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!