Tuesday 4

 Hi. Welcome to the continuation of Toni Taddeo's Tuesday 4.  Just 4 questions to get you thinking, talking and visiting other bloggers. This week it might be nice to focus on December and its traditions.

1.   The 7th is Pearl Harbor Day when a terrible sneak attack by Japan on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii destroyed many ships in the American fleet and convinced Congress to declare war.    

President Roosevelt said, "Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan."    Yes, it should be infamous forever.    How do you honor the memory of the men who died in this cowardly attack? Do you put out your flag on that day to remember the service men killed? 

It is a date I never forget. I am lucky to have been to Pearl Harbor 3 times. I was able to meet 2 survivors while I was there. I have felt a sense of awe while seeing all the names of those who died.  There is also a list of survivors who requested to be buried there after their natural death. My dad said it was a sad day for him. He was just 7, but he knew it was not good. Just as I did when we were told that President Kennedy had been killed. There are just some things you don't forget like 9/11 and January 6. This question made me sad. So I will focus on the good memories of the season.

2000. The recovered anchor, almost 2000 pounds.

2009

Survivor Sterling Cale  88 years old here. 

On Nov. 29, 2021 he turned 100.

2012

Survivor Alfred BK Rodrigues

Died in 2019 at the age of 99.

2.  Many people begin baking, buying gifts, decorating for the upcoming holidays of Chanukah and Christmas. Do you bake or buy? I only bake once at Christmas, and that is with the grands.  What cookies and cakes are your favorite this time of year? We make gingerbread and sugar cookies.  Got a recipe to share? Our Mexican hot chocolate is always a big hit.

3.   December 15 is Bill of Rights day. The 18th begins Chanukah the Festival of Lights during which the light was rekindled in the desecrated temple in Jerusalem.  The temple was cleansed, and the light reentered it.  The 21st is the Winter Solstice or first day of winter.    What traditions, days, etc. have meaning for you in December?   How about advent... does it hold meaning for you? Yes, I am doing a daily devotional for advent this year. I plan to study the festival of Chanukah too.

4.  Christmas music is being played in stores during these December days.  Does it play in your home? Yes, I have Christmas apps on my cellphone. I listen on YouTube also. We have been listening int he car also. I like CHRISTmas music the most. How excited are you for the upcoming holidays? I am excited. I have several things I will be doing. We were supposed to be going to Disneyland on Friday, but it will be raining. Here is my schedule so far:

November 30, Disney with a friend. Her daughter in law works there.

December 6, Christmas Tea with my Lifegroup friends. 

December 8, help at the Operation Christmas Child Warehouse. 

December 9th, Women's Paint and fellowship night at church. 

December 11th Audrina's Christmas performance. 

December 15, Family Disney Day. 

December 17, Grands Christmas Performance in the morning. Family wedding in the evening in San Diego Ca. and spend the night. Brunch with the family at Old Town San Diego.

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Two Black Cadillacs (2011)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This week's song is about two women who share a very dark secret. Are you good at keeping secrets? Pretty good for the most part.

2) Carrie Underwood's favorite author is Stephen King. In fact, she credits King's Christine as an inspiration for this song. Have you read much Stephen King, or seen movies based on his books? I only saw Carrie and did not like it.  I don't like scary movies or books. When I went on a New England cruise in 2008, we stopped in Portland Oregon. We got on a bus, heading to Kennebunkport. Our tour guide told us what famous people were from Maine. Stephen King has a "haunted mansion in Bangor Maine. 

3) Carrie first came to America's attention when she won on American Idol. Prior to competing on that show, she'd never been on an airplane. Crazy Sam takes at least one round-trip flight every year and pays using the miles she accumulated from credit card purchases throughout the year. Do you try to earn miles, points, or cash back when you make purchases? No.

4) Black is this week's signature color because November 25 was Black Friday, when retailers historically have slashed their prices and the holiday shopping season begins. Have you begun your gift shopping? Yes. I got a few ornaments while I was in Virginia City this past September. I ordered a few things online this weekend and did some Christmas shopping on Friday.

5) Black Friday began as a local event initiated by store owners in Philadelphia back in the early 1960s. When you think of Philadelphia, what comes to mind? The Liberty Bell

6) Black Friday always comes after Thanksgiving, a day of feasting. What was the best dish at your holiday table this year? It depends on who you ask. I liked my stuffing and cranberry-raspberry jello. Everyone like the Pillsbury Grand Rolls!

All the sparkling apple juice, Cran grape drinks were a hit too!

Hubby picked the last of our roses. He also planted succulents in the pumpkin container.

7) Thanksgiving is also a big day for watching football. Did you watch any games? Nope. We did see the Macy's Parade.  We watched National Lampoon's Christmas. Our middle son and his wife came down and brought a ham and pumpkin pie. My daughter and grands brought the macaroni n cheese and salad. On Friday my son and his family came down for leftovers and we watched Home Alone 2.

Everyone enjoyed the village I set up. The boys set theirs up to at their homes. I gave them each several homes which they have added too. My daughter will get my set when she gets a bigger place.

8) What are you thankful for this year? Many things. My health, my family and friends. Having what I need.

9) Random question: You're in a public restroom and have a choice between paper towels and a hot air hand dryer. Which do you choose? I prefer paper towels. 

Tuesday 4 Thanksgiving Feast

Let's talk about the Thanksgiving Feast.

1. Do you celebrate with family, friends or by yourself? I celebrate with family. I will be serving Thanksgiving at a Senior Living home in my community Tuesday afternoon. My grandson will be helping too. My older son will be with his wife's family. They will come over for leftovers on Friday.

2.  Do you watch the Thanksgiving Day parade from Macy's in New York City?  The appearance of Santa at the end signals the start of the Christmas season. It will be recorded to watch after I wake up. What does the day hold for you? Eating and relaxing after dinner. I am using paper this year. I prep my potatoes, stuffing and Jell-O the day before Thanksgiving.

3. What foods are the hit of Thanksgiving Day for you? Hubby is cooking the turkey, mashed potatoes, grave and green bean casserole. I will be making the stuffing, sweet potatoes, and cranberry Jell-O salad. My son is bringing a ham and pumpkin pie. My daughter is bringing macaroni and cheese, salad and dessert. After dinner, we go to the family room and watch National Lampoon's Christmas while enjoying dessert. We usually turn on the fireplace. Depends on how cold the weather is. It is forecast to be 78 and windy.

Recipes are here

4.  We say grace before and after meals. Is grace a part of your Thanksgiving meal? We always pray before out meal. As we are eating. We will each share what we are thankful for from the past year.

Whatever your Thanksgiving traditions, I pray that the day is meaningful and filled with love for you whether with family, friends or alone. May God shine his blessing love down on you and yours and make us all truly thankful this year.

Saturday 9 Sunshine, Lollipops & Rainbows.

Saturday 9: Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows (1965)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here.

1. In this song, Lesley Gore sings that sunshine is wonderful. It's hard to argue with that. Is it sunny where you are today? Yes, it will be sunny and will be 80 on Thanksgiving. I live in So California.

2. Tootsie Roll is the world's #1 manufacturer of lollipops, and cherry is their most popular flavor. Do you have a sweet tooth? If yes, what's your favorite sweet treat? I do like sweets, but I have to watch my sugars. I like Reese's Peanut butter Cups and Butterfingers. I also like Snickers and Paydays. I don't eat them often. My daughter bought donuts for all the grands. Hubby and I shared one. I only had a couple of bites. I get enough sugar with my vitamins. I try to eat fruit instead. My friends bought mini donuts when we went to Oak Glen on Tuesday. I had one, yummy!

3. According to myth, you'll find a leprechaun's pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you suddenly, unexpectedly came into $100,000, what is the first thing you would buy? I would give a special offering to church.  I would pay off some bills. I would get my kitchen and exterior of the house painted. I would get new flooring. I would do something with my family.

4. She feels brighter than a lucky penny. Abraham Lincoln was the first person to appear on a U.S. coin, when the 1909 penny was struck in honor of his 100th birthday. Thomas Jefferson is on the nickel, George Washington is on the quarter, and John F. Kennedy is on the half dollar. Without looking, do you know which President is on the dime? No, but I did check. It was Frankin D. Roosevelt.

5. Lesley Gore was very popular in the 1960s, with 11 Top Ten hits. Most people don't know that, while she was making records, she was also attending Sarah Lawrence College and graduated with her BA in 1968. What's something most Saturday 9ers would be surprised to know about you? I still have my original website up that I started around 2000. I started blogging there in 2002.

 

6. She performed "Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows" in the movie Ski Party. Do you plan to ski this season? No, I have osteoporosis and can't do anything where I might fall. Speaking of fall, I went up to Oak Glen on Tuesday which is at 4300 feet. Weather was sunny and in the 50's. This is the place we took the grands Apple picking in 2021.

7. This song was written by Marvin Hamlisch, who would go on to win three Oscars, four Grammys, three Emmys, a Tony, and a Pulitzer Prize. That's quite an impressive list! But we believe our Sat 9-ers are impressive, too. So, give yourself an award this morning. (For example, Crazy Sam is now Meme Mistress of the Year.) Bible journal teacher (Pictures on Nov. 10th post) Mema to my grands!

8. In 1965, when this song was on the charts, I Dream of Jeannie premiered. This supernatural sitcom, about an astronaut who finds a genie on a beach, competed for viewers with Bewitched, which was about an advertising executive who marries a witch. Do you prefer Bewitched, or I Dream of Jeannie?

I watched them both and liked them both. I would choose I Dream of Jeannie. 

9. Random question -- Which would you rather have, tacos or pizza? My tacos any day.(we did get pizza today since we were Christmas decorating. It would have to be my mom's recipe. It is one of the last things my dad asked to eat. We use hamburger meat and potatoes.  We warm fresh corn tortillas so that they are pliable. We fill with the meat mixture. Then we fry them in hot oil until crisp. Then we drain and fill. I say we because I am thinking of my siblings and my husband or my kids. We all make them that way. Sometimes we make shredded chicken tacos because my daughters does not eat red meat. Both are great.

The top two are tacos. The bottom is a tostada.

Tuesday 4

1. Coffee flavored or coffee plain? What is your favorite kind? I love flavored coffee.

I am drinking a late with sugar free vanilla, half decaf, whip cream and cinnamon.

2. A trip to the Caribbean or a trip to Spain? Why? Spain, to see the home of my ancestors.

I love art history and good food too!

3. Goodies on your pizza or just plain?  What toppings would you love or leave? I used to love the Chicago deep dish. But way too much salt and carbs. I go for a thin crust. I love Canadian bacon and pineapples.

4.   Dinner at a 5 star or dinner at Rosie's Diner known for home style cooking? A 5 Star Dining would be nice as long as long as I am not paying the bill!

Saturday 9

Saturday 9: Walkin' After Midnight (1957)

Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

 

1) The lyrics tell us Patsy Cline was out walking after midnight. Where were you at midnight last night?

Posting this entry. 

 

2) She's sure she hears the night winds whispering to her. Is it windy, breezy, or still outdoors right now? Just a slight breeze. Low will be 45. The high will be 68 and sunny.

3) When she was 13, Patsy came down with a fever and throat infection so severe she ended up in the hospital. She believed the illness changed her vocal cords and enabled her to sing in a lower key. How are you doing this cold and flu season? So far, so good. Both grands were sick with coughs and stuffy noses. They live with us 5 days a week. We did not get sick. We also got our flu shots and have for years.

4) Patsy is well remembered today not only for her voice but for her generous spirit. Loretta Lynn, Dottie West and Barbara Mandrell all considered Patsy a trusted personal friend and professional mentor. Have you ever been a mentor? I am trying to be a mentor to my grands.

 

5) Patsy had a tough side, too. While traveling by bus and playing one-nighters, she found she and her band sometimes never got paid for their efforts. So, she began demanding payment -- in cash -- before they would take the stage. She'd insist, "No dough, no show." Tell us about your tough side. I love all my grands, but I will let them know when they do something they should not. I don't have to raise my voice. I just have to point it out. Maybe give them an alternative. The mama bear in me has spoken out when needed if others were messing with my kids and grandkids!

 

6) Patsy became the first female country star to headline at a Las Vegas showroom. Who is your favorite country performer? I am not really into country music. I like a few like Carrie Underwood who I watched on American Idol.

 

7) In 1957, the year this song hit #2 on the charts, embroidered cotton handkerchiefs were a popular present for the ladies on your gift list. Do you own any handkerchiefs? Yes, I have a few that belonged to my grandmothers.

 

8) 1957 was a banner year for Elvis. He released four hit records, two top box-office films, and his TV appearances topped the ratings. 65 years later, he is still recognized the world over by his first name alone. Can you think of another performer for whom one name is all that's required? Mandisa, another American Idol that has had several hits on the Christian charts. I have heard her in concert. Once when she was on tour with American Idol in Anaheim CA, and in Ontario CA with TobyMac and Danny Gokey, another American Idol winner.

9) Random question: What's the most embarrassing story your parents (or siblings) tell about you?

Can't think of anything right now. Here are a few pictures of my grands. I need a new Iphone.

If you missed my previous post, there are lots of pictures of my 

Bible journaling group and a few of my Gratitude Documented pages. 

Thankful Thursday

Today I am thankful for my grandson Eddie who is 15 today!

He made us first time grandparents.

Today I am thankful for my son Daniel and his wife Melinda

who took him out for his birthday on Monday.

Thankful for my Bible journaling friends.

I just love to see how they create their pages. 

They learned how to use a decorative napkin as a form of art.

Four of our girls were missing. 

Thankful for the much cooler weather and rain we got this week!

Thankful for all the graphic artist that make it easy for me to create.

Thankful to be me!

Thankful to be able to help out with Operation Christmas Child! 

Thankful for my friends and family!

Thankful for Jesus!