Outside my window...  A very nice southern California day.  It's about 70 degrees and sunny.  A beautiful day.


I am thankful...  I am always thinking about the provisions God gives to us.  I am so thankful HE meets my every need and makes my life so fun.

In the kitchen... Leftovers for dinner today.  I've had smoked turkey and mashed potatoes for tow meals so far today.  I'm going to have A leftover grilled hamburger for dinner.  My #2 son wants to have corn dogs and tater tots.

I am wearing...  My new to me, green capris and a moroon colored tank top.  I lost a little bit of weight recovering from my surgery and it's been staying off.  My new capri's are size 6.  I am thrilled!


I am creating...  Going to be creating some new to-do lists.

• Finish my Bachelor's degree
• Make a salvation tract for our Toyota
• Finish #2 son's school year by July 1st
• Finish yardwork
• Make marmalade with friends
• go camping
• Start up walking again for excersize

I am going... No plans on going anywhere the rest of the week.  My home-school buddy Shannon @jssteph7 and I need to go on a couple of home-school field-trips!

I am praying...  Praying for far away family.  Praying for far away family and their health.  Praying for my Juneau children and baby grandchild.  They have found out that IT'S A GIRL!!



I am reading/watching...  I am currently reading Hatteras Girl by Alice J. Wisler.  Not far enough into the book to determine if it's a good read or not.



We watched Foyle's War while my Mother visited.  It was a very good period drama.  A WWII detective solving cases while the war interferes.

From the learning rooms...  We just finished a big review.  English this week is on homonyms.  I just love them!

Around the house... My mother just left yesterday, after about 20 days with us.  We are washing bedding today.   I also cleaned the guest bath today.  I've had lots of company this month.  My current company will be in and out of the house until May 8th.  Then I'll have my dear friends Chris, Sharon and baby Anastasia visit May 17-20.  The house is fairly clean.  My cat coughed up a hairball on my bed yesterday so I had to wash ALL my bedding too!


One of my favorite things...I'm craving some rosemary bread dipped in olive oil with seasonings.  It is so yummy.  I've made it a few times this past month. 

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Dinner with our Pastor and his family and our company on Friday.  I'm going to make Carne Asada Nachos and Butterscotch Layered Dessert.  If it stays cool, I may work in the yard tomorrow or Thursday.

A peek into my days...


Antique stores in Ramona, California with my Mom @sharolsplace



Eating barbecue in Julian, California





More company. . . visiting together  (Monica, Jim and @sharolsplace)



Going to the El Cajon car show to pass out tracts.



My Mom wanted red streaks in her hair.  This is how we rednecks color hair without proper, expensive tools.  Picnic utensils!!



During the highlights!



The results.  She liked them!



Spring piano recital.

Outside my window...  I think we must be finished with the rain.  Things are starting to dry out.  There are a lot of fox tails in the grass...they end up on the dog.  There is a very sweet smell in the air.  I think I found out today what it is. . .

Orange Blossoms. . . and the smell is heavenly!

I am thinking...  Company is coming.  The next 6 weeks we are expecting several rounds of company coming through.  I've gotten lots crossed off my to-do list.

I am thankful... I am thankful as always for answered prayer.  Thankful for God's provision.


In the kitchen... A casserole from the freezer tonight.  Amish Noodle Casserole maybe with cottage cheese and fruit.  The kitchen will be busy the next week or so.

Soupa Tuscana
Oven Stew
Sour Cream Enchiladas and Tamales
Veggie Pizza
Hot Dogs on the beach
Carne Asada Nacho's
Smoked Turkey Sliders
Chicken Gumbo with rice
Spaghetti

I am wearing...  Finally. . . feeling back to my old self.  Feeling a phantom pain here and there.  I imagine I'm still healing on the inside somewhere.  I've been wearing waistbands this week and they are not too uncomfortable


I have been creating...  I've been busy the last few days creating things and finishing projects.

Dust ruffle for the bed in the office.  I used three fabric shower curtains from Target.




Finished decorating #2 son's room.  It has the big guest bed and turns into the guest room when we have company come to visit.






This is what's on top of the dresser.



In the basket is gifts for my daughter in law~  Orange and Lemon scented soaps,  Orange Body Wash, Orange candles, Note-cards with a fancy "M" on the front and a San Diego postcard that I used as card.  On it I wrote "A bit of California Sunshine to enjoy in the land of the Midnight Sun!"

I also finished printing the graphics I had and put them in some old frames.  Some of the frames are extra special to me because my Dad made them.

(Proverbs 3:5-6 in the frame my Dad made.)


I am going...  It's a busy weekend.  On Saturday the church ladies are getting to gether to oranize Easter things for Sunday.  On Sunday our church is having service in the a local park with a potluck lunch and more preaching to follow.  I'm hoping we'll be packed up and done by 2:00 p.m. on Sunday and home enjoying our free evening.  Monday is my birthday and I want to head to our bonfire beach with my family and roast hotdogs and marshmallows.  Lots of sightseeing next week with my company.

I am praying...  Praying for the desires of my heart.  Praying for travel mercies for my married children who are on their way to Juneau, Alaska.  Praying for far away family. 

Praying for Anna who is starting chemotherapy in preparation for her bone marrow transplant. 
She has Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia.


Anna had her hair cut in anticipation of chemotherapy.

  

I am reading...  We went to the library today and got some fresh books.  I've got some food centered mysteries waiting for me.

We've been watching a new series.  This series features Brian Keith (from The Parent Trap)~
it's called Family Affair. ( Brian Keith reminds me of my Dad!)



I am looking forward to...  I'm looking forward to company coming my house.  I'm looking forward to getting in the garden, maybe tomorrow and plant all the seeds my husband bought.  We've got three big Coastal Rosemary plants and a Christmas tree to plant as well.  The next yard work project will be purchasing bark mulch and pruning/trimming one more flower bed out front.

From the learning rooms...  My student has been working hard.  I would love to see a miracle happen and for him to not get so distracted while doing work.  He's learning about adverbs and practicing long division and multiplication.

Around the house...  Everthing is very clean in anticipation of our son and his wife being here for about a week.  I only have left to clean the tub and sinks in the guest bath.

A favorite quote for today...
"Family is the most important thing."
Princess Diana

One of my favorite things...  I love taking drives.  It's a relatively inexpensive thing to do.  We took a picnic.  We had Popeye's spicy fried chicken and cole slaw with sparkling apple cider.  I do so love California. 

It is soo pretty here.






There are lots of wildflowers blooming here.  Lupine, Poppies and many others.



These are manzanita branches that have been through a wildfire.


They are for my climbing things in the garden.

A few plans for next week:  Tweaking my menu,  going on lots of picnics, taking my daughter in law to the thrift store for maternity clothes,  enjoying family time.

A peek into my days...
I was itching to do some flower crafts.  I made two different spring arrangements for church. 

(the one on the right goes in front of the pulpit on a black stand with a white, chrochet doily.  The one on the left goes on the piano.)

I've got to add some spring green colored ribbon to the hydrangea arrangements yet. I'll probably take these into church in June.


My husband flew back to the east coast for a couple days.  He was invited to 'pin' our graduating son with his new rank.  He is now an E-4 Electicians Mate.  We're so proud of his accomplishment!








Visiting a transportation museum while waiting to fly home.



~~Have a great weekend dear friends!~~

Our church is very small.  In people numbers and in building size.  We do not have a proper fellowship hall.  The one we can use on our property is very expensive to rent.  But because our church is small, we've offered our home to have church fellowships in.  In February, we hosted two such fellowships.  A surprise birthday party for an evangelist and the Sweetheart Banquet.



My Pastor and his family plus one extra.  The next picture is the evangelist and his wife with our Pastor's family.





Some of the food and people.



More people.



Me!




The next few pictures are of the Sweetheart Banquet.  My husband and I hosted and prepared the food, devotion, and games.  We thought there would only be 2 other couples attending and were pleasantly surprised to add two extra place settings at mealtime!  Sorry the pictures are terrible.  The lighting in that room in the evenings turns everything orange. . .









~Menu~
Grilled Steak
Shrimp with garlic butter
Cheesy vegetables Normandy
Baked Potatoes
Green Salad
Dinner Rolls

Assorted Flavored Sparkling Cider
Iced Tea and Coffee

Strawberry Shortcake Dessert



John and Sarah



Pastor and Shannon



Sylvia and Raphael



Stacey and Beth