My World and Welcome to It!

These are my thoughts and opinions about life in general. I also get daily prompts from DSP which inspire me to write. If I throw in some scrapbook pages I've done, photos I've taken, and stories about me, you will have an idea about my loony life!

Friday, January 30, 2009

Answering Machine Message

Today is National Inane Answering Message Day. What would you really like to say on your answering machine?

I would really like to say the following (but my husband would kill me!):

1. If you are a salesman, please do not try to sell me anything! I have everything I need and if it is something new and improved, I can’t afford it. I am retired and now on a fixed income. This means I can’t fit anything new into my budget. Please go away.
2. If you are someone who has a deal to try to save me money, go away! I am on a fixed budget and your scheme will somehow involve more money than I want to spend no matter how good a deal you say you have. I didn’t fall for these scams when I was young and foolish and it won’t work now that I’m old and wiser. Stop trying to take advantage of people!
3. If you are taking a survey or a poll, I am getting old and cranky. You don’t want to know what I have to say about the government or the economy. No, I don’t have solutions but I just want someone to fix them!
4. If you are a friend or relative that wants to borrow money or just wants me to give you money, I love you but read #1. It applies to you too.
5. If you are anyone else that doesn’t fit in the category above, please leave a message. I will get back to you as soon as I get back from traveling or hiking or doing whatever I want at the time! Life is too short not to enjoy every minute of it! Take care!

Original image: 'Still Waiting ....' http://www.flickr.com/photos/29093956@N00/1947517257 by: Kenneth Moyle

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Puzzles

Blog Prompt: Today is National Puzzle Day. What kind of puzzles do you like or dislike and why?

I pretty much like all puzzles. I like to do crosswords, wordsearches, jigsaw puzzles, and just about any kind of puzzle. I have tried to do Sudoku puzzles but I’m not very good at them. I think I like the feeling of solving them more than I do of actually doing them. Someone gave me a link to a new online puzzle that I’m having fun doing. It is called Crickler so if you like word puzzles that link to current events, you will enjoy this.

Original image: 'untitled' http://www.flickr.com/photos/7262596@N08/2207748365 by: Emma Cherry

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Buffalo Wings

Hot Wing Sauce

1 c. Frank’s cayenne pepper sauce
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 tsp. granualated sugar
1 ½ tsp. cayenne pepper
½ tsp. garlic powder
½ tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1/8 tsp. coarse ground black pepper
1 egg yolk
2 tsp. water
2 tsp. cornstarch

1. Combine all ingredients except egg yolk, water and cornstarch for the sauce of your choice in a small saucepan. Heat sauce over medium heat until boiling, then reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Remove pan from the heat and allow it to cool, uncovered for 10 min.
2. While the sauce cools, vigorously whisk egg yolk with 2 tsp. water in a medium bowl for about 2 min. or until color is a pale yellow. Whisk in cornstarch until dissolved.
3. Drizzle the hot sauce mixture into the egg yolk mixture in a steady stream while rapidly whisking. This will create a thick cramy emulsion that will prevent the oil from separating. Cover the sauce and chill it until its needed.

Makes 1 ½ cups.

Wings
20 chicken wing pieces
6 to 12 c. vegetable shortening

1. Heat shortening in your fryer to 350 degrees
2. Drop the wings into the shortening and fry for 10 to 12 minutes or until the wings are turning light brown. Remove wings to paper towels to drain for a minute.
3. Put the wings into a plastic container with a lid. Add ¼ c. to 1/3 c. of sauce to the container. Put the lid on and shake. Pour wings out onto a plate.

Favorite Musical Instrument

Blog Prompt: Today is National Kazoo Day. What is your favorite musical instrument and why?

I guess my favorite instrument is my accordion that I’ve been playing since I was four years old. Of course when I was a teenager, I hated it because it made me a freak. No one else in the world that I knew played an accordion except Lawrence Welk and he was really old. During my teen years I also taught myself to play a 12 string guitar and took organ lessons. Once I went on to college, I stopped playing these instruments and I think it was a good break. After I was married, I missed playing my accordion and my old one had rotted from sitting in the attic. So, my wonderful husband told me to do some research and we would buy another one. It is really hard to figure out how to buy one here in SC but I was lucky enough to find someone in my county who could do repairs on my accordion. We took it to him but he said it was too bad to fix and helped me order a reconditioned one (a new one was too expensive). I’ve had this “new” one for about 15 years now and I love it! I have played every year at Christmas time during the Christmas Tour of Homes where I sit in a house that is on tour and play for a couple of hours. I have played for my classes every Christmas too so they learn about the accordion. I have played before the local music club but my nerves can’t handle doing that too often. I love to play at nursing homes because they don’t care if I make any mistakes. I have always enjoyed music in my life because it can reflect any mood that I’m in.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Punch the Clock

Blog Prompt: Today is Punch the Clock Day. Describe the best day you have had this month.

According to the web site, no one knows why this day is important or why anyone would want to celebrate punching the clock. I think it would be great to symbolize having a great day! Since I retired, most days are the same and I’m happy that way. When we are home I do chores around the house, play on my computer, read and either crochet or knit. This month we went to Washington DC right before the inauguration for a CEC meeting. I was free the morning before my meeting started so we visited the National American History Museum which reopened in November. It has been closed for a couple of years for renovation and I have missed going there because it is my favorite museum. After spending the whole morning at the museum and then eating lunch in Chinatown, we walked around the national mall and saw them setting up for the inauguration. My pictures can be found on Flickr here. I loved seeing everything before the crowds were there and then seeing it on TV when it was packed. I kept saying that we were there and saw that! It was a wonderful day!

Monday, January 26, 2009

Spouse's Day and Chinese New Years

Blog Prompt: Today is Spouse's Day. What is something nice you will do for a special person in your life?

I plan to take my hubby out to hear a political speaker during lunch time. He really gets into all this political talk and I could take it or leave it so I leave it mostly. Our congressman has this lunch get together every month so we will go there. Of course I don’t eat the lunch there because when I went a year ago, I got food poisoning that day. I don’t know if it was from this restaurant but I haven’t eaten there since. Of course no one else had gotten sick that I know of but it all in my mind. Once I get that in my mind, it is hard to forget about it.

Today is Chinese New Years! (The Year of the Ox) Gung Hay Fot Toy!!! We will have chicken (symbol of prosperity), wear red (symbol for good luck) and do no cleaning (or you will throw out the good luck). Have a great day!

Original image: 'Yum!' http://www.flickr.com/photos/23472348@N00/18924191 by: Claudia Scholz

Friday, January 23, 2009

Apple Pie

Blog Prompt: Today is National Pie Day. Describe your favorite pie.

I am not a big eater of sweets so I don’t usually eat cakes and pies but I really love apple pie. In fact, I love most things with apples in it. If I decide to have a desert (which is pretty rare) at a restaurant, I will only get something if it has apples in it. Apple pies bring back good memories of growing up and my mother, sisters, and I in the kitchen making apple pie together. My middle sister made the best pie crusts! It’s a gift that no one else in our family has. Of course my job was to peel the apples. I liked that because I remember that whenever I finished peeling an apple, someone would let me eat a couple of slices. I can even imagine the wonderful smell as it is baking!

Triple Awards!

I was given this award by Creative Rhapsody and I’m so honored!

Here are the rules:
1. Put the logo on your blog or post.
2. Nominate at least 10 blogs ( if you haven't got 10 on your list, it really doesn't matter)which show great Attitude and/or Gratitude!
3. Be sure to link to your nominees within your post.
4. Let them know that they have received this award by commenting on their blog.
5. Share the love and link to this post and to the person from whom you received your award.

The following people deserve this award too!

Tink of Tink’s Tribulations

Tammy of My Life and Times

Stephani of Stephani’s Serendipity

Beth of Beth Nixon Blogging

Monica of Daily Dwelling

Meg of The Pages of Our Crazy Life

Thursday, January 22, 2009

Chocolate Walnut Brownies

Blog Prompt: Today is National Blonde Brownie Day. Describe your favorite kind of brownie.

My favorite brownies are chocolate walnut brownies. I like them to be more cake like and not fudge like and I don’t want icing on them. Not only do I like them baked fresh, but I love them when they are really really warm. Now I can’t get brownies out of my head and will have to bake a batch of them!

Original image: 'Tortini al Cioccolato e Cocco' http://www.flickr.com/photos/34997998@N00/472550079by: Daniele Muscetta

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Hugging

Blog Prompt: Today is National Hugging Day. How do you feel about hugging?

I grew up in a family that didn’t do much hugging. I knew my family loved me and I was very spoiled, but Chinese people aren’t very demonstrative. It was really strange for me when I met my future husband’s mother who hugged everyone who walked in her door. In fact, it used to scare me and I refused to be the first one to walk in the door whenever we went to his parent’s house. Finally I got used to it and I didn’t avoid the hug any more but it became a problem with our children. My husband is a big hugger because he comes from a hugging family so my daughters thought I didn’t love them because I didn’t hug them as much. I felt so bad when I heard that so I made it a point to hug them every morning and every night and lots in the middle of the day if I thought about it. We also talked about the way I was brought up and why it was hard for me so I asked them to take the initiative and hug me as a way of teaching me to hug. Eventually I could hug my family without even thinking about it. My hubby starts every day with a big hug for me and now I can’t imagine starting the day without it. I belong to a hiking club that every time we meet, everyone hugs each other. Again, at first I was uncomfortable with this but I’m used to it now. So if I see you and don’t hug you, don’t think it’s because I don’t like you!

Original image: 'sometimes, a hug is all what we need' http://www.flickr.com/photos/86251769@N00/394781835by: カランドラカス

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Unusual Animal

Blog Prompt: Today is Penguin Awareness Day. What is the most unusual animal you have ever seen?

I’m not sure I have seen any unusual animals but I remember seeing one animal up close that I didn’t expect to see. We were in Yellowstone National Park and looking for wildlife. We had to drive behind a herd of bison a few times and I did see a grizzly bear while hiking. Of course we didn’t get up close and personal with them though. At one spot, we thought we saw either a moose or an elk in the woods on the right side of the road so my hubby pulled over. We were looking intently into the woods but couldn’t see anything. As I turned to talk to my husband, there was a huge elk sticking his nose into the open driver’s side window. I was speechless and was trying to tell my hubby to turn but couldn’t get anything coherent out of my mouth. Finally he realized I was looking over his shoulder and he turned and about kissed that elk! He yelled and the elk pulled his head out of the window and ran off. We sat there for a while waiting for our hearts to start beating slower!

Original image: 'Cervus canadensis' http://www.flickr.com/photos/14573979@N00/237923233by: Michael Jefferies

Monday, January 19, 2009

Popcorn

Blog Prompt: Today is National Popcorn Day. Do you like or dislike popcorn and why?

I am sitting here eating popcorn as I write this. Yes, I love popcorn but only if it is good and salty. I don’t like kettle corn that tastes sweet and salty though. I have good memories from college of having popcorn parties with my roommate while we watched old Mary Tyler Moore shows. Remember the song “She’s gonna make it after all…”? We thought that was our theme song as we struggled through college. Of course back then we had ice water with our popcorn and now I’m drinking an ice cold beer. But the song still goes through my head at times.

Original image: 'Popcorn' http://www.flickr.com/photos/36045027@N00/2054102958by: Darren Hester

Sunday, January 18, 2009

Weekend in Washington

I had a board meeting in Washington DC this weekend; actually it was in Arlington, VA which is right outside DC and DC sounds much more exciting. I had a half day before the meeting started so we rushed into DC on the metro (which luckily is right down the street from our hotel) and did a whirlwind tour of the newly opened American History Museum. I love that museum and am so glad it is open again. Then we went to the Capitol to see them setting up for the inauguration since we won’t be there for it. We also went to the White House to see them setting up for the parade. It was pretty cool to see a moving van at the White House too but I don’t know whether they were moving things in or out. It was pretty exciting to see all the activity and preparations. I’m sorry I won’t be there for all the activities in person but part of me is also glad I won’t be in all the crowds, the cold, the traffic, and the chaos too. Of course, I will watch it all on TV and be much warmer and comfortable at home. You can see my pictures here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/23240330@N03/sets/72157612599749501/

Friday, January 16, 2009

My Favorite Childhood Toy

Blog Prompt: Sunday is Winnie the Pooh's Day. Describe your favorite childhood toy.

My favorite toy was my Legos set. It was a red case that looked like a briefcase that was filled with lots of Legos. I could use my imagination to my heart’s content. My favorite thing to do would be pretending to be a secret agent like James Bond and make special spy stuff with the Legos. Some days I would be a teacher and set up the Legos like my classroom. Other days I would make cars out of them and be a racecar driver. I left them behind when I went to college and never saw them again. When my parents moved to FL from NY, they sold or gave away most of my toys.

Original image: 'Lego Porn' http://www.flickr.com/photos/29498428@N00/2314610838by: Eric

Thursday, January 15, 2009

My Favorite Hat

Blog Prompt: Today is National Hat Day. Describe your favorite hat.

I don’t wear many hats when I was growing up except on Easter Sunday. I hate having hat hair. You know, when you take your hat off, but it still looks like you have it on because your hair is flat where the hat was. Yet, I have one hat that I like to wear and I think I look good in it. It is my black Furman ball cap. I usually wear my hair in a pony tail and stick it out of the hat. Whenever we travel, it goes with me. When I am cold in the winter, I usually put it on. When we walk and the sun is in my eyes, it is perfect to shield me from the sun. Sometimes I think it makes me look skinnier so when I’m feeling fat, the hat goes on my head.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

My Dog the Pirate

Today is Dress Up Your Pet Day. What would you like to see your pet dressed in and if you don't have one, what if you did?

I used to have a chow and I would have loved to see him dressed up as a pirate. I could see him with a black bandanna wrapped around his head and a striped shirt and maybe a little sword around his body. I’m not sure he would have liked having a patch over one eye though. Caesar thought he was human most of the time and thought he should be treated that way. He was good at tiptoeing to things he knew we wouldn’t let him have. Then he would smile at us after he got it. Many times we would have to spell things in front of him because he understood certain words and if he got mad, he would leave a huge pile of poop right in front of the TV. Yes, he would have made a great pirate!

Original image: '0018' http://www.flickr.com/photos/20888197@N00/103031916by: serin onion

Tuesday, January 13, 2009

It Really Isn't True

Today is National Skeptics Day. What have you heard lately that you know in your heart isn't true?

I really haven’t heard any rumors or bad things lately but it may be because I am not in the mainstream anymore. We just returned from a lot of traveling so right now it is just my husband and me alone every day other than running errands. But the other night I heard what sounded like a baby crying under my house. Then it stopped. I knew that there was no way there could be a baby under my house so I didn’t think any more about it. Later during the day, I saw 3 cats on my back deck and apparently one of them is in heat and that is who was crying under the house. The cats have gotten cold and are seeking refuge under my house now and they are driving me crazy! But I don’t have the heart to try to drive them out into the cold right now.

Monday, January 12, 2009

The Most Important Man

Blog Prompt: Today is the Feast of Fabulous Wild Men Day. Tell about an important man in your life.

The most important man in my life is my husband. He has been there for me through a lot of rough times and those times could have broke us or made us stronger. We definitely have a much stronger relationship than when we first got married. We really work hard on our marriage because we talk a lot to each other and we really listen to each other. Whenever I have a friend who is going through a difficult relationship, I usually feel very vulnerable and my husband can tell. He asks me who is having a rough time and we talk about why it wouldn’t happen to us. We do everything we can together because we really enjoy being together. After thirty years of togetherness, I really enjoy being with him more every day. He is my best friend and he knows all of my secrets. We have absolutely no secrets from each other and we never lie to each other, no matter what. I look forward to spending the rest of my life with him.

Saturday, January 10, 2009

A Comforting Word and Other Thoughts

For those of you who haven’t read my post yesterday, I am in the middle of a conflict with an organization but I’ve come to terms with it. I prayed a lot yesterday for strength and wisdom and peace. By the end of the day, I was feeling calmer and more settled. Conflict always gets my heart beating fast, makes my head ache, and I just plain feel miserable. I have been trying to read my Bible daily but don’t always succeed so yesterday I sat down to read the suggested readings.

The bible spoke directly to what I needed to hear. I read Romans 14 and here are the passages that stood out to me:
“Why do you pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God;”
“Then let us no more pass judgment on one another, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother.”

I realized that I needed to get past judging and start acting the way that is best. By passing judgment, I was reacting instead of acting. I felt spiteful and mean and wanted to lash out because I was angry. I finally sat down and wrote a letter sharing my feelings in a professional, calm manner which really helped me feel better. I wasn’t even sure I wanted to attend the meeting but I will go to the meeting because that is what I was elected to do and pray that when I’m there, I will have the wisdom to do my job effectively. I can still disagree with them and I have a right to my feelings and even sharing my feelings. But I can’t let my feelings be a “stumbling block” or “hindrance” to others.

I don’t have any special plans this weekend. I will work on my prayer shawl because we have a Loving Threads meeting tomorrow night. I will probably spend a lot of time reading and doing some scrapbook pages. I started a new blog yesterday to post my photo of the day for the year. I found out I can post directly to the blog from Flickr. If you want to look, you can see it at: Loonyhiker’s 2009 Photo A Day

Original image: 'Bible with Cross Shadow' http://www.flickr.com/photos/68278595@N00/337522540by: David Campbell

Friday, January 09, 2009

Something Nice Today

Blog Prompt: Today is Play God Day. Tell about something nice you will do for someone today.

I have to admit that I was selfish today and didn’t do many nice things for anyone. The only thing I can think of is that I cooked tacos for dinner. I’m not a big fan of Mexican food but my husband loves it so I made them for him.

I am in the middle of a conflict with a professional organization and I hate conflict. I have felt depressed and sad all night so much that I had trouble sleeping. When I woke up, it was the first thing on my mind. I have thought about it all day until my brain hurts so much from trying to find a solution. Part of me feels angry about how they are treating me and the other part feels hurt because I have given so much time and energy to this organization and I feel very unappreciated. Finally this afternoon I decided that I wouldn’t think about it the rest of the day. I concentrated on my crocheting and organizing my digital scrapbooking files which helped me feel better. Eventually I will have to deal with this problem because we have a meeting next week. Thanks for listening to me whine!

Original image: '69.365 - TACOS!' http://www.flickr.com/photos/98092274@N00/2897253727by: Shawn McClung

Thursday, January 08, 2009

Favorite Dead Singer

Blog Prompt: Happy Birthday Elvis! Who is your favorite singer that is no longer living?

My favorite all time singer is John Denver. When I was a teenager, I loved all of his songs. My prom date even looked like John Denver, played a guitar, and played John Denver songs. I played a guitar too at the time and my world was filled with John Denver songs. When he died, I was so sad. Then when I saw a movie about his life, I was surprised at some of the troubles he had because I always thought he had a perfect romantic life! Isn’t it funny how our idols are so much different in real life compared to our dreams!

Original image: 'No 28: John Denver' http://www.flickr.com/photos/11399912@N00/1118473688by: Bev Sykes

Wednesday, January 07, 2009

The Oldest Thing

Today is Old Rock Day. What is the oldest thing that you have? Please describe it.

I think the oldest thing that I have is a watch that belonged to my grandfather on my mother’s side. He was 100 years old when he died and that was about 50 years ago. I think the watch was old when he had it but I don’t know where he got it from. I feel it is the one connection I have with him because I don’t remember him at all. I was about a year old when he died. He was about forty years older than my grandmother and they had seven children. After my mother was born in Jacksonville, FL, they moved to Chinatown in NY. My grandmother lived and raised all of the children in the same apartment building until she died. Nobody in my family really talked about my grandfather and I am just finding out information about him and my grandmother as I find old papers in my father’s treasures.

Original image: 'Past Keeper' http://www.flickr.com/photos/50328082@N00/3089078944by: Claire Chang

Tuesday, January 06, 2009

Organization

Blog Prompt: This month is Get Organized Month. Name 3 things you need to organize and your strategy for doing this.

I have made a list and assigned each day with a chore that I need to do. Then I don’t feel so overwhelmed.
Monday - Dust
Tuesday – Wash bathrooms
Wednesday – Declutter my office
Thursday – File Bills
Friday – vacuum/wash floors

I am also trying to fold clothes within one day of washing them instead of leaving them in the laundry basket. When my husband gets his clean clothes out of the basket, pieces of clean clothes fall all over the place and drive me crazy!

I have got to go through the boxes I brought home from school when I retired ( a year and a half ago). They are still stacked in my formal dining room so you can’t even get in there. First I will clean out my shed and put all of our “yard sale” items there. These are things my husband swears can’t be thrown away. I will move things out of our storage building that we rent to the shed that I hope to sell. Then I will move the things I want to save into the storage building. But first I have to go through the boxes and decide what I want to save and what I want to toss. I will work 30 minutes every day doing this.

Original image: 'Fabric organization' http://www.flickr.com/photos/57552806@N00/2412587004by: Becca

Monday, January 05, 2009

My Favorite Bird

Blog Prompt: Today is National Bird Day. What is your favorite bird and why?

My favorite bird is the Macaw. I always wanted one but never could find one in our price range and now I don’t think you can buy one commercially. I think they look beautiful and impressive. We have been to Parrot Jungle in Miami in the old and new location and the parrots there are awesome. Since Tammy gave some facts about the Bald Eagle, I thought I’d give you some info about macaws.

According to Wikipedia,

“Macaws are native to Mexico, Central America, South America, and formerly the Caribbean.

Macaws, like other parrots, as well as toucans and woodpeckers, are zygodactyl, having their first and fourth toe pointing backwards.

The majority of macaws are now endangered in the wild.

Macaws eat nuts, seeds, fruit, and sometimes insects. They also gnaw and chew on various objects. They show a large amount of intelligence in their behaviour and require constant intellectual stimulation to satisfy their innate curiosity. They often learn tricks easily.

Macaws have been said to live for up to 100 years; however, an average of 50 years is probably more accurate. The larger macaws may live up to 65 years. They are monogamous and mate for life. In captivity unmated macaws will bond primarily with one person – their keeper, and can often be quite affectionate and cuddly. Pet macaws thrive on frequent interaction and attention from their owners, and a lack of this can lead to their mental and physical suffering.”

Original image: 'salisbury zoo macaw' http://www.flickr.com/photos/11254691@N05/3142359136by: eric lynch

Sunday, January 04, 2009

Trinity Lutheran Church Celebrates 100 Years

Trinity Lutheran Church will celebrate one hundred years in September of this year. We will have a service on Sunday, September 13 at 3:00 pm at Christ Church Episcopal because the crowd expected is bigger than our church can hold at one time (we actually have three different services each Sunday). After the service, the congregation will gather in Trinity’s Activities Building for a reception, brief program, and an audiovisual presentation. The Presiding Bishop of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America, Mark Hanson, will be preaching at this service. Today Pastor Bill Trexler gave the sermon. On March 8, Pastor Ray Mohrmann will be here and on May 3, Pastor Joe Glymph will give the sermon.

As I think of this special year, it brings back memories of how I became a member of this church. I was a student at Furman University in 1977 and a church friend from NY also went to Furman. He told me that a group met each Sunday morning on campus and carpooled to Trinity Lutheran Church. Pastor Bernard Trexler and Pastor Bob Coon were the pastors during that time. Of course I joined the Lutheran Students Assocation (LSA) and continued to attend all four years of college. My first attempt of independence from my parents came when I decided not to go back to NY one summer. Earlier in my junior year, Marilyn Lampley invited Furman students to her home for Sunday lunch after church. I really liked her and that summer asked her if she knew someone who could rent me a room for the summer and she agreed to do that. I had my independence but I still felt safe so my parents were happy for me.

When we decided to get married, Pastor Bob Coon officiated at our wedding at the Furman Bell Tower on June 26, 1982. My husband and two daughters officially joined our church and both girls were also baptized. My daughters attended Sunday School, received Communion, and attended Confirmation classes here.

Over the years I have served in the Nursery, taught first grade Sunday School, organized meals after funerals, and attended Circle meetings. Now I participate in Loving Threads which makes and donates prayers shawls and baby blankets.

Through the years, like most people, I have had my good times and bad times. I am a very private person so I did not share a lot during some rough times, but there were so many people in church who were there for me. They listened if I needed to talk or sometimes they just made me feel loved and valued. Many of them will never know how they helped me through some difficult times but I’m thankful they were there for me. I hope that I can be there too for someone who might need me.

The best part of our church is that I feel welcomed and cared for. Since we travel so much, I am unable to attend regularly but I’m never made to feel guilty about it. The people who are there are so warm and caring. I am glad that I found this church 31 years ago and even though there is a Lutheran church closer to my home, I am not willing to go anywhere else. I guess I feel at home here with my church family.

If you are in Greenville, SC and want to visit, check out the Trinity Lutheran Church website. It gives information about location, times of services, and other information you might find useful. Pastor Susan Crowell is our senior pastor (and she is awesome!) and Pastor David Edenfield (our associate pastor) joined us last year. Maybe I’ll see you there!

Friday, January 02, 2009

My Feelings About Fruitcake

Blog Prompt: Today is Fruitcake Toss Day. Have you ever eaten fruitcake? What are your feelings about it?

I have had fruitcake and truly dislike it but my husband loves it. My mother in law used to make it from scratch each year and my family always looked forward to getting one from her (except me that is). I think fruitcake has many uses but doesn’t include being edible. Here are some suggestions:

1. Replace a missing brick on your house.
2. Serve as part of the foundation when building your house.
3. Can be used as ballast to hold things from blowing away in the wind.
4. Put a lot of them in the back of a pick up truck to help traction on slippery roads.
5. Be used as stepping stones in the garden.
6. Can be used to level an RV when pulling into a campsite.
7. Be used as a weapon to defend yourself against muggers. Place in purse and swing to hit the muggers

Of course these are just examples of the ways a fruitcake can be used. (As I write this and share this with my husband, he is rolling his eyes!) Of course I have heard rumors that they last forever so maybe they can be actually help the environment. We could build houses out of them instead of wood and save the trees.

Original image: 'fruitcake2006-04' http://www.flickr.com/photos/14183017@N00/331565861by: babe_kl

Thursday, January 01, 2009

New Years Food

Blog Prompt: It is New Year’s Day. What are some of the special foods that you eat in order to bring in the new year?

The main things that we eat on New Year’s Day are black eyed peas and collard greens. I think the peas symbolize coins and the greens symbolize paper money. I’m not thrilled with eating either one of these but my husband insists that we eat them so it won’t kill me. Of course I would hate for us to lose lots of money and be blamed for it so that is why I eat them.

Original image: 'Soul Food' http://www.flickr.com/photos/69283999@N00/325659988by: Andrew Yang