here, in my home is where I want to be.

3. How does one stretch 24 hours?

4. My husband keeps me on track.

5. Please don't eat the daisies! (It's the title of a book that was made into a movie.)

6. Blogging fills me with joy.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a relaxing evening reading, tomorrow my plans include Pink Saturday blogging, a bit of reading, and church and Sunday, I want to watch Amazing Race, Desperate Houswives, and read my new novel!


Watch for it! The Book Giveaway Carnival is November 3-8.


Please come back to participate in Blue Monday.

Booking Through Thursday - Coupling

Monica suggested this one: Got this idea from Literary Feline during her recent contest: “Name a favorite literary couple and tell me why they are a favorite. If you cannot choose just one, that is okay too. Name as many as you like–sometimes narrowing down a list can be extremely difficult and painful. Or maybe that’s just me.”

My Response:
I point to William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet for my favorite couple of literature. From the time Romeo Montague spots Juliet Capulet at the party, his heart is hers. Once they talk, she is equally entranced. This timeless tale of star-crossed lovers who determine to be together--no matter what their families dictate, and even to the point of death--is my choice for this answer.

Who do you choose for your favorite couple in literature?

Amazing Awards

Darlene at Darlene's Days shared this award with me. I must admit I snatched it before she could change her mind. I felt quite deserving with my beautiful South Florida fall header.



Carol at Charli and Me awarded me with this lovely one. In the past, when I have received an award that I'd already received, I simply included the giver's name on my sidebar. This is a repeat, but it has occurred to me that not to show my appreciation is thoughtless.




Shelia at Note Songs presented me with this award.

A new friend , Joyful Sister, just presented me with the following two awards! How exciting!





Awards are wonderful to give and to receive. An award is a bit of Blogger love, and who doesn't need/want more love? So, if you're reading this and making a comment, I offer my love and these awards to you too.

Childhood Memories - Do You Remember?

45 rpm spindles - I look at this and think music.



Green Stamps - I saved enough books to get an iron and a camera!



Metal ice cubes trays with levers - Remember how hard you had to pull to get the ice out?



Beanie and Cecil, the Seasick Sea Serpent.



Roller-skate keys - Make it too tight, and you'll dent your shoes--too loose, and the skate falls off!



Marlin Perkins, host of the television program, Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom.



Drive in Movies - One night, I got out of one guy's car and began walking home!



A & W Drive-in restaurants - Remember the frosty root beer?



Car Hops brought your order on roller skates to the driver's window, which was rolled down halfway.



Turquoise Studebakers



Topo Gigio on The Ed Sullivan Show (a reel-ly big shoe)



Washtub wringers - I got my arm caught in the ringer once! Mama turned the machine off and rescued me.



The Fuller Brush Man played by Red Skelton, comedian.



Fifteen cent McDonald hamburgers!



Five cent pack of baseball cards and you got gum too!



Penny candy - how much does it sell for now?



Twenty-five cents a gallon gasoline, and you got clean windshields!



Gum wrapper chains - use it as a bracelet or necklace.



Cigarettes for Christmas - Great gift idea! (cough, cough)



Burma Shave signs helped to make the car trip interesting.



Brownie camera - Mama made us face the sun to get a clear picture with this. Therefore, all my childhood pictures are of me squinting!



Flash bulbs - Remember how long you saw spots?



TV Test patterns - what we watched when no Television programs were on.




Do you remember most or all of these?


Barbara at Stray Thoughts shared this new award with me. It came with this message:

I thank you for being a faithful servant and being obedient to the upward calling every time you share a piece of His heart living out in you! I pray that you will share this award with others who have touched your heart by sowing seeds of love into your life! They will know we are His by how we love one another!

I will place it on my sidebar with appreciation. I would like to pass it on to you if you comment here and are someone who shares His love.

Time to Laugh: Meteorologists Predict Intensely Brisk Autumn

This is one I GUARANTEE that you will laugh out loud while watching. It takes 2:03.

Do you get the feeling that newsrooms are exaggerating the news just to scare the public so that you'll stay tuned?



Extreme Weather Alert: Meteorologists Predict Intensely Brisk Autumn

I've watched it over and over and laughed each time. You need to push replay just to be able to read the jokes that crawl on the bottom of the screen. Let me know if you like it as much as I do.

Blue Monday - van Gogh's Irises

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue. Leave a link to this blog on your post.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from here, and place it on your blog. Place another one on your sidebar.

3. Return here after midnight when Mr. Linky will be up, and leave your name and your URL. Do NOT link in until after your post is up. Please remember to leave a comment for me.

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

5. Check back later to make certain you visit all the Blue participants.
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Vincent van Gogh painted a beautiful picture called, Irises. The flowers are a bluish-purple. Here's a copy:



We recently painted our guest bathroom a soft blue. The wall is actually a softer blue than the picture shows. I wanted some art work to hang over the towel rack. I had an old brown, wooden frame, and I asked my husband to paint it white to match the woodwork. I took a large chip with the wall paint on it and matched it to a print of Irises at a picture frame shop in our local mall. I put the print into the newly-painted white frame. Here it is!


This is another shot of the picture. It's taken while looking into the white framed mirror. I used white, fluffy towels because I think that the white tones down the blue and allows the picture to "fit."



Blue Monday Participants

1. ellen b 2. An Enchanted Cottage 3. kathy b 4. fitty 5. Elizabeth-EO 6. Kady 7. Coloradolady 8. Kim:mom-musing (my first time) 9. Ruthie 10. Robyn 11. Linnea 12. Patty/PipStitch 13. Gemma 14. Sherrie

15. Dawn 16. Mojo 17. Kim 18. Sweetie 19. Dirkjogt, Belgium 20. Backyard Neighbor 21. Shelia 22. bj 23. Theresa 24. Lana G! 25. maria 26. Barbara H. 27. Knitty 28. Faith

29. Sally 30. Susan M. Hickam 31. Judi 32. Baba\'s blog 33. charli and me 34. Anne Fannie 35. Leena 36. Laurie 37. Linda\'s Blue Gate 38. PlantBuddy 39. Heidi Jo the Artist 40. CC

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Adam Approves Eve's New Outfit

We know that Adam and Eve didn't dress with leaves; they used animal skins. I certainly am no fashionista. However, God doesn't look on our outward appearance; He looks at our hearts.

Spiritual Sunday can be found here. Stop by and see what others are offering.

See you tomorrow for Blue Monday!

Pink Saturday - Birthday Party at the Salon

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other Pretty Pink items that Precious Pink Participating People are Providing.

I went to get a hair cut at the beauty parlor yesterday. This small hibiscus tree in full bloom is just outside the door. Isn't it pretty? It's October in South Florida--I love it!

Here's a close-up of the blooms. There are so many on such a little tree.


When I opened the door, I got a surprise. Music, food, and so many people were crambed into the shop. There was a Pink birthday party going on for an eleven-year-old.


All her friends were getting their nails polished (bright blue and green) and their hair washed and blown out. There were two hairdressers working full time at a fast pace. It was hopping! I didn't have their parents' permissions, so I couldn't take their pictures. Isn't this a neat idea for a birthday party?

There were so many things to eat and drink for the children and the adults.


Here's the birthday girl before her hair is done. She told me her name is "Mary Ann," and she let me take pictures for my blog! She's a beautiful young lady even with wet hair. She was having a blast, dancing to the music, visiting with her friends, munching on the snacks!


I wanted to wait and get an "after" picture of Mary Ann, but I had a husband waiting for his dinner. I guess you'll just have to use your imagination.

It's almost time for Blue Monday.

Friday Fill-Ins #94

Janet hosts Friday Fill-ins here. If you'd like to play along, come and check it out.



1. Follow the Son.

2. Reading material is something I always take with me on vacation.

3. To achieve your goals, you must work hard, sacrifice much, and love more.

4. That at age 45, I lived out my childhood dream of becoming a classroom teacher is something I'd like you to know about me. I began college after my children were grown and married. If I can do it....

5. I have a twin brother. He never reads my blog.

6. Ivory Soap floats. At least that's what they tell me.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a relaxing evening, reading my book; tomorrow my plans include blogging, reading my book, church; and Sunday, I want to enjoy small group, blog, finish my book, and read some of the newspaper!

Booking Through Thursday - What’s Sitting on Your Shelf?

Okay–here was an interesting article by Christopher Schoppa in the Washington Post.
Avid readers know all too well how easy it is to acquire books — it’s the letting go that’s the difficult part. … During the past 20 years, in which books have played a significant role in both my personal and professional lives, I’ve certainly had my fair share of them (and some might say several others’ shares) in my library. Many were read and saved for posterity, others eventually, but still reluctantly, sent back out into the world.

But there is also a category of titles that I’ve clung to for years, as they survived numerous purges, frequent library donations and countless changes of residence. I’ve yet to read them, but am absolutely certain I will. And should. When, I’m not sure, as I’m constantly distracted by the recent, just published and soon to be published works.

So, the question is his: “What tomes are waiting patiently on your shelves?“

I see a dentist whose wife is an avid reader. Knowing that I taught high school English, she sent me three canvas bags full of books, which I took to school and used as a base for a lending library. When I stopped teaching, the books came home with me, with my full intention to read them. However, here they sit, making me feel guilty.

I bought a bunch of Christian Fiction books from a sale table this past year; they're in one of my husband's dresser drawers, organized by date of publication. I nibble on that pile though, and will eventually read them--I'm sure of it.

Finally, I have one Reader's Digest volume that sits on a table in my family room. I use it as a foundation for a pretty basket. It was sent to me because I foolishly checked a box indicating I would try it for free. I canceled that trial subscription after receiving it; thank goodness, or I'd have even more unread volumes. I doubt if I'll ever pick it up. I don't want to read condensed versions.

What books do you have waiting on your shelves?

Note: I have several giveaways. You can enter by clicking on the book(s) in my sidebar.

A Story with A Happy Ending

Nineteen years ago, I had a hysterectomy to remove what the doctor described as "something that must come out." Turned out, it was a grapefruit-sized ovarian cancerous tumor!

I am a fortunate person; I never knew I had cancer until it was removed. I never had any symptoms.

I visited an oncologist for the following five years. The day of my fifth anniversary of the surgery, I celebrated! According to the oncologist, I was cancer-free! He and I said good-bye.

I made an appointment for that anniversary date with Dr. Erik N. Freling, my GYN, the man who discovered and removed the tumor, thereby saving my life. I commissioned one of my students to paint a dripping wet life preserver leaning on a dock. I had the artist label the life preserver with my name and my doctor's name. I titled the painting, Lifesaver, and I presented it to him on that most important day--July 9th. He placed it on his office wall.

We've all been touched by cancer. October is the month we think about pink. I wish for you and the people you love a cancer-free life.

PS This afternoon, I've added a BOX OF BOOKS GIVEAWAY to my side bar. Check it out.

Sad News

Please join me in remembering a great icon of the entertainment community. The Pillsbury Doughboy died yesterday of a yeast infection and trauma complications from repeated pokes in the belly. He was 51.

Doughboy was buried in a lightly greased coffin. Dozens of celebrities turned out to pay their respects, including Mrs. Butterworth, Hungry Jack, the California Raisins, Betty Crocker, the Hostess Twinkies, and Captain Crunch. The grave site was piled high with flours.

Aunt Jemima delivered the eulogy and lovingly described Doughboy as a man who never knew how much he was kneaded. Doughboy rose quickly in show business, but his later life was filled with turnovers. He was not considered a very smart cookie, wasting much of his dough on half-baked schemes. Despite being a little flaky at times, this crusty old man was considered a positive roll model for millions.

Doughboy is survived by his wife Play Dough, three children: John Dough, Jane Dough and Dosie Dough, plus they had one in the oven. He is also survived by his elderly father, Pop Tart.

The funeral was held at 3:50 for about 20 minutes.

If this made you smile for even a brief second, please rise to the occasion and take time to pass it on and share that smile with someone else who may be having a crumby day and who kneads a lift.

Blue Monday - Blue Vase

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from here, and place it on your blog. Place another one on your sidebar.

3. Return here after midnight when Mr. Linky will be up, and leave your name and your URL. Don't forget to leave a comment for me.

4. Visit other Blue participants by clicking on their links. Make someone's day; leave a comment.

5. Check back later to make certain you've visited all the Blue participants.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Here is a picture of the Swedish artist, Göran Wärff, who works for Kosta Boda. His work is represented at museums in USA, Japan, Australia and Europe. I have an engraved blue vase made by Göran Wärff. Engraved pieces also have his signature near the designer's name.



Even though it's a designer piece, I bought it because I love it. When I first saw it, I gasped aloud. I especially like the three colors in the vase and the shape of it. It's quite heavy.

My vase sits on the coffee table in my living room. It's especially beautiful on bright days. If you look closely, or if you click the picture, you can see rows of dots. I don't know how he does such precise work as that.


When the sun shifts, different angles seem to appear. You can see the rows of dots better in this shot. There is "movement" in the piece.


Looking from another angle, the sculpture changes completely.

Happy Canadian Thanksgiving! I am thankful for you!

Blue Monday Participants

1. An Enchanted Cottage 2. ellen b 3. Linnea 4. Robyn 5. Diane @ A Picture is...... 6. Elizabeth-EO 7. Lana G! 8. Leena 9. Gemma 10. Heidi Jo the Artist 11. Sherrie 12. Kim

13. Dirkjogt, Belgium 14. Backyard Neighbor 15. Eleanor 16. bj 17. Beverly 18. charli and me 19. Sweetie 20. Theresa 21. Dawn 22. rhondi 23. Mojo 24. Knitty

25. coloradolady 26. Judi 27. Barbara H. 28. Kady 29. Sally 30. Shelia 31. molly 32. Ruthie 33. Nikki 34. Melissa\'s Cozy Teacup 35. Linda

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Clergy Appreciation Month

Spiritual Sunday can be found here. Stop by and see what others are offering.

Clearly, this is no way to treat your pastor. October is Clergy Appreciation Month. I found this poem that says how I feel. Let me share it with you.

Honoring God's Anointed

We often hear of the changes
That takes place in the churches of today
Where the morals and the values we held on to
Are constantly eroding away

A few adulterers
Are filling the pulpits worldwide
How it must grieve the heart of our Lord
As His standards are all pushed aside

But yet, still there remain many pastors
Who are not swayed to fit in with the few
They bring forth God's Word with all boldness
And are willing to withstand any test

They're not ashamed to uphold ALL God's truths
No matter how unpopular they may be
For they know we must adhere to EACH scripture,
And obey His commands faithfully

I'm so thankful that I have such a pastor
Who will stand and preach what we must hear
His desire is to reach all those listening
That we may grow and to God's presence draw near

I appreciate his hard work and dedication
Teaching us to walk the straight and narrow way
May God bless him for his steadfast commitment
To the Lord and to His people everyday

Linda Lee Wolovich

Write a note to let your pastor know how much you appreciate the work that he/she is doing.

Pink Saturday - Dancing with the Stars

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other pink items people are sharing.

I love watching Dancing with the Stars. It's on every Monday and Tuesday nights. I have a close friend who lives in Jackson, Mississippi, and I telephone her on those nights so that we can watch the show together. We visit during the commercials, and mute our telephones when the show comes back on. Our husbands actually put up with this!

The costumes are amazing, and I've noticed that pink is often worn. Of course, that made me think of Pink Saturday.

From an earlier episodes this season:

Maurice Greene and Cheryl Burke. She's my favorite professional dancer. She's won the trophy in two of the past seasons!


The photo above is Inna Brayer and Ted McGinley--he left the show waaay too early, as far as I'm concerned.


Here are Kim Kardashian and Mark Ballas--she's been voted off.


Striking a pose is Tony Dovolani with Susan Lucci, a soap-opera star.

The following pictures are from this past week:

Lacey Schwimmer and Lance Bass have irritated one of the judges.


Rocco DiSpirito and Karina Smirnoff were spared this week because Misty Mae was injured and forced to leave the show.



Cloris Leachman, who at age 82 can do what I cannot! She's funny, and that talent is what's keeping her on the program. She cannot dance, but she can extend that leg, crack jokes, and bounce around, especially in low-cut dresses!

Here's Derek Hough and Brooke Burke--I think that she could go all the way.


Kym Johnson and Warren Sapp--this large football player can dance so gracefully. You have to be in awe. He might go all the way. (If you're keeping count, that's two who I think can win this thing.)

Reminders:

1. I'm giving away three books. Look over at my sidebar.
2. Remember Blue Monday is fast approaching. Come and play!
   
3. Happy Pink Saturday!

Friday Fill-Ins #93

Janet hosts Friday Fill-ins here. If you'd like to play along, check it out.

1. One of the best movies I ever saw that I really didn't think I'd like was Hancock with Will Smith. See for yourself. Rent it!

2. Apple Butter Bars is a recipe I recently made that was delicious! I got the recipe from Blogland.

3. It's time for all my favorite television programs. How I've missed them!

4. Opening windows is quite refreshing. I take deeper breaths and sigh contently.

5. If I never hear the word OMG again, it'll be too soon. Tsk. Tsk. Taking God's name in vain.

6. To one side of the curving road was a huge display of orange pumpkins for sale, and on the other was a beautiful Royal Palm Tree.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a relaxing evening, tomorrow my plans include church and Sunday, I want to watch Amazing Race, Desperate Housewives, and read the newspaper!
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Apple Butter Bars from a different Sally at salmagundi.

1 1/2 cups flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
1 teaspoon salt
2 1/2 cups oatmeal
1 1/2 cups sugar
1 cup melted butter (2 sticks)
1 1/2 cups apple butter

Stir flour, soda, salt, oats, and sugar together. Add melted butter stirring thoroughly until all dry ingredients are mixed in.
Press half of oat mixture firmly in greased 9 x 13 pan. Spread with apple butter. Pat remaining oat mixture lightly on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes.
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There's a TON of excitement around here as I'm hosting all these delightful BOOK GIVEAWAYS--see my sidebar. If you live in the US or Canada, please take advantage!

Booking Through Thursday - Meme

I’ve seen this series of questions floating around the ‘net the last few days, and thought it looked like a good one for us! (My answers are in parenthesis.)

What was the last book you bought?

(Sunset by Karen Kingsbury--I must find out how the Baxters are doing.)

Name a book you have read MORE than once

(The Holy Bible and just recently, The Justice by Angela Hunt)

Has a book ever fundamentally changed the way you see life? If yes, what was it?

(Yes, the Bible!)

How do you choose a book? eg. by cover design and summary, recommendations or reviews

(I look at the cover and read the blurb and title. Once in awhile, I read a book recommended by a friend or a reviewer. In addition, I have favorite authors I follow. )

Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

(I have always loved fiction best!)

What’s more important in a novel: beautiful writing or a gripping plot?

(The plot--the story--is the most important part.)

Most loved/memorable character (character/book)

(This is one of those questions that I will think on and reevaluate as the day wears on. Whenever I read a good book, I'm left with memories of characters, so there are many. I will mention the last memorable character--a ventriloquist's dummy, George.)

Which book or books can be found on your nightstand at the moment?

(Rhapsody in Red by Donn Taylor is the book I currently reading. I start a book and keep at it until I've finished. I seldom read more than one at a time.)

What was the last book you’ve read, and when was it?

(I finished by George by Wesley Stace on October 6th.)

Have you ever given up on a book half way in?
(Yes, just recently. It is so awful that I simply could not finish it. Obviously, I won't review that one!)

Be sure to click here for my
next book giveaway: Altar Call, a frothy, fun read by Hope Lyda.

Tagged Again! - Four Things

Linda at 2nd cup of coffee tagged me some weeks ago, and it took me this long to finish.

Just yesterday, am at Come Here Little Bug tagged me, so I'll let this count as a two-fer!

Four Things I like about my husband:

1. For some strange reason, he’s crazy about me! He has never given me cause to suspect his love and faithfulness to me.

2. He supports me with his hard-work ethic and more. When I began college, he gave me the space I needed to study. Meals didn’t get cooked as often, and the house did not sparkle as brightly, but he never complained. Whenever I create a new post, he reads it, and gives valued feedback. He is proud of me and my efforts.

3. He is a one of the best fathers/grandfathers I’ve ever known, and as a result, our children and grandchildren are devoted to him.

4. He has shared his faith with many, and several men have accepted Jesus as their savior because of Johnny's testimony.

Four Movies I have watched more than once:

1. The Wizard of Oz
2. Pillow Talk with Rock Hudson and Doris Day
3. Gone With the Wind
4. Sorry, but three is all I can think of.

Four TV shows I watch:

1. Dancing with the Stars
2. Grey’s Anatomy
3. The Amazing Race
4. Pushing Daisies
5. I have many more...

Four Places I have been:

1. London - I visited Stratford-upon-Avon and stood on the floor that Shakespeare crawled upon!
2. Paris - I saw the Mona Lisa, and Johnny took a picture of me with her.
3. Germany - I took a cruise down the Rhine and saw so many castles.
4. Italy - I saw the Sistine Chapel and witnessed the Pope conducting mass. I'm not Catholic, and many of my Catholic friends drool when I mention this.


Four People who comment regularly:

1. Dawn
2. Carol
3. Diane
4. Bridget
5. There are so many others, that I feel badly about leaving them out!


Four Favorite foods:

1. Guacamole and chips--I make a meal out of this!
2. A nice thick filet steak from Outback Steak House.
3. Baskin Robbins Pralines and Cream Ice Cream.
4. Salad. Yep! I like salad, with thousand island dressing. I know, I know, the calories, the fat content, but it's so good.

Four Places I would like to visit in order of preference:

1. The Grand Canyon.
2. Hawaii.
3. Ireland.
4. North Eastern United States in Autumn.

Four Things I am looking forward to in the coming year (2009):

1. Granddaughter, Brittany's graduation from high school.
2. Granddaughter, Jenna and grandson, Zachary getting their driver's licenses.
3. Family times.
4. Watching my church grow as more are reached.

Four Friends I tag:

The first four of you who read this all the way to the end!

Going Gray? No Way!

There's no such thing as being able to "gracefully segue into a head full of grays." You bet I color. My inspiration for this post came from Cindy who declared that she "will not go gentle into that gray hair."

I have an older cousin who stopped coloring her hair when she turned 70. She felt that was a good age to go gray. Bad decision, Marilyn! (She doesn't read blogs, no problem with using her name.) She looks so much younger with her light brown hair than she does now with her white hair.

I've had friends stop coloring their hair after retirement. Bad decisions, all. (I won't mention their names.) One had coal black hair and went stark white. After going white, whenever I saw her, I had to force my head to remain still. It wanted to jerk backward. Another friend aged a good ten years when she let her gray come out to play.

A little, old, gray-haired lady I will never be. (Maybe old, but neither little nor gray!) It's me and my Best Friend, L'Oreal Preference, Medium Ash Blonde, 7 1/2 forever! In addition, I'll keep on using lipstick!

What about you? Do you color? If so, how long will you continue?

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Trixie from It's A Girl Thing gave me this beautiful award. I met her at Friday Fill-Ins. It comes with rules, but the most difficult part of awards is listing a limited number of people to share. I enjoy so many bloggers that I'm going to ask if you are reading this and do not yet have this award, to please accept it from me.

Please remember to answer my color question by commenting.

Blue Monday - Call Me Mr. Blue

It's Blue Monday! To participate:

1. Post about something blue on your blog. It can be pretty, ugly, funny, old, or new as long as it's blue.

2. Drag the Blue Monday button from here, and place it on your blog. Place it on your sidebar too.

3. Return here and leave your name (first name or code name) and your URL (blog address).

4. Visit other blue participants by clicking on their links. Leave comments!

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For today's Blue Monday, I have Fleetwoods singing "Mr. Blue." To hear them, you'll need to scroll down and click.

The original recording was in 1959, but the video is a more recent performance. I know that Garth Brooks has released his version, but I like the original. It just takes a short while to listen, and I think it'll bring a smile to your face.

The sailor picture is of The Fleetwoods in 1959: Barbara Ellis, Gary Troxel, and Gretchen Christopher.


Here are the lyrics if you care to sing along:

Our guardian star lost all its glow
The day that I lost you
It lost all its glitter the day you said "no"
And its grey skies turned to blue


Like him I am doubtful
That your love is true
So if you decide to call on me
Ask for Mr. Blue

I'm Mr. Blue
When you say you love me
Then prove it by goin' out on the sly
Provin' your love is untrue
Call me Mr. Blue

I'm Mr. Blue
When you say you're sorry
Then turn around headed for the lights of town
Hurtin' me through and through
Call me Mr. Blue

I sleep alone each night
Wait by the phone each night
But you don't call
And I won't hurt my pride
Call me mister


I won't tell you
When you paint the town
A bright red to turn it upside down
I'm painting it too
But I'm painting it blue

I sleep alone each night
Wait by the phone each night
But you don't call
And I won't hurt my pride
Call me mister....

I won't tell you
When you paint the town
A bright red to turn it upside down
I'm painting it too
But I'm painting it blue
Call me Mr. Blue

Call me mister...



Blue Monday Participants

1. ellen b 2. Liz 3. Kady 4. coloradolady 5. Kathy b 6. Leena 7. Anne Fannie 8. Eleanor 9. Baba\'s blog

10. Sherrie 11. Kim 12. Judi 13. Lana G! 14. Sweetie 15. Elizabeth-EO 16. Mojo 17. Theresa 18. Backyard Neighbor

19. bj 20. Faith 21. Linnea 22. Bridget Geiger 23. CC 24. Knitty 25. Gemma 26. fitty

Learn more about Blue Monday here.
View More Blue Monday Participants
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Take Me to Your Leader!

With the elections coming up, everyone is focusing on our would-be new leader. Let's reflect for a moment on just who is our leader. Happy Sunday!

Pink Saturday - The Craft Show

Beverly at How Sweet the Sound hosts Pink Saturday. Stop by her place to see the many other pink items people are sharing.

Johnny and I went to the craft show this past weekend. What a big place! They even had booths set up outside under the portico! There were some handpainted, humorous, pink signs. Two examples were, "We have no children, but we do have one cat" and "I like to fish, but I must work."


Inside, they even had an information booth, decorated for the season, but not in pink!


There were the expected beautiful Autumn floral displays; however, no pink floral displays.


This pleasant couple posed for a picture with their gorgeous jewelry. She's got a touch of pink on her jacket.


Here's an example of their work, in every color but pink.


Some nice ceramic pieces were for sale at this table, but alas, no pink.


This friendly craftslady (did I just make up a new word?) showed off her pillow shams, made with Marlins/Yankee material to reflect the World Series when the Marlins beat the Yanks! She confessed that she was a bit timid about selling them as she didn't want to anger the embarrassed Yankee fans! My Marlins-fan husband had a good laugh at that. (We know those team colors are not the one we're looking for.)


This table, managed by Norine D'Auria, had a ton of ceramic pieces made, but this one piece was her focus. It was in honor of October's Pink Cancer Awareness Month. All of the profits from this piece will go to the Susan G. Kormen Breast Cancer Fund. You can go to her Pottery Peddler Etsy shop to see more about it. It's titled, Breast Cancer Challenge Entry.


With all of this temptation around me, I bought nothing! Then I saw pink and thought of Pink Saturday. Look at these pretty Christmas ornaments!


This display of hand crafted gifts by Carrie E. Appio had a delightful picture frame, along with many other pink things. You can click on her name to see her many beautiful gift ideas.


What did I buy? I collect apples, and so I bought this cute apple towel for my kitchen. See, the "blouse" attached to the towel? It is used to hang over the oven door handle. Apple red is a deep, dark pink, isn't it?


Reminders:

1. I'm giving away another book. Look over at my sidebar.
2. Remember Blue Monday is fast approaching. Come and play!
3. Happy Pink Saturday!

Friday fill-ins - 92

Janet hosts Friday Fill-ins here. Drop in a take a look. Maybe you'll choose to join in.




1. October is the beginning of lower humidity around here.

2. Mean-spirited people scare me.

3. Leaves are falling all around; it must mean that there's a disease, because this is South Florida. We have leaves on healhy trees year round! Now, please don't go feeling sorry for me because I haven't experienced fall; I grew up in Maryland. I saw plenty of beautiful leaves.

4. My favorite horror movie is I don't have one because I've never seen one! I was just reminded of Alfred Hitchcock; he's my favorite horror guy!

5. Family times = good memories.

6. It was a dark and stormy night which made me thankful that I was safe and secure, with a good book to read.

7. And as for the weekend, tonight I’m looking forward to a relaxing evening with Johnny, tomorrow my plans

include church, and Sunday, I want to enjoy small group with our friends and read the newspaper!

Booking Through Thursday - Best

What, in your opinion, is the best book that you haven’t liked? Mind you, I don’t mean your most-hated book–oh, no. I mean the most accomplished, skilled, well-written, impressive book that you just simply didn’t like.

Like, for movies–I can acknowledge that Citizen Kane is a tour de force and is all sorts of wonderful, cinematically speaking, but . . . I just don’t like it. I find it impressive and quite an accomplishment, but it’s not my cup of tea.

So . . . what book (or books) is your Citizen Kane?

Funny, I never cared for Citizen Kane!

At first glance, I thought, "What a tough question," but then after thinking a couple of minutes, I came up with my answers. Please don't hate me, but Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen is one book I did not enjoy. I know that there are fan clubs for Jane Austen, and it's a classic, but I just could never understand what all the shouting was about.

Another classic that is a "Citizen Kane" to me is William Faulkner's The Sound and the Fury. It seems to me that the author set out to boggle the mind, and I must admit, that he did a good job boggling mine! I felt proud of myself for merely finishing that book!

A final example is One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel García Márquez. The magic realism and those gold fish left me cold. (sigh)

It might appear from this list that I don't like classics, but that is simply not true. However, these three accomplished, skilled, well-written books I simply did not like.

What's your "Citizen Kane" book?

Be sure to click here for my
next book giveaway: Altar Call, a frothy, fun read by Hope Lyda.

Important Medical Alert

The Center for Disease Control has issued a medical alert about a highly contagious, potentially dangerous virus that is transmitted orally, by hand, and even electronically.

This virus is called Weary Overload Recreational Killer (WORK).

If you receive WORK from your boss, any of your colleagues, or anyone else via any means whatsoever, DO NOT TOUCH IT. This virus will wipe out your private life completely!

If you should come into contact with WORK you should immediately leave the premises.