What's Up?

Well, I'm with limited computer/internet for awhile. I'll be checking blogs and Facebook with my iPhone ... but I can't make new posts on blogger ... just comments. Hopefully, I'll get to know my library again for some good books (and to sneak use of their computers) once in a while. Will be back as soon as possible.

Relax This Thanksgiving

Take a tip from our Canadian friends, they too celebrate Thanksgiving, albeit a month earlier than in the U.S.A. I had the opportunity to celebrate Thanksgiving in Canada last month. I must say, they are way more relaxed about the holiday than the lower 48 states. To grocery shop the day before was a breeze .. no different than any other day. No long lines, shortages of cranberries, road rage in the car lot over a parking space. A simple meal of ham, veggies, potatoes, cranberry sauce made for a tasty meal. I think we Americans over emphasize the non significant ... and ignore the significant reason for most celebrations. This year in keeping with my new found 'freedom' from slaving away in the kitchen, I'm going to simplify my Thanksgiving menu. We still will have turkey, mashed potatoes/gravy, sweet potatoes, one green veggie, and cranberry sauce. Gone will be bread stuffing, salad, rolls, three desserts, and tons of munchies before dinner. Keep it simple sweetheart is my hubby's motto. Pumpkin pie is being provided by Elizabeth, mashed potatoes are being prepared by Ann. And EVERYONE will help clean up the kitchen ... or no listening to the football game on the radio ;) (yes, radio ... we have no TV service) (yes, on purpose;)

Sunday's Praise

Praise the Lord!
Praise, O servants of the Lord.
Praise the name of the Lord
From this time forth and forever.
From the rising of the sun to its setting
The name of the Lord is to be praised.
The Lord is high above all nations;
His glory is above the heavens.

Who is like the Lord our God,
Who is enthroned on high,
Who humbles Himself to behold
The things that are in heaven and in the earth?
He raises the poor from the dust,
And lifts the needy from the ash heap,
To make them sit with princes,
With the princes of His people.
He makes the barren woman abide in the house
As a joyful mother of children.
Praise the Lord!

A Garden Treat Day

I'm currently reading a great book titled, The Omnivores Dilemma. This is a fascinating book about how mass produced food arrives on our dinner table and compares it with locally grown, farm fresh foods. Today as I was tending to a little bon fire, I wondered over to my veggie gardens. They are resting for the winter, building up good soil for another God orchestrated production next year. While there I spied carrot tops. I couldn't resist digging up a few leftovers still holding tight to the soil. They are sweet as sugar! A treat for sure as winter approaches and waiting for next summers crop.

Mrs. Mac Rants About Plain Old New Junk

What is happening to newly manufactured products. Nothing is made to have lasting value any longer ... be it new household appliances, kids toys, printers, etc. This week I've been searching for a whistling tea kettle to give as a gift. It's to replace an inexpensive one my oldest daughter, Elizabeth, bought when she first got married three years ago. Hers is already falling apart. After searching high and low and examining the ones for sale at general merchandise stores, I have not been able to find a decent replacement.

Last month the control panel on my microwave-hood combo short circuited/warped. Purchased new when we built our home in 2007, it just couldn't handle the heat from the way I cook .. i.e. canning .. and the last time I cooked my kids a fried chicken dinner, it went kaput. Both our new refrigerator and stove have needed repairs as well. And while the repairman was out I had him listen to my (supposed to be ultra quiet) noisy dishwasher ... he informed me the pump had between six months to two years left on it. Not to mention my high efficiency washer that needed several costly repairs before I got an old fashioned replacement with push/pull/dials and no brain; it uses more water and power, but at least it runs. There are several manufacturers involved so I'm not outing any one in particular {LG, WHIRLPOOL, JENN-AIR}

Makes me wonder if the manufacturers are partners with the repair folks. Also makes me wonder how efficient and 'green' such junk/appliances/merchandise is if it prematurely ends up in the landfill. What new junk have you had to get repaired or rid of lately?

My little short circuit episode set me back nearly $700 to replace the microwave with a heavy duty exhaust hood, installations fees, and repairing the tile back splash when the microwave oven was removed.

I wonder if this is one of the 'efficient' ways our government is trying to get more people gainfully employed ;(

Sunday's Bible Message

I love our 'plain wrap' Christian church ... using only the Bible to teach from, today's message came from John 14:23-27 (NIV)

Jesus promises the Holy Spirit: "If anyone loves me, he will obey my teaching. My Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him. He who does not love me will not obey my teaching. These words you hear and are not my own; they belong to the Father who sent me.
All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."

Veterans Day

My sincere thanks to all United States military veterans. Some of you have been overlooked, forgotten by your government, and misunderstood when home from war. But the majority of your fellow American's support and thank you for keeping our nation safe at home and abroad.

Does It Take A Snow Storm ...

... and being stranded at home to slow down? OK, I just cursed myself so to speak. But perhaps that is what it will take for the Good Lord to put in my path to find a little more time at home. There's a chance later this week for at least the snow.

Hubby and I just returned from Leavenworth, WA and a trip up to N.E. Washington with some dear friends to visit a WWII war veteran relative of theirs. Mr. Mac so enjoys meeting the vets and hearing about their war history if they are so obliged to share. This war hero had plenty of stories, faded photographs, medals, and moments he was willing to relive for us.

I'm so ready to hunker down for the winter with a good book.

Photo: alp horn serenade in Leavenworth, WA, picture by Mrs. Mac, 11/09

Full Circle

Then God said, "Let us make man in our image, in our likeness, and let them rule over the fish of the sea ...

Geneses 1:26a (NIV)

abstract photo-art: spawning salmon, by Mrs. Mac, October, 2009 'Full Circle'

Good Morning Monday ...

Loving the time change ... a whole extra hour alone in the morning when everybody else is using their external alarm clocks ... I'm still using my internal one .... coffee in the stillness of the morning ... before the rush of the day .... ALONE ... aaaah, reason to rejoice!

Photo: Orange Marmalade Sunrise by Mrs. Mac 2009