Wednesday, March 31, 2010

Random Dozen

This week's Random has a couple of chicken-dedicated questions. Other than that ... complete randomness. Because that's the name of the game.



Directions: Copy the questions, formulate answers, go over to Linda's and link your post there. Go visit others. Say nice things. Increase your blog traffic. Make your mom proud.



1. How do you feel about the marshmallow Easter Peeps?
Don't care for them.  Only way I will eat marshmallows is in rice krispie treats, or roasted.

2. Chickens are notoriously nervous creatures. When you are nervous, what is the best way to calm down?
I guess take a deep breath, don't really get nervous that often..

3. People say, "April showers bring May flowers." Do you enjoy Spring rains?
Yes especially after fresh cut grass. 

4. When I was randomly flipping through TV channels this week, I saw a show in which tattoo parlor employees received tattoos of a co-worker's face on their bodies. I can't imagine having a portrait of a colleague tattooed on me. But if someone forced you to receive a portrait tattoo (face only) of anyone, who would it be? Why?
One of my children would be tolerable.  Because I love them.

5. Would you rather have a tattoo (any kind) or a nose ring?
The pain of a nose ring would go away quicker and is easily removable.

6. Do you have any special plans for Easter?
Sunrise service and breakfast with church family, church later that morning, then a big lunch with family.

7. Cadbury Eggs or Reese Eggs? 
Reese eggs

8. What was the last thing/person you took a picture of? 
Makayla's baptism

9. What book are you reading now, or what was the last one? 
Just finished Thicker than Blood.  It's better than it sounds.

10. What do you think is the most difficult task when it comes to Spring cleaning?
Not sure about difficult but I hate cleaning all the windows.

11. How many pairs of flip-flops do you own?
Only two so far.  But definetly could use more.  I love wearing flip-flops almost year around.

12. Which color makes you happiest?
yellow

Bonus Joke (not part of the Random): Why did the Easter egg hide?

He was a little chicken!

Tuesday, March 30, 2010

Communion

Jesus Washes His Disciples' Feet

John 13:1-38
1It was just before the Passover Feast. Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love.[a]

2The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus.
 3Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;
 4so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist.
5After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples' feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.
6He came to Simon Peter, who said to him, "Lord, are you going to wash my feet?"
7Jesus replied, "You do not realize now what I am doing, but later you will understand."
8"No," said Peter, "you shall never wash my feet."
Jesus answered, "Unless I wash you, you have no part with me."
9"Then, Lord," Simon Peter replied, "not just my feet but my hands and my head as well!"
10Jesus answered, "A person who has had a bath needs only to wash his feet; his whole body is clean. And you are clean, though not every one of you."
11For he knew who was going to betray him, and that was why he said not every one was clean.
12When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them.
13"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am.
14Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet.
15I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
 16I tell you the truth, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him.
17Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them.

Jesus Predicts His Betrayal
18"I am not referring to all of you; I know those I have chosen. But this is to fulfill the scripture: 'He who shares my bread has lifted up his heel against me.'[b]
19"I am telling you now before it happens, so that when it does happen you will believe that I am He.
20 I tell you the truth, whoever accepts anyone I send accepts me; and whoever accepts me accepts the one who sent me."
21 After he had said this, Jesus was troubled in spirit and testified, "I tell you the truth, one of you is going to betray me."
22His disciples stared at one another, at a loss to know which of them he meant.
23One of them, the disciple whom Jesus loved, was reclining next to him.
 24Simon Peter motioned to this disciple and said, "Ask him which one he means."
25Leaning back against Jesus, he asked him, "Lord, who is it?"
26Jesus answered, "It is the one to whom I will give this piece of bread when I have dipped it in the dish." Then, dipping the piece of bread, he gave it to Judas Iscariot, son of Simon. 
27As soon as Judas took the bread, Satan entered into him.
"What you are about to do, do quickly," Jesus told him,
28but no one at the meal understood why Jesus said this to him.
29Since Judas had charge of the money, some thought Jesus was telling him to buy what was needed for the Feast, or to give something to the poor.
30As soon as Judas had taken the bread, he went out. And it was night.

Jesus Predicts Peter's Denial
31When he was gone, Jesus said, "Now is the Son of Man glorified and God is glorified in him.
32If God is glorified in him,[c] God will glorify the Son in himself, and will glorify him at once.
33"My children, I will be with you only a little longer. You will look for me, and just as I told the Jews, so I tell you now: Where I am going, you cannot come.
34"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.
35By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
36Simon Peter asked him, "Lord, where are you going?"
Jesus replied, "Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later."
37Peter asked, "Lord, why can't I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you."
38Then Jesus answered, "Will you really lay down your life for me? I tell you the truth, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!




Monday, March 29, 2010

Mary's Alabaster Box

Jesus Anointed at Bethany


John 12:1-11
1 Six days before the Passover, Jesus arrived at Bethany, where Lazarus lived, whom Jesus had raised from the dead.
2 Here a dinner was given in Jesus' honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him.
3 Then Mary took about a pint[a] of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus' feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.
4 But one of his disciples, Judas Iscariot, who was later to betray him, objected,
5 "Why wasn't this perfume sold and the money given to the poor? It was worth a year's wages.[b]"
 6 He did not say this because he cared about the poor but because he was a thief; as keeper of the money bag, he used to help himself to what was put into it.
7 "Leave her alone," Jesus replied. " It was intended that she should save this perfume for the day of my burial.
8 You will always have the poor among you, but you will not always have me."
9 Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead.
10 So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well,
11  for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and putting their faith in him.


Saturday, March 27, 2010

Then Sings My Soul Saturday....... When He was on the cross I was on His mind.

The words of this song sums it all up.  We are all unworthy of His love, and mercy yet He gives it to us so freely.  No matter what we are going through all we have to do is call on Him. 










Now for some more wonderful music join Amy and the rest of us from Then Sings My Soul Saturdays.  

Saturday, March 20, 2010

Then Sings My Soul Saturday...........It Is Well

Join us at Amy's for more great songs!


The first video seems to be   perfect for the first day of Spring.  I love the old hymnals, so I thought I would share some of my favorites today.

Have a blessed weekend!!!  Outdoors is calling me the high today is upper 70's. 




"It Is Well with My Soul" is a very influential hymn penned by hymnist Horatio Spafford and composed by Philip Bliss.


~~history~~

This hymn was written after several traumatic events in Spaffords life. The first was the death of his only son in 1871, shortly followed by the great Chicago Fire which ruined him financially (he had been a successful lawyer). Then in 1873, he had planned to travel to Europe with his family on the S.S. Ville du Havre, but sent the family ahead while he was delayed on business concerning zoning problems following the Great Chicago Fire. While crossing the Atlantic, the ship sank rapidly after a collision with a sailing ship, the Loch Earn, and all four of Spafford's daughters died. His wife Anna survived and sent him the now famous telegram, "Saved alone." Shortly afterwards, as Spafford traveled to meet his grieving wife, he was inspired to write these words as his ship passed near where his daughters had died.







Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Happy St. Patrick's Day Random Dozen

It's time for another weekly random dozen.  Linda comes up with a dozen questions every week to help us learn a little more about each other.
This week  we're going to have one or two questions on the Ides of March and such, and then we'll go directly back to random because that is what we do best here.


 1. On a scale of 1-10, how superstitious are you, honestly? 
 I would honestly have to say a one.  I don't consider myself superstitious at all.  I use to work with a lady that put a potato in her bra on Friday the 13th, had never heard that one before then.



2. Julius Caesar is quoted as saying, "I came, I saw, I conquered." Which circumstance or experience of yours does this saying best describe?
My mind is totally blank, even after reading a couple of other answers. 


3. If I peeked in on your day like a mischievous little leprechaun, at what time would I most likely find you blogging?
 In the mornings when the house is quiet and I can think clearly.


4. Re springing forward for Daylight Saving Time, is there anything you've ever been really early or really late for? 
I can't think of anything extremely early or late.  I'm usually right on time or just a tad late.


5. What are you most looking forward to concerning Spring?
 Warmer weather, it seems that this has been the longest, coldest winter I can ever remember. 

6. Shamrocks are the national flower of Ireland and are picked on St. Patrick's Day and worn on the lapel or shoulder. Do you wear green on St. Patty's Day?
 Not anymore.  Until two years ago we lived in the Savannah area and as most know they have the 2nd largest parade in the United States.  But I can't remember the last time I went to the parade.  It is one big party for drunks and I've outgrown that stage in my life, thankfully.
No I don't know the people in the picture.  I tried to find one that showed what it's really like in Savannah today without revealing faces of people I didn't know. 


7. One of Caesar's assassins, Casca, said, "But, for my own part, it was Greek to me," which of course means he didn't understand something. Probably his own lines in the play. Anyway, what is something that is "Greek to you," something incomprehensible or indecipherable?
 First thing that popped in my head "men".  As I'm sure men would say the same for women.


8. Is March behaving more like a lion or a lamb where you live?   More like a lamb, it hasn't really been windy.
 Cool mornings, warm afternoons, and rain about every 2-3 days.


9. "An extra yawn one morning in the springtime, an extra snooze one night in the autumn is all that we ask in return for dazzling gifts. We borrow an hour one night in April; we pay it back with golden interest five months later." -Winston Churchill. If you had one extra hour per day every day, what would you do with it?
Probably catch up on some much needed sleep.

10. Legend says that every Leprechaun has a pot of gold hidden deep in the Irish countryside. Aside from real gold or money, what material item would be in your dream pot of gold?
I'm not a very materialistic person, so I will go with the first thing I thought of.  An all expense paid weeks vacation would be nice.  Somewhere warm, sunny, and carefree.


11. "The best things are nearest: breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of God just before you." Robert Louis Stevenson. Look around you right now and tell us about something essential or beautiful very near you that you take for granted every day.
 My family, even though some has passed on.  I just assume those here with me will always be here. 


12. Just for a bit o' fun, click here (www.blogthings.com/irishnamegenerator/) and then report your Irish name.
Mine is "Caitlin Collins"   Strange because my grandmother's 2nd husbands last name was Collins.  It is also the name of the town where she lived most of her life and is now where my Mom lives.

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Pound Cake

I thought for sure I had posted this recipe before because I make it so often I know it by heart.  It's one of my favorites because one, it's my Mom's recipe and her favorite cake.   Also because it's a very simple cake to make.  I always forget to take pictures until it's almost gone.  Can you believe we just cut it Sunday?  But we do have a teen-age son in the house.  lol

Pound Cake
1 1/2 cups crisco (and as Mom would say don't try and save by using cheap shortning)
3 cups sugar
9 eggs
3 cups all-purpose flour
3 tbsps vanilla extract

Beat crisco and sugar until creamy, at least ten minutes.  Add eggs one at a time, beating well after each.  Slowly add flour mixing well.  Then add extract.  You can't overbeat it.  The more you mix the better it rises. 
Bake at 350 for and hour and fifteen minutes.  

Sunday, March 14, 2010

Makayla's Baptism

Last Sunday Night Makayla made the decision to ask Jesus into her heart.  I don't think there could be a prouder moment for a parent.  Then when your child asks if you will  walk the aisle with them.   Therefore she was baptized this morning.  The pictures aren't the greatest but that's okay because it's whats in her heart that is the most important.




Saturday, March 13, 2010

TSMSS..........For The First Time Again

It seems these days all I have time to do is meme's but they are such a great way to meet new and wonderful bloggers.  So here's the one that I join in on Saturday's.  Come on and  join us over at Amy's, you will be glad you did.  It's a great way to listen to some really uplifting music.





Friday, March 12, 2010

Flashback Friday

Welcome to the debut week of Flashback Friday! This new meme's purpose is to have us take a look back and share about a specific time or event in our lives. It will be fun to see how similar - or different - our experiences have been!




Here's how it will work: Each Thursday Linda  will post a prompt which will give you the subject for that week's flashback. Post your flashback on Friday, and come back here to link up!  Linda will post her own flashback on Fridays as well.



There will be generic situations and experiences common to most people. Hopefully they will resonate with you. Even if it's not a particularly fond memory, I hope you will still participate. You can post about your memory however it suits you - using just words, adding pictures, posting a movie or song clip, etc. The only two requirements are (1) it must be relevant to that week's theme, and (2) it must be family-friendly.



So here we go for this week:



How and when did you learn to drive? Do you have any particular memories associated with getting your driver license? How old were you when you got your first car and what was it? Who paid for it?

Unfortunately I don't have pictures of my first car.  But my Dad taught me how to drive when I was fifteen.  I remember when going for my drivers license I couldn't ever get the parallel parking down enough to pass.  After the third try my Dad took me to the next county where all I had to do is drive around  the block.  Because seriously how often does a person have to parallel park.  Yes, downtown Savannah the area that I lived until two years ago still has it but I very rarely went down there.  Now that we live in the country I don't think there is anywhere that still has parallel parking.
I was 18 when I bought my first car.  I graduated from high school and went to work saving my money for a car.  I saved up enough for a down payment and my Dad took me to look for a car.  I wanted a Mustang so badly, but my Dad was a Chevy person. He said we weren't buying a Ford.  LOL  And we didn't.  We went to the Chevrolet dealership and bought a 1980 Chevrolet Monza.  I don't think they even make them anymore.  But it looked the closest I could find to a Mustang.   My Dad had it financed through the credit union where he worked and I paid him every week.
I can also remember a rebellious stage that I went through and I didn't have a job.  He took my keys from me except for during the day so I could find another job.  He told me he would keep the keys until I could continue making my payments every week as we had agreed.  Most kids now has a car given to them and most don't appreciate them.  But I worked for mine and I took care of it.  I knew what it was to have to work to have it.

Wednesday, March 10, 2010

Random Dozen

So, are you ready to play Plinko?



Definition of plink: "Plinking refers to informal target shooting done at non-traditional targets such as tin cans, glass bottles, and balloons filled with water." Plinko is also a carnival game we play at Oneighty, but pot-luck shots fits this meme better, I think.


So here are your random plinko questions lined up in a row just like tin cans:  So answer the questions and then hop over to Linda's to join all the others.


1. How old is the oldest pair of shoes in your closet?  Probably a four or five years or so.  A pair of tennis shoes because I rarely wear them.

2. Did you buy Girl Scout cookies this year? If so, what variety?  No , I can honestly say so far I haven't.  My son bought two boxes and offered me one of them, and I told him no.  I ate one cookie.  Trying to watch my portion control.

3. Do you know how to ballroom dance? If not, would you like to?  Don't have a clue and don't think I would really care to learn.

4. Were you a responsible child/teenager?  A child I think I was, but as I got older I'm sure I pushed the envelope some.  And caused my Mom a few sleepless nights.  I need to apoligize to her for them, because now that I have grown kids I know what she went through as a Mom.

5. How many of this year's Oscar-nominated movies did you see?  Just Blindside, and it was AWESOME.  Will be one that I buy when it comes out on DVD.

6. If you're going to have a medical procedure done, such as having blood drawn, is it easier for you to watch someone else having the procedure done or have it done yourself?  Always hard to watch anything like that done on one of your children.  When they hurt you hurt.  But as far as it being done on me, it doesn't bother me at all.  My oldest daughter almost passes out from just the sight of needles, but she definetly didn't inherit that from me.


7. What is your favorite day of the week and why?  That's a hard one, would say Saturday my one day to sleep late.  But Sunday also because of church.


8. Do you miss anyone right now?  I miss old friends that I haven't seen in a while.  But also family that has passed away, especially my Dad, and brother.  It gets easier but I think we will always miss them.


9. Do hospitals make you queasy? no not at all


10. At which store would you like to max-out your credit card. Not that you ever would, you responsible person, you.  That's a hard one for me, I'm not a big shopper.  But I'm sure I could find somewhere to spend it if I had it to max-out if I didn't have to pay it back.
   
11. Are you true to the brand names of products/items?  no, I go for the cheapest.


12. Which is more difficult: looking into someone’s eyes when you are telling someone how you feel, or looking into someone’s eyes when he/she is telling you how he/she feels?  Me looking into someone's eyes telling them how I feel.  I have a hard time expressing how I feel because I worry about how it's going to be taken by the other person.



OK ... ready, aim, PLINK!

Wednesday, March 3, 2010

Random Dozen

It''s Wednesday so it's time for another Random Dozen.  The list of those joining in is growing by leaps and bounds, because it is so much fun learning  more about fellow bloggers.  So what are you waiting on?  Come join us.


1. Do you prefer even or odd numbers? Any particular reason?  Never really thought about it, probably even numbers.


2. On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "not at all" and 10 being Carly Simon-worthy, how vain are you?  1 not at all.

3. Among these Irish stereotypes, with which do you identify most closely? Talkative, Proud, Inquisitive, Love to party, Hot-tempered  Inquisitive, but some would say nosy.

4. How lucky do you consider yourself? I'm not lucky, I'm blessed.

5. What is the subject of your favorite post that you've written?  Anything about my children and grandaughter

6. Describe March weather where you live in three words.  rainy, cool, windy today, stick around though that may change tomorrow. 

7. How apt are you at detecting blarney when you hear it? (Smooth talk, flattery)   Most of the time I can read through somebodies fakeness.

8. How "green" are you, environmentally speaking?  Not as green as I would like to be.  We recycle some but could do better when it comes to paper and cardboard.

9. What is your favorite song this week? 



10. You are walking along and see a coin on the ground. What denomination does it have to be before you will stop to pick it up?  Doesn't matter, even if it's a penny I pick it up.

11. Complete the sentence: "Every time I look outside my window ...."  I am seeing the first signs of Spring.  woohoo!!!

12. What was the #1 song on the day you were born? See this site to find out.

Tuesday, March 2, 2010

Changes

Over the weekend I cleaned up my layout.  As fun as it is to receive an award, they are very time consuming.  Please don't be offended if I don't pass them on, it's definetly not because I don't appreciate them.  I do, very much.  I get so excited each time,  just as I did with the very first one. 
I also deleted all the excess buttons I had on my layout.  Once again I hope nobody gets offended, but if I added every button of every blog I read.  My layout would be pretty full of them. 
Whew that was nice to get off of my chest. 
Thank ya'll for understanding why I did this.

Monday, March 1, 2010

Winner of Sweet Sunday Morning Moments Giftpak

Congratulations to Loren, she's the winner of the Sweet Sunday morning moments giftpak.  Loren I will be emailing you to get your complete mailing address for blog spark.  Congratulations again. 

Now back to reading I have a review to do by Friday of a twin set of books.