Sunday Short Post

It's a cold night........inside and out.

My mom is back in the hospital. I took her in on Thursday, but hope to
bring her home early this week.

She told me she just wants to come home to
"her little room."
Me too Mom.
Taken a few weeks ago, at the doctor's office.

I want to thank you for the beautiful comments....they help more than you know.
I'm off to bed for now.
Sweet dreams........

Healing

Hello again.

Until we meet again, I'll be praying the "prayer that never fails," (quoting Father Tim from Mitford), which is "Thy will be done."
Who could ask for more?

A Recipe...But No Year in Review

It's another beautiful sunny Sunday morning here in Michigan....but it's COLD.

The weatherman is calling it Arctic. I agree.

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So many gals out there posted about 2009 in review. You know, I can't do it.
I usually keep looking ahead, and find I spend little time looking back. We had so many happy moments and blessings last year to be sure. When those wonderful memories surface, I will enjoy each one of them.....but I don't plan to revisit last year in any detail. How about you....do you spend much time looking back?

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Yesterday I put all the Christmas things away and did some cleaning....which always feels good to get done. I have a long to-do list (as usual) for all the organizing I must do around here and at my mom's house. If I think too long on it, agitation sets in. So, best to just tackle one job at a time.....that way I can keep crossing items off the list.

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Since I'm always on the lookout for a quick yet hearty recipe, I want to share this one with you. My friend, Ann, made this for a small group of us recently and it was delish!

My gang really liked it too....a little like Italian Wedding Soup.

1 lb ground sausage (like Bob Evans or Jimmy Dean)
2 cups cheese tortellini
2 14 oz cans chicken stock
1 large onion, chopped fine
1 14 oz can diced tomatoes w/basil
2 ribs fresh garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped spinach
1/2 cup chopped basil
1 cup water
parmesan cheese
salt & pepper to taste

Brown sausage, add garlic, onion, basil and spinach and cook until tender. Meanwhile, cook tortellini al dente & drain. Add stock, water and tomatoes to tortellini; add sausage mixture and season to taste. Serve with parmesan cheese sprinkled on top. Enjoy!

That's all to report from the 'Acre today. I'm off to start the day.
Hope you are all safe and warm.

A New Year and Another Year Older

Here it is, another new year.
I'm happy for the new year, but want to recap one little thing from the old one.....

This past Monday, I celebrated another birthday. What a nice day I had! Although I worked all day, and was downright pooped when I got home, it was a truly lovely day...and here's why...

I was chauffeured to work and dropped at the door by Timothy
I was treated to a lovely lunch "out"
It was a wicked busy day......which means the day absolutely "flew" by
Then, I was picked up by the hubster and driven directly home......

Where I discovered.......

My family had baked me a **pink** cake (no picture :( )
There were birthday gifts with my name on them
Everyone was in a festive mood :)

After getting my mom showered and ready.......the whole gang headed out to a favorite Italian restaurant to celebrate. When we got home, I blew out a candle, had a bite of cake and opened these beautiful gifts.....
A vintage teacup.....with **pink** flowers.....

A Vera Bradley lunch bag.....

....and a vintage cameo pendant/brooch, all from the kids.

Not shown, a new waffle iron from my mom. The gift from my hubby is yet to arrive....we plan to get some new furnishings later this year.

As I mentioned in my last post, my wonderful friend Nancy had me feeling like a princess this year. Have you ever received a gift that couldn't have been more "you?" Well, that is what happened this year. Nancy surprised me with.........
This beautiful box filled with some sweet surprises......
A handmade purse. Now, you gals know how I love purses......

A gift set from Clinique.....

Filled with a few little treasures........

This fabulous box. It has real buttons set into a shell-like finish. I haven't decided what to keep inside....for now I have my crochet hooks in there. I just love looking at it!

Nancy also gave me a copy of "The Shack," and a new lipstick. I finished the book quickly, and have passed it on to another. I'm spoiled.......and loving it!

Last year certainly ended on a high note for me.......and I won't even say it wasn't a good year. So many blessings came our way......along with a few bumps. I am just so grateful that we are surviving the bumps and moving forward.

New for this year is to keep a thankfulness journal. I'm going to list one thing that I am grateful for every day, starting today.

I pray that you are happy, contented and loved.

"Where there is love, there is God also."

~ Leo Tolstoy ~

A Merry, Quiet Christmas

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Last night and today have been lovely, quiet days around here. Maybe quiet isn't quite the right word....at least for me. I have been working like a beaver, but enjoying it thoroughly.

Here's Mom all ready to head out for Christmas Eve candlelight service. She looked super in her new coat and accessories.

After church, we came back here for our "traditional" brunch. I usually make a breakfast strada and coffee cake with fresh fruit. The casserole bakes while we open our gifts. This year was the usual routine......without the fruit.

We won't be doing any entertaining this year......I'll miss it. I so enjoy having people over. The hubby doesn't enjoy it like I do. We often have the in-laws over right after Christmas, but this year he wanted to have a more restful holiday......maybe I can talk him into something for new year's.

Here's a couple pics of the scarf I whipped up for the work gift exchange. It's a slip stitch pattern that I've worked before.......it's fun and easy.

This is Barb.......my "secret Santa" pick. She's a great gal and really loved her gift. Her favorite color is purple......can you tell?

In between all the rush lately, I got out Timmy's vest to work on. His exact words when he saw it were, "that has sleeves, right?" "'Cause I really want a sweater." Well, I was having a problem with the pattern, so I decided to tink back to the rib and make him a sweater instead. Hopefully he can wear this before he graduates from college ;)

I also want to start some embroidery work. I purchased eight cotton dinner napkins at Target (four white and four ivory), and want to embroider on them and crochet around the edge. I'll keep it simple since I'd like to have them done for spring....and at the rate I've been going, that's wishful thinking.

One last thing before I go. Have any of you read The Shack? I received it with part of an early birthday gift and couldn't put it down. I'd love to know what you thought of it. All I can say is that I enjoyed the story very much, but felt it was not theologically accurate.

Next post I'll show a couple of the sweet birthday gifts from my beloved friend, Nancy. She is one of the sweetest people I have ever met. Until then, I hope you all feel the love God has sent to us in Jesus.

"Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, because he has come and has redeemed his people..."
Luke 1:68

Addition and Subtraction

The past year has been a series of pluses and minuses for me....lot's of addition and subtraction. I had to subtract a few things from my life.....but have a lot of happy additions. Here's one....the "birthday girl." Pumpkin is one year old today!

Of course the biggest addition is having my mom here full time. Every day brings a new little something with it........be it a concern, a surprise or some sort of challenge. Some folks may consider that a "minus," but I think it's been a plus for all of us. I'm thankful for the help of my family, and for the strength God has given me to meet this most humbling responsibility.

If someone had asked me five years ago what I thought my life would be like today, my description would be vastly different. Knowing my children would be in college and pursuing their own dreams, I figured I would pursue some of my own. I had geared up to go back to college myself......looked forward to spending more time with the hubby, etc.

Now my days see me working more at my "professional" job, and working so much harder at my "home" job. Every once in a while, though, we take some time for fun. Yesterday Emily and I dressed Mom all up and took her to the mall. She bought a new fur (faux) coat, hat, gloves, and purse. She had a good time, and afterward we met the guys for dinner.
Emily and Gram stop to window shop.

Mom is having a good time.

Out to dinner and getting tired.

Not too much needlework getting done. I continue work on Timothy's vest and just finished knitting this hat for a friend at work.....I drew her name for Christmas. My friend loves purple.

I found this handy dandy little pom pon maker a couple of years ago, and I really love it.

I love making "bobbles."

Our house is ready for Christmas...but I am not. I have only picked up a couple of things for the stockings. No baking has been done, and I have only partially planned our menu. I won't be taking any time off between now and the new year, so I'll somehow squeeze everything in. I suppose a lot of little things will be let go.....a far cry from all the years I was a full-time homemaker. I dream of being home again full time......until then, I'll remember all my blessings, including my job in this difficult economy.

I'll ring off for now......with thanks to all my friends who have left comments while I was away to remind me of your lovely thoughts. I am so blessed to have you all.

I'm going to endeavor to post again before Santa comes......until then, keep warm and let me know of all your doings.

"You will keep in perfect peace, him whose mind is steadfast..." Isaiah 26:3

Sunshine Sunday

"A ray of sunshine, a balmy breeze
Are a gift from God above...
He also gives us faithful friends
To warm our hearts with love."


It's a beautiful, sunny weekend here in Michigan...a nice change since we have been getting a lot of rain and colder temps. I've missed my little blog.

First, I want to thank all of you for your sincere and lovely comments after my last post. Every word was a balm to me. Things are perking along here at the 'Acre. My hubby, a sweet and sensitive guy, has had a rough couple of weeks. For now he is doing some contract work....not his dream but a blessing all the same because he needs to stay busy and it sure helps financially.

Now to catch up on a few other bits........

I mentioned last time about our anniversary. It was such a treat to get away overnight. We drove down to Ohio for the Country Living Fair. They have a vast assortment of crafts people selling their wares.......set on the grounds of a little historic village. We had a warm day and a good time.

Someday I want to make a quilt like this...I like applique.

In other news, I finished one sock and have started on the other. Also continuing the work on Timothy's sweater vest. No sewing lately and only a little crochet. I'm still hooked on making the little motifs.....they are perfect for filling short snippets of time.

I came across these sweet little fall plates and pumpkins. I love pretty dishes but have only a small collection. These will be fun to set the table with each autumn.

I love the little deer.
And....since it's autumn.......here's my favorite pumpkin.

Pumpkin says, "not another picture."

Oh well, hope you are enjoying my favorite season....I'm off to enjoy a cup of tea.
Toodles.

Today

Today I hoped to blog about my wonderful anniversary weekend.

Instead, just a short note to ask for your prayers. My husband became unemployed today...and my heart aches for him. Even though we expected this, it is devastating nonetheless.

I am a little beside myself as well, but hopefully I'll be back very soon with a happier post.

Love,
Amy

Apple Cake and Jesus

"And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
~Jesus....Matthew 28:20

We have a lovely church not far from our home that is well known in these parts for its extraordinary beauty. The building and grounds are just lovely. We were out for a couple of quick errands, and it was a gorgeous day here, so I asked the hubby to stop by the Shrine of the Little Flower to snap a couple pictures.

A recent addition (I'm not sure what year) is a monument of Jesus at the Last Supper. A life-sized statue sits alone at the table with twelve empty seats around him. It's difficult to describe the feeling of sitting across the table from Jesus, even a sculptured one.

This is a beautiful garden complete with waterfull and statue of Mary (not visible from this picture).

There are gardens with benches all around, as well as the story of the crucifixion told on plaques throughout the gardens. You can see the front of the church in the background of this pic.

Once we got home, I changed gears and mixed up an apple cake. While working, I thought about all the wonderful places I am privileged to have so close to home. I will stop by this church again, perhaps when I am alone and can stay longer. It would be a lovely place to sit and pray, think, even make out a list or two.
I serve the cake with vanilla ice cream and a little carmel sauce drizzled over both. Tim was nearby when I took this snap and offered to "take one for the team" and eat it once the picture was taken. Such a good sport, eh?
Look's like Pumpkin is wondering where her cake is :)

Praying it's a good week for you and me.

"Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ, Jesus."
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

Thursday

Remember when my friend Diane gifted me with the two beautiful bundt pans?
Well, she also shared her recipe for Bananaberry Bread, which I have made many times since.

Today, I had some bananas that were getting too ripe, but was fresh out of blueberries.
I did have about 3/4 cup of maraschino cherries in the fridge and about 2/3 cup of chocolate chips in the pantry....so, how about some Cherry Chip Banana Bread?


Today is a doctor appointment for my mom. I'm ahead of the game....Mom's had a shower and a good breakfast. I think we'll have a little hot tea and banana bread in an hour or so, and then a short rest and out the door at 4:00.


Happily I report the first item to cross off the list is done......the tea towel for my neighbor, Angel.


Angel had a five-vessel coronary bypass last Tuesday. She is only 45. Two weeks ago today she went to the hospital with chest pains and they told her she'd need a triple bypass. Apparently once they began surgery it was determined that two more arteries were blocked. Please keep Angel in your prayers.

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Tomorrow I'll spend the day with Emily and Leah.....and the evening with the sewing girls. Our friend, Jan, is back here from Las Vegas for the weekend, so we've planned an impromptu get together at Panera Bread.
Until next time......love you bunches!