No Matter What...

Hello!

It has been a busy week indeed.

I walked in to work this morning with tears in my eyes.  They were thankful tears.

I heard a song on the way to work that touched my heart.  I didn't hear it all, as I only live 7-10 minutes away, on a bad day.    The words I heard though, spoke to me.

Well... I did some research and found the song.



No matter how many mistakes are made, no matter what's been done in the past or what will be done in the future, Jesus Christ gave His life freely because He loves us.   He came down from His throne on high, lived, died and rose again, because He loves us.

If you haven't heard the song, listen to it. It is a beautiful song.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WEEKLY RECIPE

This is a casserole that you can adjust to your taste.  It makes a lot, so it's good for pot luck dinners.

Yummy Tater Tot Casserole

2.5 lbs of tater tots

2 medium squash, cut in half lengthwise then sliced

1/4 onion, chopped

1/2 green pepper, chopped

1 smoked sausage length, sliced into rounds

2 cans ranch style beans

1 cup of shredded cheese (1/2 cup shredded cheese, set aside for later)

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon chili powder

• Heat oven to 450° F
• In a large bowl, mix all the ingredients well, except for the 1/2 cup shredded cheese set aside.   
• Spray baking pan(s) with non-stick spray.   I had to use a 9"x13" pan and a 9" round pan.  Pour the tater tot mix into pan.   Sprinkle remaining shredded cheese on top.
• Bake for 30 minutes. 

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I finally finished the cathedral windows piece I started when my dad was in ICU.   The cathedral windows are hand sewn, then the border and backing machine sewn.   I tried out a new stitch on my machine and it did well for awhile then started messing up, but I didn't feel like ripping it out, so it has its flaws. :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess that's it for this evening.

Have a fabulous Friday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Forever Unchanged

Hello!

I trust you have had a good day.  :)

The Bible verse on my sidebar today is...

Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever. ~ Hebrews 13:8

Isn't that good news?

No matter, the changes that happen in my life, I have the assurance of knowing my Savior is unchanging.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

CHECK IT OUT...

  

Check the blog hop out at http://www.thethingswefindinside.com/2012/03/i-love-my-online-friends-monday-hop_25.html?showComment=1332727728111#c7903481819450242183
This will help you find more awesome blogs to follow and help you receive more followers for you blog.



And Sew We Craft is having a giveawaycheck it out at http://www.andsewwecraft.com/2012/03/giveaway-time-hullabaloo-charm-squares/#comment-1465 the prize: 3 charm packs of Hullabaloo by Urban Chicks for Modadate:  Tuesday, March 27th 
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Here's wishing you a great week!
God bless and keep you,Sonia

Surprise!

Hello!

Microsoft clip art

Today was another beautiful day.  

Spring has sprung indeed.   I found these pretty spring pictures and thought I'd share them with you.


David was working in his raised beds today, getting them ready to start planting and found a nice surprise.

He was pulling out grass, weeds and such.  He noticed two carrot tops, wondering how he still had carrot tops... so he pulled them out and this is what he found.

They must have grown through the winter, we have had a mild enough winter for them to do so, but these are the biggest carrots I've ever seen.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WEEKLY RECIPE

I asked my daughter to pick out something for me to make for the weekly recipe and she chose Lasagna. :)

Easy Lasagna

3 cups ricotta cheese

3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

2 eggs

1/2 pound ground beef

1/2 pound your favorite sausage

1 (48 oz) jar/can of your choice Traditional Italian pasta sauce

12 cooked lasagna noodles, well drained

1/2 cup of shredded Parmesan cheese

• Heat oven to 400° F
• Mix ricotta cheese, mozzarella cheese and eggs together.
• Cook beef and sausage in saucepan until browned.  Drain off any fat.  Stir in the pasta sauce.
• In a 9x13 baking dish, spread 2 cups of meat/sauce mixture, top with 4 lasagna noodles, add 2 cups of ricotta cheese mixture on top of noodles.
• Repeat layers until all ingredients are used up or until pan if full, ending with ricotta cheese mixture.
• Add shredded Parmesan cheese on top.
• Place in oven and cook for 30 minutes.  You may want to put a baking sheet on a lower rack, in case the lasagna bubbles over.
• Let lasagna stand for 10 minutes before serving.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Microsoft clip art

SPRING

by Sonia R. Parham - 3/24/12

Singing birds flutter by,

Playing in the sunshine.

Rain has washed everything fresh,

Instantly making the colors bright.

New life springs ahead,

Glad it's Spring, and winter is put to bed.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Have a great Sunday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Dad's home and I've moved...

Hi,

My dad is home!

I took these pics with my phone, so they aren't the best.

Here he is drawing...

Here is the finished drawing, he gave me.

It's good to have dad back at home!   

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Moving and setting back up...

Yesterday, I walked in to work and was told, before I even turned on my computer, to pack up.   I was moving.   So I packed everything up... then I packed another person's cubicle up... finally by the end of the day I was able to move all my "stuff" to my new area. 

Today, when I walked in, I tackled the chore of setting up my new area.  I threw out a lot of stuff, that had accumulated over the years and I didn't need anymore.  I only had to move two of the six file cabinets I have to my new area ( they are not shown in my pics).  The good news is, the other four cabinets went into the first aid room and will be locked until I need to refurbish the first aid cabinet.   

Here's my finished area. 

I'm no longer in the HR department, but have been moved into the Quality department.  I will still be involved in safety, environmental and training, just under a different manager.   The new manager, will be over Quality, Safety and Environmental.  Not sure when we will get the new manager, but I think it will be soon.  My new cubicle is much nicer than my last and I think I will interrupted less and able to do my job better.  :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Earlier in the week, I was singing "rain drops keep falling on my head...".  It rained for most of the week. 

Today, it was beautiful and sunny!  

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess that's all I have for this evening.

Have a great Saturday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Time for Spring!

Microsoft clip art

Hi,  thought I'd share a classic cartoon from 1936 called "To Spring".

Enjoy!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Good News

Hi...

When I walked into my dad's room this evening, he was sitting up watching the Wheel of Fortune with my mom.    Mom pointed out the "patient information" board in his room.   I saw the following words.

"Scheduled for discharge - 3/22/12"

Good news!!  :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

He Speaks...

I'm always amazed at how God chooses to speak to me.   

The methods are various.

Sometimes through His Word, 

Sometimes through song,

Sometimes through a book I'm reading, 

Sometimes through a friend,

Sometime through a dream,

or just deep thought.

This weekend He chose a book I was reading.   

The message was basically "no, not now, I have better plans for you".

Today, I received an email from a friend telling me the very same thing. :)

Jeremiah 29:11 ~ For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Thunder rolled and the rain fell today.   We have more moving in tonight, and it is suppose to settle over us for the next two days.

I love the sound of thunder rolling across the sky, the rain drops on the roof and windows, the smell of rain and the cool breeze that comes with it.   It's times like these, I wish I had a large wrap around porch.  I would sit out and just soak in the sounds and smell of the rain.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

That's it for this evening.

Here's wishing you a beautiful Tuesday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Explore and Find

Hello!

This is the first night, I have felt rested enough to actually write my blog, other than updating on my dad.   He is still doing well and improving.  :)

I will try to catch up a little with what's been going on with me, otherwise.

My daughter and I am continuing to explore flea markets, we have not been to, in our area.

Here are some of our finds.

• a pair of candle sticks 
• a old blue, heart shaped bottle with cork
• another pretty plate
• 7 new thimbles for my collection
• a bobbin spool

I fell for this 1950's Singer Featherweight, but was 400 dollars short.  :(

It was a beauty, in mint condition, with original case and tools.

I think that was probably the first time, I truly felt regret at not being able to purchase my find.  :)


Okay, enough about my flea market finds.


It has been in the 70's and 80's this week.  I have irises coming up, more lilies blooming and even my miniature rose bushes are looking pretty and green.

Hopefully they will not get hit by a cold snap, but a lot of times, around Easter we will have a cold spell.  I guess I'll see in a few weeks.  :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Microsoft clip art

Microsoft clip art

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Microsoft clip art

I haven't worked on much of my crafts this week.  

I hope to get back in the groove, this weekend and next week.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess that's it for this evening.  

Here's wishing you a fabulous Friday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

Praise the LORD!

Just a quick note, as I'm going down for the count... yawn...

This morning, my dad put on his artificial limb and walked out of his room, down to the nurses station, back past his room, to the waiting room, then back to his room.    The nurses and the doctor all saw him do so and were amazed.    He could not do so, any other day this past week.  

Last night, I dreamed my Dad called me by name, like in he did before his surgery.  That happened this afternoon, I was off to the side of his bed, looking at some flowers, when he called me by name and asked me move his table, with is water on it, closer so he could get a drink.   He was able to stay focused and carry on a conversation tonight as well.

Many prayers have been going up on my dad's behalf.   God confirmed, to me the first week after his surgery,  my dad was going to make it and today I saw evidence of it.     Praise Be!

Just wanted to share that with you.

Hope you have a beautiful Sunday!

Good night.

God bless and keep you,
Sonia

Peeking Through the Clouds

Hi!
I went to see my Dad last night.   He asked me what my name was and where I lived.  

Any time someone with dementia experiences a traumatic experience, it seems to set them back in their memories.   That is how it is with Dad.   He is remembering a lot of the past but not much of the present day. 

He drew me a picture last night and showed me how to make a chain with yarn.   His creative side was working well.  

Today, he could not draw.  

It could be that this surgery has advanced his dementia and that he may not regain all his memories.  It is really hard on my Mom, when he doesn't remember.  Please remember them both in your prayers.  :)

I firmly believe that God has His hand on my dad and everything will work out as planned.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

My morning started with thunder rolling and lightning striking.   It would rain hard and then rain softly, and took turns that way, all day.    This evening on the way home, I saw the moon peeking through the clouds, as the storms moved on out.   It was beautiful shining through the clouds, but unfortunately, when we got home, both of the cameras' batteries were low and I did not get a good clear picture.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sorry, I don't have much to share today.  Tired I guess.  :)

Here's wishing you a fabulous Friday!

God bless and keep you,

Sonia





Pretty Good Deal...

Hello all!

YAWN!!   I think I'm still trying to catch up on rest from the last three weeks.

When I got home this evening, my hubby told me about a clearance sale, here in town. 

I came home with a new reversible jacket, a zip up sweater, a pretty blouse, and a two layer look tee-shirt all for $36.  That's what the reversible jacket cost, before clearance.  I think it was a pretty good deal.  :)

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

WEEKLY RECIPE

After months of eating the heavier meals like casseroles, stews, roasts, etc.; I thought it would be nice to have a lighter meal this evening.    So, this week's recipe is a simple tuna salad recipe for a sandwich.

Simple Tuna Salad

2 cans tuna, drained

onion, chopped to your taste

1 jalapeno, seeded and diced (if you like the spice, leave some of the seeds in)

tomato, chopped to your taste

1/2 to 1 teaspoon prepared mustard

mayo or salad dressing to taste ( I used about 4 tablespoons)

salt and pepper to taste

Mix it all together and serve on bun, toast, or with green salad and crackers.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dad is still making progress.  He has been awake and alert each morning and sitting up some during the day, for the past couple of days.  He is still very week and tires out by noon or so.  Because of his weakened state, he has to be seat belted in when he sits up.  Today, the hospital staff started feeding him by spoon.  I hope that went well, as my dad is very independent, but he is still too weak to hold a spoon and feed himself.  I know without doubt his strength will return and he will be sitting up on his own and feeding himself soon.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++



Well, that's all I have this evening.

 

Here's wishing you a wonderful Wednesday!

 

God bless and keep you,

Sonia

The Barn Hollow: GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!

The Barn Hollow: GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!! GIVEAWAY!!: Good Thursday morning to one and all. I have been saying for a couple of weeks now that I needed to get another blog giveaway in the works...

Catching up...

Hello!  
I've got a lot to share this evening.  :)

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MY DAD



I called my mom today and asked how dad was doing.    He was hungry today and asking for chicken or fish, a chocolate milkshake and said he would even eat soup with crackers, if they would let him eat.  He was also able to talk to my little sister on the phone and had enough strength in his arms and hands that he could wipe his mouth with a napkin.  Praise the LORD!   Yesterday he was awake enough to let us know when he needed help, but nothing like today.  :)  Thank you all for your prayer support!

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

TIME WITH MY DAUGHTER and MOM



Today, my daughter and I spent the afternoon flea marketing.  We decided to head east and shopped the Russellville area.  

During my stay with mom at the hospital over the last three weeks, she and I would take a break from the hospital and went to a flea market or two in the Fort Smith and Alma areas.

Here are my flea market finds.

The plates are for my living room wall.

The old snuff bottle, reminds me of the my grandma Stricklin.   She had spitting in a spittoon down to an art.

I found the vintage eyewash cup and thought it was cool.

Today I found the antique whisk. I think the handle use to be red, as there is a little red paint still on it.  It will hang in my kitchen.

The patchwork tote was bought to carry my finds. :)

I also found some yarn, but have used most of it in a scarf and will use the rest in a scripture block.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

MY "HOSPITAL" PROJECTS

During our time in ICU, waiting rooms and finally with dad in his regular room at the hospital,  mom and I did a lot of crocheting and some sewing, between times of trying to wake dad up and visits with the doctors and such.

Here's what I got done.

2 scarves... the purple scarf is made from Vanna's Choice yarn, I found at flea market.  The other is made from yarn left overs.

1 small flower candle mat, made from yarn left overs.

1 pot holder made from yarn left overs.

3 dish clothes

1 table runner, square doily, bracelet and ring.

3 scripture afghan blocks.

Here are some cathedral blocks, I stitched together.  I worked on this in short increments of time, in between everything else, as holding the needle too long would cramp my hand.  I plan to add some borders and make it a wall hanging.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

RED BIRD

On my way to Fort Smith, over the past few weeks, I saw a red bird three times. I got to wondering if there was an old wives tale about red birds, and as there are old wives tales about most things, there is one about red birds.

"If you see a red bird, you will see someone you are not expecting to see."

Wouldn't you know it, I saw three people I did not expect to see at the hospital. Go figure. :)







++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

GOD'S BEAUTY

As I left the house yesterday morning, I noticed my daffodils had bloomed...

and a beautiful white tree, in the pasture across the road.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I guess that's it.   I think I have caught you up with what's been going on with me and mine.

Have a great Sunday!

God bless and keep you all!

Sonia

In like a lion...

Hello!

"In like a lion, out like a lamb."

March certainly blew in today.  It was a beautiful but windy day, here in Arkansas.

My dad is now out of ICU and into a regular room.  He is slowly recovering, but in my mind, every little step forward is much more than not.  

This morning, before I arrived at the hospital, he called my mother's name.  "Linda, help", is what mom told me he said.  He also tried to get up, but was too weak to do so.  He has been responding well to the nurses and doctors, when he is awake.   

Mom and I have noticed a pattern... When he is awake for most of the day, he will then sleep most of the next day.   He has however been awake for a few hours, even on his "sleeping" days. 

The nurses/doctors are going to try sitting him up and possibly testing him tomorrow on an ice chip to see if he can swallow without any trouble.  If so, they will then try him on food and drink.   He still has he traceotamy and still receiving the least percentage of oxygen.   I expect them to take him off the oxygen soon.  

Tomorrow will be my last day staying with mom and dad at the hospital.   I will be resting over the weekend, as I need to go back to work next week.   It will be hard for me, as I want to be there to make sure everything is going okay,  but I have handed it over to God and will trust Him to do His will. 

Thank you all for the well wishes and prayers!

I hope all is well with you all.  I have gotten behind on reading your blogs and will try to catch up over next few weeks.   I need to get back with my weekly recipe and block of the month.  Hopefully I will be able to start back on them next week.   

I finished a scarf today.    I'm having to charge my camera battery up, but will post pics of my crochet accomplishments over the last three weeks.

Falling asleep, as I type.... Until next time have a great day!

God bless and keep you,
Sonia