Christmastime is Here - Vince Guaraldi

 

Just gotta have something from A Charlie Brown Christmas!  Merry Christmas Eve!

Cradle in Bethlehem - Nat King Cole

 

This is a Christmas carol that I often forget about but always love when I hear it.  This version is by the great Nat King Cole.  Enjoy!

Away In A Manger - John Rutter

 

This past Sunday I got to hear many of John Rutter's lovely arrangements of Christmas carols.  This was one and it's absolutely beautiful.  Enjoy!

That Holiday Feeling - Steve & Eydie

 

I have this record and really enjoy it. Just wanting to start of my Tuesday with some holiday feeling!  Enjoy!

I'll Be Home For Christmas - Johnny Mathis

 

I took a few days off of my Christmas songs, so I'm starting back with one of my favorite tunes by one of my favorite artists!  Enjoy!

The Gift of Love - Placido Domingo

 

The Gift of Love is a beautiful holiday song written by Placido Domingo's son, Placido Jr.  I first remember hearing it on a concert CD entitled Christmas In Vienna and have loved it ever since.  Enjoy!

It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like Christmas - Bing Crosby

 

This is a charming Christmas song from the musical version of "Miracle on 34th Street" called "Here's Love".  Written by Meredith Wilson, of "The Music Man" fame.  It's a fun holiday number and I hope you enjoy it!

The First Noel/Christmas Eve Waltz - arranged by David Lanz

 

I have loved David Lanz's music, both original and his arrangements for 30 plus years now.  His Christmas music is no different.  The First Noel is a beautiful carol and is intertwined with his original melody Christmas Eve Waltz.  Enjoy!

Angels We Have Heard On High - Mormon Tabernacle Choir

 

Just one of my favorite Christmas carols.  I always prefer hearing this sung by a choir than individually LOL  Just my preference!  Enjoy!

12 Days of Christmas - Dinah Shore

 

This is another very nostalgic recording to me.  The 12 Days of Christmas is not my favorite. I always get confused and frustrated after the 5th day, trying to remember what's next?  Lords, geese, maids?  I just can never remember.  LOL   Anyway, We had this record when I was growing up and as a small child, I was obsessed with Dinah Shore singing the 12 days.  I'd listen to this track over and over and  Mom happily obliged me.  I even remember taking this record to show and tell in kindergarten and Mrs. Shell let us listen to it.  I was happy to find a video of it, showing the actual record.  Enjoy!

Caroling, Caroling - Nat King Cole

 

I grew up listening to Nat King Cole's "The Magic of Christmas" album from 1960.  This was one of Mom's records and I still have it and play it often during the holidays.  This is my favorite song from that album, even though they're all great.  And, taking from yesterday's song, this is also one of Alfred Burt's yearly Christmas gift songs.  Another note of interest for this album is that it does not contain Cole's famous version of "The Christmas Song".  When the album was rereleased and renamed several years later, all of the tracks remained the same with the exception of "The Christmas Song" replacing "God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman".  Enjoy!

Some Children See Him - Diahann Carroll

 

This is one of the beautiful Christmas carols written by jazz musician Alfred Burt.  He wrote one each year for many years and gave them as Christmas gifts to his friends.  What a wonderful tradition that we have all benefitted from.  Here is the amazing Diahann Carroll singing this song.  I have her on several records performing it and it's always a joy to hear.  Enjoy!

The Little Drummer Boy - Harry Simeone Chorale

The Harry Simeone Chorale gave us one of the best versions of "The Little Drummer Boy". I'd never seen this recording of them performing on Ed Sullivan.  I always love hearing them.  Enjoy!

 

Where Are You, Christmas? - Faith Hill

 

To me, this is one of the better Christmas songs written in the past few decades.  It leans towards the sad side sometimes, but I like it.  It is one of those songs that I listen to during the holidays when I'm trying to motivate myself.  Like today, I'll listen to it several times while I am decorating so that I will be motivated to keep going LOL  Enjoy!

Christmas Wishes - Anne Murray

 

This song takes me back to my childhood.  My mom introduced me to Anne Murray at a young age and I have been a fan ever since.  Her voice is so smooth and relaxing.  Her Christmas Album that came out in the 80's was a staple in our house.  We had the cassette and listened to it a lot, especially in the car.  This is one of my favorite tracks, even though I love the entire album.  Enjoy!

Candlelight Carol - John Rutter

 

This is another yearly favorite of mine.  I always enjoy Rutter's arrangements and original pieces.  I remember the first time I heard this, I was a freshman in college.  PBS aired one of the Christmas at St. Olaf specials and their women's choir sang this.  I immediately loved it and it has been a part of my Christmas music canon ever since.  Enjoy!

A Christmas Festival - Leroy Anderson

 

I feel the need to always include this in my Christmas music posts because for one, it's a wonderful arrangement of Christmas songs by Leroy Anderson, who everyone knows from his "Sleigh Ride".  And two because we played this every year in high school band.  It was always a crowd pleaser and it's not difficult at all, but sounds impressive.  Enjoy!

All Those Christmas Cliches - Nancy Lamott

 

This is still one of my favorites.  Yes, it's very sentimental but we're talking about Christmas music, right?  So I have absolutely no shame in loving it LOL  It describes my feelings about Christmases past, present and future, perfectly.  There never seems to be enough time to achieve my goal of all these Christmas cliches, but I do give it my best try.  And I enjoy myself in the process.  I hope you enjoy the song as much as I do.  

Still, Still, Still

 

This is one of my favorite carols and I listen to it throughout the year.  I realize that I listen to most of my Christmas music throughout the year, but this is a carol that I will specifically seek out.  It simply brings me peace and I love it.  Enjoy!

Somewhere In My Memory - John Williams

 

Along with my love of Christmas movies is the music and score used in the films.  Home Alone is no different.  I thoroughly enjoy this movie and it's one that I will get sucked into quite easily whenever it's on tv.  But John Williams score is a huge part of what makes this film so fun.  I find this particular song hauntingly beautiful and always enjoy hearing it at the holidays! Enjoy!

Jingle Bells - Julie Andrews

 

Jingle Bells is one of those songs that sometimes I love it and sometimes not so much.  It tends to get stuck in my head very easily LOL  But, it's Julie Andrews so what's not to love!  I have this record, which is wonderful, but she recorded this version several times for different albums.  Enjoy!

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

 

I always start my holiday off with this classic Christmas song.  I remember being in high school when I saw this movie for the first time.  I had caught part of it on TCM and set the VCR (remember those?) to record it when it played again later that night.  It's a delightful film and I have enjoyed it numerous times.  It's one of those movies that just makes me feel good and I will always watch it if it's on.  At the time, I did not know that this classic song came from this film but what a wonderful scene.  In college, I bonded with Marcia over this movie and that's something I treasure.  Hope you have a wonderful first day of December!  Season's Greetings!

I'm Still Here - Stephen Sondheim

 With the passing of the great Mr. Sondheim, I wanted to choose one of my favorites to share with you.  "I'm Still Here" is one of the many amazing songs from his show "Follies".  Many wonderful actresses have performed this number from Yvonne De Carlo, who introduced the song in the original production, to Ann Miller, Eartha Kitt and Elaine Paige, among many others.  My favorite one, though, is Carol Burnett performing during the "Follies in Concert".  I hope you enjoy it!

Recipe of the Day - Black Eyed Pea Salad

 I am always on the lookout for new cold vegetable side dishes.  I like to keep them in the fridge to have for lunch during the week.  It's just easy to fill up a container of something and take it with me to work.  So, I found this recipe in one of my FBC cookbooks and thought I'd give it a try.  I love black eyed peas so why not?  And it's easy...gotta love that!

Black Eyed Pea Salad

2 cans of black eyed peas, drained

1/2 cup chopped green onion

1 small jar chopped pimento

3 stalks of celery, chopped

1 green pepper, chopped

1 can of mushrooms, drained*

1 medium tomato, chopped

8 oz Italian dressing**

Combine vegetables in a bowl.  Pour dressing over vegetables and stir to coat well.  Chill for several hours, preferably overnight.  Drain off the liquid and serve.

*the next time I make this, I may use fresh mushrooms and chop them.  Sometimes the texture of canned mushrooms is a little rubbery.

**The Italian dressing I had on hand was a house Italian, so it was a little thicker than the standard Italian, but it worked just fine.

Enjoy!

Rehoming pieces can be more fun than I thought

Unlike many people's houses this day and age, walking into our house is like stepping into the past.  Our house is filled with family treasures from all sides.  And it's honestly a pretty good mix of things.  I love them and try my best to use them whenever I can.  Not only do I enjoy how it looks but I love all of the memories that each thing brings to mind.  It's just part of who I am. So, when I am in the process of rehoming pieces, naturally I will turn to family members first.  I believe that it is important to keep things in the family as it is part of our history.  This is not always the outcome but it is my first go to when I want to let go of something.  I say "let go" because "get rid of" just sounds so negative LOL

Anyway, several months ago Michael's parents moved out of their home into a smaller place.  I want to incorporate more of the treasures that we received from them during that process into our own home.  It's important to me. And, in the process, I can let someone else enjoy something that I have.  It's a win win situation for me.  I started looking at things that I have the most of, some of which I was ready to let go of.  Lo and behold, china was at the top of the list.  If you've read some of my earlier posts, you will know that I have  a lot....at least in my mind....5 sets.  And we got a set of Christmas china from Michael's Mom, so this is the perfect time to switch them out.  

The set that I am letting go of belonged to my Great Aunt Mary Lee.  It is a pattern called "Sahara" by Noritake.  They began producing the pattern in the 1920's and I have no doubt that Mary Lee acquired it around this time.  When she broke up housekeeping, it went to her sister, my Great Aunt Billie.  When she passed, it came to my Mom and then eventually to me.  I do love it and have used it several times. 

 

I had 4 relatives that I wanted to offer this set to, hoping that one of them would want to take it.  And while everyone was interested in the history, not everyone could take it.  But, luckily, one has kindly accepted my offer.  I have a very distant cousin by marriage on the Tyner side of the family.  Aunt Mary Lee married into the Tyner family in 1909.  We've been online friends for years and he seemed thrilled to have this set.  And I am beyond thrilled to give it to him because, like me, I know he will use it and cherish it.  Our love for antiques and family history is one of the things that binds us.

So, this set, along with a few other things that I will save for a later blog, will be off to a new home soon.  Now, I just have to find enough boxes and paper to wrap it all up.  I never thought I'd be excited to give away china, but I truly am!

That is all

A Prayer of Thanksgiving

 Even in today's world, there is so much to be thankful for.  Sometimes you really have to search for it, but it's there.  No matter what, there is always hope and that is something to be thankful for.

That is all

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - MADE Cards

 One of our associate guidelines at work is that we are not allowed to receive tips from our residents or their families or friends.  Now, as that may sound unfair, especially to the associates who wait tables, there is a way around that.  We have these little things called MADE cards.  MADE stands for Making a Difference Everyday, which is our company motto.  Anyone can fill out a MADE card for any associate at anytime.  Each card is worth a certain amount of points and at the end of each quarter, those points can be cashed in.  All in all, it's a pretty fair system and a nice alternative to getting a tip.  

But the truly nice thing about it is reading those cards that are made out for you.  Finding out that what did actually made a difference to someone.  Sometimes it's a resident, sometimes it's a family member, sometimes it's another associate.  Most of the time, we've done things that we weren't aware were helping someone out.  Maybe we just simply asked another associate if they needed help with something.  Maybe we went out of our way to listen to a resident when they just needed to talk.  There are so many reasons for the MADE cards.  

I would like to tell my fellow associates to utilize the MADE cards more.  We have several associates who fill them out constantly but we can all do more with them.  It makes your coworker feel so much better just to know that they've been helpful.  These cards are a great tool for teambuilding because you can reach out to others that you might never really do otherwise.  You can get to know people better through these cards.  And it's very helpful in understanding some of the things that go on in other departments that we normally take for granted.

Admittedly, I do not fill out enough MADE cards and I need to work on that.  If I would keep myself in the moment when something happens and not think, oh I'll fill it out later, I would definitely be more proficient in writing them.  That is one of my goals from here on out at work.  Because, if I can go a day without seeing something worthy of filling out a MADE card, then we're not doing our jobs to the best of our capabilities.

That is all.

It Is Well With My Soul

 I wanted to start my morning off with a hymn that I find very comforting.  I've known this hymn my entire life.  It takes me to a place of contentment and hope, what better way to start my day.  That is all.

Daily Challenge Update

 This is where that ideal of not being so hard on myself comes into play LOL  My latest challenge was daily exercise and admittedly, I have fallen flat with that one.  It is one of those things that in my head sounds great but somehow I have not managed it yet.  Part of it is the time change.  On top of being tired after a long day at work, it's also dark when I get home so walking is out.  Our neighborhood, sadly, is no longer safe after dark so I have no plans of walking in that atmosphere.  Of course, we do have exercise equipment at home I can use...I just haven't yet LOL  I hope to change all of that in the upcoming week.  Maybe even today.  We shall see!

Having my daily water is going fairly well still and I'm still dressing nicely every day for work.  I can still tell it has impacted my daily routine and existence with these two factors in play.  Adding the exercise in will only enhance that.  I am not going to create another daily challenge for myself until I honestly start working this last one into my normal routine.  Wish me luck!

That is all

Being the accompanist

 One of the things about playing the piano that I miss the most is accompanying friends of mine when they're singing.  Back in my first round of college days, I would spend hours in the practice rooms with friends and help them learn songs.  Sometimes I would help fellow actors prepare songs for auditions.  But  mostly it was just having fun.  My friend Marcia and I would literally spend hours in there going over music.  And once I got a piano in my apartment, many nights were filled with music.  I truly did enjoy it.

I was never one to enjoy playing solo in front of people, whether at home or in a recital setting.  There was so much pressure...at least pressure I'd put on myself.  But I was great support when there was someone else in the spotlight.  I did accompaniment on at least 3 different shows and had absolutely no issue as far as nerves go...even when I did hit the occasional wrong note.  I also learned how to take music from a condensed score and modify it for my abilities so that it not only supported the singer, but made me sound pretty good as well.

There is a great connection between a singer and an accompanist.  You have to be able to guide each other through the journey of a song.  Sometimes, one party will get lost or off track and the other must be able to bring them back, often without anyone else realizing what is going on.  There is just something simply beautiful about the relationship between piano and singing.  To connect and make music together with someone...I do miss that.

That is all.

Recipe of the Day - Cranberry Orange Chicken

 This is a fairly easy recipe that I found in one of my (many) church cookbooks.  I made it for the first time last night and enjoyed it.  I would tweak it a little as far as the cooking time goes.  When I'm making a recipe for the first time, I tend to follow it to the letter.  I will only adjust it once I've done it the original way LOL  Anyway, the sauce is really good and could probably be used with other meats.  Enjoy!

Cranberry Orange Chicken

*4-6 boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 can whole cranberry sauce

2 cans mandarin oranges, drained

1 envelope onion soup mix

8 oz French dressing

Preheat oven to 350. Place the chicken breasts in a pyrex or casserole dish. Combine the other four ingredients and pour over chicken.  Bake, uncovered, for 1 hour**.  Serve over rice.

*you can totally use bone in chicken, with or without the skin, for this

**I would decrease the cooking time to probably around 45 minutes, maybe even less if the chicken is cooked up to proper temp.

Jesus Loves Me - Piano

 I wanted to start out my week with something that reminded me of and honored Grandmother.  As I start to get myself back into the ritual of participating in church, I cannot help but think of her.  Every Sunday, we sat in the fifth pew on the right.  This song was played at her service years ago and it was so perfect for a person who taught kindergarten for 40 years.  I hope that this week my life will truly reflect hers.  That is all.

Quote of the Day

 

So true!  Music is the one thing that is consistent in my day.  There is always music...on the radio, in my head, on the record player.  It enhances my joy and depletes my sadness.  A powerful force in my life and I am thankful for it.

A Prayer of Thanks

 

As we are in the season of Thanksgiving, I am very thankful for all that the Lord has blessed me in my life, especially over the past year.  Now, some may find it hard to be thankful for that with all of the bad things going on and I totally understand that.  I find myself thankful to God for the small things and the specific things.  I am thankful that I had a job to sustain me during all of this.  I am thankful I had a home to come to at the end of the day.  I am thankful that Michael and Squirt are in that home with me.  I am thankful for the family that I have and the friends that are family.  I thank God, for myself anyway, for helping me focus on what I find important and learning how to better take care of myself.  I am very grateful for that, Lord.  The spirit of Thanksgiving that you invoke in us is something I will do my best to carry with me each day of the year, not only in November.  That is all.

Recipe of the day - Chicken Salad

 I have always been a big fan of chicken salad.  It was a staple in our household when I was growing up.  I watched mom make it many times and often helped her with it.  I almost use her recipe for making it whenever I make some for us now.  One of the things I most remember about making the salad with her is that she never chopped her chicken or her celery with a knife.  She always used her kitchen scissors.  And she had a yellow tupperware container that she always put her chicken salad in.  I still have that and use it whenever I make chicken salad!

But, I decided that I wanted to try something a little different with my chicken salad.  It's not because I don't like the way I've been making it, I just did not want to burn myself out on it, so decided to look for something different, yet still basic.  I'm not one for a whole of ingredients in my chicken salad.  Too many flavors mess it up for me LOL  But I will always give it a chance, just to try it.  Anyway, I found this recipe online and enjoyed it.  It will become part of my rotation.  

Chicken Salad

2 cups cooked chicken, chopped*

1 stalk celery, sliced

1 green onion, sliced**

1/2 cup mayo

1 Tbsp brown mustard

Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a bowl and stir until the mixture is well coated.  Chill in the fridge for awhile before serving on a sandwich or bed of lettuce.

*to save time, I sometimes used the bags of precooked sliced chicken, they work well

**any onion will do: red or white, just a small amount as to not overpower the dish

Enjoy!

Moon River

 Today has been a crazy, hectic day for me.  It started off badly but did improve, it was just busy.  And it's not over yet.  I'm just taking a break before heading out to handbell practice and then back home for dinner.  I just wanted to listen to something that always relaxes me.  The music of Henry Mancini is something that I love and listen to a lot.  This song, which I've posted before, just makes my body sigh and I need that in this moment before I get my second wind.  That is all.

The next challenge - exercise

 Overall, I have been doing a good job keeping up with my daily challenges.  I have definitely increased my daily water intake, though I still need to reduce the amount of other things like tea and soda.  I am trying to limit that to just meal time.  Most days, I am successful at it, but some days I do drift off course a bit.  All in all, though, I am pleased with the progress.  I have also been doing well with my wardrobe.  I enjoy dressing up for work and people have definitely noticed.  Only occasionally have a "dressed down". And that has usually been because my shirt is too short to tuck in LOL  People have noticed that too when I'm a little more casual.  I'm enjoying it though!

So, I am looking for my next challenge.  This one is one that I have constantly had in the back of my mind but haven't done anything about it yet.  Frankly, because I have been lazy and have been complacent in my daily routine.  Basically, I need to start doing some kind of daily exercise.  And I have to stop counting work as exercise, even though I get in a lot of steps each day at work.  I can't use that as an excuse anymore.

My doctor advised me to get in at least 20 minutes of good walking every day.  I can do that, I believe.  It's just a matter of making myself do that.  Of course, I have to figure out how to get that into my routine.  Where to insert it, to be exact.  Now that the time has changed, I'm not sure how much daylight will be available to me after work and I don't want to use that as an excuse.  I also am not crazy about walking around my neighborhood after dark either LOL

But, it also does not have to be walking all the time.  There are other things I can do.  Heaven knows we have enough exercise equipment to open our own gym it feels like.  And we don't use what we have so I need to start taking advantage of that.  It will help me physically and mentally, I believe.  I have never been in good shape and now, as I am inching my way towards 50, it is time to start working towards that goal.  Here's hoping!

That is all.

Escapades in Adulting - when your fur baby isn't feeling well

When you take on the responsibility of a dog, you have to take the bad with the good.  And, in the long run, the good far outweighs the bad.  At least that is the case with our Squirt.  He came into our lives the day after a vacation some 10 years ago.  He was found by our next door neighbor literally stuck in the fence in the backyard.  David and Vicky could not keep him at the time because they had 2 dogs already, so we took him in while we looked for his owner.  Long story short, Squirt became ours and I am so grateful for it.

Today, Squirt is not feeling well.  He is having a hard time going to the bathroom and he is so uncomfortable.  I don't know exactly why he is having such a hard time with it.  He did have an accident in the den earlier, so I know he's capable.  But he keeps wanting to go outside to poop but once he gets outside, nothing much happens.  It's cold and he doesn't want to be there.  But I can tell he has to go because of the way he's keeping his tail down over his bum.  And he's walking like someone who is trying to find a bathroom quickly.  I know that I have walked that walked before and yes, it is totally uncomfortable.

I feel badly because I cannot help him with this.  He can't tell me what's wrong or how to help him.  Now, I understand that we can totally communicate with animals, but here I am talking about words.  I just want him to tell me what I can do to help.  Alas, he cannot and so I just have to let him be.  As a parent of a fur baby, that is hard to do.  I want to make him feel better but there's only so much I can do until whatever passes...literally.  

The sun is out and so he's been sitting at the front door, enjoying the sunshine.  I put one of his beds there so he can at least be comfortable while soaking up the sun.  It's hard not being able to help.  It has created a lot of anxiety in me this morning but I know it will all pass.  I'm worried about him because he's not feeling well but am hopeful that his rest in the sun will do him some good.  It does me some good just to see him resting there.  And I do stop and stare just to make sure that he's breathing.  I always tend to expect the worse in situations like this.  One of my faults.

I can only imagine what it's like for parents of children to have to watch them when they're sick.  It has to be heart breaking.  Especially when you can only do so much to help them and have to sit back and let nature take its course.  Mom was a great nurse to us when we were sick and if she was ever worried, she never let it show.  I wish I had that gene when it comes to Squirt.

It will all be fine, I know.  I just worry in the meantime.  That is all.

Working on a Household Inventory

One of the things I used to love doing as a young man was household inventories.  I realize that this sounds like an odd activity for a teenager and yes, it is.  But still, I loved doing it.  It all started when Aunt Sara passed away.  Mom was her executor and among Aunt Sara's papers were 2 household inventories that she had done.  One was of her own personal belongings in the old homeplace and the other was the belongings left from her parents in the homeplace.  I was utterly fascinated with this concept.  I loved reading them.  I loved learning the history of the pieces...where they came from, who they had belonged to, etc.  It was a wonderful piece of history.

So, I was determined to do the same thing.  I cannot remember if I started with our house or with Grandmother's.  But I took note of almost everything and wrote it down.  Now, I didn't do things like clothes and household items like cleaning supplies and toiletries.  This was an inventory for records purposes.  I would gather all the information that I could about a piece and notate it. I believed, and still do, that it is extremely important to know something's history.  To me that makes it worth more, definitely personally and historically and possibly even financially.  Doing research on items that I did not have background on was fun.  I learned many different styles of furniture and names of patterns of glass, china and silver.  

I would spend hours, days even, doing this.  I eventually did an inventory for Aunt Billie as well.  And these inventories came in handy when both she and Grandmother passed as it gave record to what was in the house. I felt like I was accomplishing something both for myself and for them.  I think I have copies of all of these somewhere.  If I can't find them, then most of the information is still stored in my brain.  I spent so much time doing it that I remember a great deal of it.  I also had a cousin, Isabel, that I have her inventory she did somewhere as well.  Hers was for appraisal purposes for things she was selling upon her death.  Still, it's fun to read and see what she owned since I don't remember much about her house LOL

Recently, I started working on some inventory of my own.  I started with a set of china.  The purpose of this particular inventory is because I am hoping to pass this set on to a member of the family and want them, whoever they may be, to know what their getting.  But, I had such a great time in the process of doing this one.  I had almost forgotten how much fun it is and now much I enjoy it.  I should translate this into some kind of business...except I'm very slow and thorough LOL  But I enjoyed the research and information getting.  And I hope to do more of it.

That is all.

Getting the weekend going

 I stated on FB last night that I have a long weekend ahead of me in that I took today off and don't have to go back in until Monday.  I'm very much looking forward to it but I do worry that I will waste my time.  That may sounds strange to some people.  They'll be like "just relax" or "don't do anything, just be lazy".  That's all well and good but not exactly satisfying.  I want to have a weekend of both relaxation and productivity.  Sometimes, for my anyhow, those 2 go hand in hand like when I'm in the kitchen cooking.  It relaxes me and I'm also doing something that we benefit from.  A win win situation.

I also realized this morning that I want to make sure that I put things that I enjoy into the weekend as well.  I'm not exactly sure what that will be yet, but I am determined to do that.  Sometimes, like I have said before, it is hard for me to do something that I enjoy simply because I am too busy making sure everyone else is enjoying whatever their plans are.  This weekend, I'm going to do some things for myself.  Whether it be at home, or going someplace, I'm going to rediscover those things that I enjoy doing for no other reason than that I like doing them.  That's more than sufficient a reason, don't you think?  Michael is very good at that, so I should follow his lead, no?

As for this morning, I am starting off my weekend having my coffee and going over my list of things to do.  I have some errands to run this morning and will get started on household chores like laundry.  All the while, I will think of other things to accomplish and to have fun with.  I can do that.  As for now, I'm going to pour myself another cup and relax with some music for a bit before getting myself going.

That is all 

Quote of the day

 Some days, it is hard to wrap my mind about the way people treat each other.  After browsing today's headlines...local, national and international...it was disheartening and I wanted to find something hopeful to carry through the day with me.  That is all.

My love of handbells

 I have loved handbells for as long as I can remember.  The first time I remember hearing handbells was as a toddler.  Mom rang in the handbell choir at FBC and sometimes she would take me with her to rehearsal.  I think, at that time, the choir was mostly housewives and they rehearsed one morning each week.  Being that, at the time, Mom was staying at home with me, I would go with her to rehearsal.  Instead of leaving me in the nursery (there was a preschool there), she would prop me up in a chair and I would listen intently to the magical sound of the bells.  Whenever they would ring during service, I was allowed to stay in the sanctuary until after they played, then Dad would take me to the children's room.  I loved it.

As Christmas approaches, I remember wanting a set of bells for so long from Santa. Of course, I didn't comprehend at the time how expensive handbells were.  I just knew I wanted some.  I did finally get a set of multi colored bells.  One full octave.  They were geared towards preschoolers.  I loved them and played with them so much.  I was able to join the children's handbell choir when I was in 3rd grade.  I was beyond excited.  I would eventually join the youth handbell choir as I became a middle schooler and actually started ringing with the adult choir when I was in 9th grade.  That meant I missed some youth activities, but that was alright with me.

There is just something about the sound of them that I love.   The clarity of the tone.  The precision of the technique of ringing the bell.  It all fascinates me.  Still does.  As an adult, I realized that I wanted to get back into ringing bells.  One, because I do love it.  And also because it is and has always been the way I am most comfortable serving the Lord.  It makes me feel like I am giving back to the church and I get satisfaction from that.  After a less than spectacular experience with a bell choir, I have now found a choir that is awesome and I love ringing with.  Sometimes, I don't manage to ring everything I'm supposed to, but I still love it.  And I am looking forward to being a part of this group for a long time, if they'll have me.  

Here is our first performance in worship this year:  https://fb.watch/8_kFrw40UM/

It's just nice to restart one of my passions.  I love that!

A day off, please?

I consider myself to be giver.  And, as I have said before, I come by it naturally.  My parents are like that.  My Grandmother was like that.  I take great pleasure in helping and doing for others.  So, it can be hard for someone like me to put myself first.  Now, I say this with a grain of salt because I have admittedly done many selfish things over the years, but this isn't really the same thing.  This is more about self care and making sure that I am keeping myself in a good physical and mental condition so that I can do for others.  I tell people all the time that if you can't be good to yourself, you really can't be good to others.  And that's the truth.  I don't always follow my own words, but I acknowledge that it's the truth.

I am thinking about this because of work.  We got our vaccine booster shots on Thursday.  And it has knocked a lot of associates in my department for a loop. Even I called in yesterday morning because I felt absolutely horrible.  And I HATE calling into work like that.  I rarely ever do that unless I'm in a good amount of pain.  Alas, several of my coworkers had an even worse reaction and also called out, therefore cancelling my call out and I went in to work yesterday around 4 and stayed until 11p.m.  Yes, I am happy that I was able to help out even though I didn't feel great.  I could still manage to get the things done that needed taking care of.

This morning, the call goes out for someone to fill in another shift today.  On the one hand, the money would be good because it would be overtime.  On the other hand, and more importantly, I need a day off.  Like everyone else, I'm exhausted.  I really need for someone else to step up to the plate today.  So, now I'm just sitting and hoping that someone will respond to the text and take one for the team.  Because if they don't, I know what I will do.  In the end, I won't mind doing it and will be glad I helped out.  But right now, I just want to be lazy and have a day to myself.  I don't think that's being selfish.  I'll just have to wait and see.

That is all.

Recipe of the Day - Traditional Israeli Salad (Cucumbers and Tomatoes)

 I cannot, for the life of me, remember where I found this recipe.  I'm pretty sure I copied it out of a magazine, probably Our State, but I just do not recall.  But it is still a nice, light side dish that we both enjoy. I have made it several times.  It's a good way to use up any leftover cucumbers and tomatoes that I have laying around.  I will buy them for a recipe or to make a tossed salad and end up only using half of what I've purchased.  This is an excellent way to let them not go to waste!

Traditional Israeli Salad

3 cups chopped tomatoes

3 cups seeded chopped cucumbers

1/4 cup chopped parsley

2 Tbsp olive oil

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp coarse salt

Combine all ingredients.  Toss well and serve.

So easy!  I like to let mine marinate in the fridge a few hours or overnight before serving. Enjoy!

Oh, the many plates in my house LOL

 

If you know me at all, you know that I have an affinity for sets of china.  I always have.  Helping to set the table was usually a task given to me as a child and I relished it.  Mom and Grandmother both taught me how to set a table.  I always loved helping to set the table for times like Thanksgiving and Christmas and Easter.  And in preparation for any Sunday lunch at Grandmother's, you would find me working my way around the table with plates, then silverware, then glasses.  There was definitely a set order of things then.  I enjoyed it and it helped to create some very special memories.

Now, having said that, I freely recognize and admit that I have too much china.  At least for the amount of space that I have.  I have five different sets of dishes, mostly complete.  And that's not counting the odd serving pieces I have in other patterns as well.  I can't help the fact that I love it and really enjoy it.  And I use it.  I use it as much as I can.  Still, too much is too much.  If I didn't wash dishes, which is not going to happen, Michael and I could eat off a clean plate each night for about a month.  And that's just dinner plates LOL

Most of my sets are family heirlooms.  The one that isn't is based on a family heirloom that I've been collecting for the past 10 years.  I have my mom's every day china she selected in 1968.  I have Grandmother's set of Old British Castles by Johnson Bros.  Aunt Mary Lee's set of Noritake.  A set of Polish gold trimmed china that belonged to a cousin, Isabel Wolfe, who left it to Grandmother.  And the set I've been collecting is Grandmother's wedding china pattern called Pickwick.

I've decided that because of the space that we have here, it's time to thin this down a little.  Not a lot, but a little.  I can handle that.  I just have to decide what can go and where it will go.  I do not want to sell it, really.  I would rather give it to someone who will cherish it.  Not sure who that is yet, but they are out there somewhere LOL  I've got a few ideas.  Until then, I'll keep using my china and when the right situation comes along, I will pass it on.

That is all.

Breakfast

It is often said that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and yet, as an adult, I hardly ever eat breakfast. I don't know why.  I have plenty of time in the morning to make breakfast but I usually don't.  Sometimes at work, I will grab something from the dining room or Melissa will order us something like donuts or biscuits.  Otherwise, coffee is my main source of morning  nourishment.  I know, I know.  I really should put something on my stomach besides liquid gold caffeine, but oh well.  It's not like it is that hard to make some toast, for crying out loud.  Yet, I just do not do it.

Growing up, our breakfasts consisted mostly of cereal on a daily basis.  On the weekends, Mom might cook breakfast on a Saturday but we mostly had cereal.  And since I do not care for milk, mine was always dry.  Suited me fine LOL.  Now, if we had company, there was normally a hot breakfast to be served and that was a treat.  But I never felt slighted when we just did our normal fare.

When I spent the night at Grandmother's house, which was very often as a child (and teenager), she would always have something for me.  If she didn't cook something, I would have grapefruit usually, which I actually loved.  And I didn't know at the time how much it took to section a grapefruit.  I have tried doing that, as an adult, and have not had much luck.  Maybe I don't have the proper knife for that.  Hmmmm.  I know I definitely don't have any grapefruit spoons...hmmmmm LOL

Anyway, today I decided to cook myself breakfast.  I've had bacon sitting in my freezer since the beginning of the pandemic.  It's gotten so expensive that I would buy it anytime it was on sale.  I finally realized that I should take some of it out and cook it.  So, I took it out last weekend and it's been sitting in the fridge ready to go ever since.  I have just been too lazy to do it.  But yesterday I cleaned off my dining room table, put down a tablecloth and placemats and created a centerpiece.  I decided that I wanted to use my table more on a regular basis and not just as a place to drop things onto as I'm walking by.  Breakfast today seemed like the perfect opportunity.

I'm thinking about all of this because I now cook bacon like Grandmother did....in the oven.  Mom always did hers on the stove top but Grandmother always cooked hers in the oven. It is so much easier, I do not know why Mom never did hers like that.  Now, don't get me wrong.  Bacon fried on the stove is great!  But it's messy and I end up getting burned by the popping oil.  And I will admit that I prefer to have my eggs scrambled in the leftover bacon grease....it's just yummy...but not the healthiest way to cook them.

So I cooked my bacon in the oven and transferred it to drain on a paper towel once it was done.  It crisped up so nicely while I scrambled my eggs.  I used a little olive oil to cook my eggs in.  You really can taste the olive oil in those eggs and it gives them a nice flavor.  I got my plate ready and sat at the table, in front of the window with the morning sunshine at my back.  And I enjoyed my breakfast immensely.  Now, I just need to make it a habit.

That is all

Daily Challenges Update

 A few weeks back I challenged myself to drink more water.  My goal was to only have non water beverages early in the morning (coffee) and during meals.  Overall, I am very pleased with my progress on this one.  I take my water bottle with me to work every day and normally I go through it and have to refill at some point.  And it's working.  I drink a lot more water than before.  The only downside is I do tend to use the restroom a lot more, but oh well.  At least I know it's in there LOL

I did not post my next daily challenge, but starting last Monday I decided that I was going to make a concerted effort to take more pride in my appearance.  My typical work attire is long dress pants and some kind of button down shirt.  I had always been keeping my shirt untucked because I thought it more comfortable.  Plus, our that's how our executive director at the time was dressing, so why not?  But I do not carry myself well when I dress like that.  My posture is way too relaxed and slumped.

So, last Monday, I tucked in my shirt and opted for suspenders instead of a belt.  People commented on how they liked the suspenders, which was nice.  The next day I wore something dressier, with a belt this time, and got lots of comments on how I looked.  When I did it again the next day, people asked me if I had a job interview...if that was why I was dressing up.  It's not, but it was nice to make people think.  And it's nice that people were noticing.  And, like I said, I carry myself better.  I stand up straighter.  I keep my shoulders back in alignment and that also helps me to look a little thinner than I am.  

All in all, I am happy with the changes I am making.  Now, time to think of a few more to add to the mix.

That is all.

Quote of the day

 Each day I strive to do something that will make me better.  It doesn't always happen, but I try nonetheless.  Let's hope I can keep it going!

That is all :)

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - We are all stars

 Each month at Heritage Greens, the CMT (Community Management Team) selects one associate to be the "Star of the Month".  It is quite an honor to receive this recognition.  It comes with a bonus for that month and you become eligible to be the "Star of the Year".  The CMT is very good about recognizing associates from different departments and different buildings.  This year we've had associates in dining services, housekeeping, the care communities all selected at SOTM.  This month, October, I was lucky enough to get selected.

I was not expecting to get this award because, honestly, I got it two years ago.  But, I do think I've earned it.  I work hard and try to make myself as available and as open to new things and other experiences at work.  But, the truth of the matter is, ALL of the stars have that same wonderful sense of community.  And it goes so far beyond those of us who have received this honor.  

All of our associates are stars, truly.  Anyone of these people could get this award because of the extraordinary care they give our residents.  The attention to detail.  The participation in creating that team atmosphere that we have.  Anyone of them could have been this month's Star of the Month.  I just got lucky enough to be selected.

I accept this honor graciously.  More importantly, knowing that I work some place where everyone strives to be their best and to do their best, to go above and beyond what is written in our job descriptions....that is truly the honor.  And I am proud to be a part of that.

That is all

Cristofori's Dream - David Lanz

 Now that we are transitioning into Autumn, I tend to find myself drawn towards music that is calming and relaxing.  Quiet, peaceful, yet powerful.  I was introduced to David Lanz's music by my high school best friend, Tanya.  So, I've been enjoying this particular piece for over 30 years now and it never gets old.  Still moves my soul.  And it's one of my favorite pieces to play on the piano....which I need to pick back up again.  Enjoy!

Recipe of the day - Creamy Portobello Mushroom Dip

 I found this recipe online about six months ago and have really enjoyed it.  I will often buy portobellos at the neighborhood grocery store when they are on sale, so I am always on the lookout for new ways to fix them.  Most of the recipes I come across use the mushrooms as entrees.  I have tried several of them and have always enjoyed them. 

Portobellos are a good and hearty main dish.  When this one popped up in my search, though, I wanted to try it.  Often when we get together with Lois for a relaxing afternoon on her porch, someone will make something snacky.  I wanted to try this and we all loved it.  And it's easy!  Hope you will like it as well!

Creamy Portobello Mushroom Dip

3 Tbsp butter

1 onion, minced *

2 Portobello mushrooms, finely diced

2 tsp Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp hot sauce

1 package cream cheese, softened

3 Tbsp heavy cream

salt, to taste

3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Melt butter in a sauce pan over medium heat.  Add onions and portobellos.  Saute' until they become soft and tender.  Reduce heat.  Add Worcestershire, hot sauce, cream cheese, heavy cream and salt.  Stir until cream cheese is smooth and creamy.  Stir in cheddar cheese until it is melted.

Serve warm with chips or crackers.

* most times I do not use an entire onion. I will take about 3 good slices and dice that.  That way, the onion is not overpowering.  Also, red onion is great in this!

This recipe does not take long at all to make.  So, when you need a quick appetizer, this works perfectly!

Enjoy!

Abide With Me

 This hymn was featured on a Netflix program we watched the other night.  It has been stuck in my head ever since.  The version they played was not great because the voices all sounded synthesized and autotuned.  But, the harmonies were nice.  Still, I'd forgotten how much I love this hymn and felt it would be a good start to my October blog posts.  Be blessed!

Escapades in Adulting...my Monday morning shopping trip.

 I went to the grocery store this morning and, if you know me at all, it's the perfect way for me to start my week.  I do love grocery shopping.  Strange, I know, but I really do enjoy it.  I get that from Mom.  I had some things in mind that I needed and did make my list.  I also was planning on doing some bulk shopping for meats if they were on sale.

My biggest mistake, and I NEVER seem to learn this one, is that I did not eat anything before I went.  That always increases what is in my shopping cart.  Here I am walking up and down the aisles with my tummy grumbling and everything looks delicious.  Things that I would not normally buy become very tempting just because I'm hungry. That, in combination with some scarce shelves due to panic buying (not mine this time), made it really hard to walk by things and not snatch them up.  No, I really don't need that ten pound bag of rice but it's such a good bargain and there isn't much left.  And, no, I didn't buy it but dang I wanted to LOL

I had to pull myself together and concentrate.  I bypassed the canned goods, the pastas, the chips and crackers and headed straight to the back of the store to the meat.  That's where I hit the jackpot.  And sadly, that's also where my hunger kicked in full speed.  Apparently, Monday is a good time to get meats on sale.  They aren't out of date, but getting close so they are greatly marked down.  And I bought all kinds....beef roast, pork roast, brisket, chicken thighs, ground beef, cubed steak, etc.  My cart was getting full, needless to say.  I had to return to my list.  Otherwise, my cart would be overflowing.  Luckily, I was able to maintain control and the remainder of my shopping experience adhered to my list.  Whew!

The bottom line is that I love to grocery shop.  I just need to remember two things.  One, don't forget my coupons...which I did, but they're still good for a few more days.  And two, EAT FIRST!

That is all

The Lord Bless You and Keep You - John Rutter

 This hymn closed out so many services of my growing up at FBC in Monroe.  I just needed this today.  It's so beautiful but its words ring true.  Be blessed

Coffee

 Every morning, I get up and the first thing that I do is make a pot of coffee.  Before I feed the fish, before I take Squirt out, before I feed the outdoor cats....I make a pot of coffee.  And, usually before the pot is completely brewed, I have already taken a cup out for myself.  I sit out on the porch, if the weather is cooperative, and have my first cup and just sit and ponder my day.

I did not start drinking coffee until my late twenties.  I was working at the catering company and one day I just decided to have some.  I had a coworker who would make a fresh pot every time she wanted coffee, even if there was a full pot there, she'd make a new one and drink only one cup of it. I thought that was pretty wasteful, so I started having some so it wouldn't completely go to waste.  It did help give me that extra boost of energy and I discovered I actually enjoyed the taste.  I had always liked the smell of coffee brewing so enjoying the taste was only natural for me.

I don't know why it took me so long to start drinking coffee because it was a big part of my growing up.  Of course, antiques wise, I have always loved cups and saucers.  Grandmother had a collection of "after dinner" cups and saucers that I would constantly play with as a young kid.  I know that I did break a couple of them through carelessness but she still let me hold them.  And I loved seeing the table set for breakfast with the cups.

Coffee was almost always had after meals.  At our house, Grandmother would always want a cup after we ate.  If Mom did not want any, we had one of those one cup hot beverage dispensers for things like instant coffee and I would fix one of those for Grandmother.  Instant coffee was a big thing back in those days.  But, often Mom would brew an entire pot and many wonderful conversations would be had the dinner table over a cup of coffee.  Mom always had coffee in her office as well.  If I was at work with here, my job would be to take the empty pot around to the water fountain and fill it up for another round of coffee.  And Mom always had plenty of mugs around her office to share with other people in the building.

So, here I am, on a Saturday morning, sitting at the computer with my mug of coffee.  It is my ritual.  I love the smell and the taste of it.  I drink it black.  Michael uses cream.  But having it each day gives me a connection to people I love that have gone before me.  And I cherish that.  

That is all

The Continuing Adventures of Just a Waiter - the history left behind

 I did not sleep particularly well last night.  My body was very tired but I could not seem to shut my brain off.  There were lots of thoughts spinning around in my head.  It became a whirlwind of emotion every time I closed my eyes.  My mind was bringing up so many pictures of the past.  And, with that, comes so many different feelings.  I got up and turned my radio on to listen to some relaxing music, hoping that would help me.  Eventually I did close my eyes and fall asleep, even thought I do not exactly remember.

Why couldn't I shut my brain down?  It is because yesterday, at work, I started on a new project.  I am always starting something new it seems.  Many times I take on things myself because it keeps me busy.  Most days, I do not like just sitting at my desk.  I want something to do.  Otherwise, I feel that I am wasting my time and the company's money. Now, that's not all the time.  Sometimes I do relish just sitting for awhile.  We all need days like that!

Anyway, we had a resident move out at the end of last week to be closer to her children.  There were other factors involved in the move, but those are not for me to disclose.  Let's just say that this was the best possible thing for our resident.  Well, the family came and packed up things and got her moved.  Yesterday, I went to check on the apartment to see if it was ready for environmental services to come in and start working on it.  When I opened the door, it looked like she was still living there.  I had to go back downstairs and double check with Melissa that she was officially out.  I actually had to check several times with her because in my head I could just not believe that all of this stuff was left behind.  It looked like they took 2 pieces of furniture and some clothes.  That was about it.

There was lots of furniture left.  I opened up cabinets and drawers and most were full.  There were bags of "trash" all over the place as well.  It almost looked as if someone just packed a bag and left during the night.  Of course, that was not the case, but that's still what it looked like!  I opened up a drawer that was full of pictures.  Family pictures.  That's when I made my decision.

I decided that I was going to get this mess cleaned up.  It was obvious that the family friends who packed up things left too many behind as far as cherished family momentos.  Now, I do realize that not everyone is as sentimental about these things as I am.  But I truly care about my residents and have no desire to see their histories end up in the trash.  We had a resident who passed away several years ago and two family members came in and threw everything out.  She was a published author and kept records of everything.  I was working in dining services at the time and when I went to take out some trash one day, the dumpster was full...and I mean full...of her papers and family pictures.  Just from peeking inside the dumpster, I could see hundreds of photographs....wedding pictures, family vacations, etc.  I picked up several and they were all labeled and dated....and in the TRASH!!  That just broke my heart.  

And I was determined not to let that happen again.  So, started going through all of the drawers and cabinets and pulling out pictures and things like that to return to the family.   I'm not sure if the son of this resident knows that these pictures are here as they were in a rush to move.  And, just so that everyone knows, I have full permission from the family and Melissa to be in there.  They have confirmed that they got "everything" they were taking and have given up financial occupation of the apartment.  So, if they want to throw away all of these wonderful pictures, I will let them do it.  I will box it up and hand it over.  From there, it is their responsibility.  I just cannot personally do that, it makes me so sad to think of it.

It brought up a lot of feelings for me that I will discuss later in other posts.  But, as for today, I will go in and clean up more trash, get things organized and give this resident's life the dignity it deserves.  There are so many things that we will donate because they are in great shape.  As for the family pictures, what happens to them will be up to the family.  I will have done all I could to satisfy my own conscience.  I care.  And having peace of mind that I at least tried will help me to continue to care for my residents.

That is all.