Just A Bite.....

I found these sweet little (a little larger than shot glasses) dessert glasses at the thrift store.  There are twelve of them.



I served banana pudding in them at Christmas time.
(The easy version) …my family likes this better than the traditional.
1 lg. pkg. instant vanilla pudding 
1 can condensed milk
1 box vanilla wafers
3 cups milk
12 oz. cool whip
5 or 6 bananas
Mix pudding, milk, cool whip.  Whip together using only 3/4 of the cool whip. Mix for 3 min. on med.  Layer pudding, wafers, and sliced bananas, beginning and ending with the pudding.  Top with reserved cool whip.  This gets better every day!
Everyone knows about the boxed cheesecake mix with cherries on top, right? Well, this was my next dessert in my pretty little dessert dishes.



They are really quite tasty and effortless.



And the most wonderful “just a bite” I have ever experienced....  Our son’s family brought these... 
Oh my gosh!



The white ones are red velvet, the caramel are caramel inside, and the chocolate, chocolate!  Too die for!



I wanted you to see one of my favorite cake stands too.  These “bites” were a favorite.
 

They really disappeared.



Just a bite...

Celebrate Growing Older

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me.  It is the most-requested   column I've ever written.

My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1.       Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2.       When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3.       Life is too short to waste time hating anyone...
4.       Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.  Your friends and parents will.
          Stay in touch.
5.       Pay off your credit cards every month.
6.       You don't have to win every argument.  Agree to disagree.
7.       Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone..
8.       It's OK to get angry with God.  He can take it.
9.       Save for retirement starting with your first pay check.
10.     When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11.     Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12..     It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13.     Don't compare your life to others.  You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14.     If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15.     Everything can change in  the blink of an eye.  But don't worry; God never blinks.
16.     Take a deep breath.  It calms the mind.
17.     Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful..
18.     Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19.     It's never too late to have a happy childhood.  But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20.     When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21.     Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie.
           Don't save it for a special occasion,  Today is special.
22.     Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23.     Be eccentric now.  Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24.     The most important sex organ is the brain.
25.     No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26.     Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'
27.     Always choose life.
28.     Forgive everyone and everything.
29.     What other people think of you is none of your business.
30.     Time heals almost everything.  Give it time.
31.     However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32.     Don't take yourself so seriously.  No one else does.
33.     Believe in miracles..
34.     God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35.     Don't audit life.  Show up and make the most of it now..
36.     Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37.     Your children get only one childhood.
38.     All that truly matters in the end is that you loved..
39.     Get outside every day.  Miracles are waiting everywhere..
40 .     If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41.     Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42.     The best is yet to come.
43.     No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44.     Yield.
45.     Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

I can't Believe I Shaved My Legs for this.....

The older I get, the more of a deal it is to go to the Doctor.   Certain parts of my body get more attention as I bathe and dress for this visit.  Ah hah!  I’m talking about my ears and nose!  I know what you were thinking!  Anyway, like I said,  it is a deal.

I had an appointment yesterday.  I went about 15 minutes early.  I can almost always find someone to talk to in the waiting room. …and I did.

 “Mrs. Parker”, the receptionist called.  “What time did you think your appointment was?”  Confidently, I answered, 11:00. “No, it was at 10:00,” she replied.  “I just need to tell you, you are in for a long wait”…..we talked,  I was able to leave a detailed message for the nurse.

 So, I left without seeing the doctor.

 I cannot believe I shaved my legs for this!

A String of Pearls

I knew I was going to be home all day today so I decided to put on something comfortable.  An old faded soft top and some pants that had bleach splatters on them.  While brushing my teeth, my eyes wandered over to my jewels (I use that description lightly.)  Yep, I think that is exactly what I need today! 




As my mother used to say, “when you get as old as I am, you can do anything you want”.



I wore pearls around my neck and on my ears!  All day long!
When my sister came by this afternoon her comment was,  "well, where are you going?"


It was a good day!  Maybe I’ll wear rhinestones tomorrow.

Smells That Take Me Back...

Remember the sweet fragrance of  hyacinths blooming on an Easter Sunday?

                                                                           

We  always had brand-new dresses that my mother had made.  It was always cool so we had light weight, white cardigans that we had to wear.  I hated that!

Our hyacinths were all colors.  Purple was my favorite.

I'm not really sure what the tiny, orchid blooms are.

They resemble Lilies of the Valley.

I got this unique vase as a gift at Christmas.  The amaryllis

that came with it bloomed beautifully.  As I started to put the vase away, I remembered bulbs that I had purchased last fall and never planted.  They were still in the garage.  It wouldn't hurt to try...

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Words & Music:  Natalie Sleeth

Hold on!  There's more.....

A Miracle!

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It is time.....

We have lived in our home for 15+ years.  It has been that long since we have painted inside.  Lord have mercy....Anyway, we (I) decided it was time.  A process, indeed..... I went to Decatur Decorating. (They sell my favorite paint, Benjamin Moore).   It didn't take long for me to find my favorite paint chips.  (more about that later)  They gave me three professional painters names and phone #'s.  Sooo begins the process.  It took several days to get in touch with these painters.  They are usually  at the top of a ladder.  Dates were determined for each of them to come and give estimates.  And so they did...It was hard and interesting.  All were very nice folks.  Estimates varied, of course.  So much furniture to move, yep, that has to be part of the deal.  I trusted my gut, I didn't go with the lowest estimate.  The one I chose was a family deal, two sons and a father, with another painter too.  I really had a good feeling about the quiet, polite, son who came to give the estimate and when he said they might get to it this next week, that sealed the deal.  It turned out that it would be two weeks before they came.  That worked just fine.  We had time to empty china cabinets, and remove "precious" things.

                                       

Of course, we hand-washed everything before it went back in the cabinet.

This was all on part of kitchen counter.  We covered it gently.

All of this came from over the kitchen cabinets.  Dust, dust, everywhere!

We washed and washed.  What I need is more "stuff"!

                  Seriously,  I love my stuff.  Several items are my mothers',      

my mil's, things I brought back from Europe, and on and on.

All clean and piled around, stuffed in closets.  I hope I don't forget where I put all this.

I may change this up a bit when I put it back.   I won't have a clue where it goes.

My sweet sister always here to help me.

See the smears of paint on the wall?  Do you like it?

I'm just going to show you a few shots of the clutter.  Keep in mind, this is just a couple of rooms.  It is ugly.

This had to be emptied...

I thought I would set several do-dads on top of the stove.  It is hardly used.

Cookbooks!

We thought they would probably need to paint behind the refrigerator, washer, and dryer.  Dear God In Heaven!
I almost fainted.  My SH may never get up. 

Well, the painters are here!  What's that bedroom lamp doing in the dining room?

They are such good painters!

I'm sitting here with my phone waiting to dial 911!

I'll keep you posted.....