Looking Back...

Looking back on this last year...

Ever heard the saying sometimes we are not able to see what is

right in front of our eyes...

I prefer my small little world, I do not have to be up front and in 

center stage and have the notion that the world revolves around me.
Simple and quiet...

Learning to be content and happy is a fine art!
But the more you practice it, the easier it comes.

We have all had a few trials and we can see that our faith was tested.

 But we take joy in the opportunity to have a fresh start in a new year!

As we all know:

It truly is hard to keep all the balls in the air that life throws at you!
But we can give it are all, and do the best we can!

But when I looked back over this last year I smile and bow my head;

I give thanks for another year of grace and prosperity in love.

The ability to encourage and give support.

"Sometimes it is just a smile or a kind word that has helped me to keep going"

I am not sure if we will ever fully get over the feeling that we just

don't fit into the peg hole. But being unique and sincere goes a long way!

Sometimes it is a bit of a transition to start a new year!
But it is a great time to clean out and organize
It all really takes hard work!

Gimmicks don't work.

Money has wings

Politics is like playing with fire

Health truly is your wealth!

Stay in the Word!

Let not your heart be troubled!

Everything in moderation...

If you have extra; share

If you feel sad; have a good cry

If you have read a good book; pass it on.

If you're afraid to die, then start living well; so you can die well...
May this New Year not leave you with regrets,
But live to give God Glory...

Happy New Year

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup...

Slow Cooker French Onion Soup

INGREDIENTS
¼ cup butter
4 medium sweet onions, halved and thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons brown sugar
½ teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup beer (You do not need to add this)
2 quarts low-sodium beef stock or Use Your own fresh made beef stock if you have some
½ teaspoon pepper
1 baguette, sliced (You can also use croutons)
Gruyere cheese, sliced or grated (Parmesan is also good)



INSTRUCTIONS
Turn on your slow cooker and set to high. Add butter and let melt. Add onions, garlic, vinegar, brown sugar, and salt. Mix well. Cover and let cook for 1-1.5 hours, stirring every 15 minutes, until onions begin to caramelize and turn brown. Stir in flour, allow to cook for a couple minutes, then stir in beer and beef stock a bit at a time, stirring well between each addition to avoid lumps. Stir in thyme and pepper. Cover and cook for 6-8 hours on low. Taste and season with additional salt, if desired.
To serve: Top baguette slices with cheese and broil until cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve on top of soup.



After weeks of sweets and heavy foods, it is nice to have a lighter fare such as a warm bowl of soup!

Celebrate And Give Thanks For His Gift (Emanuel, God With Us)...

Christmas Past

Christmas Future

Everything has a consequence!

When I look at my life or the life of others;

I see a pattern of what I might call a Pendulum.

In our own human nature we all have a tendency.

We swing to this side or that side.

We can just chalk it up to each his own...

But I now can look back and see that life is a journey and we are

All learning through trials and testing of our faith!

Is it really about what you eat or wear?

(I am NOT attacking anyone here)

Yet all these things can make a huge impact...

What I am thinking for me is a greater measure of

Allowing the person the grace to walk out his own sanctification process.

Taking my own agenda or belief system and belittling another.

Is not going to gain anything!

I know of many that do not celebrate Christmas at all!

I have heard this is a pagan holiday and they use the

Scriptures in Nehemiah to say how we should not have a tree.

Look, I have grown up with celebrating Christmas, I have done 

My own research and I am willing to continue to

Celebrate Christmas...

This post is written not to anyone I know!!!!

It is just something that I have wrestled with from way back...

I am a Baptist

I am a Wife

I am a Mother

I am a Grandmother

I am doing the best job I know how to do!

I have never intended to offend anyone!

We all have the luxury to do as we understand to be acceptable

To God, but not always are fellow man.

Some things are just not my job to police

other people and how and what they celebrate.

We can give our opinion and you can even listen to

 Why they do or don't do something!

I have come to see that there are so many different ways

of doing things and ways to interpret scripture.

Take time to ask the Lord to continue to learn and grow!

I will no longer participate in these battles of what is

the truth or the way!

I am a grown woman and I will do

the best that I can with what He is doing in my life.

Merry Christmas...

Video Games Have Caused An Avalanche...

Men don't want to work!

I have watched and have seen this trend for many years now!

And I have now seen the results of what it breeds.

These video games that especially the boys play have

Turned them into grown men that are Angry

Lazy and have no interest in working.

~Most of them have no interest in being married and interacting with their families~

(If they have any)

Video games will kill real life

Video games dissolve real emotion or feelings!

Video games make them aggressive!

(The reason for this is because there is no real release for the adrenaline

To be released after being in a battle or combat or being in a high speed chase!

If you want to save our young men from a life of no real living skills or emotions;

Then get rid of your equipment that is used for them!!

Games and all the electronic junk needed to play them!

Yes, they will hate you and be very angry!

Why?

Because they are addicted to these games, and they need the fix!

Men that play these games have less interest in all relationships!

(Yes, there are a few that might have a firm balance of this game stuff)

BUT VERY FEW DO!

If you really think that allowing this stuff to be done in your home and

For your kids to do as entertainment, then you will be sorry!

I have seen good christian families now say that they wished they had never allowed this

An awful form of mind control to take over their children's lives.

They will have no interest in anything else...

We are made to have everything we do connect with us, our

Minds, bodies and emotions...

So many kids are troubled with no way to release their energy!

Most kids can't even feel tired enough to go to sleep;

As they just want to play another game;

(Just one more time)

{Addiction}

These boys are a bit scary if you ask me!

They look and act a bit comatose, and void of real eye contact!

But wait, every phone has games!

Every home has a play station 2 Thousand (Exaggeration)

Wait, some games are beneficial.

Every child has their own little screen to play on!

We have all heard the phrase from the song girls want to have fun?

Well, now, boys just want to play video games!

Forget about growing up and taking care and providing for one's family.

They use to be interested in sports and cars and trucks and girls!

But now they just want to play video games...

Have we seen the problem here yet??

Just saying...

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Friendships And No Reciprocation...

 

All Of Our Days Can Be The Good Old Days...

Once again I sit here in the early morning and think of what

would be best for me to do this lovely day!

Cold days can be expected in the month of December!

I love that it gets dark early so we must come in and relax and

Enjoy those long winter nights!

Our generation is a GO generation...

Always busy, always looking at their phone.

Do you ever just stop and ask yourself this question

"Why do you do what you do?"

I do not mind being busy for a season!

I just wanted to encourage each of you today with a few thoughts!

This first one may sound harsh, but I believe it merits at least

To be mentioned!

Friendships

If you have a friendship that is completely one sided

(You do all the calling, You put all the effort into it)

Emotional, and supporting of them, and there is

NO reciprocation!

Then may I suggest letting it start to fade;

Ask God is this one you should continue to invest in?

(Because there are some people we all have in our lives that it is going to be this way)

But there are some relationships that just need to go by the wayside.

~You should be investing in your Husband and Family~

But God Knows we all need a good friend!

Being wise and spending your time in investing in healthy relationships!

And we can be kind to all, but realistically we only have so much energy

and time for those that God has given us!

But when God gives you and a kindred spirit friend; love her and honor her!

The reason we need to evaluate friendships;

Because a true friend is a treasure!

Impart into those friendships that will produce fruit!

Take some time and send a card or call those that are near and dear

To Your Heart...

Be open to new ones God may bring to you!!

Be willing to let go of the ones that are fading!!

God will always remove those that are not good for you;

(But you must ask Him to do that for you)

Allow God to manage who He wants in your life!

Try to make a few hours each month to fellowship with a friend!

A few good friends is better than being friends with everyone...

Writing a letter will always be worth your time;

(I have saved every written note sent to me in my adult life)

Remember, having an older woman in your life is very biblical!

Okay, bake a chocolate cake and serve your husband and family,

But save a piece for a dear friend and enjoy each others company.

Because a good friend is like chocolate

It is meant to be shared and enjoyed!

How To Live In Comfort And Joy All The Time...

 

When life tends to get a bit busy and filled with so many

things on our calendars, we tend to go into survival mode.

But I have learned a few things in these last few years.

 It is something I want to share with you all!

Firstly, feeling tired and stress is a fact in this fast pace world!

So if we can't change the world and the way it runs its course;

Then I must change my response...

Learning the art of staying calm is a health benefit that outweighs many

Things that you may be doing on any given day!

Look, we need to take back our peace...

Living in comfort and joy all the time!

We must not allow all the junk to take us out!

Ask yourself this often, Is my reaction appropriate for

What I am experiencing?

Do you feel tired all the time?

Do you feel like crying?

Well, we all feel that way at different times;

Good News...

Great, you're alive and fairly normal!

Find your daily rituals that help you stay calm!

Stress will kill you in more ways then one.

Shake it off ladies...

We make more out of so many things that are not that big of a deal!

This is your life... Deal with it!

Or My favorite

(Get over it already)

I refuse to take on the stuff that is thrown at me!

But I will deal with what God hands me...

Big difference!

Instead of doing everything and making it perfect;

Pick a few things and do them well and enjoy it!

Large and expensive and time consuming  "Blah Blah Blah"

Take control!

Get your rest

Choose JOY

Make Peace

Let It Go

Do not be carried away with the tide that turns into a rip tide...

Some never make it back to shore.

But look at it from this perspective!

This life can seem like a huge mountain;

But we overcome as we take one step in the right direction!

Things can feel harsh and we can feel lonely or isolated or overwhelmed.

But do not give up!

Enjoy and take pleasure in this season of your life!

Make wise choices in the small things;

Then make good choices in the large things!

Say NO

Say Yes, because you want to!

When Was The Last Time You Really Kissed Your Husband...

 

When was the last time you really kissed your husband?

This is just something I was thinking about for the last

few months. And I wanted to share a couple of thoughts on this!

Well, I know we all are giving those quick pecks when we are

leaving or arriving with our spouses!

I get that we can't just stop and make out all the time;

Really, I laugh as I write this because remember when you were 

Newly in love and could not get enough kissing in??

It was romantic and so sweet!

But now we all have been married for years

(Decades)

But it really is in the kiss that sparks a feeling of connection;

Look we are all a bit tired and the days can wear us out!

But what we need in this world is some real passion and

not this Hollywood style love and sex.

I asked my husband this morning what does a kiss from me say to him!

he said that it tells me your thinking about me!

That you love me!

That you want to show me that I matter to you!

That I feel passion towards him!

Why do wives stop kissing their husbands?

Well for one because we get in our heads that it will give them a signal;

That says; Lets __________!

So then we get programmed to not kiss them passionately or with 

at least a spark!!

So we then become the problem...

A kiss filled with some passion or spark or a bit of adventure;

Can be added with the smile or phrase that says later honey!

We may not be a hormone laced kid;

But rather a deep love of affection and physical connection!

Hollywoods warped demonstration of affection.

 And our lives that are way too busy can rob one's romance!

Holding hands and smooching are for mature and young marriages!

Let's not become dried up old prunes!

I remember well this couple that lived into their nineties;

 And this is "their story"

 Every time this couple kissed he would tell her this!

(Oh Honey You Can Do Better Than That!)

And she would giggle and give him another smooch!

I told this story at this dear mans funeral, because his wife went before him.

So the moral of the story is this!

"We are never too old to give our spouses a good kiss"

Be love birds till you die...

As I was writing this post two Doves came and perched on my window!

As if they were saying we are still together and we do things together.

And we still show are affections to each other daily!

Be Two Turtle Doves;

Be A French Hen!

And honor your two gold wedding rings...
"I Do"

So give your Husband the gift of more kissing!

Beautiful Skin No 7 Product Review...

 

No 7 Product for beautiful skin...

I brought home for myself a new product I decided to try!

It is called No 7 and it has a full line of a complete skin care treatment.

I usually purchase Estee Lauder skin care products,

But my Dillards did not have my Daywear dry skin face cream in stock;

So I decided to go to our Walgreens and I found this product!

I have seen it at our Target store, but I have not shopped there very often,

For the reasons that they do not carry my brands of clothing or designs I like.

But I must say the Drug stores such as Walgreens have come a long way baby!

I will give it a week or so and see if it makes my skin break out or if it  does not

add the moisture level I require to make my skin feel plump and soft!

I paid eighteen dollars for a gift box set that had both the day and night cream

in the full size jars, not a mini size.

And I also got a sample size cleanser that you apply to your face and wipe it off

with a small cotton square.

And it also had a sample size facial mask for a once a week application,

I think the trial size will be enough for at least 2 weeks.

This gift box would really make a nice gift!

Have any of you ladies tried this product?

This is my own personal review and I just want some feedback!

What are some of the things that you do that make you feel beautiful?

I know when my attitude is in line with the heart of God,

And I allow kindness to reign and not my selfish little girl attitude.

Being beautiful on the outside is nice and can be useful;

But a gentle, kind spirit is worth so much more!

Blessings to you all...

Hugs, Roxy

When You Think You Can't Eat Another Bite, Think Again...

Sometimes I am almost sure I have two stomachs;

One for the good for you foods;

Meat and potato's and of course your veggies.

But pie is the best food group yet!

Presenting my Cherry Tart I made in my new tart pan!
I made the crust with a G/F flour mix,
But you can use any pastry dough recipe you like.
I used a cream cheese filling with fresh eggs and an almond flavoring.
I used a can of sweet cherries with a rich syrup.

I will serve it nice and cold and if anyone wants a dollop of whip cream,
"I say the more the merrier"

My personal preference is apple pie or a cherry tart, but at this time of year;

We must have Pumpkin Pie...

We need pie for all our Thanks Gathering Day!

I want to share with you all how much I have learned in my own little kitchen...

I know you have all heard the little secret of what ingredient makes any

Recipe tastes delicious!

Well, it is true...

When you take anything you are preparing for a meal or a dessert, and

Consciously enjoy measuring and stirring and adding each spice or flavoring,

You enjoy this part of creating something that has true substance.

I believe that is why it is not just the choice of foods being served;

But rather how they are handled and appreciated.

It is like a fine wine it is presented as having a personality;

Full bodied and sweet or a full bouquet of an aroma!

Spicy or dry, crisp and fruity.

Balanced, bold and buttery,

Nutty and rich...

Well, that is what we should be preparing in our kitchens!

Now we must add the most important ingredient.

Add the love...

I have made many, many meals in all my years of being a homemaker.

And if I have a bad attitude or just not appreciative of all that

I have been given, or allow my foods to go to waste.

It shows up in my meals that come from the kitchen, but not my heart!

So always make the time to enjoy the preparation and even the clean up!

Thank God you have a kitchen and food to prepare and loved ones to serve.

Blessings, Living From Glory To Glory

Little Is Much If God Is In It...

When my heart is full and overflowing with gratitude...

Sometimes we can get so busy and occupied that we can miss what is right in

front of our faces. We have so many blessings!

Firstly, we have the creation to show us that we have a creator!

We have family and friends!

We have fellowship of the brethren!

Gratitude is a choice and even if we have but a little we have much!

"Little is much if God is in it"

We can get stuck in the wrong way of thinking;

We are told that unless we do something big, we are but an unimportant person.

Some are fulfilled in their important jobs,

But we have all heard this statement;

Never have we heard a dying man say this;

"I wish I had worked more hours"

Doing what God has called you to do is a big thing!

This big thing may be rocking a wee little child in the middle of the night.

A big thing might be sewing on a loose button on a shirt or a winter coat.

A big thing might be speaking a word in season.

Encouragement is no small matter, dear ones!

A big thing might be showing hospitality to a stranger.

I am learning to do what I can in little ways;

A little here and a little there...

Please give your husband a big bear hug today!

Smile a really kind smile to someone who looks overwhelmed!

Bake a plate of cookies and give them to a neighbor!

Pray for those you see on the highway and the byways!

Blessings, Living From Glory To Glory

How To Make An Easy Pumpkin Torte...

Pumpkin Torte

For the Crust

1 package yellow cake mix 

"Take out of this reserve 1 cup for the crumble topping"

1/2 cup melted butter

1 egg

For the Filling

1- 15 oz can pumpkin

2 eggs

2/3 cup milk

1/2 cup Brown Sugar

1/2 tsp nutmeg

1/2 tsp powdered ginger
1/4 tsp ground clove

  (Or you can use A pumpkin spice mix)

1 1/2 tsp Cinnamon

For the Topping
This will make a nice crumble use the

1 cup of reserved cake mix

1 tsp cinnamon

1/4 cup  Sugar,  or Coconut Sugar or Organic Sugar

1/4 cup butter

Instructions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Lightly grease the bottom of a 9X13 pan.

For the crust

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the ingredients for the base or crust

This will be like a dough batter you can

Spread and press the batter into the prepared pan; Set aside.

For the filling

In another bowl, combine all of the filling ingredients and mix well.

Pour or spoon the pumpkin filling over the cake.

For the topping,

 Combine the first three topping ingredients.

Cut in the butter until crumbly.

Sprinkle the topping ingredients over the pumpkin filling.

Bake  for 45 min to 1 hour

  The filling needs to be firm.

Serve this cold and top with some fresh whip cream!

This will be your new fall favorite pumpkin desert!

This yummy pumpkin Torte is so good;
And really you can make it all year long.
I liked it because you just used a yellow cake mix for the crust!

I do believe you will enjoy this!!

Blessings, Roxy

When You Are A Working Woman Outside The Home...

When  You Are A Working Woman Outside The Home

As we are strong and capable and can do so many amazing things!

I have not always been a stay at home wife or mother;
I have seen and lived in both arenas!

So I write this blog post to those ladies that have chosen to work

or

Have had to for financial reasons

or

 Needed the stimulation of something to do to keep from being lonely.
(Widowed), Empty Nester)

I think we still need to extend grace and love to our sisters in Christ!

Some situations just make going back to work not even a choice!

I do not want to appear unloving;

So may I state this first of all;

If my family needed me to help supply financial help to

keep a roof over our heads or food on the table, or if

my husband was ill and could not work. 

I would do whatever

I had to do!!

Working outside the home is not some sin that makes us

Less christian or un-lady like...

I do believe it is a bit harder to keep from being

Exposed to the worldly things that do go on.

Being a working woman will require a greater burden on

your health and your home responsibilities!

This is where it will take some prayer and wisdom;

And to learn some routines and find some resources that will help you!

Make sure each day before leaving your sanctuary (Your Home) PRAY

Have a dinner menu planned for each day

(Use Your Crock Pot)

Work as few hours as possible!

Dress modestly...

(No Cleavage showing)

No going out to lunch with the opposite sex!

Do not expose your family life or husband's faults.

If you have children and still need childcare;

Please be very careful;
You must be sure that your children are well taken care of, so ask yourself;

Is it a safe place??

Make every precaution you can, to keep your home

the only place where your heart is!!

I will say that always keep in mind that our calling is to
Be homemakers and help - mates to our husbands.

If you must go back to work I pray it will be for only a season!
But if it is a career you went to school for, then keep in mind that maybe you
can work only part time!

I know that my life and marriage were always under so much more stress while I worked!
My quality of health was weaker and my home did not run as smoothly!

So may we all just do what needs to be done,
And work on some things to make working outside the home
either a short duration or only part time.

Interesting article for times like we are living in!

On Line 

source for collective data and knowledge

In the days of Covid-19 this has become a reality.

For Working Businesses'

Working Remotely

Homeschooling For The First Time

Mind Genius

Blessings, Roxy

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My Franciscan Rose Pattern Dinnerware...

My Beautiful Rose Franciscan Pattern Dinnerare
And My Story...

My Rose Pattern dish's now have some very pretty green glasses to go with them!
When my Mother passed, I asked for her dish set because she and I had a love for
this lovely rose pattern for many years.

I remember as a child she only had the sugar bowl and creamer
And just two teacups with saucers.
She would use these two cups when a neighbor would stop in for a cup of coffee.
I do not think we do that anymore...

Years before my Mother died, she gave me the sugar bowl and creamer
For my 30th birthday!
I do not use them any longer as they are a bit cracked and very fragile.
So I leave them in my china hutch!

Let me tell you the story of how I happened to acquire a complete set

of this lovely Franciscan tableware!

Well, my older brother knew how much mother loved this pattern!

As I mentioned when my Mother did pass I did get 6 dinner plates and 6 bowls

 and that was what I had gotten from our Mother.

But I got a phone call from my brother and he asked all the other sisters if they

wanted some of those same rose pattern dinnerware.

They said no as it was not their style,

But they did say ask Roxy, she loves that stuff!!

So when my brother went to an estate sale back east he saw these dishes!!

The man that had lived at this estate was a client of my brothers;

So when he asked about these dishes they told him he could have the entire set!

(Not sure of what he may have paid as I never asked)

But I will tell you this it was a huge amount of every size and everything imaginable.

The boxes just started coming to the house and they were huge!

The Fed Ex guy was like who sent you this??

I told him the story and he said boy you have one nice brother!

~And Yes, Yes I do~

It took my Daughter in love many hours to unpack the boxes!

We had so many the entire floor and table were covered in Roses...

I have so many dishes that I had to pack away many of them!

I kept out a table setting for twelve!

I use them as my daily dishware so I always think of my Mother!

I received serving bowls and serving platters, and casserole dishes.

I have two different styles of teapots...

But just recently we found some nice green glassware at Tuesday Mornings

(Love that place)

So I bought a stemware green glass and then a regular tall glass for tea and milk.

My cupboards are bursting with Roses!!

And it makes me smile and I count my blessings that my dear brother

gave me such a lavish gift!

You know I just had a thought or maybe it was a memory about how and

where my dear mother would have gotten the money to buy her

Cream and sugar set and her two coffee cups?

I believe it was probably with her little books filled with

S&H Green Stamps

~Thank You, Dear Big Brother~

Thank You Mom for giving me the love of Roses...

Do You Ladies remember a dish pattern your family used while growing up?

Blessings, From Glory To Glory

One Bad Apple Can Spoil The Whole Bushel...

 

One Bad Apple Spoils The Whole Basket

Have you ever felt like a total stranger in your own skin?

Sometimes when I travel I feel so out of my element;

This not a totally bad thing as we all most learn to be more flexible.

Our routines can become such a comfort to us!

Yet we can become stiff with them also.

Well, my title today, says so much about us now days!

We live in a world where there are NO Absolutes

Everything is open to ones own interpretation...

So here is the problem;

One bad apple does spoil the whole basket of fruit if not removed quickly!

I think many of us have looked at the ways that our society has been moving.

We know something is wrong!

We may feel helpless as what we might be able to do about it!

But this is where I usually go back to my secured refuge of home!

By staying home and keeping my own home running smoothly.

We all have a chance to make a difference!

Make some changes within your home!

Encourage a friend with a timely word!

Get rid of the negative media and so called opinionated people,

That causes your blood pressure to rise.

We all have that one person or situation that seems like it

has become the thorn in our sides.

Allow it to be used to refine yourself as the Lord leads.

But say enough when it gets out of control and start stinking!

I have seen many people shipped wrecked over a bad apple.

Use wisdom dear ones!!

Do not allow someone else dictate your joy or position in life!

Take control and give it to God!

We are all living from glory to glory...

How I Make Fresh Pico De Gallo...

This is an all time favorite for my family. But for myself also!

I love this fresh form of a salsa on my scrambled eggs and of course

Corn Tortilla chips are a must to eat with this fresh salsa.

I think making your homemade fresh salsa can be very frugal;

Look for the tomatoes when on sale.

Onions are super cheap

A couple of jalapenos cost next to nothing!

Here are the hot jalapenos!!

They are such a wonderful addition to make a dish pop!

I usually cut extra each time and freeze some for another side dish or for more salsa!

Ladies you must wear a rubber glove when you dice these little hot babies!

When cutting the jalapenos and the onions you need to dice them very fine!

I have had them in all sizes, but I think the smaller size makes a better blend!

I like to use a sweet onion!

Fresh garlic cloves are the key in my opinion!

You can use as many tomatoes that you want as this is the

Portion to give it body and quantity!

If you're a large family use enough tomatoes to make a quart jar!

If it is just two of you make a pint size jar filled.

You can use Roma tomatoes or vine ripened ones

(I have even used canned diced ones in a pinch)

~Do Not Tell Anyone~

Pico De Gallo

Fresh diced tomatoes

1 medium onion

3 to 4 Jalapenos, diced tiny

(Use rubber gloves)

3 to 4 cloves of fresh garlic

A dash of sea salt

A splash of lime juice or lemon.

Mix well

Put into a glass jar and refrigerate.

This will last for at least a week,

If it last that long!

Serve with love...