For many years women have reminded men that “Ginger Rodgers did everything Fred Astaire did, but she danced backwards in heels.” Our dog, Lucky, dances backwards with joy as we approach her with her filled food bowl. She makes me laugh and think of Ginger! This is the dog that was requiring monthly injections due to arthritis in her hips. She is no longer in pain or requiring those! Amazing!
This year New York City celebrates one hundred years of the Rockettes. My husband, Bob, who is from NYC, just realized in amazement after years of watching the parade they dance in heels!
Such talent!
Don’t expect a video any time soon of Lucky dancing backwards in heels. She would likely chew up the shoes any way!
A reminder: A glimmer is anything that makes you smile and pause in joy. “A glimmer is the exact opposite of a trigger—it is some kind of cue, either internal or external, that brings one back to a sense of joy, safety, or comfort.” from https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-a-glimmer-5323168
I was getting ready to write this post. I looked up at the meal worm feeder outside my window. SIX no kidding SIX lovely bluebirds crowding for a place at the ‘table.’ What an incredible blessing! We have not seen that many here for quite a time.
“Thank you for the world so sweet, Thank you for the food we eat. Thank you for the birds that sing, Thank you God for everything.” author unknown
“The maple tree puts on her fancy party dress, green with yellow and red spangles.” That is how the maple trees appear to me in autumn. I was driving past the library the other day. There was a mess in the road. Nope! stopped the car to capture the decorations from the cypress. Not to be outdone by the maple, the cypress threw her needles as far as the wind would carry them.
Inches deep along the roadside.
Several days later they were still there!
I drove into a local park to check out the new construction they have been doing on the facilities. I saw another car park. The woman let a Basset Hound out of the car door. She merely dropped the leash upon the ground. Then she went around to the other door and brought out a beagle on a leash. Basset was simply moseying around taking a sniff here and there. Made me wonder how long it had been since he had run any place at all! Giant ears, stumpy legs.
Remember this guy from childhood? Could you name it any name besides Droopy?
May the month of December be filled with glimmers for you! May you find countless treasures in plain sight!
Pilgrim Gnome saying “Raise your turkey leg high in thanks to God!”
When I cook a turkey or chicken I try to use the bones to make broth for gravy or soups. This year I had 2 turkeys to cook. If you have ever processed bones for broth, especially turkey bones, you know what a mess it can be. Turkey is very oily. First you simmer the bones and then strain them out of the broth. I did the first batch in the Crockpot for hours and hours. After I processed the first carcass I thought to myself, “Nope! I am not going to do the second one. That is enough.” After letting the broth chill I skim off any fat that has risen to the top. I then freeze the broth in Ball jars for future use. The house smells delightfully of turkey, turkey, turkey!
Then my son taught me that if I caramelize the bones in the oven and then simmer, the broth will be even better. Of course, I was challenged to try his method. I keep telling that young man he should write a cookbook!
Simmering with vegetables to reduce into a rich broth.
Of course, my son, the chef, was absolutely correct. The next batch of broth was stunning. Best gravy I have made in years.
We had a lively feast with a prayer of thanksgiving and much stuffing into mouths. Dressing, two kinds of sweet potatoes, gravy, butter rolls made from scratch, mashed potatoes, turkey and more turkey. The person bringing the corn pudding had to work so alas we had none of that. The pies were tasty as was the made from scratch banana sugar-free pudding. (Except the cookies in it were not sugar free.) Gourmet cookies that sent my glucose soaring, but oh yum. Those were dangerous!
Is there something you do traditionally with your turkey bones or other holiday meal? I encourage you to write it down for your family. They will eventually benefit from what you learn along the way!
I make a cream soup with wild rice and turkey. It ought to be outrageously good with this new broth!
So about all I had left to do was to make the pumpkin pies for the celebration. I also planned to make my almost sugarless pumpkin filling for my diabetic self. In case you are not aware, pumpkin pie filling is a custard that starts out incredibly runny and firms up as it bakes.
I was using my Kitchen aid mixer which I am still getting accustomed to.
A screw fell out of the mixer, but I was so grateful it did not go into the filling! I went to turn the mixer off and slid the switch the wrong direction. (See that sliding button above that says stir 2 4 6 8 10?) Wrong direction is 10!! Pumpkin filling flew everywhere as I turned the mixer to high instead of off. I had pumpkin filling splashed on my new lilac sneakers. Pumpkin down the cabinets. Later I found pumpkin on the dining room rug. Pumpkin all over the mixer itself. Pumpkin on the quilted pad under the mixer. Could I stay calm and grateful even then? Tough doing that.
I finally got the pies in the oven. Cancelled the plan for my filling. Geesh, what a mess!! I usually have too much filing for the two deep dish pie crusts. I use a baking bowl like my mother had for the left over. I figured no leftover with this mess. Much to my surprise there was some leftover!
They really were round though they look oval here!
After the pies baked I went to take a nap. When I awoke there was a leak from under our fridge. I thought maybe the door ice dispenser had a jam that had opened. Nope, too much water for that. I noticed the bottom ice maker had stopped making ice. Bob was able to pull this incredible heavy refrigerator/freezer out on its rollers. Yep! It was filthy back there. We cleaned that up, but still could not find the source for the leak. Bob watched a few repair videos and decided it was too much for him to deal with. We turned off the lower ice maker to see if that would help. Leak stopped.
Huge load of towels and laundry between the pie filling and the leak!
We bought a bag of ice for the celebration. WHAT A DAY!!
Our son came early to the celebration and offered to check out the freezer ice maker. We asked that he wait until after the celebration. He has learned so much in his job as an apartment complex maintenance person. He had never repaired this brand, but took a look after dessert was over.
In moments he had the back off the motor area. Then the ice drawer was out of the freezer, then the entire lower drawer. I do not know exactly how, but he got it working. We cleaned up the water from where the leak began during the testing. Another load or two of laundry from the dinner napkins, table cloths and towels.
I sent him home with lots of pumpkin pie! Oh what a relief it is not to need to call a repairman on a holiday! Thanks Jeff! You are the best!!
And yes, the pies were a hit!
in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 NKJV
This man is a young father to three boys. He is happily married and works really hard for the kingdom of God. He has gained much renown as a singer and songwriter. His performances delight millions of people, especially the young people. Yet, he made time to touch the life of this child and pray over her. His hat commemorates a recent album entitled King of Hearts. While posting this I listened to teh interview several times. I finally had to stop or begin weeping with joy.
Forty-five seconds to bring you this blessing today!
Here is the video and below the lyrics for King of Hearts. Song is 4-1/2 minutes
I saw the nails I heard the hammer King of the Jews Carved into a wooden banner
Made you a crown Bloodied your temple You could have come down But in silence we both trembled
You gave your life I gave you nothing You poured me grace I poured you poison But still you drank My cup of shame
With all that I’ve done Could I be forgiven Is there still a way To enter your kingdom I’m just a thief Beside a king King of hearts
I looked to my side I only had seconds Please remember we met When you’re seated high in Heaven
He spoke in a whisper Looking deep in my eyes Said son this time tomorrow We will be in paradise
You gave your life I gave you nothing You poured me grace That blood keeps on running A love so great You took my place
After all that I’ve done I’ve been forgiven Those scars made a way To enter your kingdom On golden streets Beside a king
King of the poor King of the lowly King of the broken King of the lonely King of the hopeless King of the gone too fars King of hearts
King of the lost King of the guilty King of the misfits King of the filthy King of the critics King of the brand new start King of hearts
You gave your life I gave you nothing You poured me grace That blood keeps on running A love so great You took my place
After all that I’ve done I’ve been forgiven Those scars made a way To enter your kingdom On golden streets Redeemed and free A beloved thief Right beside his king King of hearts
Wild the wind that sends the leaves aloft Gleefully they chatter, “I’m free! I’m free!” ‘Falling’ leaves of autumn Travel far from their beginning Mixing with a flock of birds As we, all earth bound, fail to see Which is bird and which is leaf.
Mighty Force of God, capture me in Your updraft Hurl me headlong in Your love Drift me sideways with the angels Take me far from all complacency Where the familiar dulls my senses Gently land me back at the place On my Pilgrim Journey path where You meet me with new courage To grow on.
I wrote this while at the Convent of the Transfiguration in 1994. The wind caught the Japanese Maple leaves and the poem tells the rest of the story. I still need new courage to grow on. Lead me oh Thou Great Jehovah in your paths of truth and righteousness.
JTIS is our group for crochet, knit, any hand crafting an associate or friend wants to do. We started the group a decade or so ago. Most of us sat in silent retreat with one another, but did not know anything about each other. So we began with inviting the Cincinnati, (i.e., local) Associates of the Convent. The initials stand for Journey Together In Stitches. Not just sewing stitches, but laughter, too. Sadly, our group has begun to dwindle of late. One month another person and me were the only ones in attendance. This past week there was only one Associate and two sisters, another friend and me. I wonder if the group can be sustained?
I asked if anyone had any ideas how we might grow the group. I was told about the Methodists wanting to join communion with the Episcopalians. Perhaps we can invite Methodist women to join us?
I ask your prayer for this group to grow and prosper. We all need others to complete our walk. We need the stories of others. We need the encouragement of others. The joy and laughter cannot be substituted with things on line. The face-to-face meeting is special and to be cherished.
I know things change and evolve, but not everything needs to be thrown out. This fellowship has been working and in my opinion can continue to work for years to come. In AA they say, “Keep coming back. It works if you work it.” I pray the members of this group will return to coming back and working the magic of fellowship in Christ.
19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven.
20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. Matthew 18:19-20 KJV
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, 25 not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:24-25 NIV
Our church has a Creation Care Team. Each year they plant a vegetable and flower garden. It is a great opportunity for the children to learn where some of our food comes from. They also let the children (and adults) pick the vegetables (such as cherry tomatoes) and package them. The tomatoes were donated to Interparish Ministry. It gave me quiet satisfaction when a shopper at IPM chose one of our containers and was delighted to get fresh produce for their family.
The garden has now gone to seed. The giant sunflower stalks were allowed to remain for the birds.
Look closely at right stalk and you can spot a male cardinal.
The garden looks tiny from above but the plants were packed in there and produced so much food. Below is a short video that shows the birds flying to and fro gathering the seeds. The iPhone camera did not know quite where to focus, but I believe you can figure out what you are seeing! Watch for the shadows of the birds. Some are perched on banisters at the stairs.
Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? MT 6:26 NIV
All creatures look to you to give them their food at the proper time. Psalm 104:27 NIV
Turned the corner on the big 75. Bob is taking great delight in saying things such as, “I have never kissed a woman this old before.” Smart aleck, he is two years old than I am!
It has been a grand celebration of turning 3/4 of a century. Whew! There have been flowers and cake, gifts and greetings galore. We modified my favorite coconut cake because with Type 2 diabetes it was just not good for me. (But the old recipe was so yummy!) This year I bought a Pillsbury sugar free chocolate cake. I asked Bob to add coconut to the batter. He then topped it with cool whip mixed with coconut. Oh it is yummy and I do not have a terrible spike in my blood sugar after eating it!
So yes, when I took the photo I also had eat a forkful, or two!
Every year and most holidays Bob makes me a card using one of his photos. This photo is a mural on a wall in downtown Cincinnati. I was so excited by the mural I could not wait to show it to him. He took the photo shortly after his knee replacement surgery. The little girl obviously has an imaginary friend with her in the mud puddle. He reminds me of the book series I read with the children about Little Bear.
I named it “Birthday Dance!”
I have been unable to find who designed this mural, but I just love the imagination involved!
Since our birthdays are three weeks apart we literally celebrate by finishing one and beginning another. Here we have his cake and card. THE favorite birthday cake for Bob.
His beloved carrot cake. I finally obtained currants this year instead of raisins.
When I saw this card at Target there was NO hesitation to purchase it.
Notice the she snow-person is missing her nose! Talk about sacrifice!!
He SO deserved this card. We decided it might be the best card of the decade! Each year I debate baking two of his cakes. He gives away most of it and is sad when that last sliver hits his plate. Happy birthday to each of you readers in what ever way you celebrate! Have joyous year!
Children bring me some of the best glimmers day in and day out. There was a tiny one (8 months old) in a shopping cart seat that smiled at me and melted my heart. She had never seen me before but there was no stranger fear in her!
This is our little neighbor down the street. She wants to befriend Lucky but is fearful of the dog. When she can summon the courage to pet Lucky she is so satisfied. Here is her Halloween costume. Her mom said she dressed herself and they are not certain what she is. I would answer, “Adorable!”
This is the same child who likes regular Doritos. At a neighborhood picnic she ate a small bag of them. Then she realized there were partial bags laying around. So she began collecting the partial bags and eating those, too! Squeezable joy, indeed!
I ordered a crochet kit because my daughter likes Gnomes. I thought this would make a good gift for her. I set myself a goal to finish it before my birthday. And I got it done!
He is about 6 inches tall.
yep, makes me laugh every time I think of him. He lives at her house now.
Treasures in Plain Sight, A Christian Blog 