Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

Thankful for another great week! Linking to Living to Tell the Story and Saturday 9. 

1.Thankful to be able to see my grands perform at the recital Worship at out church. I wrote about it at my previous post and included pictures. Elijah and Audrina both sang, and Audrina played the guitar and keyboards. The best past was Audrina sang the song she wrote, and it really touched my heart. Thankful how they are already serving the Lord with the gifts He has given them.

2. Thankful for air conditioning for the heat wave we had over the past couple of days. Thankfully it will go back down to normal in the mid 70's. 

3. Thankful that my succulent and plumeria cuttings are doing well and I have 2 tomatoes on my plant.

My roses are blooming too, though most have been cut to bring in the house or give as gifts. This is a picture of the succulents growing in a birdbath that we planted last year.

4. So thankful my new printer. I got an Epson that that pour into tanks instead of replacing a cartridge. I am almost finished with my journaling kits for next week. Lots of good verses that I will share later.

5. Thankful to be getting things done in the garage. Hubby has a big pile of things to take to the Goodwill. Thankful to have more strength to do things. My Audrina and Elijah are coming for the weekend and I will see if they want to help me decorate with my patriotic decor.  Eddie and Jazzy go home Friday Evening and don't return until Tuesday evening. I do miss doing things will all them when they were younger.

 

Saturday 9: American Soldier (2003)

Unfamiliar with this week's song? Hear it here

Memorial Day is a federal holiday that honors men and women who served and died in the United States Armed Forces. We want to make sure that message is not lost this weekend.

1) Are you a veteran? Are there veterans in your family? Do you know anyone who is active military? We are grateful and want to hear about it. 

I don't know anyone that is in the service at the moment. My dad and his service served in the Navy.

2) In this song, Toby Keith reminds us soldiers "work straight through holidays," even this one, and we are grateful for that, too. Have you ever had to work on a federal holiday? If yes, did it make you sad to be on the job when everyone else was celebrating? I worked for the postal service and had most federal holidays off. I also worked on Christmas Eve until 11 pm many years. 

3) The video for this song was filmed at Edwards Air Force Base. This site was chosen to make it easier for off-duty soldiers, reservists and their families to appear. Have you ever visited a military base? 

Yes, when I was a child. I went with my friend and her family to El Toro Marine base. I have visited the USS Midway in San Diego and Pearl Harbor and the USS Missouri.

4) Toby Keith never served in the military but often performed for the USO. While the USO is best known for providing entertainment to our troops, they also have a "Canine Comfort Crew." Local USO centers make dogs available to troops who long to see a wagging tail. Are you a dog lover? 

Yes, and we have a long hair black and tan Dachshund named Minnie. She is our third and last dog. 

 

5) Memorial Day kicks off the summer season. What's your favorite picnic food? 

BBQ steak and chicken or grilled fish, fresh sweet corn, salad and veggies and fruits.

6) Let's welcome summer with ice cream. What's your favorite flavor? Cone or cup? Cup

Strawberry and Rocky Road. I also had Lilikoi(Passion fruit) ice-cream when we were in Hawaii.

7) This marks the weekend when Americans step up their outdoor activity and do things they may not have been able to do during the winter months. For example, when is the last time you applied mosquito repellent?  Last fall

8) Or swam? Last fall. 

9) As you answer these questions, is there an air conditioner or fan on? 

Yes, I have my ceiling fan on as I write this.

Tuesday 4 & Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. March comes in like a lamb and goes out like a lion.  How has it made it's debut in your area?

 Rain then cool and partial sunny with more rain on its way.

2. Is St Patrick's Day something you observe? 

Not really. I might wear green if I go somewhere. I have a small box of decorations, but it is lost in the garage.

3. Do you observe Easter? 

Yes, I always have. It is an important day in my life, to remember that Jesus died on the cross for my sins. To remember that He rose and lives. The day hold many happy memories for me. My grandma made a lot of our dresses for Easter. Were wore these dresses for Easter and a wedding that our brother was in as a ring bearer.

We sewed our own dresses for Easter.

4. What will those holidays see you doing this year? 

Nothing planned for March 17th and the 18th is my DIL;s birthday. We will celebrate on the weekend following. We will do something for Easter, either at our house or our son's house. We all go to church and then we have lunch and an egg hunt for the kids.

1. Has March come in like a lion where you live? If not a lion then what animal would you use to describe the weather in your area this first week of March?

 A dolphin, going in and out of water.

Does the weather affect your emotions? When did you last feel 'under the weather'? 

Dry windy weather does bother my sinuses. The whole month of February. I had an ear infection.

 

It rained most of the day on the 2nd. Rain is expected on Thursday. It is sunny and breezy to day. My sinuses bother me when there is windy weather. I see the ENT next week and I will bring up my sinus issues. I had a hearing test on Monday and my right ear has improved and my left eardrum had healed. I do have a hearing loss now in my left ear and the sinuses make it works. 

2. Do you know what your name means? Does the meaning of your name fit with your personality?

Do you like your name? Yes I do like my name. 

If you have children, did you consider the meaning of their names before choosing them? 

Yes, we did.

SUSANNA  f English, Italian, Biblical Pronounced: 

soo-ZAN-a form of Sousanna, the Greek form of the 

Hebrew name Shoshannah which was derived from the 

Hebrew word shushan meaning "lily" (in modern Hebrew 

this also means "rose"). In the New Testament this 

is the name of a woman who ministered to Christ.

In Spanish, my name is Susana. I was born the day after my grandfather whose name happened to be Susano. That was a coincidence. I think mom was thinking of Susan Hayward.

3. It's National Sauce Month...what's your favorite sauce? Last thing you ate that used a sauce? 

Trappey's Hot sauce. It is like Louisiana Hot sauce, but not as hot.

4. Something you've seen, tasted, done lately that you'd describe as 'awesome sauce'? 

Getting my hearing back after a month of issues.

5. What kinds of things do you love to collect? 

I have collected many thing over the years. I would say my recent collection would be craft items. I have several Willow Tree figurines. I have some Disney collectibles. I used to have a lot of Noah's Arks and Raggedy dolls. I have lots of things packed since the grands have taken over the extra bedrooms. I add new ornaments every Christmas, so that would be my main collection.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Today's Bible journaling went well.  

Tuesday 4 - Holidays

         

Holidays!

                         

                                                  

1.  Which are your favorite Holiday(s)? Christmas, Thanksgiving and Easter. This year I would also like to celebrate Hanukkah, also known as the Festival of Lights. I need to get a menorah.

The holiday calendar is already filling up. It starts now as we find out who is coming over for Thanksgiving this year. My daughter and kids will be here, but it is the boys turn to go with the inlaws. So that makes setting a table easy. 

I have been working the Operation Christmas Child table at our church. Our church is also a drop off center for other churches. This year I also signed up to work at the Processing Center in Dec. Here is a picture I found in our church Instagram account. Me collecting boxes!

   

2.   Favorite Holiday movie or character? We like a lot of movies. My favorite Christmas movie is White Christmas and A Christmas Carol. Monday night my son and his wife came down to take my grandson out for an early birthday dinner. Eddie came back with a bag full of shirts and Pj bottoms. Kids wear Pj bottoms to school. We all went to the family room and watched Elmo's Christmas.  We usually watch National Lampoon's Christmas on Thanksgiving evening while enjoying dessert.

3.   Favorite Holiday Dish to Make? Thanksgiving is always turkey with all the trimmings. Hubby makes the turkey, gravy and green beans. I enjoy my mom's stuffing, candied yams and cranberry Jell-O.  We haven't decided what we are making for Christmas this year. When I was a kid, mom made a roast with all the trimmings. Our kids prefer to eat Mexican food. Last year we had chicken posole, green chili chicken enchiladas, tamales, rice, beans and salad. We will probably have the same.

4.   Favorite Holiday Weather You Wish For? I like rain from Christmas because it is as close as we will get to snow. We always have the fireplace on Christmas morning. I would also like it to be cool for Thanksgiving. 

Today we got rain, and will have it for the next couple of days. We sure do need it!!! Today is my last Bible journaling class. A whole year of journaling. I finished my last kit today.

 Saturday is further down.

Praying for a much better year!

 

This shot came up this morning on my Facebook memories. This was me playing Farmville back in January 2010. At 9:10 New Years Eve 2020, Farmville ended. It was a fun playing all these years. I met a lot of new friends.  It helped me get through the long days of Covid. I won't be playing anymore games. I want to scrap again and keep up with my Bible reading.

 

This is a partial screen shot of the last Winter farm I was playing on. I went to my Hawaii farm afterwards and that is where I was when Farmville ended. FV let us know that the game was ending because it needed Shockwave to run and Adobe was ending it. Life goes on! 

 

 

 Saturday 9: Feels like the First Time (1977)

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

Welcome to the first Saturday 9 of 2021!

1) Look up from your screen. What's the first thing you see? Television, watching the highlights from past Rose Parade's and history about it and many interesting facts.

2) Looking back on 2020, what surprised you? Covid, watching a man get killed on tv, so much hate, so sad. But in spite of all that bad, there was still a lot of good! I made new online friends and respected everyone's views. Loved how our churches and businesses adapted.

3) Have you made any resolutions for 2021? I want to declutter and walk more. I am trying a planner again and reading the Bible again, chronologically.

4) In Italy, it's said that if you wear red underwear on New Year's Eve, you'll have good luck all year around. Do you have a lucky charm?  No. Praying sustains me.
 
5) In Spain, some New Year's Eve revelers believe that, at the stroke of midnight, you should eat exactly 12 grapes, one at a time and one right after the other, to bring you luck for the next twelve months. Did you have anything special on your New Year's Eve menu?

We went to Burger Basket and got a burger combo and pastrami sandwich and extra pickles.
We don't eat burgers very often. Hubby spent the day making pozole, and after testing it several times, he wanted something else for dinner. So after we delivered the pozole we got our burgers.  I had a bowl of it for breakfast and it was perfect for a cold morning. I talked about pozole on my previous entry.

6) In this week's featured song, Foreigner lead singer Lou Gramm lets us know that he'd sail across a stormy sea to reach his true love. How is the weather where you are today? Are you kicking off 2021 under calm skies, or is it stormy? Sunny and cool for Califronia at 66 degrees.
 
7) In the 1990s, Gramm joined forces with Billy Joel in a series of concerts to preserve the Montauk Point Lighthouse. Do you have a favorite Billy Joel song? Just The Way You Are.

8) In 1977, when this song was popular, Star Wars was breaking all box office records. The Spy Who Loved Me, a James Bond movie, was also a hit. If you were going to binge on one of these film series, would you choose Star Wars or Bond? Star Wars! I have seen them all!

9) Random question: Would you rather have nothing but green lights for all of 2021, or never have to stand in line for anything all year? Never stand in line!

Saturday 9: Black (2016) Unfamiliar with this week's tune? Hear it here.

1) This song was chosen because yesterday was Black Friday, the traditional day of sales. Have you begun your Christmas shopping? I ordered something online today. I went to Kohl's and found lots of things on sale and the store was not busy when I was there. I buy for my grand nephews and nieces. I also got ornaments for my family and friends. Even the Hallmark were 15% off.

2)  Was there an adult beverage served with your Thanksgiving feast? No but we did have sparkling apple cider. My favorite is the cranberry-apple.
 
3) Did any pets enjoy scraps from your Thanksgiving table? Yes, Minnie had turkey and plain sweet potato.

4) Are there any Thanksgiving leftovers in your refrigerator right now? Yes we had plenty. My daughter and her family were there on Thanksgiving and they brought the potatoes, macaroni and cheese, ham and pumpkin pie. We made the turkey, gravy, candied yams, stuffing, green bean casserole, cranberry relish and rolls. I also made pumpkin banana cookies. After dinner we watched National Lampoon's Christmas. The next day my son and his family came over and they brought home made pumpkin donuts and chocolate cake and we ate left overs. We watched Elf while having dessert. My hubby made Mexican hot chocolate both evenings. There is still enough for one more meal. I also saved some turkey and the bones to make soup on a cold day. My other son went with his in laws.

5) Football is a popular Thanksgiving weekend pastime. Will you be watching any games over the next few days? If yes, which team(s) are you rooting for? No sports, just Christmas movies.

6) This week's song is by Dierks Bentley. He wrote it for his wife, Cassidy Black, who appears in the video. They met in eighth grade, dated on and off, and then eloped when they were in their late 20s. Has anyone ever surprised you by going off and suddenly getting married? Yes my cousin eloped in Las Vegas. I think she stayed at the Venetian which is a really nice hotel.

7) 2016 was a good year for Bentley. This song was one of three hits he had that year, he co-hosted the CMAs and was nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year. As 2020 winds to an end, do you feel it's been a successful year? I think my family has managed well is this crazy year. All of my kids are essential workers and have done fine. There were a few family things that had to be cutback because of Covid. We know that we will all meet up again. We keep in contact with our extended family with Facebook and messaging. But I can't say that for our country. So much division because of politics.  So many deaths from Covid 19. I am praying for a much better year ahead. I am very thankful for all the essential workers that kept life going.

8) In 2016, David Bowie died. Do you have a favorite Bowie song? Fame

9) Also in 2016, CBS telecast reran How the Grinch Stole Christmas for the 50th time. What's your favorite Dr. Seuss story?

My website, Susan's Garden of Friendship  is on the link to the right. I have a whole Christmas site listed at the Site Map. Lots of inspirational pages too. Over 200 pages!

Sunday Stealing...

1. What did you do for Thanksgiving when you were a kid? When we were young, we would get together with my grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. As the family grew, we didn't get to do it as often. My dad is in the white shirt and my mom is in the blue dress. This must have been around 1968 at my aunt's home. Can you find me?

2.What’s your favorite family tradition?  My  mom always set a beautiful table. She would use nice dishes and there would be candles and fresh flowers. She was very detailed as I am. Last year I used the fine china. This year I found really nice paper plates. Only my daughter's family will be here. My son's are spending this year with their in laws. We decorate for Christmas the week before Thanksgiving, but keep the kitchen decorated for fall. We usually take pictures with the grands on Thanksgiving for the Christmas cards, but not this year. We will use the pictures we took when we went to the Apple Farm last weekend.
Besides making the turkey, my parents would order a Honey Baked Ham. Hubby can't eat ham and daughter won't eat it. But they are bringing a small ham for the rest of us.

3. What’s your favorite way to give back and help others? I like to take flowers or little gifts to my friends, but things are different this year. Our church collects gift cards to pass out to families at Thanksgiving and Christmas and we contribute to that. 

4. Name one person who can make you laugh, even months later. Why? My cousin Joanie. We can always pick up where we left off. It has been a rough year for her because her mom has had breast cancer and because of Covid, we can't get together.. So I miss our times together.

5. What is the funniest thing you remember about a Thanksgiving past? I don't remember anything funny. We did not have Thanksgiving dinner in 2018. We went out for breakfast instead. We spent the rest of the day packing because we had to be at the Los Angeles airport by 8am the next morning. We were going to Hawaii!

Thanksgiving 1973 was special. My mom invited the grandparents and my then fiance's parents along with a few aunts and uncles. I remember they had it in the garage because there were a lot of guest. My dad made a toast and then announced our engagement to everyone.

6. Do you have any unusual traditions, rituals or habits around Thanksgiving? I use to pass out ornaments to all my kids. Now I pass them out to the grandkids. Last Thanksgiving, I went with my DIL and daughter to shop at a few stores to get gifts. I waited in the Target line while the girls hit Best Buy. Then they joined me. We got in, got what we wanted and then went back home. We had desert and watched National Lampoon's Christmas. I am glad there will be no rushing out to the stores this year.

7. What time do you eat your Thanksgiving meal? At 4 PM this year but last year we ate at 3.

8. Name one ancestor that you think about on Thanksgiving and tell us why. My mom, she taught me how to make the favorite sides.

9. Is there a family heirloom at the Thanksgiving table? What its story? No favorite heirloom unless you want to count the recipes. Oh wait, yes there is. There is a serving fork  I have that belonged to my parents that has to be at least 60 years old.

10. What is your favorite part about Thanksgiving Day? Everyone says something they are thankful for. Then we prayer before the meal. 

11. What is something that was done for you this year that makes you grateful this Thanksgiving? Having a friend tell me how much I mean to her.

12. What foods do you usually have for Thanksgiving? Turkey, ham, mash potatoes, green bean casserole, Chicken liver stuffing, carrots, candied sweet potatoes, salad, rolls, sparking cider and pumpkin pie. This year Renee's man will be making home made macaroni and cheese. Every few years I make a raspberry jello salad.

13. How has the celebration of Thanksgiving today changed from when you were little? It is pretty much the same. It is a special day where we dress up a little better and remember how blessed we are. We won't all be together his year, but we do have a lot to be thankful for. None of my kids were out of work, all essential workers. My eldest got Covid and missed 5 weeks of work but is well now and no one else sick. Thank you Lord!

14. If you could share Thanksgiving dinner today with one person in history who would it be? Why? (Note: it can be a relative) My parents.

15. What is one wish you have for the next generation as they begin to establish their own Thanksgiving traditions. For them to keep it special. This year I plan to teach my oldest grand daughter how to make the candies yams. I also plan to print out the recipes and pass them out to our kids. You can find the recipes here.

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday Minnie Mouse!

 

Saturday 9 4th of July

1) The flag we currently fly, with 50 stars and 13 stripes, was designed by a high school student. When Alaska and Hawaii were added, President Eisenhower invited Americans to submit designs for how best to incorporate the two new states. Ike chose 17-year-old Robert G. Heft's submission from more than 1500 entries. Tell us about a contest you entered and won. (Or really hoped to win.) I won an Instagram contest last month and got a cute bookmark made with crystals and beads. I won the Betty Crocker Award when I was a high school Sr. But the biggest accomplishment was being the first person in my family to get a degree from the University of Calif. Irvine. I was just thinking about that today and remembering how proud my grandparents and parents were.

2) The government also has another of Mr. Heft's designs waiting: one that incorporates a 51st star if another state is added. When you were in school, did you memorize the states and their capitals? Yes we had to learn that in 5th grade.

3) Six American flags have been planted on the surface of the moon. Those are undoubtedly the flags farthest from you this morning. Where is an American flag flying near you today? Out in the front yard and a few small ones in the backyard and several small ones in the house.

4) This version of the song was performed by James Cagney in the 1942 classic, Yankee Doodle Dandy. Have you ever seen it? Yes , back in the 60's with my mom.

5) In that film, Cagney portrayed George M. Cohan, the composer of this week's song. In 1940, Cohan was honored by with a Congressional Gold Medal. In presenting him with the award, President Roosevelt specifically thanked Cohan for "You're a Grand Old Flag," "Yankee Doodle Dandy," and "Over There." What's your favorite patriotic song? God Bless America, America The beautiful and God Bless the USA by Lee Greenwood.

6) Though a performer his entire life, Cohan disliked listening to recordings of his own voice. How about you? Do you like your singing and/or speaking voice?I love to sing, and I have been in a few choirs at school and church. Yes I like my voice.

7) James Cagney won the Oscar for Best Actor his performance as George M. Cohan. Also nominated that year was Gary Cooper, who portrayed Lou Gehrig in Pride of the Yankees. Tell us about another movie about a great American. I have seen several movies but I just saw Hamilton on Disney Plus and enjoyed it because it was a musical about Alexander Hamilton, also George Washington, James Madison, and Thomas Jefferson.

8) As a teen, Cagney juggled high school with a variety of jobs, including bell hop and delivery boy, and gave all his earnings to his family. Looking back, Cagney was grateful that he had to begin work early, saying, "I feel sorry for the kid who has too cushy a time of it. Suddenly he has to come face-to-face with the realities of life without his mama and papa to do his thinking for him." Do you agree? Yes I think that all kids should have age appropriate responsibilities. We taught all our kids to cook and clean. They all had to pay rent once they graduated from high school based on what they were making. It was not a lot, but enough to teach them that nothing is free. They all thanked us for teaching them. It was the way we were raised.

9) Cagney had a rebellious streak. His boss, studio head Jack Warner, nicknamed Cagney, "The Professional Againster." Cagney joked that he enjoyed earning the title. What about you? Are you rebellious? I am more of a peace maker. I was raise to be kind and considerate. But would defend my self I had to and Mama bear in me could be ready if needed.

Tuesday 4 The 4th of July

1. Do you think the 4th is an important holiday? Why , why not? I think it is important to be able to celebrate as a nation. It will be different this year for many reasons. No parades or firework shows, but over all, we still live in a land of freedom. I like to watch the Patriotic shows on tv. I also have a patriotic music station I play that day too. My dad played patriotic music while we were growing up. Our nation is in trouble an I have been praying. If God allows it, our nation will recover.

2. How do you celebrate? If you are not American, do you celebrate your nation's national holiday? Yes I an American, and I know all the patriotic songs which we sang at school and church. I like to decorate my house and yard with patriotic decor that I leave up until Labor Day. This is the first year we will not have family over. Everyone has made plans with friends. We will be watching our grand dog Rey. Family will come on Sunday. Hubby and have not decided if we want to make something at home or get something from somewhere. Normally we have a BBQ. Last year we had our backyard set up for camping and the grands spent the night. This year I will enjoy the spa and do some crafting.

These are all my patriotic flags in the backyard and I also have some in the front.

3. In the time of Laura Ingals Wilder, all Americans read the Declaration of Independence every year on the 4th and lemonade was a big treat for the town picnic. Do you read the Declaration of Independence? Or, your nations important papers? I have not read it in years. How about lemonade? Are you a fan? I like lemonade, but can't drink it because of acid reflux.

4. Picnic, eat inside the house or eat out for the 4th? I like to eat outside if it is not to hot or to late. The mosquitoes will get you!

The previous entry has pictures from my crafting camp.