Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

1. Thankful for sleep! I am blessed to have a comfortable bed with lots of pillows. My only problem is me getting to bed before 12 and staying asleep. If I can get 6 straight hours, I am good. I am a night owl and get more done in the later part of the day. I drag in the morning. But every morning, I thank the Lord for another day of life!

2. Thankful to get a quick doctor's appointment this past Monday. I had a later appointment and the clinic was not as crowded as usual. I have had this growth under my right eye at the eyelash line where I put eyeliner. I thought it was a clogged follicle and may be. It doesn't hurt like a sty or look red. I told the doctor about my basal skin cancer on my cheek and showed her the location. She said because of that, she was referring me to ophthalmology and said dermatology won't touch the area around the eye. So my appointment is on the 19th. The local clinic I go to is 7 minutes away. The medical center is about 25 minutes away and that is where most off the specialty departments are. I am thankful for great medical insurance, and I am praying the cost don't go up in the new year.

3. Enjoying the Christmas season and thankful my grands can help with the decorating. I have been busier than usual, and I have a busy week next starting on Sunday. I do have ADD, and managing my time can be a problem. I sewed 2 mini pillowcases out of flannel with a buffalo plaid check material for hubby's couch pillows. They match the rest of the blankets for the season. I did get my kitchen all decorated with gingerbread. The younger grands found the Shepherd on the Search gifts. Audrina got a new stocking and Elijah got Grinch material. Now he wants me to make a stocking. I told him it would be ready for Christmas.

4. Thankful that hubby helped put away the outdoor fall decor and bring out the Christmas decor. It felt good to be out in the sun for a short time. Our night's are in the mid 40's and days are low 70's. I can't complain. We usually don't turn the heat on until January. We can use the fireplace is we need to. Otherwise, we wear shirt shirts and use blankets.

5. Thankful that most of my Christmas shopping is done. I will start wrapping tomorrow while watching Christmas movies. I like the old Christmas classics and Hallmark. I also like Elf. Next week. I am also working on m Advent study with Illustrated Faith.

Saturday 9: Ja-Da (1918)

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

 

1) The lyrics tell us the melody is soothing. What calms you when you're upset or anxious? Music!

 

2) There was a lot going on in 1918 – like WWI and the Spanish flu pandemic – that left people upset and anxious. In those days, radio wasn't yet a staple in American homes so people received their news through newspapers. Today with podcasts and 24 hour cable news and social media and other news outlets available, do you ever feel like taking a break from current events? I have to really limit the news because it is so depressing.

3) In addition to newspapers, magazines were a big deal in 1918. Women turned to publications like Ladies Home Journal and McCall's for trends and tips about fashion and housekeeping. Do you have any printed magazines in your home now? Yes, I have some craft magazines.

 

4) Today schoolchildren often learn "Ja-Da" because it's easy to sing and play. Was music part of your grade school curriculum? Yes, there was music and art.

 

5) Composer Bob Carleton published more than 500 songs in his career. He had no songwriting partner, handling the words and lyrics himself. What's your favorite song? Was it written by a single composer or a songwriting team? That is a really hard question to answer! I like so many.

 

6) Bob got his start in his hometown of St. Louis, playing piano in his parents' saloon. When you think of St. Louis, what comes to mind? The movie called Meet Me in Saint Louis with Judy Garland singing Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.

 

7) In 1918, Americans were buying more cars and Studebakers were a familiar sight on the streets and highways. Today that name is mostly forgotten. Can you think of a brand that used to popular but has disappeared? Not at the moment.

 

8) During WWI, Americans were familiar with "Meatless Days." Back then we were encouraged to cut back on the consumption of meat as a patriotic gesture to help the American and Allied troops. Today "Meatless Monday" highlights health and the environment. Think about your diet. Do you try to eat more grains, fruits and vegetables? Yes, I have an apple every evening with peanut butter. I have veggies twice a day. I don't eat many grains. I did find some high fiber, high protein bread.

 

9) Random question: Where did you get the shirt you are wearing right now? At Kohl's.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. What is the dumbest rule you've ever had to follow?  I can't think of anything at the moment.

2. What is the weirdest or funniest thing a guest ever did/said in your home? My cousin spent the night, and she was taking a shower, and it started to back up. I can't go into any more details, but we still laugh about it.

3. If you had a warning label, what would it say? Can talk your ears off! (This is only with people I am really comfortable with.)

4. What is the first thing you must do in case of a Snoopy/Charlie Brown Apocalypse?  Who is the first person you call for advice when that happens? (Imagine that The characters of Charlie Brown series take over the world! What do you do as your first move? Who would you call for advice on how to live in that world?) I would like to talk to Peppermint Patty. She remind me of one of my friends. I would like to have a front row seat to the Christmas Pageant. 

1. What does it mean to have the 'holiday spirit'? On a scale of 1-10 how is yours this year? (10=off the charts, 1=still looking for it) I would say an 8. I love the holidays. The only downfall is health issues. I always seem to get hurt while in the garage where I have my decorations. It's my own fault because I don't ask for help when I should. Other than that, I love to decorate the whole house. I was happy my church is participating in Advent this year.

2. What's your favorite character from a (December) holiday-themed movie, book, or TV special? Tell us why. Every Thanksgiving after dinner, we watch the National Lampoon Christmas. I really look forward to seeing White Christmas and A Christmas Carol. My family got me to see the movie Elf and I really like the innocence of Buddy the elf.

3. Do you like gingerbread? Are gingerbread houses part of your holiday tradition? My whole kitchen is decorated with gingerbread. I have been doing this for years and this year it is really popular. my grandkids help me with the gingerbread tree and they will be here on Thursday. I also bake cookies with my grands and gingerbread are always included. We usually go look at Christmas lights after and then come back for Mexican hot chocolate and cookies. I use gingerbread decor for Christmas breakfast and then more formal setting for dinner. The green tablecloths were my moms.

4. Much of our vocabulary is determined by where we live or where we grew up. What say you-

sprinkles or jimmies? lightning bugs or fireflies? soda or pop? sneakers, trainers, or tennis shoes? sub, hoagie, grinder, or hero? freeway, highway, or motorway? frosting or icing? sauce or gravy?

5. Share a favorite holiday memory from your childhood. I have a lot of favorites. I would say my last Christmas at home before I got married. My parents gave us a box of ornaments that we still use to this day. That was 52 years ago. The picture below was taken when I was 2.

 

6.  Insert your own random thought here.  Christmas is a fun family time of the year. We also know it is a special time and we remember the birth of Jesus, the reason for the season!

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes. Links are on the left.

Friday Fave 5 & Saturday 9

The week flew by and I got a lot done! 

Hard to believe a week ago I was at Disneyland in the rain. Well part of the day and then it end up being a beautiful day. We go back in December. 

Thankful that I did not have to go anywhere this week and I got a lot of Christmas decorating done.

Thankful that the younger grands came to stay for Wednesday-Thursday to help decorate.

Thankful for a beautiful Thanksgiving!

Thankful to get some shopping done without a lot of crowds and good sales.

We are on are way to the Rosebowl!

Saturday 9: Thank You Girl (1964)

 

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

1) Who were you talking to the last time you said, "thank you?" My daughter.

2) Paul McCartney recalls that "Thank You Girl" was inspired by all the female fans who had written them fan letters, pledging undying love. Have you ever written a fan letter? If yes, did you receive a response? No, I have not.

3) Recording engineer Geoff Emerick remembered that John Lennon was easily winded while recording this song. John had a bad cold and went back to bed when they were done for the day. We're in cold/flu season right now. How are you feeling? I feel fine as I write this. The Santa Ana winds were here this past week and brought warmer, dry weather that messed with my sinuses. I felt better by Thanksgiving. 

4) "Thank You Girl" is this week's song because November 27 was Thanksgiving. What are you thankful for this year? My faith in Jesus, my family and my friends. Also, for good health insurance!

5) While the big meal is referred to as Thanksgiving dinner, most Americans enjoy it earlier than they usually serve dinner. 3:00 PM is the most popular time for the holiday feast. When did you have dinner on Thursday? 5pm

6) Cranberry sauce has been a Thanksgiving staple since the late 1800s. Was it on your menu this year? My hubby forgot to make it. He likes it but nobody asked for it.

7) The Thanksgiving Turducken is said to have originated in New Orleans. Chef Paul Prudhomme is often cited as the first to stuff a deboned chicken into a deboned duck into a deboned turkey. Prudhomme's recipe has more than 85 individual steps and takes a full day to prepare. Did you face any challenges while cooking your Thursday dinner? Everything turned out great!

8) Leftovers are popular after Thanksgiving, especially turkey sandwiches. Some cooks recommend serving cold, sliced turkey on wheat bread, but white bread, pitas and flatbread are also popular. When you head into the kitchen to make a sandwich, what's your go-to bread? Sourdough. But we have left over Hawaiian roles that we will use for sandwiches.

9) The day after Thanksgiving is known as Black Friday, the unofficial start of the holiday shopping season and sales. Black Friday got its name in Philadelphia back in the 1950s to describe the traffic clogging both highways and side streets as consumers raced out in search of bargains. When is the last time you were stuck in traffic? On our way to Disneyland on the 11th.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. Do you celebrate with family, friends or by yourself? I celebrate with my family. Sometimes we go to my son and daughter in laws and have a combined gathering with her parents and siblings and our family. This year I am hosting my family here in my home. My daughter in law will have her family over 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.  What does the day hold for you? We usually watch the parade in the morning. I make my sweet potatoes the day before. I cut up the veggies for my stuffing the day before also but I out it together on Thanksgiving morning, so it just has to be baked. Everyone comes around 3. My son makes the mash potatoes and my daughter in law is bringing a dessert. My daughter is bringing macaroni and cheese and a rice Krispies treat. My other son has to work half day and then he and his wife are going with her parents. Once everyone is there, we take pictures with the grands for our Christmas card, I pass out a new ornament to each grandchild. We have an early dinner and then we watch Christmas movies and have dessert.

3. What foods are the hit of Thanksgiving Day for you? My husband is cooking the turkey and ham. I am making the my mom's recipe for stuffing, and sweet potatoes and a salad. My husband also makes the gravy, green bean casserole and cranberry sauce. I am so thankful he cooks. I clean the house, set the table with candles and I use fall chargers with paper plates. I would rather use real China, but my husband doesn't want me to be in the kitchen to long after we eat because we want to get to the movies and do some online shopping. 

4.  We say grace before and after meals. Is grace a part of your Thanksgiving meal? Yes, always pray before we ear. We also go around the table and say what we are thankful for while we are eating.

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.

1. Do you feel like you have a 'full plate' at the moment? In what way? We have all that we need. A home, food to eat, and we are all healthy and doing well. I have a busy holiday schedule planned.

2. How did you learn to cook? If you have children, did you teach or encourage them to cook? Yes, we taught all our kids to cook. I had the boys in the kitchen with me when they were young. My husband came from a family where the dad cooked his specialties. My daughter did not like learning, but she did and is a pretty good cook. My older son makes most of the dinners and his wife cleans up. My younger son cooks too, but can't as often with his schedule so his wife does most of the cooking. The grandsons are cooking too now. Do you like to follow a recipe or is your cooking style more 'let's wing it'.  I am a wing it person for most things.

3. Last time you bit off more than you could chew? Elaborate. Doing too many crafts at once this past month.

4. When did you last say 'the more the merrier' and mean it? I have not said that in awhile. 

5. Write an acrostic using the word T-H-A-N-K-S. 

T-Thanksgiving

H-Heartfelt

A-Affirmation

N-Nurturing

K-Kindness 

S-Selflessness

6. Insert your own random thought here. Our older two grandkid's high school football team won the playoffs. They will be in the final CIF championship game on Friday, after Thanksgiving. My granddaughter in a song leader and they and the football team will take buses to the Rose Bowl for the game. My daughter and I along with her son and his girlfriend will be driving up. It is about 47 miles away. We plan to leave early to find good parking. I just ordered 2 stadium clear bags to take my seat cushion, a light blanket and water. The other bag is for my daughter. We also have a clear backpack that my grandson will use.

Previous Entry has our Disneyland day.

Thanks to Annie and Joyce for the memes.

Link are on the left.

Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

It is late Friday, and I had a great week. Joining Susanne for the Friday's Fave Five

Went to a baby shower for my niece on Sunday.  I stayed the night with my sister, and my husband picked me up on Monday. I felt off and got my things packed for my Bible journaling class and went to bed early.  I woke up at 3 am sick.

Thankful that my husband could take the things to my friend's house. Thankful that my friend who host our group went over the instructions I gave her. The women really enjoyed the craft I had for them.

Thankful that I was only sick for 24 hours and could go to the store and get some things for Thanksgiving. Thankful that our grandson could get out all our Christmas trees.

Thankful that I could go to my son's house who made breakfast for diner. We were getting up early for our Disney visit.

Thankful for the fun day we had at Disneyland. It rained in the morning, and the park was not so busy. We got to go on several rides and we left early. We are going back next month. My grandkids football team won their playoff game and are going to Rosebowl next Friday for the final division game. I missed the game because of Disneyland.

Saturday 9: The Lady in Red (1986)

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

1) Is red a color you often wear? Mostly around Christmas and Valentine's Day.

 

2) In this song, Chris De Burgh is thrilled to be dancing with the woman he loves. Do you recall what was playing the last time you stepped onto the dance floor? No

 

3) Chris says he wrote this song about the first time he saw his future wife, who wore a red dress when she came to see his band perform. Tell us about a memorable concert going experience.

The last concert I went to was in February 2025. We saw Cece Wynans. I went with my granddaughter who is on the praise team at church, her mom and grandma. It was great!

 

4) Chris' father worked as a diplomat for the United Kingdom. Former US ambassador Robert D. Blackwill believes a diplomat should possess strong writing/speaking skills, meticulous attention to detail, historical knowledge, and stamina. Do you have any of those attributes? Attention to detail.

 

5) Chris' family owns Bargy Castle, a 15th century fortress in County Wexford, Ireland. Bargy Castle has been converted into a hotel. What's the last hotel you stayed in? Does a floating hotel count? We went on a cruise in January 2025. We stayed in a Marriott in San Deigo back in 2024.

 

6) Chris is a wine connoisseur who sold a collection of vintage reds for over $500,000. If you suddenly came into $500,000, what would you do with it? Pay off our house, give some to church and give some to our kids.

 

7) In 1986, when this song was popular, singer/actress Lady Gaga was born in Manhattan. Have you been to New York City? Yes, back in 2008  Waiting to see Phantom of the Opera with my parents and sister. We were there before leaving on our New England cruise.

 

8) Also in 1986, NHL Hall of Famer Jacques Plante died. Are you a hockey fan? I played field hockey in high school and loved it.  I don't watch it now except for the Winter Olympics.

 

9) Random question – You just slid behind the wheel and are about to embark on a long road trip. 

Which of these famous Williams would you choose as your navigator: Willie Nelson, Bill Murray, or William, Prince of Wales? The Prince of Wales.

Friday Faves Five & Saturday 9

Thankful to host the birthday for my grandson on Monday-Tuesday. His friends love the food. My grandson wanted tacos. So hubby cooked a roast in the crockpot and added spices. Then he shredded. He and my daughter decided to buy pre marinated chicken to barbecue. and it was really good! There was also rice and beans, fruit, chips and salsa.

Thankful that we could all go out the next day because Eddie also wanted to celebrate with his family and he selected a Mexican taco shop with a Disney theme. Afterwards we went to Downtown Disney for beignets. 

Thankful to have a day of rest where I did not have to go anywhere during the day. I did work on the craft prep for my Bible journaling group when meet on the 18th. My friend Coreen is making the title and she sent me her sample. 

Thankful that Coreen could take me to our final book study group that started back in June.

Thankful that in spite of the rain, we went to our grandkids football game. Our team is in the semi finals. It rained a lot and everyone was wearing ponchos. We got wet, but I stayed warm. They won and go to the next level next Friday.

Saturday 9: Rings (1971)

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

 

1) This song is about a young man who is happy to hear his phone ring. How about you? How do you feel when your phone rings? (Excited, annoyed, surprised, etc.) Happy when it is someone I know. Annoyed with spam call.

 

2) He's got James Taylor on the stereo. Are you a James Taylor fan? Yes and I love You've Got a Friend.

 

3) He tells his girl he's been hanging with his buddies, Tony and Mario, but they're no substitute for her. What friend did you recently spend time with? What did you do? My friend Correen. We were crafting one day this past week and then we went to our Women's book study Wed. night.

 

4) Tony and Mario were real people. They ran a restaurant frequented by the songwriters. Did you dine out this past week? Yes, we went out for our grandson's birthday at a Tacos place near Disneyland. The whole place was decorated with Disney collectibles.

 

5) "Rings" is the only hit for the band Cymarron, who hailed from Memphis, a town known for classic southern comfort foods like biscuits and gravy, cornbread and mashed potatoes. What's on the menu at your home this weekend? Nothing planned for Saturday yet. Sunday I a going to a baby shower and they will serve soup salad, bread and appetizers.

 

6)  The boys in Cymarron took their name from their favorite TV show, the Western Cimarron Strip. What TV show are you currently enjoying? Maybe your fellow Sat9ers would like it, too. I have been watching Grey s Anatomy and General Hospital for years. I like the new show called Doc. There are so many shows that hubby and I like to watch together. Dances with the Stars, Tracker, the FBI's the NCIS, Chicago Fire,  Law and Order, SVU, Organized Crime. Boston Blue, 911 LA and Nashville and Brillant Minds. We are retired so we have the time. Thank Goodness for recordings!

 

7) In 1971, when this song was popular, the US Mint introduced the Eisenhower Silver Dollar. Is there any change in your wallet or pocket right now? Not in my pocket, but I know I have some.

 

8) Also in 1971, Mattel introduced Malibu Barbie, the doll with a tan. Have you ever used a tanning bed? No and I was just had surgery for skin cancer on my face. So no tanning for me.

 

9) Random question – If we were to ask your friends, which of these qualities would they say they like best about you: your warmth, your sense of humor, or your intelligence? I would say my warmth.

Thanks to Susanne & Sam for the memes. Links are on the left.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

Happy Birthday to my grandson Eddie!!(Nov.10)

The time has flown. This is the guy that made me Mema and also gave this name.

1. What kind of weather and temperatures make you feel most comfortable, most healthy? Fall and spring weather, low 70's to low 80's. 

2.  Do you like the colors associated with Autumn. Clothing wise do they look good on you? I love the colors of fall. I can wear fall colors, but don't have many. I love decorating my home with those colors since we don't see a lot of it outside where I live.

3. Would you rather:… 

… get lost in a corn maze or go on a hayride? Hayride

… visit an apple orchard or a pumpkin patch? Apple orchard

… eat a caramel apple or a candy apple?  I love them both!

… have some cinnamon buns or Pumpkin muffins? Pumpkin muffins

4. There are 7,500 varieties of apple.  What is your favorite, and do you regularly eat apples?   What fruits do you keep on hand? I love Envy apples. I eat an apple almost everyday with peanut butter.

1. What does patriotism mean to you? It means living in the land of free. and loving your country. I remember learning about the constitution in school and learning the preamble. I take pride knowing  that my grandparents became citizens and gave their kids and grandkids a better life in a better place. It is appreciating all that we have blessed with. I am thankful for the relatives that served their country including my dad and aunt. 

2. September-October-November...your favorite fall month? Tell us why. If you live in the southern hemisphere use these months but sub spring for the word fall. It is mid-November, and fall is finally here!

3. A song you love with the word thanks (or some form of that word) in the title or lyrics? Thanks for the Memory.

4. November is National Peanut Butter Month. Are you a fan? What's the last peanut butter bite you had? Fill in the blank: peanut butter and apples that I have a snack almost every night. 

Oh, and you can't say jelly. 

5. This week's gratitude question-What event from this past year are you most grateful for? I would say our Mexican Riviera cruise in January to celebrate 50 years of marriage. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. I am thankful for how close my family is.