New recipes, Bicentennial Gardens and CUMC

 It's been a good week overall.  Not a whole lot in the way of fun but I did get a little bit in there.  At least things that are fun for me!  As you know, I love cooking my Sunday meal.  I have started referring to it as a Sunday meal rather than lunch or dinner because it's my big meal for the day and has lately been sometime in the middle of the afternoon.  So, last Sunday I tried two new recipes and loved them both.  One was for hamburger gravy.  I saw something about this on YouTube.  I was watching a video about cheap meals from the 70s and this was one of them.  I thought it sounded good, so I looked up a recipe to try.  It was so simple but so filling.  I served it over cheesy mashed potatoes and will definitely make it again.  In fact, I plan on cooking it to take to Dad and June next week.

The other recipe I tried was okra and tomatoes.  This is Paula Deen's recipe. I saw it on an episode of her first cooking show and wrote down the recipe.  This was the one to beat.  I was not sure if I would like it or if it would be anything special but good grief was it good.  It was my favorite thing from last Sunday's meal.  I shared it with two other people and they both agreed that it was very good!  Another keeper I will have in my recipe collection.

I have been picking up my daily walking and have really enjoyed it.  Last Saturday, I decided to take my walk in one of Greensboro's many parks.  I opted for the Bicentennial Gardens.  It's located on Cornwallis and Holden.  I had been there before, but it had been many years.  It was just a lovely experience.  So many places to walk and things to see.  The gardens are simply beautiful.  And at 8 in the morning, it's not too crowded at all.  It felt so good to get out into a garden again.  Seeing the beauty of nature does a soul good.  While I may not get to a different part every Saturday, I would certainly love to try.

I attended my first service at Christ United Methodist Church last Sunday.  I have been meaning to go for a long time and thought I may as well go ahead and try it out.  What a wonderful experience it was.  Everyone was friendly and welcoming.  The sermon was about David & Goliath and there were many good points made.  I took notes haha!  There was a beautiful soloist in the anthem and the service wrapped up with communion.  I had to hurry out after because the service ran longer than I anticipated.  I did not know that they would do communion which adds time.  I actually had something in the oven that I did not want to burn LOL  But on my way out I saw one of my residents from work who is a member of the church and I had no idea.  I'll be going back today.

Hopefully I will get more fun things in this week.  I know I will go and see Dad and June this Saturday but I look forward to discovering what else is in store for me.

Early mornings

 I really like being a morning person.  That is something that I never thought I would say but it's true. 

The older I get the more I enjoy getting up with the sun or even before the sun depending on the time of year.  Growing up, like most kids, I was definitely not a morning person.  I think that many parents struggle with how to get their children up and going before school.  And I was not a breakfast eater when I was a kid so there was no such thing as food motivation back in those days. Somehow, I made it through those years of getting up and 7 and leaving the house around 7:30 for school.  I don't know how I did it but there you go.

And like others that I know, not all, I went through that phase as a relatively young adult when staying up late going out and having a good time were my priorities.  In some ways I wish I could have that time back, but I did create some great memories in those days.  But that was another time when getting up early was definitely not important to me.  I would get up at 8:30 in order to be in to work by 9 or I would actually sleep the mornings away on days I was not working.  I'm not especially proud of that period but it is what it is.

Now, and for the last 10 years or so, I relish getting up with the dawn.  It is my time for me and me alone.  When I was in a relationship, that was the only time I had that I could truly devote to myself.  Once Michael would wake up, my morning would become about getting him ready for work and making sure he had everything he needed.  And there's nothing wrong with that but in retrospect it was unhealthy for me.  But that is when I started loving the mornings.  And I still do now that I'm single.  No matter what is in store for my day, these first few hours are just about me.  Whether or not I am doing something productive or just sitting with my coffee at the computer.  It's my time to do with as I wish.  And that is a precious commodity these days I feel.

Getting up early also allows me to get things done that might otherwise get pushed aside.  I love that sense of accomplishment to the beginning of my day.  It sets the tone for my entire day. The past few weeks I have been getting in a morning walk which has been fantastic.  I am enjoying being outside and working towards my health.  Making that part of my early morning has changed my daily outlook in a good way.  Early mornings are not for everyone.  I often have friends tell me they look at time stamps on my posts and just cannot imagine being up that early.  You have to do what works for you.  And now that I am in my 50s, this works for me.  Early mornings are my favorite time of life right now. 

Donating items I am ready to let go of

 One of the nice things about cleaning out drawers and cabinets and closets and such is finding things to donate.  While I enjoy going thrifting and finding good deals on used items and clothes that still have plenty of life left in them, I also enjoy donating gently used items that I no longer use but someone may find useful.  Doing this one drawer at a time really does help with that.  And I try to donate to charities and shops that do good for the community.

Today I took two boxfuls of items to work to donate to the yard sale we are having next week.  All of the proceeds go to the Alzheimer's Association, which is a cause that I feel is very important.  We have these sales several times each year and I always try to find some good things to give away.  I have also found some good deals at these sales too so it's a win/win for me!  And with this sale, anything that does not get sold is donated to Freedom House, a recovery center for mothers where they can get the help they need.  Another cause I think is important. 

I love it when this process benefits not only myself but others.  We're all in need in one way or another and helping each other with those needs just feels good.  That is all. 

Quote of the Week

 

This is a quote that was used in this past Sunday's sermon which was about David & Goliath.  It hit me like a thunderbolt and brought a new perspective to my week!

Rose Medallion

 

Rose Medallion is a pattern that was created in China in the early 19th century.  It was mainly for export to America and European countries.  The pattern was continuously produced or recreated up through the late 20th century.  I have always enjoyed this pattern.  We did not have much in our households, but it is a pattern that Grandmother would always point out whenever we were antiques shopping.  Mom did have a small bowl that sat on our living room coffee table for a while that we bought at an auction. 

Until this past year, I did not own any Rose Medallion.  I went to an estate sale, surprise surprise, and found this collection.  It was more than I wanted to pay for it, but since it was the last day of the sale, I decided to make an offer.  I did and it was accepted.  I do love the pieces, especially the cups and the chocolate set.  I need to find good places to display them.  I don't really have a place to put them all in one spot so I will pepper them throughout the house!

I don't know how long I will hold onto them but am happy to have them at the moment.  I enjoy them and that is what is important!

Today's Moment of Mindfulness

 

as you walk from one place to another, become aware of your posture.  Notice if you are rushing ahead with your shoulders hunched and carrying tension like a heavy sack.  Pull your upper body back and straighten your spine.  Be aware of your connection to the ground as each foot is placed one in front of the other.  Enjoy being alert and mindful while you walk.  

The Music Cabinet

 

I love this music cabinet.  This is a Bivens family piece that was purchased towards the beginning of the 20th century.  You can see that part of the shipping tag is still on the back of the cabinet.  It has a glass knob on the cabinet door and a beveled mirror on top.  This piece was in our home for as long as I can remember.  Aunt Sara gave it to Mom either in the late 70s or early 80s.  The piece actually belonged to Aunt Billie, but Sara gave it away anyway LOL  It always sat in our living room and was overflowing with sheet music.  

I received this piece when Bill and I divided up our parents' things after Dad married June. And I have loved having it in my home.  Right now, I use it to store table linens.  For several years, this piece was out in the garage.  Last year, I decided to bring it back into the house.  I cleaned it up well and put it back in the living room where it has been ever since.  And now that I no longer have a fish tank in the living room, I have moved it to where the tank used to be. Somewhere I have a photo from the 1920s of Aunt Billie sitting in front of the cabinet. I need to find that picture and frame it for display on the cabinet.  It's a lovely piece and I am blessed to have it.