~Monday Hodgepodge~

Written by Sue, Monday, January 13, 2020~~ rain, rain, rain, temps. high 70's feels like late spring.

 I am certainly enjoying this January, especially the weather, I have been able to walk most days in short sleeves, (4.5 miles) sit on the porch early mornings and late evenings with Mr P. talking about the weather and of how warm it is with so much rain, happy it's not ice or snow, knowing that it will soon pass, or will it! hmmm! One never knows.I have often wondered why we talk so much about something that we can do nothing about. The birds are certainly enjoying this weather, singing up a storm, (no pun intended.)

We are not talking a lot about his upcoming knee surgery, Jan. 22, I guess because all plans have been made and all systems are on go. However we are doing a lot praying,and trusting for a  successful surgery, with a quick recovery, we are also staying close to home as much as possible until and after surgery.

As noted above, most days are cloudy, with rain, so I try and bring lots of light inside, twinkling lights add so much warmth to a home, finding these timer lights has been such a treat for me, I seem to find all kinds of nooks and crannies for them. oops, I forgot to remove the batteries. ~grin~

lights for the barn in the farm scene, guess where I placed the timer lights.

Like me, she likes to feed her chickens and gather eggs.

Timer lights in dish cabinets create such ambience, especially when the lights in the room are turned off.

The oil lamp is lit when we have our evening meals,this reminds me of days gone by, times when our ancestors wished for better lighting, I find the more things change, the more they stay the same.

Other than our new devotional, this is our first book of the year, it was a gift to us from our  dear friend, Ed, his mother is the author, a wonderful read to start the new year. I am mostly a nonfiction reader, I enjoy reading about other folks's lives, how they live, the trials and triumphs they experience, as it is with this book., a very easy read.

This is one of the main reasons I enjoy blogging, when people share of their life situations, we, the readers, become a part of their lives, whether it is through prayer, an encouraging word,corresponding via mail, or gifts. We  begin to realize that we are not in this boat (life) alone, we divert the attention off ourselves and onto others, lifetime friendships are made.Thank you for taking me along in the boat., and for your friendship.💗💕💚💛

Ed wrote a very sweet note inside,

Homemade soup is a staple around here, usually I roast a chicken, serve with vegetables,  #1 meal,  leftover chicken and stock make the best chicken noodle soup, ...here is a tip, when using pasta in soup, boil pasta, rinse in hot water, drain add only enough noodles, chicken, and  stock  for the meal , continue heating until ready to serve, the pasta doesn't soak up the liquid, place left over stock and noodles in separate containers in refrigerator, next time do the same, thus two, maybe three meals, we eat soup year round, how about you. A grilled cheese sandwich makes it even better.~wink~

Here is the my hodgepodge for Monday.

Much love,

Sue

~A most delightful gift~

Written by Sue, Saturday, August, 31, 2019,     sunny, warm. 80's a very pleasant day.
Blogging has given so many wonderful friendships, I consider myself so blessed.

When I wrote my first blog post in 2008, (on my first blog) the first person who welcomed me into this wonderful neighborhood was Vee, from a haven for Vee, I was so jubilant seeing that first comment, I thought I had arrived, never in my fondest dreams did I ever think that anyone would be interested in anything I would have to say.
Vee and I quickly became friends and have remained so ever since, she is one of the most respected and beloved bloggers.

She recently had a giveaway,.. I won, the gift was a book written by a woman, (Mesannie Wilkins) who was a self proclaimed "Saddle Tramp".  I received this most gracious gift Tuesday, my dh was almost as excited as I was, and wanted to read it after me, when I mentioned this to Vee, she suggested we read it together, a suggestion well received by Mr P., after all we read our devotions together each day anyhow.

We had not had a chance to start before Friday afternoon,and after reading the first two chapters, we decided to take our time and not rush through this book, we wanted to have time to let all of her adventures on this journey  soak in as we both are having so many questions. Her journal of her 7,000 mile trip from Maine to California, with her horse and dog as her companions is what this book is about.

After reading  two chapters, we found ourselves laughing, asking questions,I even cried, being amazed at this woman's hutzpah after all the mishaps in her life, even shaking our heads, and asking more questions. While reading you feel as though you are right there with her and her companions.

One of the most amazing things we both spoke of was of how Mesannie and her companions were so well received by most strangers and of how they were invited  to spend the night in their homes, and barns, and  also were fed. God was surely with them on this journey.

Look at that smile, in this book I love how she handles the situations on this journey, I am learning so much.

It is Saturday morning and we have already read 4 chapters with plans to read more this evening, so much for slow reading. ~wink~ 

Thank you, Vee, for your most delightful gift.

I don't usually post another post until I have visited those who commented on my last post, and caught up with friends but today was an exception! Thank you for visiting. 

Wishing everyone a most blessed and happy Labor Day weekend.

Sue