As I was saying yesterday blog, I know it is very difficult often for people to afford Christmas gifts and it can be upsetting when you wish to gift all of your loved ones nice gifts but are low of money!....I know many people do not have money and it is difficult to have extra money for gifts this time of year for everyone, with bills, and other costs....life is expensive often for most, and when you have a grand sized family/friends you always wish to gift them items for Christmas....
Choosing the right gift for someone can be stressful, but when you know they love & adore you, they will most usually enjoy whatever you purchase them!....I am that way to those I love & adore...I'm not choosey or picky about gifts ever!
I know that many Christmas gifts can be very pricey and I know that Children's toys can be unaffordable often.....I think that the Dollar Tree has plenty of cute, nice, toys for both boys & girls....I see plenty ! all for $1.00 + tax....affordable....that way all can have a gift of a toy!
Dollar Tree-----has many items you can bake/prepare meals with, tupperwares, Christmas holiday towels, cups, paper goods, Christmas gift bags, Christmas cards to send to loved ones locally, or out of the country! very cute! Christmas stickers, Christmas coloring books, and those for Adults Christmas pencil + pen sets & erasers, silly Christmas goodie bag-small gifts or Christmas stocking fill, candies, decorations for table & home, hats, scarves, gloves for warmth....Artificial poinsettias--the red flowers with glitters & sequins sometimes to decorate with...beautiful to create Christmas bouquets with....Christmas gift wrap & tape, paper tissue to fill gift bags with...name tags for gifts....
Many Christmas items...most people purchase Christmasey items at Dollar Tree to afford something for everyone...I think the store is wonderful!
The Dollar Tree has Christmas Tree ornaments to decorate wreaths with, or your Christmas Tree with...save & keep in storage containers til next year!...Christmas statues of all kinds, water snow-globes, I saw Angel statues the other day!...nice!
Churches enjoy the Dollar Tree when creating gift baskets for those in need or for the homebound, rehabilitation clinics of all kinds, or to send to shelters or say hello at nursing care centers...be kind & friendly! say hello!
Dollar Tree has very nice Christmas stockings to fill with smaller items for Children, or items for yourself! I think that the Christmas stockings are very traditional and fun for all...You may even wish to purchase a few for your pets and fill the stockings with chewies/pet toys....I giggle, my pets always know when they have a Christmas stocking and they try to dig into it!..monitor pets near the gifts and tree remember!.... ;)
Walmart has a stocking fill aisle...completely stored with Christmas stocking items...some very affordable...look & you shall find some to purchase there to fill your stocking with from Dollar Tree.....these are always fun for all ages!
My great-grandpa always was very traditional and back in the old timey days he told, they gifted oranges, apples, traditional candies, and walnuts/pecans in stockings as a gift...these are healthier stocking gifts if you wish to try something old traditional.....may be more affordable to gift....
a gift doesn't have to cost a lot, it's the thought that counts!...always say Thank you! for any gift you are gifted because many people will be given no gifts and I know that goes on everywhere this time of year! always appreciate everything you have in life and are given in life, because so many people have nothing....NEVER be picky or choosey with any gift you are given!!! it is VERY rude to be hateful or snotty about any gift you are given...Smile & say Thank You to the person who gifts you a gift! ;)
I saw people purchasing buggies full of Christmas gifts the other day at the Dollar General and the Family Dollar stores, they have almost the same Christmas items there as the Dollar Tree, I know they were talking about how affordable the gifts were!..so you can check there for Christmas items to purchase & gift for your loved ones, church donations for those in need, and for pets!....
Have fun with the Christmas shopping and choosing affordable gifts for your budget!....
J.
I know it is almost time to start Christmas shopping for your loved ones and even yourself...
Money can be scarce for everyone, and I know that Christmas can be very unaffordable when you are trying to pay bills and just live!......Depression at the holidays can be there for many, and I know that it can be upsetting to many people to even start to think about celebrating Christmas or purchasing gifts.......
Thinking about how many different items you can purchase to gift to yourself or loved ones for Christmas this time of year, so many items....and I know I can remember whenever I was a little girl I was gifted my first pet! I was so very excited to see it and take good care of it!.....
It is a life changing event to welcome a new pet to your family and to gift a pet at the holidays to yourself or your loved ones is always sweet!...your life will never be boring again!
Your life is NEVER the same once you Adopt a new pet as your newest family addition!....They have a lot of love & affection to give their new family members and they know when you love & care for them they will always be there for you, at all times!
when you take proper good care of them, love & care for them, and Keep them safe from all dangers.....Pets are very important to your life and when they become your newest family addition you will have that many more days of laughter and giggles!.....
They will create messes and pee & poop anywhere, but when you love & care for them, go ahead and clean up that mess and laugh! haha! I just giggle!
I know there are many different types of pets you can Adopt from local shelters and Humane Societies,----these are best to purchase & Adopt a pet from...this saves many pet's lives and helps with Adoption of pets from shelters...saves them from being sadly euthanized and abandoned! oh I cry for them!
Many animals need good forever homes and hey, you may even have a boring or depressed life, and any pet could change your life and help with depression or severe mental health issues you may have!....they change your life I believe, everyone who is able to care for them and afford them should Adopt a pet today!...many to choose from!
Your pets NEVER hate you, belittle you, yell at you, or let you down...too many times people in our lives have let us down and hurt us, BUT you know that a pet will NEVER be any of those ideas!...They just keep loving you!
I think now would be a good time to think about Adopting a pet for Christmas, that way you have plenty of time to purchase things you will need like--Kennels, cages(pet taxis), treats, bedding, toys, leashes, collars.....purchase food after adopting, that day!
THEN the day will be here to take your loved ones or take yourself to the Shelter or the Humane Society to Adopt a pet(new family member)......it is exciting and wonderful to choose & purchase a pet to be apart of your family!---Just know they will ALWAYS need you to feed, water, bathe, and properly medically care for them when needed!
Pets are your family once you Adopt them and name them something cute or adorable!
I just know how many days of laughter, giggles, silliness, and smiles my pets have brought to my life, they have helped me to stay strong and to battle those sad cases of the blues, worries, & depression that have been with me when facing upsets and terrible sadness....
I know my pets have changed my life and made my life better even on the worst of days! Pets are a blessing to your life! I know this is TRUE! God created pets to be apart of your family and your life to make your life & their lives much happier & better!
ADOPT a pet soon!
kisses!
julie
It is sunday and almost Christmas time, so I started to remember the story I learned at church about the origin of the candy cane during the holidays....
I learned that the Red & White of the candy canes stands for:
Red---Jesus Christ's Blood shed for you to be forgiven of your sins...
White---stands for Purity of your sins washed away...
We should always remember that at Christmas time, so every time I see a candy cane that is red & white, I think about that...
they gifted candy canes to those at church during Christmas with the story on a piece of paper attached to the candy canes...I thought that was so neato!
There are many different kinds of candy canes with multi-colorful hues and different tastes....I like them all....sometimes I like to place them onto the Christmas Tree or decorate with them, affordable....
they have other forms of the candy cane sometimes in just plain candy discs....OR they have the soft candy red & white peppermints that dissolve easily---I like those--Red Bird is a good brand of those....
julie
I was able to complete outdoor Christmas lights today...The wind was blowing very bad and all of my cardboard boxes and plastic wrapping that some of the Christmas decorations came in were picked up by the wind and I had to run and chase them down....Haha!...one piece of plastic wrapping almost made it across the road into a field!......lol....I think they look ok, I just enjoy trying to be traditional...
Today I saw a woman purchasing board games at a store...every time I think about all of the many, many numerous board games there are out there to purchase I remember all of those I enjoyed throughout the years and how much fun they are to enjoy with loved ones!
There are various different types of games for all ages to enjoy...some are simpler and others moreso complex/challenging...I enjoy all of them, I don't have a favorite type of board game, I just know how entertaining they can be when you can have all of your friends/family take part and go to your house for a Board Game Night!...so much fun, and you can just laugh, be silly, take your time, and be social in a good way...
Many times there are Mystery solving type games, or those that require brain power....these can work best for each person's team as a whole to work on and be challenged by.....these are NEVER easy to solve, but are very interesting....
I find that I enjoy all of the board game pieces to look at, they are sometimes very creative and different, you just place them on the board game and start the games....
Board Game Nights would be fun for all to enjoy on Wednesday nights, OR on the weekend nights...just invite your pals over or your family at home there, and have a night of Board Games...I would have fun with that, it would be nice to be social in that way with friends and laugh, be silly, and giggle all evening!!!.....
I think some of the games for the older generations are so funny and they seem like a lot of fun to be silly about and laugh!.....
there are so many new board games out there for purchase now and I cannot believe how fun some of those look like they would be!....
you can keep scores of the games for each person's team, and maybe even play for silly prizes during your Board Game Nights.....haha!....have refreshments and snacks, and IF you have children they could also enjoy the children's board games in the kitchen at the table.......that can be a good way for them to learn some counting or math skills often....
The Board Games are available at most stores, sometimes near the children's toy aisles or near the cards in most stores...
these can be good ways to pass the time, or end boredom, and to challenge yourself!...But it is always more fun to enjoy a Board Game with friends/family...
I enjoy laughter, being silly, and those board games that are comical are always fun.
julie
I think that everyone wishes for someone good to share life with, someone that they can love, trust, be comfortable near, and to know they will NEVER betray them, hurt them or abuse them....AND if you are fortunate enough to find those good people to have in your life, who love & care for you also, to share your life with, you know you have been blessed from above to find them.....!
That's all I ever have searched for is good people to be apart of my life.
And to not have to worry about my safety, or worry that I am never good enough, people that I could feel safe and comfortable with, you know?.....NEVER even have to think about them causing me harm, hurting me emotionally or physically, making fun of me, being jealous, or causing me to be in danger or trouble.....
Too many times throughout my life I have had to be near those snobby, dangerous, embarrassing, jealous, relatives, or local people, who are addicted dangerously, and scare me, or involved in corruption...it has been very scarey for me my whole life, sad thing is, all I have ever looked for is good people, and as the years go by I have to be careful, who I am near....they make me a nervous wreck!..sad but true, I know many others feel the same way!
I have seen way too many people in my life severely addicted to drugs of all kinds and they are evil with the things they scream, hit, break, take part in!!! I am terrified of the danger I have seen within my "so called" friendships & family.....I know this goes on with many others, but it is disheartening to see over and over....just wasting their lives, ruining everything in their path, and hurting/hating those who love them! upsetting & sad....so I just go on and walk away...so sick & tired of that everywhere....
It is very stressful to have to put up with addicts who try and hurt you or kill you, and it is a let down and sad when your life is constantly in danger when people won't go to rehab and seek proper mental health care.....Addicts scare me, I have seen way too much danger and destruction!
I am just a plain girl, I don't feel comfortable near drug addiction, it is upsetting and scarey...I have seen too much...yikes!
you're NOT a bad person when you are an addict, you just need to step it up and get rid of your addiction so you can go on with life and feel better and create goodness for the world and yourself....people still love you when you are an addict they just want you to change and be better! they will always be there for you, just don't lose them, because you won't get help!
while searching for true good people, one place you'd think you would not have a problem finding good people would be at the church, and I soon found out that NOT everyone at church is a true Christian!!!.....lol...I found out that at one church, they like to be holy rollers and then jump in bed with the pastor while he's married and they are married!...sad but true!.....not everything that glitters is gold...as they say....lol
That was upsetting and caused me to be uncomfortable to think about nastiness and evil hiding in the church..learned a lesson about people there! and then yet again it went on at another church my family attended!!!...oh well......so I always wish for finding good true real Christian people who are not fakes!!! I feel comfortable with those who worship and live correctly....
I know not everyone believes in that, but I seem to prefer that often...just truly nice, good people...and I don't judge others for past mistakes in life, because nobody's perfect we all have to learn....I just have seen way too much....it's a scarey world out there!!!.
And when you are ever looking for someone to share your life with, whether it be a boyfriend/girlfriend, OR a husband/wife you know, life is much more calm, simple, less stressful, when they are sober and they work toward goodness, so you always need to think about that! you can have love and no drugs in your life together, it needs to start out that way and always be that way!
when searching for friends, you need to find those who are working toward goodness and if addicted talk to them about being sober and going to rehab, so you can have a great friendship, never be jealous, fight, or be mean to one another, being a good friend is ALWAYS being there for them, being supportive, and caring for them enough to tell them something isn't good for them....when you are fortunate to find a good friend...NEVER let them go, and NEVER cause anything bad to happen to lose them.
you look for those good people who are a lot like you, and enjoy similar things in life, trustworthy, reliable, kind, sweet, funny, good to be there for you in bad and good times, stay with you through all of life's upsets, and laugh with you all the time...I wish the world was more like this!
the saddest thing I think is to lose those you love and adore because of something stupid you have said or taken part in, or won't get help for...losing truly good people who love & care for you is one of the worst things that could happen in life...good people are rare it seems sometimes...so never take them for granted!
anyway blog,
I have taken down my Fall decorations, placed them in plastic storage containers, and now I have the Christmas tree & all those Christmas decorations up!....lol...me and decorations....go ahead and laugh!......in the process of putting up outside Christmas lights, it is late in the evening and I am too tired, work on that tomorrow maybe!....
j.
Going to be baking pies late this evening, it's just something I enjoy every year the night before Thanksgiving....AND I will awake early at 5a.m. to start preparing the Turkey, Ham..so they will have time to bake properly and be cooked correctly....
I will start cooking everything at 5a.m. and that way, I will have it all cooked by the time family arrives.....it's fun to me, I know that is stupid or silly, but every year I cook/bake holiday meals this way!....lol...
I enjoy watching the Thanksgiving Day parades on the tv while I am cooking in the morning..or I listen..lol.....I watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day parade, and the others that I can find.....so fun to watch them! is for me anyway...last year I watched a local tv channel and I saw a parade live from Dallas...it was nice also!
have to keep the pets away while baking tonight and cooking tomorrow..... *eyeroll* 😸
ALWAYS remember to place all of your pets in their pet taxis, or place them in a room with the door shut so they cannot try and help you cook/bake your meal!!!...haha!....Pumpkin cat tries to help me cook meals all the time....silly cat!...he's always trying to jump up onto the kitchen table or counter and he uses his paw and tries to catch anything on the table to knock onto the floor!...I keep my pets in another room or in their pet taxis while enjoying meals also....let them out of there afterward when everyone has left....
I will let the cats and Goofball try some Turkey or Ham after everyone leaves....I check for bones and throw those into the trash first....be careful giving your pets those after dinner, make very sure there are NO bones in ham or Turkey!!!...danger!
it is VERY unsanitary you know for pets to be near your food you are preparing ALWAYS remember to place your pets in proper rooms, wear clean clothing, keep your hair pulled back with something, that is best while cooking, that way, nothing nasty falls into your food....oooh GROSS!...icky! Be clean and tidy, wash all cooking utensils, bleach water everything, and clean counter tops properly, before and after cooking.....
now I have to start baking pies.
j.
Everybody is talking about cooking, baking, preparing Thanksgiving dinner this week, so I guess i will too blog!....lol.....
I have gathered all of the spices/seasonings in the kitchen cabinet and inspected them...the dates are still good on them...
They are going to be used on the turkey for Thanksgiving..
I use Rosemary, Parsley, Sage, Poultry Seasoning, Salt, Pepper, sprinkled all over the outside of raw Turkey before baking for several hours........ I use McCormick brand for these, they have these available elsewhere in different brands all work well...Dollar Tree, Dollar Stores, Walmart or your local grocery....
Lemon slices placed under the skin, pads of butter under the raw turkey skin also, I place a few lemon slices interior of the turkey along with celery stalks halved down the middle....
Having a good meat thermometer is best to make sure your Turkey or meat is properly cooked to internal temperature instructions on the package.....cook several hours! food safety.
We cook a cured ham in the oven about 4 1/2 hours...my Grandpa always cooked ham this way and it is something I think works well...don't burn it!...haha!
I found that turkey gravy mix McCormick brand today for the gravy with turkey, it is very good! easy to prepare, some people like Giblet gravy, but this works just fine for me!...
preparing homemade dressing that will take seasoning.
My pumpkin pie mix in the can is already seasoned/spiced so I don't fuss with that one!...lol...
the List for Thanksgiving dinner is as follows...this is just for fun....haha...just laugh!
Turkey
Mashed potatoes
Green beans
Broccoli Casserole use the cheez whiz....haha.
Corn Casserole
Hot rolls
Sweet potatos
Dressing
pre mix turkey gravy
Pumpkin pie
Pecan pie
gel cranberry
I know that the holidays are often difficult for people because they hold memories with your friends & family and it can be very depressing for people when they are no longer here to celebrate with, and I know this will be my first Thanksgiving & Christmas without my Grandpa and I will think about him the whole time, BUT I will continue on his traditions and not let my upset & sometimes depression take hold of me!!! I won't let it ruin the holidays so I will cook, bake, shop for gifts I can afford, decorate, and try to enjoy the holidays this year...
I know everyone goes through this in life at the holidays, but I just try to enjoy it the best way I can, even if it's purchasing myself silly gifts that make me giggle!
I think the holidays should keep their charm, fun, excitement, and NEVER be ruined....
so I just think a person should just keep on going the best way they can every day and try not to be upset or depressed during the holidays.....
I found a Christmas coloring book by Bendon for about $5 at the Dollar General...these can be shared coloring pages for your loved ones....it has cute pictures! I have my coloring pencils ready!...haha!...
I saw a lot of Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer items at the stores also...I still have my plush Rudolph he was about $9 last year....Bumble his pal, and Rudolph's Girlfriend Clarice are also there..oh, they are nostalgia, so very adorable!...I love the cartoons this time of year!....
j.
Went to town today and I saw many people looking for Thanksgiving groceries, it was nutso! People everywhere with Thanksgiving lists in hand searching for all the items they need...One man was being silly and saying: " I hope I get outta here before it turns dark outdoors!".....haha...I laughed...
~~ just for fun here are the items I have been purchasing over the past 2 weeks and saving for Thanksgiving....these brands are nice!
ALL off brands work just as good! saves money
Eggs----Braum's, (fresh eggs at home) OR Great Value, Best Choice, Eggland's Best
Milk----Great Value, Shurfine, Best Choice, Braum's
1 Onion
1 Lemon
1 Celery ---Ocean Mist, or any other brand
Margarine/Butter---Braum's, Coburn Farms, Country Crock, Blue Bonnet, Imperial....
Canola oil---Great Value, Wesson, Crisco, or off brands
Turkey whole or breast----Honeysuckle, Butterball, or other.
Potatoes--plain or red
Green Beans---Save a lot, Del Monte, Best Choice, Great Value, Green Giant, Glory Seasoned Green Beans..
Broccoli---Green Giant, Great Value, Best Choice, Bird's Eye
Cheez Whiz
Sweet potatoes
Sweet Condensed Milk---La Lechera, Carnation, Eagle Brand
Evaporated Milk--Milnot, Carnation, Coburn Farms
Pumpkin Pie mix--Libby's
Flour
Cornmeal---Great Value, Martha White, Best Choice, others
Crème Style Corn---Great Value, Del Monte, Green Giant, Best choice, save a lot...
Green Chiles in can---La Preferida, Hatch, Goya, Great Value, Best Choice....
Stuffing mix----StoveTop....OR homemade is best!
Corn Syrup---Karo, Great Value, Best Choice light or dark syrup....for pecan pie.
Pecans--Diamond, local trees, pecan farmers...lol..Watch for shell pieces!....hurt your teeth!
Hot Rolls--Rhodes, Homemade...
Cranberry gel in can--Ocean Spray!
Ham----Cure81, Smithfield, Cook's
Drink with meal---I enjoy purchasing a glass bottle of Welch's Sparkling Grape Juice...it is non-alcoholic and many different kinds..it's just something silly I always enjoy drinking with my Thanksgiving meal...haha!....OR I enjoy Plain 100% Ocean Spray Cranberry Juice....in a silly glass....lol...Teas---Red Diamond, OR water is good.
Paper wares---I have already purchased a paper tablecloth, paper towels/dinner napkins, nicely decorated plates, and cups....
Shopping for your items---Dollar Stores, Dollar Tree, Walmart all have very affordable items like this for adding a neatness to your table at Thanksgiving....
Plastic storage food containers----are good to purchase for the many leftovers to keep in your refrigerator OR to send home leftovers with loved ones!....WASH all before you use them for food storage.....Ziploc is a brand I enjoy....affordable.....in designs, and different colorful hues....Betty Crocker storage food containers at Dollar Tree....Let all warm foods cool before placing into refrigerator in containers..never place into refrigerator HOT! dangerous..don't snap lid shut on food containers while hot either..cool before snapping lid shut on these....
$ Save a lot is a good store to purchase many of your grocery items more affordable often times....when you are going to be preparing a meal for many people!...
Already pre-made desserts----IF you are rushed and need to prepare a meal quickly, pies are easy to find already made at the store...I enjoy the Braum's, Field's, Walmart Bakery, Marie Callender's...BUT I seem to always find myself baking a good ol homemade pie....lol.....
AND plenty of soap+helpers to wash ALL of the dishes afterward...EVERYONE needs to help with dishes and cleaning the table/kitchen...
haha....💫
j.
Considering that this week is the week of Thanksgiving, we should always be thankful for all the great & good things on earth and in our lives....If you cannot think of anything good in your life, just know to be thankful that you have the simple things in life, NEVER be unappreciative of anything good you have in your life...Learn to appreciate everything you have and never be selfish, greedy, and snobby!....
Every good thing in life and on the earth is from The Lord above....It is the week to be saying thank you for all of your blessings and even those blessings you haven't seen yet!
Being Thankful for your health, your loved ones, your pets, your shelter/home, your ability to walk, Being Thankful that we have Hope for better days....Be Thankful for every day you are able to live!....
many people have so many difficulties and challenges in life, that many never face, so always remember to pray for them......
Every week for years and years, I have always made very sure that I say Thank you! to everyone for all the good they bring to my life, and I say Thank you to The Lord for all the good in my life...I just make the whole week a week of being Thankful, saying Thank you to those who are wonderful and bring goodness to the earth....
Today is sunday and this is a Bible verse that I know goes along with this week of being Thankful----
Colossians 3:17
And whatsoever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God.
I am Thankful.
j.
Brrrr!!!!!!!
It is going to be Freezing temperatures tonight.
I am making very sure that my pets are all warm, feeding them canned food this evening, and they are already sleepy it seems.....
The portable fireplace electric heater that I have in my bedroom will be turned by 8pm tonight then I will watch it glow and fall asleep warm!....It sure does help my bedroom stay warm...I sleep better it seems.
I don't have my electric blanket turned on yet, and it is starting to be chilly right now.....I know that my cats will be looking for a warm place to sleep on nearby...
-----Just thinking about the people and upsets in life that destroyed me at the time, and now how I just laugh and go on...
(those evil nasty weirdos won't ever see this, BUT just incase they might, this is for them)
the ONLY time I would ever tell anyone that has hurt me, or been terrible to me Thank you idiots! would be whenever I would tell all those haters and awful nasty people Thank you idiots, for hurting me, breaking my heart, trying to destroy me at the time with actions, words, evilness, Thanks for making me a stronger person, EVERY set back, every broken heart and every upset made me a stronger person.......
randomness, but there ya go blog!
Julie
I purchased a box of Hamburger Helper today, Lasagna....it is very good, better than usual...many different choices for that one!..I like to create this meal with sides, a vegetable or two, and a salad...Shake n Bake is also something I purchased for later this week for a meal...It is good for baking chicken in the oven....with vegetable sides, salad on your platter.....Manwich is good for a sandwich, made with well cooked hamburger...I enjoy these this time of year....
Also I purchased a few frozen cans of 5Alive juice mix....citrus!..it helps me with feeling better...Vitamin C in this, so it helps me to battle colds...just my opinion....and I like the juice...I only pour in 2 1/2 cans of cold water though and mix it in a pitcher, I keep mine very chilly in the refrigerator.....good! 😺
I had to check the antifreeze in the vehicles today at my Grandma's and I have a Antifreeze tester...it has to float so many of the colorful balls to make sure it has enough so your car won't freeze up and ruin....It is simple to test, and the testers can be found at Walmart or Auto Parts stores...we have freezing weather supposedly on the way this weekend and I know that when that is on the way, I need to always test my vehicles for adequate antifreeze!.....Keep those pets away while testing this! Dangerous! Bad for pets to be near or ingest!
I have seen many people purchasing yarn, fabric, sewing supplies, painting supplies, crochet needles/hooks/thread....
They are probably looking for something to work on during this chilly weather and the winter time!
My entire life I have been surrounded by crafting, sewing, crochet, knitting, embroidery....these are good brands for those ideas....I think that these will keep you working while cooped up in the house during the chilly cold...or in times of boredom....
Red Heart Crochet
Peaches n Cream
Lion Brand
Aunt Lydia's
Bernat
JanLynn
Boye
DMC embroidery thread packs
Coats and Clarks
Aunt Martha's Transfers (for white cup towels embroidery or art)
there are so many different types of yarns that are sparkled, have sequins, metallic, eyelash/fuzzy yarns, ombre, iridescent, or the plain colorful hues/yarns....often people may spin their own yarn and dye it, cleaning it and taking proper care of their animals....this is natural and safe for the animals...looms are used...I have heard about this before....very interesting!
sequin art is something I think is very beautiful, there are kits for this at the crafts stores, and I enjoy creating Christmas ornaments with sequins, or Christmas crafts this time of year, sewing the very beautiful Christmas stocking that are in the kits are fun and will challenge you with sewing, gluing, and being creative!....some of them sparkle!
just good artsy projects that help keep the winter time blues away!....it is a good time to collect these for the winter time...
I know most of the men are bored with my craft talk..but what can you say! I enjoy this and it is good to be creative..lol...just giggle at me anyway!!!
j.
I have been having oatmeal almost every other morning for breakfast, many years....
Many people think that Oatmeal is icky!....I have always liked it!....Oatmeal is healthier than many other things for breakfast, and I enjoy cooking/baking with it a lot.....
those oatmeals in small packs can be a variety of different kinds...Peaches n Cream, Strawberry, Brown Sugar n Cinnamon, Plain, Blueberry, Banana...all kinds...I enjoy these also...BUT I know many people can only have the plain, but that's good too!....
I like oatmeal in meatloaf, cookies, many other cooking items........AND it is good for your face when mixed properly, ALL natural with no chemicals, I enjoy Oatmeal soaps/lotions, that are as close to natural as they can be....Aveeno is an ok brand....
I like those Quick Oats that are 5 minutes and ready to enjoy...Quaker is a good one and many other off brands...
Baked oatmeal for breakfast is one of my favorite breakfast items I can bake in the morning.....I like to bake it like the recipe says, and then while it is still warm from the oven I will pour a small amount of milk,....mix it up kind of in a bowl....oh, it is GOOD!...
This is one of my favorites~
Baked Oatmeal
3 cups Quick Cooking Oats
1 cup Brown Sugar or other artificial brown sugar
2 teaspoons Baking Powder
2 Eggs
1 cup Milk
1/2 cup Margarine or Butter
- Preheat oven to 350°. In a large bowl, combine oats, brown sugar, baking powder. In another bowl, whisk eggs, milk and margarine. Stir into oat mixture until blended.
- Spoon into a greased 9-in. square baking pan. I use a foil on the interior bottom of a pan--then grease with margarine, then pour mixture onto that. Bake 40-45 minutes or until set. Serve warm with milk. You can add cinnamon, if you like, I enjoy it plain.
J.
I'm very tired..I always am....oh well.....
I think sometimes it can be much easier to have your cattle checked, evaluated & treated by a local veterinarian!!!....Just catching them, driving them, and placing them into the pen to walk into the cattle trailer can be stressful and time consuming.....
I know that on the very grand sized ranches, with many acres, you need portable corrals & chutes, equipment, and well working horses, and cowdogs that like their work rounding up the cattle/livestock! cute! cowboys & cowgirls that like to ride the pens and check on all the livestock...having all the medicines, and equipment......
you've always got a straggler that wants to hide in the trees or brush!...lol...silly cow!...they just go where they wish to! this can take an hour or so to find and pen them....
When you transport the cattle or any other large animals to the local veterinarian's clinic, all you have to make sure is that the trailer and the vehicle that will be driving the trailer to town to the clinic, is working properly, good tires, trailer has good floor wooden boards in the bottom, well taken care of, and that all doors to the cattle trailer are working properly!....Make sure the signal lights work on your trailer and your vehicle...that's always important....I think it's best to try and make sure you have your cattle to the veterinarian early morning right before the veterinarian's clinic doors open.....Early hours work better for you and your cattle!....lol.....that's what we worked on this morning....it's best to clean out your cattle trailer floors after you get back home....clean out the cow poop!....
just a few we took to be "doctored" and that didn't take too long, now if you have a rancher's mess of cows that need immediate attention, you will need to just "doctor" them with help at home.....lol...
we always lure them into the pen with feed we call "cake" or "cubes".....My Great-Grandpa called it "Cake" for the cows...we just still always call it that.....drive on through quickly, and fasten the gates closed....then hope you don't have any jump out before you can trailer them....
having a good cattle trailer and a vehicle that has the power to pull good on down the highway is something you need to keep worked on....we just used the feed truck today...
I know it will be quite chilly and may freeze in a few days so I know we will have to make sure we purchase more "Cake Cubes" for the cattle soon!.....
I wish for more "cattle clinics" where you can "doctor, brand, vaccinate, and etc...a herd and pay for it reasonably...that would be good for those who need veterinarian's help and don't have the extra time to work on it themselves.....locally, I think that could help many farmers....
j.
I think that the new holiday designs on the Sonic drink cups are cute! Small Christmas Trees in a pretty green....I know it random, but I enjoyed seeing the new designs.....that to me is very artistic!...I know some may say: " Oh, how silly! a Sonic cup design is Artful?!!"....🎨
But I believe that Art is seen in many things sometimes....even if it is just a drinking cup design...it takes creativity to create something unique, beautiful, cute, artsy!
I have always enjoyed colorful items, designs, paintings even in a business, my eyes always catch colorful hues, and paintings...even looking down at a item you can see and purchase in a store if it catches my eye I enjoy it's beauty....
Everyone has different color hues and patterns they like to see on items or in Art...that's because everyone is created to be unique and different and we're NEVER all going to be the same, and I am happy that is how life is! How boring would it be IF we were all the same??!....VERY!
I sometimes think that everything you can find for purchase in a store---takes someone's idea, how they view something, and how they feel, and can place that onto a canvas, sketch book, or design they wish to create...well that is always good!
Art should be how you feel and you can paint or draw out your feelings on canvas or paper, or in sewing, crafts, designs....may be others who feel the same....
Art is good for therapy, whether it be with drawing, sculpture, painting, crafting, maybe even writing out how you feel could be an Art form....I just enjoy a lot of colorful hues in anything I see, but that's just how I am, I try to interpret how someone is feeling at the time when they create Artwork and a lot of the time I can see how they were feeling at the time, by the color hues, the lightness or darkness, and the theme of their painting/Artwork OR even the title of the piece...
I enjoy attending Art shows and even the local Crafty Shows, always fun and interesting to try and understand how the Artist feels about their creation....
I adore all Artists who create goodness and display it for others to enjoy, and are not afraid to let others enjoy their Artwork...IF you have talent that is beautiful and holds goodness, let others enjoy it, on a sign, on a building, a design you create, a art piece you wish to display in a Art Show!...
Native American Artists and the Old West Cowboy Artists are my very favorite types of Artists, the color hues, the artwork as a whole...the prairie landscape, the clouds in these paintings---so pretty! the SouthWest color hues, the time set......that's comfort to me, they are some of the VERY best paintings I have ever seen in my life!...I wish we could have those displayed everywhere locally! Oh, they are beautiful!...they are very talented people......they also have a lot of sculpture I have admired and enjoy...
everyone has an art piece they enjoy and certain theme, or style.....
Tattoos are also Art work I think, I have seen some of the most beautiful Tattoos on people, so colorful/or plain ink, and they are all unique!!!.....Tattoos always represent something for the person whose body is the canvas for the Art.....they choose the tattoo and the very talented Tattooist places it onto them.....When I admire other's tattoos I always seem to understand who they are as person sometimes just by seeing them stand in line at a store, or there as I drive or walk by....
Tattoo pictures of loved ones, sayings and inspirational quotes--to remember feelings by, or dedications to those we love or those who have passed away---all are very sweet and beautiful!....
Religious tattoos---I think those are there to keep you thinking about religion..enjoy seeing them! and ALL tattoos are there on other's bodies because they mean something to someone!...I like that!..Tattoos are Art and I think they are beautiful to admire, and I think they are something else!
people place tattoos everywhere, and I think some of them are so beautiful as a painting, they look 3D or real as you are seeing them on someone's skin placed there!....
I saw an advertisement on tv for a local newer tattoo parlor and I think that is cool!....Tattoo artists have to be very clean, professional, not snobs, and understand the customer walking in to be tattooed.....I enjoy tattoos and they are Art!
💘
julie
When you attend church services, listen to church on tv or radio, or you have Bible passages you may read on sunday....Keep that wisdom and the lessons you may have learned with you everyday, all week!
I think sometimes in the rush of everyday life, it is very easy to forget what you learned from church and God on sunday.....It always is best to try and take in all the spirituality and wisdom you can from the Bible, Attending Church on sundays, try to learn from your pastor's sermons, your Bible, your sunday school lessons & readings......
when you are able to be there at church as a sort of student learning about God & Jesus, the Angels, and all the Bible passages, it is best to take notes down, try to learn as much as you can about your Bible and things you find comforting, interesting, or anything that is spiritually meaningful to you---jot them down and study them throughout the week!
I enjoy nice Sunday night & Wednesday night church study group meetings at the church, for the Adult, Teen, and children to study separately...and then have Wednesday night church youth group meets for the pastor to help with....Bring plenty of board games, study sheets, refreshments, Christian learning programs, popcorn, pizza parties!!! these keep the teens & children thinking about God throughout the week, AND when you have a reliable, trustworthy, fun, pastor, who knows the Bible good----this is helpful to all!!!
Adult Church groups can meet Wednesday nights--Have Bible Study, talk, plan events & fundraisers, and then have refreshments, maybe help out with youth group that evening!....This all helps to keep you thinking about God and helps you to stay spiritually connected to God with lessons and study...
We always wish to be a good person, be courageous, wise, and have something to think about when we may be confused about what is the right way to handle a bad situation or how to figure something out the RIGHT and GOOD way----you know all week situations go on, and I think it has helped me to be a good person, by keeping God's words & teachings with me, and also helped me to choose better decisions in all choices I make....
It's best to ALWAYS try to choose what The Lord would want us to choose....all week I think about that and I think that I want God to be happy with the things I take part in, the things I choose, and the ideas I may create...I hope that it is always wise and something he would be happy with....
I created a beaded bracelet years ago at church, and it was one of those WWJD? lettered bead bracelets...and the WWJD stands for What Would Jesus Do? and that is to always remind you to look down at your bracelet and ask yourself: "What Would Jesus Do in this situation?" so that kind of goes along with the same lines of what I am blogging about today.....I wear mine sometimes when I am scared, confused or may be facing uncertainty.....
I also have one that says: " WWACD?" and that is my get tough beaded bracelet that I giggle about when I am upset or confused...it stands for What Would A Cowboy Do faced with this problem or situation?-----Get tough, kick butt, stop crying, ride into the sunset, forget it and go on!!!......haha! that's my other bracelet....
julie
I was looking at my sticker collections last night, and I found my Eiffel Tower sticker sets and I started thinking about France and how my family lineage(history) goes back to France...My Grandpa has always talked to me about how his family was directly descended from France and the old family history story was passed down to all generations...
I enjoyed hearing about all that, and I know that I enjoy some of the things the French enjoy:
Things like:
Love
Wine
Food
Baking
Cooking
Flowers
Poems
Art
Painting
Countryside/Farmland
AND a slower pace to life, being able to enjoy a meal or a quiet talk with others and not be in a hurry all the time.....
Paris, France is supposed to be the City of Love they say, but who knows?
I enjoy a French Restaurant near OKC...called La Baguette....it is a nice enjoyable place to have a breakfast, a meal, or an event there.....they have the cutest bakery there with Petit Fours beautifully decorated, cakes you can order, and macarons!...I like to look at them whenever I am able to go there and see how beautiful they are decorated......
I would wish for another one nearby closer to home I could go and enjoy with loved ones, go have breakfast or purchase some Petit Fours or Macarons...
I have a recipe for Macarons...I like to see them colorfully decorated, they are a meringue cookie type....these are fun to create, I baked a set years ago!
it is fun to create/bake something that is French when I have French family lineage....I like them bright & colorful....
French Macarons
3 egg whites
1/4 cup white sugar
1 and 2/3 cup powdered sugar
1 cup finely ground almonds
Gel Food coloring drops
- Line a baking sheet with a silicone baking mat. Then you
- Beat egg whites in the bowl with hand held mixer until whites are foamy; beat in white sugar and continue beating until egg whites are glossy, fluffy, and hold soft peaks...like meringue. Sift confectioners' sugar and ground almonds in a separate bowl and quickly fold the almond mixture into the egg whites, about 30 times. ADD a few drops of your favorite gel food coloring. Fold a few times until all batter is colorful...IF you wish for many other colors you can separate batter into different bowls and stir in other gel food colorings.Bake separately.
- Spoon a small amount of batter into a plastic bag with a small corner cut off and pipe a test of macaron batter, about 1 1/2 inches in diameter, onto prepared baking sheet. If the batter holds a peak instead of flattening immediately, gently fold the batter a few more times and retest.
- When batter is mixed enough to flatten immediately into an even macaron, spoon into a pastry bag fitted with a plain round frosting tip. Pipe the batter onto the baking sheet in rounds, leaving space between them...not too close. Let the piped cookies stand out at room temperature until they form a hard skin on top, about 1 hour...depends on the weather outdoors sometimes!
- Preheat oven to 285 degrees.
- Bake cookies until set but not brown, about 10 minutes; let cookies cool completely before filling.
- Remove with spatula.
- I like the cream cheese filling best, it works well for these.
- spread the filling onto the flat side of the macaron and place the other flat half onto that one, like you would a hamburger....lol...OR as the picture above....others enjoy French buttercream frosting, but that's way too sweet for me!...I think the cream cheese isn't way too sweet...and I prefer that best for macarons.
julie
