Winner, Winner...and do you know what makes me happy, happy, happy?

Yes, Christmas is over but I leave the wreath up until January end; it's too pretty, adding a bit of cheer to a somewhat bleak terroir to remove too soon.

Lightly, also known as Meri Go Lightly, the easy keeper mare requiring TLC, has a nasty habit of eating all the bird seed from the feeder. I have a nasty habit of allowing her because it's little enough spoiling for being kept where it's easier for her to heal. (I am such a sap!)

Advantage was taken to get in a load of wood from a pile which is getting dangerously low. I've found a seller of wood but am waiting for someone to take a look at it to be sure it's locust and dry.

Debbie, Of His Pasture, in cold IL won the Duck Socket Sealers; they were mailed Tuesday and, Debbie...it is downright nasty here today...sleet, ice, snow and I went to town anyway. You said your house was older than mine, Thomas Hawkins began building mine in 1900, and drafty as all get out. You need these sealers; let me know how they work for you.

BTW. Debbie's was the third name drawn because the first two people did not leave a way to be contacted. When I clicked on the names, a box popped up “no-reply...”. Ummm, that’s not good; if you want a chance to win, you really need to leave a way for folks to get in contact with you. In a few days, Vicki’s third annual Grow Your Blog Party starts and one of her few rules is...ya gotta leave a way for folks to contact you.

It’s winter in Appalachia where weather can’t make up his feeble mind. One day it’s semi-warm, drizzly, cloudy and the next it’s cloud, cold and spitting ice and snow. Yesterday, before going to town, I fixed breakfast of country ham, English muffins and a cheesy egg.

A few months ago, at a thrift store, I found two egg cookers that are specific to the microwave. I cannot begin to tell you how these little cookers have changed the way I eat! One of the greatest problems for me, since Dave died, is fixing a meal; it's okay if I use the crock pot but it's just difficult to remember to leave time in the evening for an actual meal. Far too frequently, I find myself at the end of the day with nothing to eat and resort to cold cereal. 

One or two scrambled eggs, a bit of cheese and, sometimes ham or bacon or sausage is added, a minute in the microwave and I've got a hot, tasty meal. The cheesy eggs are left on the plate or placed atop a muffin or biscuit that's been slathered with my home churned butter. Being somewhat too hungry lazy to make cat head biscuits, I used English muffins...not quite as tasty but certainly a lot easier and faster and, really, when enough butter is used, the difference isn't noticeable. 

For those requiring a bit more instruction...oil the cooker with veg, corn, EVOO or butter, break one or two eggs into cooker, mix well, season with black pepper and salt, add a tablespoon or two of cheese and microwave one minute. I’ve added a few bits of broccoli or a few leaves of spinach; any veg will do and, yep, it’s that easy! Next, I need to search for a few more recipes as this one is getting worn out from use. Perhaps a chocolate cake...

Something else that makes me happy, happy, happy is YOU! Visiting your blogs, reading about your life or projects or what you’re selling or what’s happening where you live, etc. When a post catches my eye, I, sometimes visit more than once, just to savor your words, your life, you. I’m not much good at responding to comments...as I age (thank You, God!) I find the energy level only goes so far, especially in cold weather. So, I can read, comment, visit or I can respond to comments; I’d rather visit you and comment.

Something else that makes me happy...when I visit you and wander around your blog, there are so many things of interest. I find out if you’re interested in crafts or writing or traveling, etc. Sometimes I see you’re on Pinterest or Ravelry...fun! I’ve gotten some really great quotes from your blogs; some have appeared on my Sabbath Keeping and, when possible, given credit. (Meaning when memory decided to serve fully and well.) Time is taken to tuck you in a little prayer; it’s not necessary for me to know much about you because God knows it all and likes when someone lifts someone else in prayer.

When I visit your side bar, I see so many other blogs that look interesting. It’s almost a sure bet to find bloggers I already know and love visiting and am sure to find a few new to me bloggers as well. Thank you for that little gift!

Something else that makes me happy is seeing my blog on your sidebar. Which, makes me wonder...have I listed your blog on my sidebar? I know I read a lot more blogs than are listed, which confuses me. So, if my blog is on your side bar but you don't see your blog on my Cozy Reads sidebar, please let me know. I want to be a good neighbor and fix that immediately!

We all matter; sometimes in ways we’ll never know. When I visit you and tuck you into prayer, it matters to you (although you may never know), it matters to me and it matters to God. Our lives count in ways that are, sometimes, incomprehensible to us, but not to God. It’s taken me a while to get to this place but there are people who have hurt me deeply or owe me money or steal from me. People who claim to be Christians (because they go to church) but, frankly, I think their Jesus imitation is seen through a glass darkly. It’s taken me a while to be willing to pray for them and, truth be told, I still fall off that particular hallelujah wagon but when I do pray for them, I am being obedient to God's Word. This Christian walk can be like walking on broken glass and when I look down, the shattered glass is, often, my heart. Even so, obedience is better than sacrifice and He’s promised to be with us each and every step. Glory Be!

Blessings ~ quick, easy, nutritious meal ~ a treat for Lightly ~ beauty in a bare landscape ~ a winner ~ 

10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life...

~ the bliss of October ~

Little did I know when I took the month of September off from blogging, it would turn into October and most of November as well. The computer hard drive crashed and, through friend Mary, I found someone to fix the problem...for a day or two. Then, other problems began and the computer stopped working, again, leaving me in a muddle. In October we celebrated Mom's 80th birthday (photos and story at a later date) and her and Daddy's 63rd wedding anniversary! My siblings always want me to be master of ceremonies and the single most on point thing I said was, "Mom and Daddy's lives are a long obedience in the right direction." The most wonderful memory I have of them both are when they read their Bibles. Daddy reads his every morning, before breakfast, and Mom reads her Bible sometime during the day. They've both studied God's word for decades, used the Bible to guide them in making sound decisions about all of life and, by example, taught their children, other family, friends, neighbors, acquaintances what it means to "live a life of long obedience in the right direction."

Other folks spoke up and one comment was, "When I think of Jim and Gladys, I think of the word "faithful". They are faithful to God, to each other, to their family, to their community...". Everyone should have a time in their lives when they hear the good stuff; don't save it for a funeral or wake. Make it a point to tell someone ASAP what they mean to you; what a fine example they've set, what a blessing they've been to you or how much you appreciate them.

Do Not Wait because it's later than you think.

 

~ the view in November ~

Now...I'm in a list making kinda mood so here are my suggestions for things to do everyday to add life to your years, quality to your life and joy all 'round.

10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life

1. Move, if possible, outside. Walk, run, bike, jump on a (mini) trampoline, lift weights... do something physical every day. Leave the ear buds behind as you take a walk or run; watch and listen to nature, to what's around you. Look, listen and be attentive and where ever you are, be fully there.

~ Daisy, full gallop ~

2. Encourage others and don't forget to encourage yourself as well. Hand write notes or letters and mail them, send a free e-card, make an agreement with yourself to never return to the house without giving at least one compliment to a stranger. Watch their face light up and know you've done a Very Good Thing. Encouragement can be such a small thing to do yet such a huge gift, both to give and receive. Cast your bread upon the water and know it will return, full fold, to you.

3. Practice gratitude. In your journal, save a few pages to being thankful in all things. You don't have to be thankful for all things but there's always a blessing peeking around the cloud. The small things in life are the bricks that make love's foundation.

4. Make something. Be crafty and creative...sew, knit, crochet, weave, use textiles, fiber, paper, found objects, make a meal from scratch, garden, can produce, tie flies for fishing, woodwork...there's no end to being crafty and creative. Stifle that (bad) teacher's voice who told you, "You're no artist, give it up" and make something anyway. Don't worry about perfect...it'll never be perfect but you can make it perfectly yours and that's a good thing.

5. Be judicious in watching television which can be a time suck that devours minutes, hours, days of your one precious life! Watching television leaves not much to show other than more creative things being left undone. Television is a trade off; be careful what you trade because, essentially, you're trading your life...

6. Be kind. Everyone has struggles that make life challenging. No matter how others behave, be kind to them. If they aren't kind in return, if possible, as soon as possible, remove yourself from their sphere and negative influence. Be kind to yourself and treat yourself with gentleness and respect in what you say and do and how you act. Practice being kind with yourself so it becomes a habit with others.

7. Read uplifting material. Light a candle, make a favorite beverage and prepare to fuel your life with goodness. An old term is GIGO which means garbage in, garbage out; what you put into your head and thoughts will come out through your mouth and life. Now, that, my lovelies, is a frightening thought!

8. Get plenty of rest and sleep. An interview with Martha Stewart quoted her as saying she didn't need more than four or five hours of sleep a night. P'raps so but I need a solid eight and will, when bone weary and exhausted, dip into nine or ten hours. The results are the next day I'm better able to handle what life throws at me.

9. Eat and drink healthfully. Women's bodies are approximately 50% water while men's bodies are approximately 60% water (adults). There's a reason we're told to drink 64 ounces of water a day; it keeps headaches and constipation at bay, gives a more radiant glow, flushes toxins from our body and keeps us healthier. Eat servings of fruit, vegetables, dairy, protein and carbs every day; if you have allergies, stay away from that which negatively affects you. There are almost as many diets as they are people and I once heard someone say, "Everything in moderation, including moderation." I've also heard the best exercise is a "push away"...as in we should all eat more slowly and, when we feel full, push away from the table.

10. Be a generous giver and gracious taker. Mom has always said, "There are two kinds of people in the world: givers and takers and most fall into the second category." I maintain there's a third category and that's a "generous giver and gracious taker." Do you find most givers are dreadful takers? I think it's difficult for givers to take with grace and I've often wondered why; do you know? (I ask because I'm a giver and know it's difficult for me to take without doing/giving something in return...which, rather negates and, more than likely, takes pleasure from the original giver. hmmm...and, I should add, I've stopped giving to those who are mostly takers. That is a deep well of misery that I choose not to dip my ladle into these days.)

What are your 10 Doables to a Daily Wonderful Life?

Want to share?

Well, Blog Buddies, this is what comes of not having a computer. My brain goes all introspective and I come up with list after list after list... you have been warned...

October was brilliant in color but extremely rainy and the first weekend in November, six inches of snow fell on the farm. So far, November is a reminder winter is close and closing in. Tonight, it's snowing and I started a fire in the wood stove so the house is warm and cozy. The kitten is giving the evil eye to Miss Emma who is responding with threatening growls of, "Try it and I'll kick you to Tuesday." The dogs are crashed out on sofas and floor and (other than the absence of Dave) all is right with my inside world. Earlier, the kitten was snugged against Sam P. Spade, Secret Agent who has had a name change to Sam P. Spade, Secret Saint. Some readers may remember I rescued the kitten from roadside ditch, brought him home and, bless me! if he doesn't keep growing. Even so, he was thrown away young, misses his mother and Sam was the only family member who allowed nursing and cuddling.

~ Sam P. Spade, Secret Saint with "his" kitten ~

Meri Go Lightly, my easy keeper mare, has laminitis (again) and has been on a short lot with short rations and meds twice a day. Last night in the bitter cold, Dr. Anne came by to say it's time for new meds, which she ordered today and I bought straw bales to put on the ground so Lightly could have a barrier against the cold earth. My horses are American Curly horses and giving free choice shelter which, generally, they choose not to use. Their winter coats are heavy with curls and provide excellent insulation against the elements.

~ Meri Go Lightly ~

For some reason, it's taking me a long time to download, or is it upload, photos. Since that's the case, I'm closing down and headed to bed robed in a flannel night gown, with a good book or magazine and three dogs for company. The temperature is now hovering around 22 and it's, officially, a three dog night. Sweet dreams, all.

Blessings ~ a wonderful vet ~ a fire in the wood stove ~ Godly parents ~ a long obedience in the right direction ~ a daily wonderful life ~ you, for reading my blog...thank you! ~