Words for life's journey

"As we grow older in life, years somehow seem to shorten and New Year's Day approaches with an ever increasing tempo.

 The more mature we get, the more we realize that time is only relative; how we live means more than how long we live.  We do not live by years, but by days.

In His wisdom God does not show us all that lies ahead. So we enter a new year to live it day by day. What is past is past. Today we start anew, and what we do today will make our life for tomorrow.

 Chin up, shoulders straight, eyes agleam, let us salute the New Year, and each day let us follow more faithfully, more courageously, more daringly the lead of our great Captain who bids us follow Him."

  William Thomson Hanzsche

Happy New Year!

Merry CHRISTmas...

Words of wisdom from the grinch.........

“And the Grinch, with his Grinch-feet ice cold in the snow, stood puzzling and puzzling, how could it be so? It came without ribbons. It came without tags. It came without packages, boxes or bags. And he puzzled and puzzled 'till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before. What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas, perhaps, means a little bit more.”

Theodor Seuss Geisel (1904-1991); Writer, Cartoonist, Animator

Gifts that do not cost a cent!

1) THE GIFT OF LISTENING...
But you must REALLY listen.
No interrupting, no daydreaming,
no planning your response.
Just listening.
 
2) THE GIFT OF AFFECTION...
Be generous with appropriate hugs,
kisses, pats on the back and handholds.
Let these small actions demonstrate the
love you have for family and friends.
 
3) THE GIFT OF A WRITTEN NOTE...
It can be a simple "Thanks for the help" note.
A brief, handwritten note may be remembered
for a lifetime, and may even change a life.
 
4) THE GIFT OF A COMPLIMENT...
A simple and sincere,
"You look great in red," "You did a super job"
or "That was a wonderful meal"
can make someone's day.
 
5) THE GIFT OF A FAVOR...
Every day, go out of your way
to do something kind.
 
6) THE GIFT OF SOLITUDE...
There are times when we want nothing better,
than to be left alone.
Be sensitive to those times and give the gift
of solitude to others.
 
7) THE GIFT OF A CHEERFUL DISPOSITION...
The easiest way to feel good is
to extend a kind word to someone,
really it's not that hard to say,
Hello or Thank You.

And don’t forget to smile!

Words for life's journey....

Have a blessed Sunday!!

On the lighter side...

It was autumn, and the Indians on a remote reservation asked their new Chief if the winter was going to be cold or mild. Since he was an Indian Chief in a modern society he had never been taught the old secrets, so when he looked at the sky he couldn't tell what the weather was going to be.
Nevertheless, to be on the safe side, he replied to his tribe that the winter was indeed going to be cold and that the members of the village should collect wood to be prepared.
But also being a practical leader, after several days he got an idea. He went to the phone booth, called the National Weather Service and asked, "Is the coming winter going to be cold?"
"It looks like this winter is going to be quite cold indeed," the Meteorologist at the weather service responded. So the Chief went back to his people and told them to collect even more wood in order to be prepared.
One week later he called the National Weather Service again. "Is it going to be a very cold winter?"
"Yes," the man at National Weather Service again replied, "it's going to be a very cold winter."
The Chief again went back to his people and ordered them to collect every scrap of wood they could find. Two weeks later he called the National Weather Service again. "Are you absolutely sure that the winter is going to be very cold?"
"Absolutely," the man replied. "It's going to be one of the coldest winters ever."
"How can you be so sure?" the Chief asked.
The weatherman replied, "The Indians are collecting wood like crazy."

Words for life's journey...

YESTERDAY, TODAY AND TOMORROW

There are two days in every week about which we should not worry, two days which should be kept free from fear and apprehension.

One of these days is yesterday, with its mistakes and cares, its faults and blunders, its aches and pains. All the money in the world cannot bring back yesterday. Yesterday has passed forever beyond our control. We cannot undo a single act we performed. We cannot erase a single word we said. Yesterday is gone.

The other day we should not worry about is tomorrow with its possible adversities, its burdens, its large promise, or poor performance. Tomorrow is also beyond our immediate control.
Tomorrow’s sun will rise, whether it is in splendor or behind a mask of clouds…but it will rise. Until it does, we have no stake in tomorrow, for it is yet unborn.

That leaves only one day….TODAY.

Any person can fight the battles of just one day. It is only when you and I add the burdens of these two awful eternities – yesterday and tomorrow – that we break down.
It is not the experience of today that drives people mad – it is the remorse or bitterness of something that happened yesterday or the dread of what tomorrow may bring.

Let us therefore, LIVE BUT ONE DAY AT A TIME.

Words for life's journey

A random act of kindness is:
 “A selfless act performed by a person or persons wishing to either assist or cheer up an individual… There will generally be no reason other than to make people smile, or be happier.”

How different our world would be if we were all just a bit more compassionate and kind.
So what is it that prevents us? Kindness is free, it never goes bad, it has no sell-by date, we can never get enough of it, and we can never give enough of it.
However, kindness is often overlooked or undervalued. Which is a pity as it takes only a very small amount of it to turn someone’s day from bad to wonderful.

Have a blessed Sunday!

Cheeseburger dip

Cheeseburger Dip

Warm and Cheesy With Onion and Green Chiles

　
Ingredients:

1/2 lb. lean ground beef
1 small finely chopped onion
1 can (16 ounce) refried beans - regular or fat free
1 jar green chiles, chopped
1 cup chili sauce (from store)
2 cups Monterey Jack cheese shredded
1 - 8 oz. container of sour cream
Thinly sliced black olives, optional

Preparation:Saute the ground beef and onion in a skillet.
Drain off the fat and place the beef and onion mixture in a crockpot.
Then stir in the refried beans, chili sauce, green chiles and shredded cheese.
Cook on low for 3 to 4 hours.
Just before serving, stir in the sour cream and black olives (if using). 



Serve warm with your favorite chips, crackers or vegetables!

Autumn.....

in my neck of the woods....

I'll be joining in over at "Little Red House" for Mosaic Monday. Come on over......

Quaint...

adjective, -er, -est.

1.having an old-fashioned attractiveness or charm; oddly picturesque: a quaint old house.

2. strange, peculiar, or unusual in an interesting, pleasing, or amusing way: a quaint sense of humor.

Photos taken at Roscoe Village, Coshocton, Ohio

I'll be joining in over at "Little Red House" for Mosaic Monday. Come on over......

Words for life's journey....

I am free to be, to do, to accept, to reject. I am free to be the wise, loving, kind, and patient person I want to be.

 I’m free to do that which I consider wise – that which will in no way harm or hinder another person. I’m free to do that which will lead me into paths of peace and satisfaction.

 I’m free to decide for or against, to say no or to say yes. I’m free to live in a productive way and to contribute what I have to give to life.

Author Unknown

Have a blessed Sunday!

Fall leaf idea.........

Fall leaf roses made from ...you got it, fall leaves! Aren't they beautiful?
Click on over to design sponge for the diy project. And then check out the beautiful wreath made from the same idea here at Sugarbee crafts.

Neat huh?

On the lighter side.....

Funny Answering Machine/Voicemail Greetings
Hi. This is John: If you are the phone company, I already sent the money. If you are my parents, please send money. If you are my financial aid institution, you didn't lend me enough money. If you are my friends, you owe me money. If you are a female, don't worry, I have plenty of money. Hi. Now you say something.
----------
Please leave a message. However, you have the right to remain silent. Everything you say will be recorded and will be used by us.
----------
Hi. I'm probably home, I'm just avoiding someone I don't like. Leave me a message, and if I don't call back, it's you.
----------
Hi! John's answering machine is broken. This is his refrigerator. Please speak very slowly, and I'll stick your message to myself with one of these magnets.
----------
Hello, you are talking to a machine. I am capable of receiving messages. My owners do not need siding, windows or a hot tub, and their carpets are clean. They give to charity through their office and do not need their picture taken. If you're still with me, leave your name and number and they will get back to you.

kinda "Wordless Wednesday"

Join in over at Wordless Wednesday...just click here.

Think about it...

September means....

Hello and goodbye....

Hello to a new school year and the approaching fall season with it's burst of color...it will be a welcome site since the hot summer we had kinda put a damper on the flowers this year. I don't know about where you live, but the heat here caused the blooming to shut down... so there wasn't much of a show.

Goodbye to air conditioners constantly running to find relief and hello to sleeping with the windows open...

Goodbye to "vegetable dinners" that consist of corn on the cob, parsley potatoes, fresh green beans with garlic and olive oil and thick sliced tomatoes and cottage cheese.

My sister gave me these corn holders that you put into the corn BEFORE  boiling!

Goodbye to tomato sandwiches...have you tried them?

Two slices of toast with  thick slices of tomato, fresh from the garden, and a little mayo, salt, pepper...yummy!
A friend like a drizzle of vinegar and oil dressing instead of the mayo.
Haven't tried that yet. Good eatin'

~ Words for life's journey ~

My Hand in God's Hand


Each morning when I wake, I say,
"I place my hand in God's today!"
I know He'll walk close by my side
my every wandering step to guide.

He leads me with such tender care
when paths are dark and I despair,
no need for me to understand
if I but hold fast to His Hand.

My hand in His! No surer way
to walk in safety through each day.
By His great bounty I am fed!
Warmed by His love, and comforted.

When at day's end I seek my rest
and realize how much I am blessed,
My thanks pour out to Him, and then
I place my hand in God's again.

Florence Scripps Kellogg

~ Words for life's journey ~

Did you read about the little boy who returned home after his first Sunday school class?

 His mother asked, "Who was your teacher?'

and the little boy answered,

"I don't remember her name, but she must have been Jesus' grandma  because she didn't talk

 about anyone else."

Have a blessed Sunday!

Smile.....

Photo credit to kaneda99

If you can’t smile, grin.

 If you can’t grin,

 keep out of the way till you can.

- Winston Churchill

Words for Life's Journey...

Your days are your life in miniature.

As you live your hours,

so you create your years.

As you live your days,

so you craft your life.

What you do today is actually creating your future.

The words you speak, the thoughts you think, the food you eat and the actions you take are defining your destiny...shaping who you are, what you’re becoming and what your life will stand for.

Small choices lead to giant consequences over time. There's no such thing as an unimportant day.

On the lighter side....

While at last weeks husband's marriage seminar, Giuseppe was asked by Father Joe to take a few minutes and share some insight into how he had managed to stay married to the same woman for 50 years.
 Giuseppe replied to the assembled husbands, "Wella, I'va tried to treat her nicea, spenda da money on her, but besta of all is, I tooka her to Italy for the 25th anniversary!"

The priest responded, "Giuseppe, you are an amazing inspiration to all the husbands here! Please tell us what you are planning for your wife for your 50th anniversary?"  Giuseppe proudly replied, "I gonna go pick her up."
Enjoy the day!

Mosaic Monday

Two in a bush.....

I know the quote about " A bird in the hand is worth two in a bush" which means it's better to have a small real advantage than the possibility of a greater one.  but how about the center photo from my garden with two butterflies...that's just simply beautiful!

**The term bird in hand must have been known in the USA by 1734, as that is the date when a small town in Pennsylvania was founded with that name.

I'll be joining in over at "Little Red House" for Mosaic Monday. Come on over......

Words for Life's Journey

The six most important words:

 I admit I made a mistake.

 The five most important words:

 You did a good job!

.

The four most important words:

 What is YOUR opinion?

 The three most important words:

 If you please.

 The two most important words:

 Thank You.

The one most important word:

 We.

 The least important word:

 I.

 ~ Unknown

Carrot Cupcakes

I saw this recipe and it's easy!  I'm going to try the nuts, raisins and crushed pineapple...

Carrot Cupcakes


1 box Betty Crocker® SuperMoist® carrot cake mix
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 cup of water
3 eggs
Add up to three ingredients from the list below:
1/2 cup chopped nuts (pecans or walnuts work well)
1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
1/2 cup raisins
1/2 cup dark chocolate chips
1/2 cup white chocolate chips
1 can (8 oz) crushed pineapple in juice, undrained

Frosting :1 container (1 lb) Betty Crocker® Rich & Creamy cream cheese frosting

Directions:
Heat oven to 350°F.
In large bowl, beat cake mix, oil, water and eggs on low speed 30 seconds. Beat on medium speed 2 minutes.
Stir in up to three of the added ingredients and mix gently. Pour into baking cups in cupcake pan, filling each about 2/3 full.

Bake 17-22 minutes. Cool completely.
Pipe or spread frosting over cupcakes. Decorate as desired.

Makes 24 cupcakes

Tips:
You can make different flavors by dividing the cake batter in half or quarters before you add in your extra ingredients. Just cut the measurements for the added ingredients accordingly.

*** An ice-cream scoop is a good tool to use for filling the cupcake tins with batter.

On the lighter side........

 An elderly couple had dinner at another couple's house and after eating, the wives left the table and went into the kitchen. The two gentlemen were talking, and one said, "Last night we went out to a new restaurant and it was really great. I would recommend it very highly."

The other man said, "What is the name of the restaurant?"

The first man thought and thought and finally said, "What is the name of that flower you give to someone you love? You know, the one that is red and has thorns."

"Do you mean a rose?"

"Yes," the man said. He turned toward the kitchen and yelled, "Rose, what's the name of that restaurant we went to last night?"
 
Enjoy the day!