Winter blues and Hygge

I don't know if you've ever heard of "Hygge" (pronouned Hue-ga) but winter is the perfect time to start practicing it.  Just a little definition of the word for those who don't know what Hygge is.

Hygge is a Danish and Norwegian word for a mood of coziness and comfortable conviviality with feelings of wellness and contentment.

We all have had just about enough of 2020 and could use all the cozy comfort we can get.  I know I need it especially after my daughter and son-in-love both test positive for covid.  They are fine but it sure put a damper on our Christmas and I need a bit of peace and calm.  

Naturally, this time of year usually brings on Seasonal Affective Depression, for me, so I am always looking for ways to overcome that horribly, bleak feeling of loneliness, boredom, and all around yucky feeling.  I thought I would try something different, this time.  Something that will bring me joy and the feeling that it is all going to be ok.  Let me just say, first and foremost, God and His Holy Word, is where I find the most comfort.  Everything else is a bonus.

I enjoyed an article from Hurd & Honey and thought I would share it with y'all. 

There are many different ways to find your "Hygge".  For me, nature, bird watching, coffee or tea in my favorite mug, plush blankets and pillows, football, and candles...lots and lots of candles...are my "hygge" go to items.  

Many find the Scandinavian way of decorating to be that calming.  That is too sterile and cold for me.  

I prefer the rustic, cozy cabin, lived in type of Hygge.  The smells of a pot of soup simmering and bread baking give me peaceful memories of a house full of love.  

Give me an old dog taking a nap while soaking up the sun and I find comfort and love.  Maybe a bit of soft folk music playing on the radio.  Something like Lord Huron or Bon Iver.  Of course, John Denver screams Hygge to me!  Or just sitting in the quiet just listening to the sounds around me 

Really, I can find Hygge just about anywhere if my mindset is right.  This article from, Hygge House, really made me smile. 

Now that is being able to find hygge in all kinds of places, situations and in all types of ways!  

These, of course, are  ways to find Hygge during the winter.  The other seasons bring even more opportunities to feel Hygge.  

How about you?  Do you have any special ways to find the cozy and comfortable feeling of Hygge?  How about a little challenge!

"why not follow the Danish example and bring more hygge into your daily life?

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Candies, Cookies, and a Princess

It's almost here!  Christmas, that is!  I am excited for the Grandblessings and super excited that packing it all away is that much closer!  Sorry, all "Christmas until February" folks!  I just need to get my house back in order and settle in for some real relaxation!

Last Friday, Princess Sparkles (granddaughter) came over and helped make candy treats for our neighbors, mail lady, Pastor, and trash collectors.  These are super easy and so yummy!

All you do is place mini pretzels, in a single layer, on a parchment lined baking sheet.  Put a Hershey kiss on top and bake for 4 - 5 minutes at 350*.  Remove from oven and let cool down for a minute, then place either a pecan half or M&M on top, smushing it in just a bit.  So, so easy!

Tomorrow, my daughter and both grandblessings are coming over to make cookies and other goodies!  I love spending time with all of those beautiful people!  I'll post more pics after the cookie baking!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Quick hello...

Hello, friends -- 

I still have the allergy/sinus thing hanging on.  I sure wish it would go away but it doesn't seem like it will, anytime soon.  Thankfully, I really haven't felt bad, just very stuffy.  Anyhow... are you all done shopping, baking, and wrapping?  I think I am finished shopping and most of the wrapping is done but the baking hasn't really even crossed my mind!  What!!!???  It's true.  I don't do a lot of baking for the holidays.  There are a few things I do to share with neighbors and friends.  I wish I had the reasons to bake like my Mama did.  It's just too easy to go to a local bakery or grocery store.  Not as good but it is what it is.

Most everyone knows, I make my grands either a quilt or afghan, for Christmas, every year.  Back when it was time to purchase material for quilts, everybody had bought up every scrap of fabric in this part of Oklahoma.  Online wasn't much better.  Mask making was at it's peak.  By the time the store restocked, it was far too late to start the quilts so this year I had to settle for a couple of pieces of fleece and making a knotted blanket for each Grandblessing.  They will be happy with them but it seems kind of cheesy to me.  Oh well...2020.

Our tree is still standing...which means, I haven't touched it!  Remember what happened the last time I messed with it?  

While it is pretty and my grands are happy, I will be glad when it is time to put it back in it's box.  I'm really not a Scrooge but I am OCD and a clean freak.  In my mind, I can't clean with this ELEPHANT tree in the room!    Are you like me?   Gosh, I hope not!  LoL

Are you traveling this Christmas?  I would love to see our Texas family but I have a rule about traveling on holidays.  Not happening!  Too many crazy people trying to get somewhere and not doing it safely.  

Of course, with the whole Covid thing, we really can't go.  Most of our Texas family is either older or immune system compromised.  Sure wouldn't want to unknowingly pass the virus to them.  Nor would we want to accidently be exposed to it.  I mean, it's a crap shoot around here, anyways.

Still no word on when the Granddaughter's Christmas play is to be rescheduled.  I know it will happen but ...

IT SNOWED!  

We ended up with about six inches which is something for us.  We haven't had a decent snow since 2011.  Fortunately, there was no icing, this time!

The birds really flocked to the feeders, too.  We have so many varieties but my favorite is still the Cardinals and Crows.  Can you count how many Cardinals there were?  LoL  That is only a handful of them.  Usually, there are about 15 pairs plus the Red Winged Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Chickadees, 900 types of finches and every kind of woodpecker there is!  I love them all!  Well, friends, that's all the update I have...

And so...from my grandson and I...

just go crazy and have fun! 

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Allergies got me like...

 Allergies got me like...

Why can't I have one season without allergies!?  They say Oklahoma is horrible for allergy sufferers!  Believe it!  It is truth! UGH!  

We have missed church for the past couple of Sundays.  Other families have had to quarantine and we just don't want to take the chance of coming in contact with someone who has been around any of those family members.  It's a small church in a small town so the chances are good that somebody has been around one of them.  We do have the option of watching online so that helps.  The kids Christmas play has been postponed for covid reasons.  My granddaughter had a speaking part and was going to sing a special.  Maybe they will reschedule but it will be after Christmas.  Better safe than sorry!

I happened to look out my bedroom window as the sun was almost down.  The sunset was beautiful but the picture looks kind of creepy!  The pecan tree branches are bare except for a few lingering leaves.  The winter birds have moved in and they chitter (that's what I call it because it really is a chirp or song) all the way up until I go to bed.  Come morning they will announce the sunrise long before I want to get up.  

Sorry this is such a tiny little, boring, post.  I hope you have a beautiful week!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Just how bright...

Friends, I have something I must confess.  I've already asked for forgiveness from God but I feel as if I am supposed to share this with someone...maybe it is you. 

 
You see, yesterday, I missed an opportunity to share the love of Jesus with someone who was down on his luck.  My Mister and I, were delivering a dining table to our daughter and decided to stop and pickup a couple of pizzas for dinner with her and the grands.  We are fortunate to have  a wonderful convenience store chain that makes the best food.  We stopped and while my Mister ran in to get the pizzas I stayed in the truck...because this particular location wasn't in an ideal location...in my opinion.  I knew there were "undesirables" that hang around that store and I didn't want to deal with that.  Shame on me, I know.  Normally, that would not stop me but yesterday I just didn't want to be bothered with those people asking for money or who looked and smelled bad.  

So...I sat in the truck and observed.  

There was a man who obviously liked to partake of strong drink, needed a bath, and was just plain down and out.  As I watched, this man sat on the cold concrete sidewalk and greeted everyone who pulled up and walked past him.  He would say, "How you doing brother?", "Nice car!", or "Have a good night!".  

There was nobody, not one person, who didn't say something nice right back to him.  Some stopped and talked for just a minute.  Some gave him a little fist bump or shook his hand.  Still, others, came back to him, after walking to their vehicle, and would hand him a few coins and tell him to stay safe.  

I noticed, not once did this "undesirable" ask for money.  He didn't ask for food.  As a matter of fact he didn't ask for anything.  He simply sat there greeting people and wishing them a good evening.

   
As I watched, a quiet voice told me to take the man the little bit of change I had in my wallet and tell him how much Jesus loved him.  Oh, I heard it loud and clear.  "Take him some change, Pam, and tell him about the love of Jesus!".  

Still...I sat on my bum, in my nice warm vehicle, on my high horse and did nothing.  NOTHING!  My husband returned with the pizzas and we proceeded to my daughter's house.  We enjoyed dinner, played with the grands, and had a nice visit.  I thought nothing more of the man...at all

.
Until, this morning...

As I sat in my comfy chair, drinking a cup of hot coffee, while snuggled under a blanket, I began reading my morning devotional.  Something made me skip ahead to a devotional for another day.  I read it and soon realized why I skipped the one for today.

  
As I read, I realized what I had done.  I realized, instead of being the feet and hands of Jesus, I sat on my bum and did nothing.  Then I remembered that still small voice telling me to share the love of my Savior.  

As it hit me like a freight train, I cried.  I cried out for forgiveness.  I was so ashamed of what I had done...or not done, in this case.

I am the first one to tell people to "Let their Jesus light shine!".  Yet...I didn't practice what I preach.

I asked myself, "Pam...just how bright is your Jesus light shining?  Is it even turned on?".  

I am ashamed to admit it sure doesn't shine as bright as it should.  It might as well be turned off with how little light it gives off.  Isn't that how we all are, though?  We sit on our high horses, warm and our stomachs full, and do nothing but observe...even when we are told what to do?

I learned a lesson that many don't want to learn.  There are no undesirables who don't need to hear about Jesus.  There are no unsafe places when there are people who need to know that somebody cares.  I also learned...and I think it was the biggest lesson...even a homeless, dirty, smelly, man deserves a smile, a fist bump, or just a few coins.  It reminds me of the verses from Matthew and Hebrews, 

' ...Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. '  Matthew 25:40 KJV

' Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. ' Hebrews 13:2 KJV 

So, I have to ask myself, and you, dear friends, exactly who was shining their Jesus light the brightest?  

A person who has been a Christian since she was eleven years old, who attends church most every Sunday and who preaches that we need to be a light to others?  Or...was it the homeless man, sitting on a cold sidewalk, greeting others and sharing his smile?  

Even if he doesn't know Jesus as his Savior...and even if he will never know the effect he had on an old woman who failed to shine her Jesus light...he was the one who made a difference.

I leave you with this thought, from my morning devotional.

'The wrong we do is made worse by the good we leave undone. '

 

Oh God, let light shine for me and from me.

Grace & Peace,
Pam

Our Thanksgiving and Laugh, Y'all!

It is cold.  Not unbearably cold but enough that I don't want to venture too far from my chair and a hot cup of coffee or tea.  Am I getting old?  I am but that is beside the point.  How was your Thanksgiving?

We are not a large family but we do love Thanksgiving food!  That guy at this end of the table is my son.  You don't see him often here on my blog.  He is a good man, that one.  Anyhow, everybody ate...or should I say, 'gobbled 'til they wobbled'!  We missed our daughter in law but her mother has dementia and somebody has to stay with her all the time.  

After we ate, the grandblessings decorated our Christmas tree.  They did such a good job. 

And this boy...he is so darn funny!  He wasn't the only one to provide some comedy relief, though.  After they got the tree all decorated, I started moving it to the place it will stay until I take it down on Christmas night.  I was doing good and then...

The silly thing came apart and the top fell off!  It was too, too funny and I laughed hardest of all!  Now you know where my grandson gets his funny bone!  

I hope y'all had a blessed Thanksgiving and I pray y'all will always find humor in everything and be able to freely laugh at yourselves!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Hmmm...

 *disclaimer:  This post is not directed at any one person and is not intended to offend.  It was written to be thought provoking and a reminder to check ourselves.  FYI: I think it is ridiculous that I feel the need to place a disclaimer on a post that is entirely my opinion but here I am...

Sooo...question.

I am befuddled by the statement, "I will be so glad when 2020 is over!". So tell me...exactly what do you think is going to happen January 1, 2021? Is it a day where Covid will magically disappear? Will that be the day you win the lottery? Or is it the day when we finally have world peace? Maybe...just maybe...it is the day all stupidity will cease to exist! Nah...that's not ever going to happen.

I can tell you what will happen once 2020 is no more. Nothing.

Yes, 2020 has been a booger BUT unless you are going to change how you view things and how you react, nothing will change for you. If you don't get off your high horse and humble yourself before God, nothing will change for you. If you don't pick your large hiney up off the couch and make a difference in your community, nothing will change for you. If you continue to spread hate through your speech and personal agendas, nothing will change for you. If you spend more time watching television, worrying about the ridiculous political bullcorn, and gossiping, than you do reading and studying the word of God, nothing will change for you. If all you can see are the negative doom and gloom that is our country these days, then nothing will change for you.

So...before you say, "I'll sure be happy when 2020 ends!"--STOP! Think about what you can do to make 2021 better for everyone and make it happen. Otherwise...just sit down and be quiet.

Well, NEVERMIND!

 

I had such wonderful plans when I woke up this morning.  I was going to spend the day sewing the annual Christmas blankets for my grandbabies.  Maybe I would make myself a new apron or bake some tasty treats.  Then there is the bazillion leaves that need to be raked and burned.  I should really cut back the rose bushes and clean the flower beds and pots.  I do need to sort out the Christmas decorations and fluff the wreaths.  Or maybe I would just take a long walk with my camera to see what Fall has brought to our area.  Oh!  Wait!  I think a drive might be better...

Then...

I got out of bed and opened the bedroom curtains...

UGH! 

Cloudy, cold, and dreary!  

Well...nevermind! 

My enthusiasm receded to the back of my brain and I just shuffled off to the kitchen where my old friend, the coffee pot, was waiting.  Thank God for that!  So...instead of doing all the wonderful things I was excited about, I have been sitting in my chair, drinking coffee, and feeling as if this day will never end...and it is only noon.  *SIGH*

I hope the sun is shining wherever you are!

Grace & Peace,

Pam  

What a week it was...

 

My goodness, wasn't last week one for the books!?  Crazy elections, crazy weather, and ...well it was just plain crazy, all the way around.  I pretty happy about it being over, that's for sure!  With that being said...I am so happy you stopped by!  In fact, I have two new readers and one new follower!  I do hope ya'll won't get bored!  

One day last week I made a run to the grocery store.  It was a beautiful sunny day.  A bit cold but nice.  I did my shopping and when I returned to my car I had a new friend hanging out.

We chatted for a few minutes and I loaded the bags into the car.  We talked a little more.  He obviously wasn't in a hurry to get anywhere, so I leaned against the car and we bonded over a cracker.  I finally told him that I had to go because there was milk and other perishables in those bags.  Still, he sat there.  I told him goodbye and got in the car.  He flew away and I drove off, hoping that, the next time I go shopping, I will see my new friend.  Some folks would say a crow is a bad omen.  Well, I guess if you believe in such, then it probably is.  I, however, find crow's to be beautiful black birds that remind me of my youth growing up in the Piney Woods of East Texas.  We have three who live on our place, here in Oklahoma, and they never fail to make me smile when they call out! "Caw !"  "Caw !"  "Caw !"  

I hope I haven't bored you to death!  Such a pitiful little post but my sweet buddy, Melvin, wishes you well and hopes you will come back soon!

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Election Day

 

Finally! The day we all find out which candidate's lies, and scare tactics, people believed.

FYI...no matter who wins...my life will go on the same as it always has. I will get up in the morning, drink my coffee, let the dogs out, feed the chicken and the cat. I will still go to the grocery store, clean our home and serve my husband as his helpmeet. I will continue to love my family and friends with no regard as to who they voted for. I will continue to see the world for what God made it to be...I will still smile at strangers and pray for loved ones. I will continue to do all the things I do now...

More than all those things, I will praise God and pray for the elected. I will be thankful that God has placed the man, He wants, in office... because ultimately, God will still be in control and your life and mine, will continue until He calls us home.

So...Friends...put your differences aside, praise God for all He is doing and will continue to do, because at the end of the day, that is all that will matter.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Adapting

 

It's a cold and damp day here in Oklahoma.  Our weather has been up and down for a couple of weeks now.  I relish the pretty, mild days and hide on the days that are gray and dreary.  It is that time of year.  Not a surprise yet a time I, begrudgingly, must get used to.  So I try to adapt and look forward to the next day when the sun is in abundance and the mood is brighter.

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Temps and stuff

 I thought I would pop in to say hello and to tell y'all...

THE TEMPERATURES 

ARE WONDERFUL!

THE DOORS AND WINDOWS 

ARE OPEN WIDE!!!

Why, Yes!  Yes, I am very happy about that!  My favorite time of year...even if my allergies are off the charts!

I also wanted to update on the cupboard.  It is still not finished BUT it is very close.  

I went ahead and brought it in the house because I was afraid the barn kitty would use it for a scratching post.  He does stuff like that.  Always something you really didn't want all scratched up but anyhow...  I love the cabinet, so far, but it still needs the back on it.  I have to get my Mister to cut that for me because the sheet of birch I have is way to big for me to handle.  He will get to it soon.  He has been super busy at work and also remodeling our camper.  He also has been tinkering with his '64 truck.  On Saturday, he entered it in a car show and if you can believe it, won second place!  I will post those pics as soon as I get them off of his phone.  I am very proud of him and my granddaughter because that truck has been their pet project for the past 7 or 8 years.  Now, understand, I am not into the whole rat rod thing but I do support them 100%.  I am thinking about getting myself an old car to piddle with and maybe enter some shows.  Mine definitely won't be a rat rod but you never know what I might get.

So...I know I'm not the only one who is ecstatic about Fall!  I've got all the decorating done.  Have had for weeks!  Like everyone that lives in a small house, I have to get creative in decorating and using the space I have.  This really has nothing to do with Fall decorating, other than having beautiful flowers and vines, but I had this table and cube storage unit that had to be moved someplace else when I brought in the new cupboard.

So, I did what any mismatch junk loving gal would do and stacked one on top of the other.  Now it is a step-back hutch!  Sort of!  This space needed something and I think this is perfect!

Well, friends, this is where I must end the post!  Time to start supper and get my chores finished.  Until we meet again...

Grace & Peace,

Pam

Cupboard update...

 Still not finished with the cupboard! 

 Ugh!

So close, though!

 

 I have tried for the past couple of weeks to get a post together!

One thing after another would draw my attention elsewhere and here we are, with me apologizing for not posting...AGAIN!  

I tell you, I don't know where my time goes but I think it has a bunch to do with my Mister changing jobs way back in February!  He now goes to work at 5:30am and is usually home by 3:00pm.  Since I don't get up until 7am that leaves me with very little time to do all the things that have to be done and absolutely no time to do the things I want to do.  I don't know about the rest of y'all but when someone is under foot, I just can't get anything done!  It is very frustrating!  I guess I could get up earlier but I would be so tired by the time noon came around, I wouldn't be any better off.  Y'ALL!  The struggle is real!  

I used to be one who, quite literally, sprang out of bed at 4am, singing a good morning song, and ready for what the day had in store!  Very annoying, according to my then teenage daughter!  That hasn't changed.  She's 30 and still finds it annoying when I call her at 10am, which is early in her opinion, and say good morning!  HeHeHe!  

Anyhow...now days, I feel like I barely drag my old behind out of bed and stumble to the coffee pot.  No singing, no good morning, just me and my wild hair grumbling about how early it is and wishing I could just sit and stare off into nothing-ness for the next hour or two!  UGH!

So, anyways...I have found a new hobby.  I have started doing a bit of building and I love it.  Just wish I wasn't so scared of the saws but I am working on that.  I've built a couple of candle lanterns, a flower holder and now I am working on a cupboard to hold my Daddy's old cast iron skillets.  My finished items aren't perfect and I dare say they probably aren't even square but I didn't build them to be.  I love the rustic/primitive look, as y'all know, so the more these brand new pieces are beat up and look like they are barely holding together, the better I like it!  I guarantee they are better built than what you buy in the stores even if they don't look it!  I can't wait to get the cupboard done so I can show it off.  Maybe by this weekend...if...I...can...find...time!  

 

In the meantime, here is the little planter I put together.

I know it is very simple but that's what I like.  It will eventually find it's way, along with it's twin, to the wall on either side of the large kitchen window.  

Until then, this is what I've done with it.

 

I've had so much fun with the designing and building.  The sanding, which is my least favorite part, is at the same time very relaxing.  My favorite part is staining the wood.  Messy, yes, but when the stain is applied, the personality and character of the wood comes out.  It is amazing what a plain board can tell you.  So with that thought, I will come back soon with, hopefully, pictures of the finished cupboard.

September...Yay!

 

Back to my roots recipes

Lately, I've been doing quite a bit of cooking and my most favorite foods to cook are the ones I was raised on.  Simple, frugal, delicious meals were a necessity in those days.  Except on Sunday!  Sunday was the Lord's Day and generally the only day my Daddy was home from his over the road truckdriving job.  That day was special and the food was just as special but that's another post.  

The meals I loved the most were the ones that Mama stretched the food budget as far as she could.  A big pot of beans with some cornbread or a pot of goulash and that old stand by, S.O.S.!  If you are from the south, you more than likely know what those letters meant!  WooWee...you couldn't say what it was because Mama would slap you into next week if she heard you!  Anyhow, that is a recipe for another time.

Let me tell you about my Mama.  She was a Hillbilly, thank God, and lived through some tough times.  She learned to make do with what she had.  She could take a pound of hamburger meat and make it into four meals that fed six people.  I kid you not!  I am blessed to have learned well, while hanging onto the corner of the stove.  

I have been through some hard times of my own and because of the lessons I learned from Mama, I was able to feed my children with very little.  One of the dishes Mama used to make was potato cakes.  If you've never had the pleasure of eating potato cakes, you have missed out.  I thought I would share the most basic recipe with you.  This is how Mama made them.  You can fancy them up with other ingredients but for me the best is basic.

Hillbilly Mama Potato Cakes

Ingredients

2 cups - more or less - leftover mashed potatoes

1/4 cup flour

1/4 cup milk - preferably whole milk

1 lg. egg - beaten

1 small onion - finely chopped

leftover bacon grease or shortening

salt & pepper to taste

Directions

Heat bacon grease or shortening, in an iron skillet.  Stir together all ingredients except bacon grease.  Make patties and fry in the bacon grease until golden brown on both sides.  Drain on paper towels and serve hot!  

*additional ingredients can be added to mixture.  Try green onions, bacon crumbles, shredded cheese, ham or whatever sounds good to you!  Try a dollop of sour cream on top, if you like.  In my opinion, the only way to eat the potato cakes is with Louisiana Hot Sauce...only the original will do!

Dog Days and Cakes...

This pup pretty much sums it up, doesn't he?!!  Good Golly, Miss Molly!  It sure has been hot.  I don't know what the weather has been like in your neck of the woods but around here it has been unbearable!  My heart goes out to all who have to work outside during Oklahoma summers! 

Oh!  I almost forgot to answer the questions about my last post.  My Mister wasn't actually looking for anything.  He was trying to figure out how to work the metal detector so he put a coin on the floor and tried to read the secret code that appeared on the little screen.  I say secret code because the stupid thing doesn't actually tell you what you've found.  It beeps and gives a code as to what type of metal it is.  Kind of like the chemistry charts.  Anyhow, that's what he was doing.

I don't have a thing to talk about.  I've been staying inside, mostly, due to the heat, but I did bake a Pineapple Upside-down Cake, one day.  It was a little to warm to be baking but I got a hankering for something sweet and decided to make one of my Mama's favorite desserts.

It was delicious and a cup of coffee made it even better!  I have to admit, though, I had forgotten just how sweet a pineapple upside down cake really was!  I don't use a lot of sugar so between the sugar and pineapple juice, in the batter, and the brown sugar for the topping, it was a little too much for me but it was still very good!  In the future, I will try to find a recipe that uses less sugar.

Anybody else getting the Fall decorating bug?  My birthday is mid-August and my brain thinks that is the signal that Fall is fixing to bust out!  So far, I haven't pulled out my big tubs of fall stuff but I did put this little thing together. 

I just couldn't resist after I saw a picture of something similar.  I built the little box and added the candle and florals.  I'm not done with it but I love it.  Oh!!!  I just can't wait to pull out my Fall stuff! 

Well, I guess that is all I can think of.  If you still stop by, I sure do appreciate that!

He gets curious-er and curious-er....

I'm not sure, exactly, what kind he treasure he was looking for in his bathroom but if he finds, bless his heart, he can keep it!  Some days you just never know what you are going to see when you wake up.

Mid-July and No End In Sight...

Well, here we are...Mid-July and no end in sight for the virus or the blasted heat.  Do you ever get the feeling we are living in a really strange movie?  Remember 'The Truman Show' with Jim Carey?  I've been wondering if somehow that is happening to all of us!  Good grief!  We are all going to find a door one day and it will all be over...well, we can pretend, anyhow!  I tell you, I am becoming more and more weary of the state of things including these extreme high humidity/heat days.

Apparently, I'm not the only one that feels that way!  Too hot to do anything but hang out!  How is anybody going to wear a mask when it's this hot?  I'm not going to be able to, that's for sure.

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to join a gym.  I hear that self-care is one of the most important things you can do for yourself.  I wouldn't have a clue about that because I've always taken care of everybody else and just kind of pushed me to the back burner.  Anyhow, I joined and have really enjoyed that hour that is just about me.  I'm not able to use a lot of the equipment but the recumbent bike and treadmill, are two things that don't bother my back too much.  I've also enjoyed using the tanning equipment.  I'm not really trying to get a tan but the heat helps with the pain I live with.  It has also helped with my severe eczema.  I only use the equipment for about five minutes so I'm not concerned about over exposure.  If it makes my back and knees feel better, then I'm all for it.

With not a lot of desire to be outside, I've been visiting more vendor malls.  There is one in a small town just north of us, that has always been one of my favorites.  It has a lot of things that I love and the small town friendliness keeps me going back.  One thing I wasn't ready for was CHRISTMAS CRAFTS!

As pretty as these are, as were all the others, I just can't, right now!  Too crazy in this world!  Reality is...ready or not, Christmas will be here before we know it.  Just as well start preparing.  UGH!

Do you remember, back in the late '90s and early 2000's, the popularity of furniture made from used fence pickets?  Maybe it was just a thing in Texas, which is where we are originally from, but lately, I've been noticing this type of shelving, hutches, and tables, for sale.

These are just two examples and I bet you know exactly what I'm about to say!  I AM IN FREAKIN' LOVE!  I loved twenty some odd years ago and I love it now!  My Mister made a wonderful television hutch that we hid our big ugly console tv in.  I say big and ugly but I kind of wish they would bring those back.  I'm not a fan of these new fangled tv's at all but I'm guessing the console tv has gone forever.  Anyhow...that's another subject.

Now this cabinet is almost exactly like one the Mister made except ours was a bit more narrow because the place I wanted to put it was just a small space.  Ours was also a 'step back' design.  I loved that cabinet and only recently had to toss it because it was just flat out done.  The last few years it held garden tools and the like.  When it was used in the house, I loved to put old lace doilies on the shelves and a few bits and bobs that I had no place for.  A few teapots and such.  Now that I've been reminded just how wonderful and useful the cabinets were, I think I have just the spot for one!  I never seem to have enough cabinet space for my iron pots and pans and I'm thinking they would love to live in a special place.  Yes...yes, I can see a new fence picket cabinet in my very white kitchen!

I just love this sign.  I'm probably going to make one for my front porch.  Our dogs are great watch dogs but nothing gets past me!  I'm usually packing heat when I'm outside too so don't you think folks should be warned!?  LoL...my Mister, kids, and neighbors probably think so, as well!

Up the road, a fair piece, is a little hobby farm that hosts a Farmer's Market every Saturday.  I usually miss it but this past weekend I finally went.  Due to the extreme heat, the number of vendors was quite a bit smaller than usual but it was still had a sorts of wonderful things.  Everything from hand crafted goats milk soap to fresh veggies and crafts.  I didn't buy much because I had just bought groceries but I did get some of the most wonderful pineapple/habenero salsa and spicy watermelon jam.  I also picked up some of those super healthy micro greens.  I really like them with a little squeeze of lemon or lime juice, salt and pepper.  My Mister...yeah, not so much!  Anyways, it was really too hot to be out.  I sure look forward to going again once the hot weather breaks.  I think I might take some of my spider plants and a few crafts to sell.  Maybe make a little Christmas spending money, who knows.

Well, sweet friends, it is time for this old gal to hit the hay!  It's been a long day and those grandbabies will be running in that back door first thing in the morning!  Goodnight and may God keep you through the night.

Grace & Peace,
Pam