My 'Shepard's Pie' was the inspiration .... :-)

I also found this email in my in-box this morning -
"PERMANENT POSIES has left a new comment on your post "Soothing Shepard's Pie":

Hey, Girl.....I mentioned your Shepherd's Pie on my blog. Did you see it? Here is the link:

http://permanentposies.com/2011/04/crockpot-shepherds-pie/

Have a great day. "

On her blog, she had written, "Well, after reading the recipes last week, I decided to cook something I haven’t cooked since my kids were little.  Shepherd’s Pie!  The idea came from Cheryl at The BZ House That Love Built because the recipe she submitted under last week’s Meatballs and Potatoes was a Soothing Shepherd’s Pie.
   Of course, I had to put my own spin on it so, my recipe is my own.  Also, I had 1/2 pound of cooked hamburger meat left from Saturday and needed to stretch it into a meal.   Yesterday, I cooked a pot of navy beans in my Crockpot (which were delicious, by the way) and it was still sitting on the cabinet…..the Crockpot…not the beans.  So, I decided to make the Shepherd’s Pie in the Crockpot.  Great idea!  It was delicious and I hope you like it."

I'm glad I was able to help 'inspire' (my wording) you Susan. ;-> 
Brian would enjoy having English peas added to our version, I on the other hand...  I'm an adult now, so I could pick them out, r-i-g-h-t?  o;-p

We are happy to display this button -

"Plan B" was featured :-)

I found this email in my in-box this morning -
"Dr. Laura @ WhoIsLaura.com has left a new comment on your post "When Plan A doesn't work, but you still need to tu...":

Thanks for sharing this adventure with Dr. Laura's Tasty Tuesdays! I'm featuring you this week, because I love what you did for Plan B and I am happy to know that I am not the only one who doesn't have things go the way they were planned to :)

Dr. Laura "

On her blog, she had written, "Next, because I love knowing that I am not the only one in the kitchen who has things that do not go according to plan, Cheryl captured my heart with her tale of dinner a la plan B at The BZ House That Love Built." 


therefore, we are now happy to show you this button:

Glad that my mishap IS encouragement to others!!! :-)

The Easter Snowman

   I slept in till 9:00 this morning. After visiting the bathroom, I walked across the kitchen to the fridge to fix myself a glass of orange juice. As I was starting to pull the O.J. out, my mind thought, "It's still coming down out there".  It immediately then registered "W-H-A-T?!?!!!".  I turned and looked out the window and then out loud voiced the thought, "OH MY GOSH!!".
   The "it" that was coming down, was white flaky precipitation (aka: snow). I walked over to the window to get a better look-see. We had about an inch of it. Everywhere except on the sidewalks, or the grass under the pop-up tent set up in the back yard. The rest of the grass, was covered. The vehicles parked along the alley, covered. The roof of the garage, covered. Goodness.
    I remember many an Easter here in Michigan, when we had fresh snow. But I had 'thought' they had always been when Easter had come early - in late March or early April. But Easter is coming late this year, and yet it very well could be a white one. 8-/

    A couple of hours later, as we were out loading the out of state kids up in their car  to head out again (yes, they were here this weekend :->!!!!!!!!!!  Postings about that soon ;-) ), I noticed the house directly across the street from us had a snowman in their front yard, sort of leaning against their lamp post. It was wearing sun glasses and a cap. I pointed it out to everybody.
   Then I started chuckling due to the 'prank' which had popped into my mind. I shared the idea with Benson and he not only liked it, but agreed to help me implement it.
    I went upstairs and got out the pink bunny ears, as well as some bright colored plastic Easter eggs. I came down stairs and nabbed the Christmas fabric lined basket Joanna T. had given me this year. I put a couple of wadded up plastic bags in the bottom of the basket and sat the eggs in on top.
    Benson then set off to change the snowman into the Easter Bunny Snow Man. Off came the green cap, on went the ears. The basket did hang from their limb arm (;->) . After coming back across the street, he took some pictures for me. I keep looking out the window and smiling hugely. He voiced that he didn't think you were suppose to enjoy your own prank for that long. I disagree. To the point that I decided to blog about it, thus making it a long term memory. ;-p Besides, I figured a bunch of you might enjoy the chuckle too. ;->

                         Merry Easter Everybody  0:-D

So, about that name ...

   You know how I  told you that the name they had picked out for our soon-to-be-born grandson, was going to be 'Toby James' ?

    It was. Going to be that is.  But then Cyndi liked this other name, and then,  and ....

   When Byron was apologetically telling me all of this, I laughed. Yes, right out loud. Told him not to worry about it till the baby is born (mid-July). They then must make a final decision in two days time, so they can sign a birth certificate. But mid-July is a ways away yet. 

   Currently Cyndi is favoring Eliot James. I really like that choice! It's sort of a 'proper sounding name' like we had gone with for our own sons.
    But if they decide to go with something different, I'll be okay with it.  It is after all their kid, so they get to pick the name. :-)

posting from Brian -

I will live my life according to these beliefs

GOD does not exist

It's just foolish to think

That there is a an all knowing GOD with a cosmic plan

That an all powerful GOD brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

Is a comforting thought however

It

Is only wishful thinking

People can do as they please without eternal consciences

The idea that

I am deserving of hell

Because of sin,

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

“The more you have, the happier you will be.”

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

In a world with no GOD

There is freedom to be who I want to be

But with GOD

Life is an endless cycle guilt and shame

Without GOD

Everything is fine

It is ridiculous to think

I am lost and in need of saving

And thats how I felt before Christ opened my eyes changed my heart and reversed my thinking

I am lost and in need of saving

It is ridiculous to think

Everything is fine

Without GOD

Life is an endless cycle guilt and shame

But with GOD

There is freedom to be who I want to be

In a world with no GOD

Our existence has no grand meaning or purpose

“The more you have, the happier you will be.”

Is a lie meant to make me a slave to those in power

Because of sin,

I am deserving of hell

The idea that

People can do as they please without eternal consciences

Is only wishful thinking

It

Is a comforting thought however

That an all powerful GOD brings purpose to the pain and suffering in the world

That there is a an all knowing GOD with a cosmic plan

It's just foolish to think

GOD does not exist

I will live my life according to these beliefs

A, B, C, ...

    The other day, "Mexico Jen" did a posting she titled "About Me ABCs".  I read them. I smiled. I thought that was that. But as the day progressed, I came to realize that my brain had paid more attention to her, "Thanks for listening! :) How about you? Copy and past this list to your blog and after you fill it our, leave a comment so I can come see!" then I had thought it had. I came to this realization, due to how my brain kept trying to figure out what I would write for my own version of the ABC's. Yes, my own version. You know me, always adding my own personal touch to things. I wonder which letter that would fit under ... ?

   Seeings how my brain did not wish to just drop the subject, the next morning I gave in, pulled out a piece of scrap paper, and started jotting down what it was coming up with.

   After you read the list, I hope that your brain does as mine did, and that you too decide to go along with it. As Jen had asked, please let me know so that I make sure to come read yours too. This 'inquiring mind wants to know'. o;-p

A = Animals. I am fascinated by the wide variety that God created. I enjoy watching their antics. I enjoy getting to know their personalities.

B = Brian. My husband. My lover. My friend. !

C = Children. I have them. They ARE a BLESSING from the Lord!

D = Doctors. I've known plenty. Through my sons. Through my husband. For myself. They come in all sizes, shapes, and personalities. Some of whom your saddened when you hear they are retiring. Others you can't wait to change away from.

E = Eating. Something I'm really glad that people like to do, because I sure enjoy cooking and baking so that they can!!!

F = Fat. Something I hate feeling.

G = Grandma. A title I am thrilled to be!!!

H = Heart. I am told both that I have a big one and that I have a good one. :->

I = Integrity. Something I continually strive to have.

J = Junk. I find it interesting how when you first obtain it, it can seem like such a treasure. It's also interesting how it seems to self multiply.

K = Kitchen. I would like a new one. In a different house. With high ceilings through out. And two bathrooms.  And acreage. And yet most of the same neighbors we currently have.

L = Laughter. I find it to be a very important and effective medicine

M = Music. It's something I enjoy a wide variety of.

N = Notes. I take them. In school. In a church service. In meetings. I make them. To remind myself to tell somebody something. Or to do something. Or ...  Oft' times, what starts out as a note, turns into a list. And sometimes they bloom into full notebooks.

O = "O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder, consider all the works Thy hands have made, I see the stars, I hear the mighty thunder, Thy power throughout, the universe displayed. 
    (Chorus) Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art!
    (3 rd verse) And when I think, that God His Son not sparing, sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in; that on the cross, my burden gladly bearing, He bled and died, to take away my sin;
    (Chorus) Then sings my soul, my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art! Then sings my soul my Savior God to Thee, how great Thou art, how great Thou art!
   [Carl Boberg.  Tr. by S.K. Hines 1948.   Swedish Melody.  Revised by Rev. Jean Staneschi, 1929.]

P = Personal Touch. I like adding adding my own personal touch to things. (I found a place to add it. ;-p)

Q = Quiet. Something life has taught me the beauty of.  And yet, quiet can also be an indicator of trouble, when your raising children.

R = Reading. Oh how I have enjoyed the pleasures of it. :->

S = Strawberries. My favorite fruit. And when you dip them in chocolate.... Oh my!!!

T = Thankful. I am. For so-o-o-o many things!

U = Understanding. Something I often don't get quickly. Something I often wish people were more of.

V = Vertigo. Something I look forward to being free of !!!!!

W = Writing. Something I enjoy doing, due to how it removes the words and thoughts from their collecting in my brain.

X = Xanga (TM) - The internet 'server' our first blog was on. I sure have changed from my originally being the wife and mom whom didn't think buying a computer was necessary. o;-p

Y = 'Yonder'. A term I understand. Along with 'fixin-to' and 'withyadidya'. And that knowledge does not come from living in the state of Michigan since I turned 5. ;-p

Z = ZZzzz's. In cartoons they equal snoring. Something I'm told I now do. I think it's a trait I picked up from my husband. And our sons. And our dog. ... o;-p

   Now that you've read the list, I hope that your brain does as mine did and that you too decide to go along with it. As Jen had asked, please let me know so that I make sure to come read yours too. This 'inquiring mind wants to know'. o;-p

Whit and Wisdom's from Brian

copied and pasted here from his Face-book page -

"There is no doubt you will bring joy to someones day
 either by coming or going.
 It's up to you!"