The Day After

Just finished lunch in the dining room alone.  It was not a sad time for me but a blessed time as I remember only yesterday, Christmas, it was filled with some of the people I love most.  As usually Mark was at this end of the table with me sitting on his left and our son, Luke, was at the other end of the table.  This tradition began years ago when he was just a small boy. Lillie Catherine was residing from her high chair between Luke and Sarah Beth having a great time eating but always delighting us with her smiles, laughter and of course lots of talk.  Big CHANGE from last year!  Uncle Charley joined us again this year from Lee's Summit, 87 years and still driving.  A true blessing having him join us.  Our Sarah Beth and David were here as always adding joy and love to the celebration.  We count ourselves blessed to have Kindel with us this year and are looking forward to many more years of celebration as a part of our clan.  NOW here's the added blessing to it all, if it could get any better, we will be having TWO new grandchildren in 2014! I can hardly wait.  Sarah Beth and David are expecting a girl, Rose Elizabeth (Rosie), on March 10th but she will probably be here the end of February according to her doctor.  Luke and Kindel are expecting a little boy on March 22nd.  As of now he doesn't have a name but Mark immediately started calling him "Little Dude".  We called Luke "Dude" when he was a boy and still do! So you see, "How can I look at the empty dining room and feel sad when God has blessed us with so much and He in His goodness continues to load us down everyday with gifts of love and blessing?"  Just can't be sad but instead look forward to many other times of celebrating as a family.  MY CUP TRULY DOES RUN OVER AND OVER AND OVER!  Merry Christmas and God bless.
     

Christmas Memories

Who doesn't have a Christmas memory some good some bad.  I always reflect on the ones that remind me of family and friends.  They bring a smile to my face and sometimes a little tug to my heart remembering those who have left us.  One of my favorites is when my Mom, Grandma and Aunt Rosemary would get together and bake for Christmas.  They spent days making sure each house had plenty of goodies baked for the holidays.  I remember a cake they would make that would have to sit in the refrigerator for at least two weeks before it was ready to eat.  Then there was candy.  Hard candy, chocolate candy, candy with fruit in it and on and on and on.  Oh not to forget the special recipes from each house that no one but the person making it knew the exact recipe.  They would pass them on to one another but leave out an ingredient or change a measurement.  Yep, it's a southern thing. When ask about it the answer was the same "Well, I just don't know I gave you the exact recipe I use".  I'm sure some of these great recipes went to the grave or they got so old they didn't know the truth about the ingredients themselves.  I guess they are entitled.  I am working on a cookbook making sure all of my recipes are written out and with side notes of what works and what doesn't.  I want my children and grandchildren to be able to make my Chicken and Dumplings, Creole food, Mexican dishes and all the others and remember the times we all sat around the table enjoying the food, fellowship and the love that went into preparing it.  After all how many people do you hear talk about what great times they had over carry out at the family table. Merry Christmas from our home to yours and go the extra mile in preparing that holiday meal.  You will be glad to have the memory and so will everyone else.
 

What does it mean?

What does the word Pinterest mean to you?  For one thing it is not even a word.  It continues to come up as misspelled in the spell check.  But if you break it down you're looking at pin or interest, in short Pinterest.  Everyone seems to know this little red word.  It took me awhile to get an account but as usual my daughter got me started.  Now I think she is wondering if it was a mistake.  The one thing about it there is no use being in denial about being on Pinterest because there are my dozens of pins.  Like shopping? You can shop until your heart is content without spending a penny.  You can like something this week and delete it next week wondering what was I thinking when I pinned that!  You need a recipe look no further Pinterest has it. I tell myself this is a waste of time but I always return to Pin what Interest me. There are so many categories to look at you could go on and on.  Well, all I got to say is "Try it you will like it".  
 

Love You More

This pillow sits on our bed usually on one side or the other.  It travels from one side of the bed to the other during the day and evening.  I put it on Mark's pillow and he moves it back to my side.  It started a few years back when I said to Mark, "I love you".  He immediately said to me "I love you more".   Every since then he always answers with "I love you more" to my I love you.   I have learned I cannot say I love you more and get the last word so I started to answer with "I am glad you do".  Now the pillow travels back and forth sending a message of I LOVE YOU MORE to each other.

My Preacher Man

Yep that's him, my Preacher Man with one of his favorite birthday presents Kenneth Copeland teaching tapes.  Notice the black hair?  Well, that's what the 80"s looked like.  Looks like he worked at Target with the red pullover and khaki pants.  You know it was what it was.  I thought he looked quite dapper.  Of course he is mine and I was the one who dressed him that way.  Ha Ha! interpreted lol.  Things change trends, hair color, clothing, etc. but one thing for sure that never changes is the Word of God.  Thank God he spent those early Christian years filling himself with the Word listening, reading and speaking.  Today our family as well as many others have received help in time of trouble, blessings, healings and encouragement because he took the time everyday to learn about the things of God and to grow in them in his own personal life.  Loved you then, love you now, always have, always will.  Your Rose

Growing Up in the Bootheel of Missouri

That's my Preacher Man standing in a cotton field not far from the home I grew up in.  When I was in grade school at RIII Elementary School which my Daddy built, we went to summer school and were out in the fall for cotton picking season.  At that time cotton was still picked by hand.  Yep sack on the back!  The kids were out of school for the picking season to help harvest the cotton on the farm.  Once you've picked cotton you never forget it. Hard work starting early in the morning while there is still some dew on the cotton.  The extra moisture caused the cotton to weigh in heavier and therefore you got paid more.  The cotton was weighed and you were paid so much per pound you picked.  As time progressed the farmer went to machinery for harvesting the cotton.  Each cotton bowl is loaded with seed.  The seed for the following year is set aside at the gin where the cotton is cleaned before it is baled and sent down or up the Mississippi River.  Days gone by but never forgotten...there is no fun like playing in a trailer full of cotton at the end of the day! 

Look Who's Looking!

Yep! our newest Christmas visitor showed up a little late.  He refused to come around Thanksgiving after hearing Putnam/Laughlin families were a little "under the weather".  Not to mention the weather was just to warm for a guy like him.  Lillie and I after much thought gave him a great name.  Chillie after the little snowman on Doc McStuffin her favorite and only TV show she watches.  He now presides over all our meals taken in the breakfast room.  Hmmm funny calling it a breakfast room when we eat all our meals there except on holidays when we take them in the formal dining room.  He also looks over my Preacher Man's shoulder as he sits at the kitchen table and prepares his delicious messages he serves at our church services at Victory!  I never have been able to get him into an office or designated place of study and preparation.  It's always been the kitchen table and guess it always will be.  Oh by the way Jacksons that table you now sit at has had many, many messages come to life at it...enjoy and be very blessed....

Thanksgiving 2013 Planning & Zoning

Thanksgiving one of my most favorite holidays.  A holiday that should be practiced more often than once a year and I guess we do in other ways just a different menu.  The greatness of this season is wrapped up in family, food and of course giving thanks.  Here is a picture of my preparations for this great event.  I keep a book, you know journal, that list my prior menu, shopping list and guest attending.  I refer to this each year.  It is full of list, page numbers, recipes, successes and failures.  I either cheer myself on for the new found recipe or say DO NOT MAKE AGAIN....  Two years ago November 23, 2011 we went out to buy our turkey but never made it to the grocery store and came home with a bundle of joy named Lillie Catherine.  Soooo we had sub sandwiches from a local grocery for Thanksgiving lunch but we were giving much thanks that Mother and baby were home and healthy.  Thanksgiving 2012 was awesome!  We all ate and ate and ate including Lillie Catherine.  In fact she liked her turkey dinner so much that she gave up baby food that very day.  This year the turkey was  bought early and the shopping for food began last week at a grocery store where my other favorite granddaughter, Grace Jacqueline works.  So excited to begin the cooking and preparations.  We will be having a surprise guest but I can't say who he is.  I will send a picture at a later date.  He want be joining us at the table but he will keep a look out for snowflakes and monitor the temperature from my covered porch.  Blessings to each and every one of you and HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

!

Give Thanks

What a great service today at Victory.  People were saved, prayers were answered, the Word came forth and Jesus was Lord of the service.  I love this mailing that went out and has been handed out at every service.  It is laminated, 5 x 7 and is a perfect reminder for us to give thanks not only on Thanksgiving but everyday.  I have several of them.  I use mine for book markers, propped up on my kitchen table, and I know I'll find other uses.  I am reminded to give thanks for what God has already done in my life whether great or small. A grateful heart is a heart full of God's love.  A grateful heart is a heart open to receive God's best He has for us as sons and daughters. 

Lillie Catherine now you're TWO!

Two years old November 23rd.  How is it possible that time has gone so quickly.  I guess the saying is true "Time flies when you're having a good time".  I cannot express the joy, delight, adventure, pleasure and above all love our granddaughter Lillie Catherine has brought into our lives.  She reminds us daily how much she is like her Mother, Sarah Beth.  Sometimes it's like stepping back into the past when we watch her.  She is so like her precious Mother who has been a joy to us all her life.  Thank you Sarah Beth and David for this wonderful little girl that has filled our lives with happiness these two years.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY LILLE CATHERINE!  We love you forever and always.  Sweet sleep my girls in Jesus name.

Chop Chop Ninja

This is one powerful machine....I love it.  I admit I was a little intimidated by it the first time I used it.  In fact I cut my finger on one of the blades.  If you notice this thing has three blades.  It also has two one serving tumblers with its on blade.  Almost everyday I make myself a smoothie.  My recipe
is 1 cup of lactose-free, fat free and omega-3s milk, 1 tbs. flax oil, 1 tsp. maca root powder and frozen mixed fruit.  Next I just pulse until nice and smooth hardly any effort at all for this great machine.  I call it a machine because kitchen appliance just doesn't do it justice.  You can use fresh fruit and ice cubes.  I prefer the frozen fruit and no extra water.  Very tastee and good for you.  Got it on sale at Macy's plus I had a coupon for another 15% off.  Such a deal!  Can't wait to start my holiday cooking and baking.  Look out cranberries and carrots here I come....
P.S.  Don't lick the blades!  Remember this is not your mixer. I must admit it looks good enough to lick.

Fav Hair Products

Yep, that's me with the curls. That is why I loveeee these hair products.  They are made just for curls. If you notice the labels you'll see frizz-free, set it free, arc angel and flexible hold. All much needed when you deal with fuzzy head, cow licks, and hair that can never ever be brushed or combed once it is dry. NO MATTER WHAT!  I always thought my Mom had given me a perm in this picture but nope not the case.  Of course back then there were no hair products for natural curly hair. I remember trying to deal with my daughter, Sarah Beth's hair.  I tried rolling it, curling irons, different hair cuts but no good.  I was so glad when she came up with these products and how to use them. I still have some bad hair days but they are not as often and usually one product or the other helps out. Love the smell of lavender that is used in the hair spray. Good product and easy on the hair.

I think my Mom, Lillie, is the most beautiful woman in the world. She will be 92 in January and is as beautiful as ever.  Love you Mama. Thanks for my name, Rose Jacqueline, I love it.
 My preacher man says I look just like another little girl he knows named Lillie Catherine, our granddaughter.

Journals, Sketch Books & More

Here's just a few of one of the journals I own.  I buy them when I see them and like the way they look.  Sometimes it's the cover, the shape, ribbons, colors or the pages inside.  I write all kinds of things.  The one with the peacock on it is full of quotes, Bible verses, and some poems, along with my on little sayings.  I also do some illustrating.  I wanted to create these for my children and grandchildren.  It is a way of leaving a part of me for them to have to know me a little better and remember me.  I also enjoy doing it.  It's ok if you're not really a writer or can draw because you're leaving it for people who love you and will be blessed by something that was made for them.  The one with the animals, trees and flowers was written to Lillie Catherine before she was born.  The two little books on the bottom have list of things I'm looking for when I shop, measurements, notes of things I see when I'm out that I might want to do, and so forth and so on. So give it a try maybe it would be for you too. 

Yea Shopping!

Great day shopping in St Louis yesterday.  We were able to find almost everything we went for.  Yes, yes, yes!  We had a great meal at Cheesecake Factory and believe it or not skipped the dessert.  Unthinkable eating at the CHEESECAKE Factory and not having a piece of that luscious stuff.  Oh well, next time. A big thank you to my preacher man for helping out with Lillie Catherine.
I will be sharing some of my favorite things, places, food, recipes, kitchen appliances and whatever comes to minds over the next few days.  I hope some of them will help you and you will enjoy as much as I do.  Looking forward to tomorrow, Sunday, as always.  I love our Church and the people that make up Victory.  Hope to see you there. 

RELAX

Having coffee, tea for me, with my preacher man this morning when he drew this picture to my attention.  Isabelle, our 3 pound poodle, was actually following through with the suggestion.  I immediately went for the dictionary to see just what this word that people try so hard to achieve really means.  It is made up of two words re meaning a change in procedure and lax not tense, rigid and open.  That is a big calling card for all of us!  Lay back, let go of things that cause you to tense up and open yourself up to listening to the Spirit of God.  Most things we worry and fret about never happen anyway.  Re can cause us to change our procedure and lax can help us to let go and open ourselves up and be accessible to the things God has for us as sons and daughters.  Relax on little Izzie !

!

Oh Happy Birthday

 Just celebrated my preacher man's, I can't say his age, birthday.  Great meal if I say so myself.  Steaks with blue cheese sauce, potato mashers, salad and hot rolls with lots of butter.  Sarah Beth made his favorite yellow cake with chocolate icing. Of course we like our toppings on our cake.  How about cherry pie filling, ice cream, and whip topping.  Yep you got it we like our fruit toppings.  A southern thing I passed on to my family.  Lots of great presents but as you can see the best and favorite is given by his granddaughter Lillie Catherine. She truly makes a body happy especially her Pop Pop! We love you from all  your family.