Friday's Fave 5 & Satruday 9

It's good to look back during the week to see the blessings with Friday's Fave Five.

My son's family was on vacation, and I would have gone to my daughter's church, but I was greeting at our church. Then I headed to a REI store several miles away to look at shoes.  Later in the day my daughter posted pictures of her kids, our grands participating in their church. I would have loved to have been there.

So thankful to go home and relax in air conditioning.  A year ago our AC went out and we were having to spend the days at our kids' homes. Though it cost a lot, it has really made a difference, the air is colder and the electric is still lower because it is a efficient unit. We had to get a new water heater too the day after the AC was up and running. Gas bill is lower too. Maybe these unit manage electrical use better!

Thankful I was able to pick up my younger grands from school and take them to their music lessons. Thankful to get past my fear of driving at night. When I leave to our Women's Bible study on Monday nights. the sun is still out. I only have to drive home, and I take the side streets. Hopefully this will be resolved after my cataract surgery. Thankful that my friends told me there was a spot open for a girl's getaway next month. Thankful that we "girls" 60+ still like adventures.

Thankful for my Bible journaling group. The teacher in me wants to learn everything about the subjects I am teaching. This year I have been talking about the cities that Jesus was at. Last year we talked about Jesus getting baptized and all 4 Gospels talk about it. I focused on the book of John and read the different versions.  This year we focused on the Jordan river. I provided a few different versions on the handout. I also provided a map. One bible version say, Bethany, east of the Jordan. That first through me off when I was studying because Bethany was walking distance from Jerusalem, home of Mary, Marth and Lazarus. By looking at the different version, one said Bethabara instead of Bethany. This might sounds confusing, but it made sense. When I worked for the post office in the damaged/undeliverable section, I got a letter going to Louisville, no state. So I had to go through several manuals to look up that city in 14 states! Then I had to look for the street address for each state. I finally found the right match. The Bible will give up references too, but sometimes you have to find it somewhere else in the Bible.

I enjoy learning like this. Pastor says that is the teacher in me. If all goes well, I will be getting baptized in the Jordan river! 

Thankful that hubby and I were able to meet up with our married group for lunch at Chilis. We went over the schedule through December. We all enjoyed a great, affordable lunch. Thankful that our grandson stayed with Minnie!

Thankful to be able to go shoe shopping on Thursday and I have narrowed it down. Certain shoes seemed to have aggravated my hip a bit. Lower back is feeling better. I really need to work on my exercises to build strength. It's hard to eat when I am not hungry. We went to our son's home and DIL gave us food for lunch and to take home. Minnie was happy to be there too! I love my family!

Oh, we decided not to go to Disneyland today. Too hot and with humidity that we normally don't get.

Saturday 9: Animal Crackers in My Soup (1935)

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

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) Do you eat soup all year round, or do you consider it a seasonal dish? I like to eat it when I go out to eat. I like to make it when the weather becomes cooler. I always have a few cans of soup on hand for sick days or nothing else to eat day.

2) Gazpacho is a popular cold soup. Made with water-rich tomatoes, cucumbers and bell peppers, it's considered a good choice for hot weather because it's hydrating. What are your favorite summertime foods? Normally it would be salads, but I have cut back on them. I love to eat more fruit and fresh corn on the cob.

3) This week, Shirley Temple sings of the delights of having crackers in her soup. How often do you add crackers to your soup: always, sometimes, never? I rarely add them because of the carbs that I don't need. I buy the crackers for my hubby who does like to add them.

4) "Animal Crackers in My Soup" was the big musical number in the 1935 movie Curly Top. Shirley played Elizabeth, who helps her older sister find love with a handsome millionaire. Have you ever played matchmaker? If yes, were your efforts successful? No

5) Gertrude Temple, Shirley's mother, was her daughter's onset hairstylist, creating the famous "curly top" with pin curls. What's your hair care regimen? In the summer, it is mostly wash and wear. I do add extra conditioning cream. I might add a curl enhancer and since I got more defined layers, my hair does well on it's own except the bangs. I have to blow dry them or use a flat iron. I just colored my hair on Wednesday night. The next time will be a few days before my Israel trip.

6) Bartenders are still called upon to create the non-alcoholic Shirley Temple, made with ginger ale, lemon-lime soda, and grenadine. What's the most recent alcoholic beverage you drank? I rarely drink, and most of my family does not either. I know we tried a few wines with our meals on our cruise back in January 2025.

7) In 1935, when this song was popular, Amelia Earhart flew from Honolulu to Oakland, California. Are you a nervous flyer? I used to be afraid to fly and did not fly until my 40's. I always pray, and I have taken my travel bible since my first flight in 2000. It will be going with me to Israel. My first flight was to Las Vegas and under an hour.

8) Also in 1935, The Hoover Dam was dedicated. Today it's a popular tourist attraction, with more than 7 million visitors each year. Have you ever been to Las Vegas? I have been to the Hoover Dam, and I have been to Las Vegas several times since my son owns a time share there. We were there in May.

This was taken in the Venetian. We wanted pastries and gelato.

I chose the pineapple passion fruit flavor, yummy!

9) Random question: You get a spur-of-the-moment invitation to a meal with your best friend. Could you go wearing what you have on right now? No, loose jean shorts and a tank top are not what I would wear. But it would not take long to change.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes, links are on the left.

Tuesday 4 &Wednesday Hodgepodge

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

1.Do rainy days and/or Mondays really get you down? No, because I am retired. I do worry about my kids and now grandson. I am not sure if my grandson has driven in the rain yet. We don't get a lot of rain here. We sure need it!

2. Does thunder and lightning frighten you at all? A little because we don't get it often.

How about your dog or cat and what do you do to help them out? My dog hates it and she wants to hide in her crate.

3. If you are at home on a dark, rainy day what do you do with your time? Some find it a good day to cuddle up with a cuppa and read or watch TV.. what is your preference? Watch a few tv programs with hubby. Then go and read or Bible journal/study. We would probably enjoy some hot soup too!

4.Ever been caught in a downpour or has rain ever ruined your plans? Yes, one summer we were on our way to Utah after leaving the Grand Canyon. It was my turn to drive and hubby was resting in the back with the baby. Then these big clouds came in and before you know it, it was pouring. The final straw was when lightening hit before our car and I could not see so I pulled over. By the time we got to the campground, our camp site was no longer available because of the river had gotten to close. They had a few cabins, but only the expensive one was left. Thankfully my parents blessed us with spending money and we go the cabin and cooked our steaks on a bbq instead of on a camp stove.

bonus question: Why do Mondays seem to be so unpopular with so many? I think having to go back to work on Monday is bad enough. Driving in it makes it worth. If am at home, I don't mind the rain.

1. How do you feel about the transition from lazy summer days to a busier fall routine? Since I am retired, I don't really experience in my own life. But the grands going back to school is a transition for the school year, but not the weather. We will be at 100+ all week and we won't see any fall weather until the end of October. However, I will start my fall decorating next week. I won't do as much this year because of my Israel trip. As of now, it is still a go and 6 weeks away.

2. Your favorite cookie? I have always love homemade chocolate chip cookies. I don't bake until late fall and at Christmas. So gingerbread is my Christmas favorite. I got some cookies at the store bakery that tasted really good and they were oatmeal with pecans. I took them to my Bible journaling group.

3. What's something you've learned from a culture different than your own? The Jewish people practice the Sabbath, from Friday sunset to Saturday Sunset. I like how they take the time to be still, to focus on family, good food and God. It seems so special to me. I was so fascinated from the Sabbath scene from Fiddler on the Roof. I also liked the song, Sunrise, Sunset. They played that song at our wedding. My sibling and I still discuss how special it was that mom and dad took us to see this and other movies together. I have learned a lot in the past couple of years about the Jewish feast and holy days since I started teaching Bible Journaling. 

4. Food critic, film critic, book critic, art critic...which hat would you most like to wear? Tell us why. I would say art critic first because I like to see artwork. This past January, we went to Las Vegas and my granddaughter, and I spent time talking about art things. We even went into a couple of art galleries. Besides singing, she also draws. 

5. What's a small, random thing from your childhood that you still remember clearly? Building a cardboard house in the backyard with my dad. My parents had new refrigerator and stove, and they came in carboard boxes from Sears. So, my dad cut the sides, and we made a cool clubhouse. it even had a door and window. I have a lot of special memories with my dad. I was the firstborn and a tomboy I loved to be outside with him. I still remember him helping me adjust the seat on the new bike I had received for my birthday.  He and I were talkers, and we could talk about anything. I sure do miss him! 

This was around 1965, and dad worked for Hughes Aircraft Company.

6. Insert your own random thought here. I have a several boxes of shoes that I have ordered and I have to decide which shoes I will take on vacation. I will take back the others. I will still take my old faithful. I still have to get my new iPhone and I hope to do that by this weekend. I found out today that I am also going on a 4 day get away with 9 friends mid- September. Several of us have gone away before. We will be going about 4 hours away. I may not get much sleep, but I know we will get lots of walking done and eat a lot and not sleep. My daughter has encouraged me because she knows how important it is to stay active. I am still having some lower back issues because of my bulging disc. The numbing feeling can be aggravating, but better than pain. I have to keep doing my exercises. Walking is good exercise. I am supposed to go to Disneyland on Friday, but it will be in the 90's so we will either go later or not at all, and I am okay with that.  

Previous post has family pictures.

Friday's Fave 5 & Saturday 9

I am having problems with Blogger not staying up to date with posting.

My friends and I were talking about how busy we are and we are all retired! Some of us help with grandkids. Most of us are in various groups at church. We all agree that we try to be there for our family.

Sometimes we just need down time. We are all blessed.

I am thankful for my family. They all got together and gave me and my granddaughter a nice birthday dinner on Sunday. It was perfect because we did not have to worry about leaving Minnie because she went with us. The food was great! I always share pictures of my grands so here are my kids and DIL's.

Thankful that my granddaughter got to sing at church too! 

Monday was a rest day. I worked on my Bible journaling kits. I went to sign up for the Women's Bible study on Jonah but it was full. But the Pastor of Women's studies called me and said they had a spot open for a facilitator and so I was in. They usually don't close the study, but they had to have materials copied and ready. Pastor Jim was leading the study. After the study we broke into small group. It was great! Thankful that God made a way for me to be there.

Wednesday, I met my friend for our annual birthday lunch. She made me a really nice planter. Two hours went by fast. She is also in my Monday night group and she said it went really well. While we were there, I found out my cousin was on her way to the Kaiser hospital by us to have her infusion. After lunch I met up with my cousin for a short while and it was so good to see her! She is moving back by us, so we will plan another lunch. So happy for planned and unplanned events!

Thankful that all my grands are doing well in school. My grandson starts college next month. My granddaughter is a senior and enjoying it so far. She keeps getting invites to colleges. My younger grands are busy too and there family went away for the weekend by the beach. I miss doing things with them when they were younger. I sure like my Facebook Memories! August 2016

Thankful for lunch with a bunch of friends from church. We are meeting once a month. I did not go shopping as planned because my back is acting up again. I lifted something to heavy again. Thankful for heating pads. Tomorrow my middle son and his wife are meeting us for lunch. We will leave Minnie for under 2 hours and we have a monitor to watch her.

Saturday 9: Shoo Fly Pie (and Apple Pan Dowdy) – 1946

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

This month Saturday 9 will be tasty, featuring songs with food in the title.

1) Shoo fly pie got its name from Shoo Fly the Boxing Mule. After the Civil War, the mule who could box was such a popular circus attraction that a molasses manufacturer started featuring him on their packaging. Since molasses is the key ingredient of this pie recipe, homemakers just began referring to it as "shoo fly pie." If we looked, would we find molasses in your kitchen? No

2) Apple pan dowdy is another uniquely American recipe from the 19th century. It's like apple pie, except it only has a top crust, which is broken up. Apples are a good source of fiber, Vitamin C and antioxidants. Do you consider nutrition when choosing a dessert? Or are you just all about how it tastes? I don't usually eat desserts because they are so high in sugar. I usually have an apple with peanut butter for an after dinner snack. I do like to make apple Betty in the fall.

3) The lyrics describe these two desserts as the ultimate comfort foods, able to make "the sun come out when the heavens are cloudy." Do you find that the foods you crave change with your mood? Yes.

4) Singer June Christy pleads with her mama to whip up this "wonderful stuff." Did your mother have a dish you often requested? Her tacos, beef stew, beef stroganoff and tapioca pudding.

5) June was born in Springfield, Illinois' capital. Have you been to your state's capital city? Yes.

6) June spent years singing with Stan Kenton's Orchestra. At one point, she gave 38 performances in 35 towns in 35 days. That's a busy schedule! Do you thrive on activity? Or do you find yourself rejuvenated by quiet time? Both, I like being at church and with my friends. I do need my quiet time at home.

7) In 1946, when this record was popular, bikinis were first seen in Paris fashion shows. How often have you worn your swimsuit this summer? Just once this summer. It is too hot and we have not been to the beach this summer because we are staying home with Minnie.

8) Also in 1946, Elias Tupper invented Tupperware, a plastic container with an airtight top that's great for preserving leftovers. Are there any leftovers in your refrigerator right now? Yes, we enjoy leftovers.

9) Random question: Is there a day of the week that goes by faster than the others? We are retired, so it just depends what we have planned each week. It is hot so we mostly stay in with the A.C.

Thanks to Susanne and Sam for the memes, links are on the left.

Wednesday Hodgepodge

1. August 19th is National Aviation Day...do you like to fly?  I was afraid for so long. I did not get on a plant until I was about 45.  I finally gave my fear to God. I also bought a small Bible for my first trip to Hawaii in 2000. I call it my travel Bible and I always take it with me. It will be going to Israel with me.  Last time you were on an airplane? August, 2023 when we flew to Oregon. The date is chosen in honor of the history and development of aviation, and celebrated on the birthday of Orville Wright. Have you ever been to the Kitty Hawk area of North Carolina? No The city of Dayton in Ohio (their birthplace) No. I have been down the hall of aviation while waiting to get on the Soaring Ride at Disneyland's CA Adventure. I have been to Hawaii 4 times and going to Israel will be my first international flight.

2. In what area of your life do you tend to 'wing it'? Is this an area you should be winging? 

I am more of a planner for most things. But sometimes I will wing it.(to act without preparation) When my friends and I went to Lake Tahoe a few years ago, we decided to take a hike. We figured it would take about an hour or so. But then we heard there was a waterfall and we decided to go see it. Luckily, I had each friend get a walking stick and it came in very handful. After a couple of hours, we were wondering if we should turn back. Then we saw an older man coming back down after having seen the falls. He took some time to talk to him while we rested. He encouraged us. We took a break at one point and ate our snacks and drank some water. We really did not have enough water. Those last few steps were not easy and my heart was pounding. We finally made it.

9:30-12:49, reached the fall! Back down at 2:25 By 8:15 I had 23, 214 steps on my Fitbit!

with Charles who was 91! We ranged from 67-72 in 2022

3. A favorite book, song, or movie that relates to flight in some way? The Left Behind Series, book 1. One of the main characters is a piolet. He is flying his plane when the rapture occurs. The rapture is when the Christian get taken up to heaven and the rest are left behind. So, the flight attendant is freaking out because some of the passengers are missing. Two movies were made based on this book One stars Kirk Cameron and the other stars Nicolas Cage.  You can watch it free on Tubi. Let's go fly a Kite is the first thing that came to my mind.

4. Soft serve, gelato, sherbet, frozen yogurt, or good old fashioned ice cream...what's your pleasure? Your favorite flavor? How often do you indulge? My first choice would be real cream and vanilla ice cream. I can still remember the taste of the little cups we got on a school trip to the dairy. The last time I had anything it was gelato pineapple and Passion fruit. We were at the Venetian in Las Vegas. I rarely indulge because it is so high in sugar. I want to make a frozen treat with yogurt, peanut butter and chocolate. We had some really good vanilla ice cream when we were on the cruise. Thrifty's strawberry, banana and Rocky Road were my favorites when I was younger.

5. I never get tired of listening to music. 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Today I started looking a new iPhone. Mine is really old! I got it new back in 2018 before our family trip to Hawaii. I paid extra for extended memory. The battery drains quickly and the picture quality can't be compared to the new ones which are great! But the price is high of course and the only way you can get a good discount is when you add a new line and or trade in the old phone. Mine is so old, it isn't worth anything. So, to get a 17 with the memory I want, it would cost around $800. I would have go get a new charging cable, case and screen protector and that would probably be another $100. I need to get it now so I can learn how to use it before I go to Israel. Now if I wanted the best one, it would be around $1200 with more memory. larger size, best camera with 3 lens. But I don't want to spend that much, and I want to pay it cash because I have the money set aside for it from the sale of my mom's ring. The newer phones are waterproof up to 30 minutes!

      Susan

Previous entry has my birthday pictures.

Thanks to Joyce for the meme, and the link is on the left.