Of Course

The blue screen of death reared it's ugly head! Had to go buy a new computer last night. I hate buying a computer but the sales person was great - Kristin at Best Buy.

We ended up with the floor model and the manager came down another 10% to pay for the Geek warranty. The manufacturer warranty time started when the store put it on the floor.

The good news is that it is a Gateway. I had one several years ago and I liked it. But the best news is that it is a touch screen - I felt like an idiot when I kept touching my old monitor that wasn't a touch screen!

New Furniture

This is the loveseat. We have a sofa and a chair, too. It all seems so big! We spent an hour moving things around. It is the best it can be - I'll get used to it. I can say this it is very comfortable!

Really Spring!

It's not the Robins or the Red Winged Black Birds that signify Spring is here!

Today we saw a turkey displaying to all his girlfriends! Yup, that is a sure sign!

Camping Chick

Fran just sent me the cutest Tshirt! I can't wait for our first caming trip. I love it! Thank you Fran!

A Box to Bethesda

That was easier than I thought! I just sent Patrick with a box of precious dishes, candlesticks, doo dads from the bookshelves in the living room. Mostly things I have accumulated over the last several years.

None of Grandma Shea's or the Aunties' stuff Joanna and Caroline might want. But still things I liked having.

I am a pack rat by nature and it was difficult! We are packing things so we can move the bookcases out to the kitchen so we can get our furniture delivered on Monday. Say a prayer the three pieces look right in here! The backs are higher than what we have now.

Pumpkin

American Test Kitchen says to cook canned pumpkin before using it in pies, cookies, breads etc. It gets rid of the tinny smell and taste.

New Pope New Hope

Cardinal Bergoglio, a humble Jesuit, of Argentina has been named Pope. He is taking Francis as his name. St. Francis was the the founder of the Jesuits. It has been said that St. Francis heard from God, "Francis repair my church!" Pope Francis, it is my hope you do that for us.

Pope Francis is a voice of the poor, he is humble, and people have called him a saint.

I did not even know how much this meant to me. I prayed for humble. I prayed for someone who loved his people.

In Argentina he lived in an apartment and took a bus. He asked his priests to act like Jesus. Before his first blessing as Pope Francis he bowed and asked the millions watching to pray for him. Need I say anymore?

I haven't been this hopeful since John XXIII!

The Power Within

I saw this on Good Morning America this morning - blown away - always, always, always, ask!

Inspiration

I sent a message to a friend about inspiration. That got me thinking - what inspires me? I have found that being open to inspiration is the real key to being inspired. Asking the Holy Spirit and of course my favorite Saint Anthony to help me find inspiration - another key.

Some of my favorite inspirations have been for decorating at church. One time standing at the ambo looking over to where the Christmas trees were going to stand I imagined the cross being among them. The cross that the committee made out of a huge Christmas tree inspired by a homily by Bishop Ken about the Christmas tree becoming the cross. I was very moved to see that cross among the trees that Christmas.

Another time we went to Midland Center for the Arts after the Saginaw News ran an article about the light show by Stephen Knapp. It was awesome. We were all inspired to make it happen. And we did. It was a beautiful Easter backdrop for the cross.

Noreen, a member of our committee, said every time she sees a telephone pole where garage sale signs have been she thinks of Lent! The nails left behind a reminder of Jesus on the cross. Even though we never followed through on that inspiration I must say that I never go past a corner where I see nails that I don't think of it.

Of course last year when we made the thread art following the inspiration of Gabriel Dawe was another favorite of mine.

Holy Spirit, bring inspiration to people seeking it. Give inspiration even when they are not looking for it. Keep giving us chances to stop to see the beauty God has given us in this world. Help us to appreciate it, use it, and inspire others. Amen.

Preparing for a Dinner Party

Just wrapped the cutest pair of salad servers. Having friends for dinner tonight. I love getting things pretty. I must be my Momma's daughter!

Our standard salad is so good! Lettuce, tomatoes, carrots, celery, cucumbers, green peppers, blueberries, raspberries, strawberries and blackberries!

My Sister Kathy's Rolls

1 envelope yeast
1 Tbs sugar
1/2 cup warm water
Combine above ingredients and let it sit for 10 minutes

1 beaten egg
1/2 cup melted shortening (I used butter)
2 cups lukewarm water
1 1/2 tsp salt (I used 3/4 tsp)
1/2 cup sugar
8 cups white flour

Mix all ingredients except flour, add half flour and beat until snooth for about a minute. Add the rest of the flour a bit at a time until the dough leaves the sides of the bowl. Add the last cup a little at a time. You can't fix too much flour. Let dough sit 10 minutes to rest.

Knead 10 minutes. Place in greased bowl, cover with a warm wet towel that has been wrung out until double in size.

Knead a few times and let it rest 10 minutes.

I like these small about 17 to a cake pan. I always make them too big. But this picture is right!  Shape and put into pan to rise. Bake at 350 - 20 - 30 minutes or until browned and a roll sounds hollow when thumped.

Walnut Pie

When we were living in Midland we were on the adult education committee at Blessed Sacrament. We met many people while attending Blessed Sacrament, but the Spillers still stand out in our fond memories.

Skip and Leslie were so nice.  The stories they told always made us laugh. The inspiration they brought to the committee was much needed. Skip even hired me to word process his doctorate thesis at a time when I really needed the work. But the best thing ever was that Skip shared his walnut pie recipe with me. We love this pie.

Walnut Pie
1 unbaked pie crust
1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup softened butter
3/4 cup granulated sugar
3 eggs
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup light cream
1 cup coarsely chopped walnuts
1/2 tsp vanilla
1/4 cup walnut halves

Preheat oven to 350. Combine sugar and butter in double boiler. Beat until smooth. Add granulated sugar and mix thoroughly. Add eggs one at a time, beating after each addition. Add salt, syrup and cream. Mix well. Cook over boiling water, stirring for 5 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in chopped walnuts and vanilla. Top with walnut halves. Bake 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Author Visit!

Last night I visited with the Middle School girls at Hillside Bible Church in Ortonville. They were read to each week from Webber House.

They started writing journals and included lots of pictures of the characters of the book. I loved being with them. They had lots of questions. They were very sweet. It was a very fun night.

Making a Tent

Hanging out with Ayva. She has been doing magic, ate a grilled cheese sandwich that Papa made her, and now she is making a tent!

Patrick Berkshire, I love my Cutting Board

My best friend's son sent me the most beautiful cutting board. He made it for me.

I just couldn't use it until he called me. He said if the top gets marks on it from the knives we just have to sand it and put mineral ol in it.

I think I will only use one side!

Woohoo Lunch with Sheala!

This morning I helped with the mailing at Youth for Christ. It was nice to see Joanna so loved by the volunteers.  Then I stopped in to see Kathy Chauvette at Homeland Title. (They are in the same building.) Told her to give my love to Greggy.

Pat picked me up and I texted Sheala to see if she wanted to go to dinner. She was done with classes so we we drove to Big Rapids and went for lunch with her.

We went for burgers downtown. We had such a good talk with Sheala. She is a joy to be with.

We are so blessed with a good loving family.

Peacock!

We went on a road trip to Tawas yesterday. Pat suggested stopping at Ben Franklin. That store is one of my absolute favorite places to shop!

We found this adorable little side table for $39! We needed one next to the loveseat. It's so cute.

It reminds me of a sweet visit to the Saginaw Children's Zoo when Grandma Clifford sweet talked the peacock into displaying. (That story is in the Holiday Series - should be published early summer!)

Hartwick Pines

We picked up Robbie from school because he had a half day. Pat made plans with him to work on the ceiling in the basement.

Hah! Blue skies and sunshine means a road trip! We stopped in Clare at Subway for lunch then on to Hartwick Pines near Grayling.

They went for a hike on the trails. They said the snowshoes made the snow compact so they could walk.

I rewrote chapter one of A Very Difficult Year while I watched Black Capped Chickadees at the feeders.

What a gorgeous day.