Holy Heart Failure Batman!

It looks like the Joker has been up to his old tricks. What shenanigans are these? I stop in to see how my neglected blog is holding up and everything is changed. YIPPEEEEE! More things to learn. I think my poor little brain is on cognitive overload.

In the meantime, I am busy preparing to retire from my job of 30 years and do something I totally love: taking pictures. It is pure joy. That's what photography brings me each and every time a capture the pure essence of someone. Whether it is a newborn or a grandmother.

Hope you all are well. I think of you often and pray for you as God leads. Oh, and I'm working on my summer gottado list. I'll have it posted soon. Happy summer.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

James 1:2 (NKJV) ² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials,

Happy Fall Y'all

Today, according to the calendar, is the first day of autumn. The autumnal equinox. Equal day and night.

What fall means to me:

falling leaves

Hay rides

Pumpkin pie

harvest

Scarecrow

FAMILY

apple cider

Blessings

autumn

Give Thanks

Sadly, it also means that winter, cold, snow, and ice are just around the corned. Ugh! Not a fan. So I'll just enjoy the milder temps, family gatherings, and the daily blessings of today...This Day! What does fall mean to you? Thank you for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Romans 5:3-4 (NKJV) ³ And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; ⁴ and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

I'm Falling for HodgePodge Week 44

1. What do you do at the first sign of a cold? Will you get a flu shot this year? At the first sign of a cold, I take Zicam. It definitely helps. I will get a flu shot too.

2. What advice can you give about how to conquer fear? Face it. Head on. ".....all things are possible to him who believes." Mark 9:23

3. Share two good things about your life right now. I'm breathing. lol. Yes, really. And, I am loved.

4. A hot fall fashion trend in 2011 is a return to sixties style...tunics with pants, shift dresses, pencil skirts, cinched waists, bold prints, high necklines and short lengths to name a few. How does this fashion trend fit with your wardrobe and personal sense of style? I like to wear what works for me. If there is something trendy that fits into my current wardrobe, I might add it.

5. Were you involved in scouting as a kid? How about as an adult? I was a Campfire Girl. Does anyone know about this group?

6. Apple, pear, plum, pumpkin...your favorite fall flavor? Apple!

7. What characteristics do you think are essential in a good teacher? Honest, modest, compassionate, creative, committed, prepared, caring, respectful, fair, conscientious, interested, dedicated, patriotic, and godly.

8. Insert your own random thought here. I'm headed to a photog workshop today that I'm super excited about attending. The instructor is Brett Jarnagin of Flashfire. His work is amazing. Check it out! The best part? I won the seat at this workshop. This is going to set my photog style apart. Well, at least that is my hope. We'll see how my fall sessions look. :)

What do you have planned for fall? Be sure to check out my new fall gottado list here!

Thank you for stopping by and visiting. Please hop on over to Joyce's to read other participants answers or better yet, link up with your own.

 

Peace and Joy,

Susan

1 Peter 3:8 (NKJV) Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous;

Fall Gottado

Can you believe it???? Summer is almost over. Technically. According to the calendar. Next Friday, the 23rd is the first day of Autumn. Are you ready for it? Am I ready for it? Not really. I love summer. Love, Love, LOVE summer.

To help me transition to cooler temperatures, I'm starting something new. A fall gottado list. My summer gottado list really helps me. I list food I want to can and freeze. Places I want to see. Events I want to attend. How'd I do on it? I'll save that for another post.


Here's my first ever fall gotta do list:

Apple picking

Make leaf art

Go on a hay-ride

Have a photoshoot in a leaf pile

Enjoy a bonfire with s'mores

Make caramel apples

CORN MAZE!!!

Go to a pumpkin patch

Go on 2 dates

Make fall cookies (I already have two new recipes to try)

Take a nature walk (bring the camera!!!)

Trick-or-treat (help at the church event)

Bake pies (what are your favorites? maybe I'll try something new)

Decorate (carve/paint) a pumpkin

Drink Fancy Coffee Drinks (Yep, Capitolized)

Picnic

I've never been big on decorating my house for fall or Halloween. I'm more the jump-right-into-Christmas kinda gal. But decorating a pumpkin sounds rather appealing to me for some reason.


Do you have a favorite fall tradition? Perhaps you make an outstanding pie or cookie and would share your recipe or technique. Do you have a corn maze in your neck of the woods?


Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting. Have a wonder day.


Peace and Joy,
Susan

Genesis 1:14 (NKJV) Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years;

It's Been a Martha Stewart, Betty Crocker, Rachel Ray Kind of Day!

I knew today was going to be busy. That's probably why I couldn't sleep past 5:30. I actually woke up a little after five. I lifted my head to look at the clock. Made a sound similar to: "UGH!" and plopped my head back down on my pillow. I tossed. I turned. Ugh! There was no point in fighting it any longer. I tossed back the covers and my feet hit the floor. I've been on the run ever since.

After the usual daily routine, I headed out the door to the local farmer's market. Which, by the way, is overflowing with the most delicious produce right now. Green and red bell peppers, zucchini, peaches, potatoes, apples, corn, melons, jalapenos, onions, herbs, and so much more.

My list had many items on it and would require several stops to fulfill. Why? I'm so glad you asked. lol. This weekend's agenda includes zucchini relish, herb vinegars, sun dills, stir fry, pickled jalapenos, and pesto.

The relish, vinegars, and pickles are all on my summer gotta do list. I'm slowly whittling away at it. Last weekend I knocked another item off my gotta do list. I made salsa. TWENTY TWO pints of salsa. WOW! That's a lot of salsa.

There is so much work and time involved in canning. But the payoff is totally worth it. Besides the flavor, I know exactly what is in my food. No additives. No preservatives. It's wonderful. Plus....I love to share. :)

How are you doing on your summer gotta do list? Thanks for stopping by and visiting.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Ephesians 2:10 (NKJV)  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Day 4 of Bike Triip

I'm sitting at the hotel computer in Franklin, Tennessee. Exhausted. It's the first day I haven't actually been wet while riding or had to wear rain gear. Oh, don't get me wrong. It rained today. Thankfully, I was not out in it.

We've done lots of riding and sightseeing along the way of our 700+ miles so far. Mammoth Cave. Jack Daniels Distillery. Civil War Cemeteries. Cute shops and boutiques. Tomorrow we're headed down the Natchez Trace Parkway.

I have tons of pictures and stories. There was even a murder/suicide. But for now....I'm headed to bed.

Thinking of you and praying for you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

2 Peter 3:9 (NKJV) The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.

Summer Gotta Do!!!

I've kind of been working on my "things I want to do this summer" list. Working on it in my head. Nothing on paper. Time to change that! This is what last summer's gotta do list looked like and how I did on it.

Here are some of the activities I want to accomplish this summer.

Bike Trip with Jess (me and my buddy are heading out on our Harley's for a few days) This was on my list last summer too. We're actually leaving Saturday...as in TOMORROW!!!!

Mammoth Cave

Water Park

Go junking. Have you ever been? Yard sales. Estate auctions. I'm on the hunt for photography props.

Have a water balloon fight.

Go to the library. Read a book. That might not seem like a big deal, but believe me it is. To read a book, I have to actually sit in one spot for more than ten minutes.

Bake something original.

Enter baked goods/canned goods at local state fair.

Have a squirt gun fight

Picnic

Go to the pool every other weekend (at least)

Make s'mores.

Clean and organize my pantry, closet, dressers, life.

CANNING:

Strawberry Chipotle Jam (already made this)

Refrigerator Pickles

Zucchini Relish

Peach Jam

Tomato (some with basil. this stuff is amazing)
Salsa (definitely) Last year I made salsa from a recipe my sweet friend, Gigi @ *afterthoughts* shared. THANK YOU GIGI!!!! It is by far the best salsa I've ever had. I'm hoarding my last two jars.

Apple Pie Filling (definitely)

Something new (not sure what just yet, gonna search the canning book)

FREEZING:

Strawberries (done)

Blueberries

Raspberries

Peppers (green, red, yellow, hot)
Herbs

OTHER PRESERVING:
Last year, I also made herb vinegars and oils. My sweet blog peep, Pam @ Sidewalk Shoes made some and I followed suit. This stuff is wonderful! They add punch to ordinary meals. She has introduced me to exceptional recipes and cookbooks. THANKS PAM!!!


PHOTOGRAPHY:

I'm going to be taking more pictures. Developing my own style. Studying. Coming up with a unique name (future contest for this). Learning. 


That should keep me busy for a minute or two...don't you think? Something else I had on my list from last year was to start an exercise program. Commit to working out at least three time a week. I actually did that! I'm loving it. I even conned one of my friends into joining me. She lost 40 pounds. You can read about that HERE and see the pictures I took of her.

What are your summer plans? Going camping? Taking a vacation? Where do you/will you go? Doing a stacation?  Please share. I can't wait to read all your comments when I get back. Until then, I'll miss you all.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Isaiah 40:31 (NKJV) But those who wait on the LORD Shall renew their strength; They shall mount up with wings like eagles, They shall run and not be weary, They shall walk and not faint.

2011 Summer Gotta Do List - Seeking Ideas

For those of you new to my blog, and those of you who need a nudge to remember, last year I posted an extensive list of places I wanted to go, produce I wanted to can, and things I wanted to see. You can read that list HERE. If you're a real gluten for punishment, you can go HERE and read how much of that list I actually accomplished.

This summer my canning list will be very similar. But I'm kind of stuck on the "places to go" and "things to see" part of the list at the moment. I'm definitely going on my motorcycle trip with my pal Jess. I also want to go to a water park.

Perhaps you can help me. What are some things you want to do and see this summer?

Peace and Joy,
Susan

1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV) Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

How'd I do on My Summer Gottados?

If you've been following me since earlier this summer, you may recall I was in a slump. I was struggling. Yes. It's sad but true. I needed some motivation. Some prodding. Some nudging. Some ....well, you get the idea. So I made a list of things I wanted to do. You know....I gotta do.... If you missed that post, you can read it here.
So how did I do on my list of gotta dos? Pretty good actually. Let's take a look:

4th of July at Aunt Pam's - This was a great time of food and fellowship with family.

Bike Trip with Jess (me and my buddy are heading out on our Harley's for a few days) This was a great, fun, adventurous journey. You can read about it here. That post also has a link to some of the pictures.

Mammoth Cave  - Did not get to Mammoth Cave but we did go to the St Louis Science Center where they had a Real Pirate exhibit. The exhibit had over 200 artifacts from the Whydah, a pirate ship that sank near Cape Cod over 300 years ago. This is the only pirate treasure ever recovered. We got to touch REAL pirate treasure. It was awesome!

We also went to City Museum were we went down a 10 story spiral slide. This is definitely a place for small children with lots of tunnels to climb through. 

St. Louis Zoo - We totally went to the Zoo. We had so much fun. I'll post a few pics of that adventure soon.

Water Park - Didn't make it there. But I did make it poolside a few times. Does that count?

Make a craft (I'm going to need some ideas with this one. I seriously lack in crafting ability. Seriously.) - I'm still waiting on some ideas for this item. So...nope didn't do this.

Read a Bible story every day. The grand-boy and I read several stories together. Daniel in the Lions Den, Jonah in the Whale, David and Goliath, the talking donkey, the handwriting on the wall. 

Have a water balloon fight - bought the balloons. They're still waiting to be filled and thrown.

Go to the library. Read at least 10 books. - Ha! 10 books. What was I thinking? I went to the library and got my new card. That's as far as it went. The current book I'm reading only gets picked up every few days. Kinda hard to finish a book like that.

Bake cupcakes. - Bought the cupcake pan. Does that count?

Have a squirt gun fight - Nope.

Go to the pool every other weekend (at least) - Yep. Did this one.

Make s'mores. - Sadly the marshmallows, chocolate bars, and graham crackers are still in the cabinet waiting to be cooked and smooshed.

CANNING:

Refrigerator Pickles - These are delicious. So much so that I only have one jar left.

Zucchini Relish - Lots of this. I'm giving most of this away as gifts for Christmas.

Peach Jam - Delicious.

Tomato (some with basil. this stuff is amazing) - Have eight pints of these wonderful tomatoes.
Salsa (maybe) Thank you, Gigi for sharing your recipe.

Apple Pie Filling (definitely) - Apples are just being picked in my area. I'll be canning this very, very soon. I'm adding applesauce to the canning list too.

FREEZING:

Strawberries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Peppers (green, red, yellow, hot)

Herbs

I froze plenty of berries. I add these to plain yogurt with honey for a delicious snack instead of ice cream or blend together for a smoothie. Pies, breads, and other treats are just waiting to be baked with berries. I'm still freezing peppers and herbs. I tend to eat or cook with them faster than I can freeze them. 

I did start that exercise program of doing something at least three days a week.  Actually, I went big. Well big for me. Have you heard of the Couch-to-5K running plan? That's the program I started. I've never been a runner but this schedule looked like something I could actually do. AND, I'm running every week. Usually three times each week. Some weeks less. Some weeks more. I'm not a 5K runner yet. But I'm now able to run a few minutes, walk a few minutes, run a few minutes without collapsing from lack of oxygen. ahaha The crazy thing? I'm enjoying it. Crazy I tell you! I learned about it on FB. Go figure. Here's a link to the FB page and to their website.

How did you do on your summer list? Do you have a list for fall? What are some of the adventures waiting for you? Thanks so much for sharing my summer journey with me.

Peace and Joy,

Susan

Philippians 2:1-2 (NIV) ¹If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ²then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose.

Throne Trip Tuesdays - I'm Struggling

I struggle with my weight. Sugar. I struggle to read and study the Bible regularly. Daily. I struggle to manage my time. Better. I struggle with money. Spending. I struggle. I need more purpose. More direction.

I thought when summertime rolled around, I'd be so motivated to accomplish so many things. I am not. Motivated. When I was taking classes, I knew exactly how to manage my time. I planned out each week. By the day. Sometimes by the hour. Now, there are so many free hours I just plod along with no real direction.

So.....starting today, This Day, I'm changing that. I found this super cute To Do list and I'm so stealing the idea. Here are some of the activities I want to accomplish this summer. Most of them involve the grand-boy.

4th of July at Aunt Pam's

Bike Trip with Jess (me and my buddy are heading out on our Harley's for a few days)

Mammoth Cave

St. Louis Zoo

Water Park

Make a craft (I'm going to need some ideas with this one. I seriously lack in crafting ability. Seriously.)

Read a Bible story every day

Have a water balloon fight

Go to the library. Read at least 10 books.

Bake cupcakes.

Have a squirt gun fight

Go to the pool every other weekend (at least)

Make s'mores.

CANNING:

Refrigerator Pickles

Zucchini Relish

Peach Jam

Tomato (some with basil. this stuff is amazing)
Salsa (maybe)

Apple Pie Filling (definitely)

FREEZING:

Strawberries

Blueberries

Raspberries

Peppers (green, red, yellow, hot)
Herbs

Plus, exercising at least three days every week. I've been such a slug lately. It's just so stinkin hot and humid. ugh! Who wants to get out in that and run? Not me. It's time to consider joining a gym. Ahhhh. Air conditioned workouts.

What are your plans for summer? Need some motivation (ummm prodding) like me? Hope this helps you.

Peace and Joy,
Susan

Jeremiah 23:24 (NKJV) ²⁴ Can anyone hide himself in secret places, So I shall not see him?” says the LORD; “Do I not fill heaven and earth?” says the LORD.