Thursday Things - November 7, 2024

It's Thursday morning and, after a very eventful few days, I'm ready to settle down for a day or two and collect my thoughts.

Monday afternoon lightening struck a friend's house and split the tree in front of their house. The strike left the tree blackened and smoldering, blew out their wiring, and took out several of their electronic devices. Praise God, though, their house didn't catch on fire, neither of them were hurt, and help from the city was almost immediate. I praise God for His protection and, please, pray for them that they get the help they need in rewiring and getting things fixed. They are first-time homeowners and had only moved in the week before. I don't know how they're set on insurance and all that, but, either way, that's got to be frustrating!

Of course, the election was Tuesday. 

I, along with a few other family members and friends, gathered for a watch party at Patrick and Amber's that evening and wow! What a wild ride! I didn't make it home and to bed until 2:30 a.m.  

My thoughts and prayers are with President Trump and his family, Vice-President Vance and his family, President Biden, and Vice-President Harris...also with all the senators, representatives, governors, and every other elected official at every level (federal, state, and local) all across this great land of ours, and may the peace of God settle over our nation and prevail during this time of change and transition.

Yesterday I rode up home with Amber and the children to attend Claudia's funeral. I felt so bad for Larry and the children (it's going to be hard on them without her), but Larry gave Claudia a beautiful send-off. Even the funeral home guy stated that he had never seen so many roses (and all of them red)! Claudia was much too young...only 47. She will be missed.

Claudia JoLynn Brown

Now, as things begin to settle down around me, perhaps my mind can settle down to things on the homefront...preparations for the coming winter (finishing up the last of the outside stuff, winterizing), Christmas (Family Christmas is only five weeks away!), food, and finances. There's a lot to do in a short time and that's what I'm going to focus on today.

It was great catching a few moments to chat with you over tea this morning. I'm going to get started and you have a great day!

Until next itme...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - June 27, 2024

I'm in the midst of another whirlwind week with lots going on, but I wanted to take a few mintues to catch up and say hello!

I've been working like crazy to get my Zazzle store up and running and have ordered several items to have on-hand to sell outright. I have hundreds of photos saved to make into product, but it's just going to take time. I'm working on a 2025 calendar right now.

My friend, Jenny, has a pop-up community market and she has graciously allowed me to put some of my things in her shop. I will be adding more things as time goes on, but I am certainly grateful for this opportunity to get some stuff out there to the local public close to home.

I discovered a good stand of white crownbeard growing in my backyard last night. A co-worker had given me a couple of plants back in 2017 and they produced frost flowers that fall, but, by the following year, they were gone. 

Last year I noticed two very tiny, spindly-looking plants growing in another part of my yard where there had never been any before. I was surprised last night to find about a dozen-and-a-half tall, strong, and robust plants growing in that same area. I will have frost flowers in abundance in my backyard for sure this year!

Some people call white crownbeard "wing stem" because of the little winged appendages that grow along the stem. 

Other people refer to white crownbeard as "frost plants" because of the beautiful, frosty creations that form at the base of the plants when temperatures plummet.

To learn more about frost flowers click HERE. 

Granddaughters, Esther and Hannah, both celebrated birthdays this week 

Esther's birthday was Tuesday; Hannah's was yesterday.

I enjoyed celebrating with both!

Well, the day is getting away from me and I have much to do, so I will go for now, but I hope to see you again soon!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - March 7, 2024

It's a rainy Thursday here in southwest Missouri and I'm so thankful! We're in much better shape that we had been there for a while, but we still need much rain to get us back where we should be, after the extreme drought conditions of the past few years.

The bridal's wreath bush surprised me this morning. It is covered in flowers, but the rain is already knocking the tiny, white petals to the ground.

As I write this post the wrecking ball continues to pound against the sides of the old elevator. It is taking it down one tiny step at a time. The thud of the ball makes me sick and it happens every few seconds all day long. This picture was taken Monday afternoon...

I wasn't out at all yesterday, so haven't seen the elevator since. I will try to take a picture when I run out to Dollar General here in just a bit.

On Tuesday a friend and I turned a shopping trip into a full-length daytrip. We made a big, ol' loop that took us through many of the places that were near and dear to my heart growing up.

We started off with a stop at the car wash. My van gets so dirty driving the backroads to work, and this time, it was so dirty that I could see nothing out the back glass. The dirt had to go before we did!

Our trip took us out of the heart of the Osage Plains and into the edge of Central Missouri's Lake Region. It is so beautiful there! Sadly, the roads that we took were so narrow and hilly and curvy that we couldn't find a good place to pull over and take a picture. 

The road that we were on took us past Rockville, Missouri. We pulled off the main drag and meandered the streets of the tiny town finding the places where my great-grandfather and great-aunt lived when I was a kid. The last time I remember being there was when Tootsie (my great-aunt, Ethel Mae) passed away in 1991. 

We went past Monagaw Springs (where my dad and uncle used to go caving in the cliffs above the Osage River) and Rosco (where the famous gun battle between a couple of the Younger boys and undercover Pinkerton agents) was fought and, eventually, ended up at one of our many destinations...the Osceola Cheese Company. 

Our family has made pilgrimages to Osceola Cheese my whole life. As an adult, I still manage to make it there once a year or so (last year it was on the way home from a work trip) to stock up on favorite cheeses and other goodies that are long-time family favorites. 

After Osceola we took a differnt route back across country and visited the old home places at Appleton City where my aunt and uncle and cousins lived when I was young. My parents gardened with my aunt and uncle there and my cousins and I spent many a happy day running, playing, and chasing cloud shadows across the farm fields. This house reminds me of the one they used to live in at the farm...

Photo Credit

I showed my friend where the hidden grave is that my cousins and I used to dare each other to touch and, yes, I climbed under the overgrown, and many-branched. cedar tree, to touch it once it again. It's tradition!

After that we went to the Appleton City Cemetery to visit the graves of my great-grandparents, grandfather, great-aunt, aunt, uncle, girl cousin, and my parents. 

After that we finished up our day in Butler. We had a late-lunch, shopped for dry goods at the Amish store, and, of course, finished up with the bulk of our shopping at Walmart. 

While out and about I dumped off a load of stuff at the thrift store. I had gone out Monday to get started on cleaning out the garage and the first thing I saw was five big totes full of old Christmas stuff. It was such a nice day that I dragged them all to the porch to sort though them. By the time I was done I had saved one tote full of stuff, threw away two big trash bags full of stuff, had a big box of items and a Christmas tree to donate, and four empty totes. I was quite happy!

Anyway, the big box of Christmas stuff and the Christmas tree were dropped off at the thrift store while we were out and about. It feels so good to finally be getting rid of some of this stuff that serves no purpose whatsoever other than to rob me of peace and joy. 

Well, it's after noon and I better get started. I hope you've had a good week and that your Thursday is going well. Have a great weekend!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - Rain, A Change in Menu Plans, and More

It's a beautiful rainy day here in southwest Missouri and I am so thankful! We might finally be getting enough rain to make a difference! Whether we are or not I am enjoying it greatly! 

Pink Peony

I've been piddling around the house most of the day. I've made the bed, done dishes, fluffed and folded the towels, washed a load of clothes, gone through program boxes to find items needed for upcoming programs, and brought in the trash bin. I've also started preparing a list of things that will need to be packed before heading for spring training, which is coming up quite soon.

More Irises

I've done a total turn-around on my menu plan this week. I got to looking in the fridge and discovered that I still had so many fresh vegetables that needed used. With just me in the house it's hard to use some things up in a timely manner, but, I don't like wasting food. Even though it may take extra time, energy, and effort, I generally do whatever I have to to keep it from going to waste. 

I thought, "Well, I'll just chop these vegetables up and freeze them." Then I thought, "Why don't you just chop them up and cook them into a stir-fry now?" And that's what I did. 

I chopped up cabbage, cauliflower, onion, green pepper, celery, mushrooms, and carrots, and added fresh corn cut from the cob. I am cooking up some ground turkey to add to the pot and will season the mixture with salt, black pepper, and Bragg's aminos. This evening I will serve the stirfry over brown rice and will make up several containers that will be used over the next couple of days or frozen to eat later. I will reevaluate the current menu plan next week. 

I have some apples that need used up, too. I think I will turn them into an apple cake. After it's cooled I will sprinkle the cake with powdered sugar, cut into slices, wrap, and freeze to be doled out a piece at time here and there along the way. For my favorite Apple Cake recipe click HERE. 

Well, I guess that's it for today. I'm so glad that I had time to sit down and visit with you this afternoon. That just makes my day! 

What's going on in your world today? I pray that all is well with you and yours and that you're having a lovely Thursday afternoon!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - Three Firsts

The first (and maybe the only) taste of morel mushroom this spring. The boys found it when mowing this week. 

Fried Morel Mushroom

A summer favorite has returned! I spotted the first dickcissel of the year on my way to work this morning!

Dickcissel

The first bloom of one of the new irises that a visitor at the park gave me last year. It's so pretty! And there are three more varieties yet to discover!

New Iris

Short, sweet, and to the point! That's all for today!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - February 9, 2023

It's Thursday morning and I've got to leave for work shortly, but, since I had a few extra minutes, I thought I'd share them with you while I finish my tea.

How's your week been? Mine here has been good. I've managed to stay busy with a variety of projects, including getting those greeting cards sorted and organized.

I told you all at the beginning of the year that I probably had enough greeting cards, tissue paper, wrapping paper, gift bags, and tags to open my own gift shop, and I wasn't kidding. It feels so good to have all that stuff sorted and organized. I will save a ton of money this year by 'shopping' out of my own stock instead of purchasing more of what I've already got.

In addition to that I've done quite a bit of cooking and baking, reading, and...uh-oh...it's almost time to leave. I better be going. 

You all have a nice day and a great weekend and I'll be with you again soon. 

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things

Thursday Things

It's Thursday night and, after another busy day (and week), it's time to settle down and unwind. 

The sorting and organizing of the Van Gogh room is done! Does that mean that I'm finished with it? Not at all!

What it does mean is, that all those piles and totes have been gone through. Some stuff has been thrown away and a lot of stuff has been put away where it belongs. What's left has been sorted and organized into like groupings...all the books in one place, all the nature journaling and craft supplies in one place, all the correspondance, etc.

Everything has been sorted, yes, but I still have way too much stuff in too small a space, so the next stage will be to go through everything again and decide whether to keep, sell, or give away, BUT, I'm going to save that for another day. The main thing right now is, that the room is clean. I know what I've got and where it's at and THAT feels GREAT!

Other than working on the Van Gogh room this week, I've done a variety of other things...cooking, baking, spending time with family and friends, planning, and shopping. I'm looking forward to the weekend.

Well, I suppose I should be going for now. I've got a lot to do tomorrow and it's time for bed. I hope your Thursday has been a good one and that the weekend ahead is fantastic!

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - December 22, 2022

It's a windy, snowy, and frigid cold morning here on the tallgrass prairie of southwest Missouri. 

View From The Back Porch

Temperatures have plummetted from a balmy 39 degrees at bedtime last night to a cool 3 degrees (and still dropping) this morning. What's the weather like where you're at? 

Despite the frigid cold, it's warm and cozy inside. Christmas lights glow in every room and I've got a pretty wooden-wicked candle burning in the kitchen. Alexa is softly playing Christmas carols on the Echo Dot and the kittens are snuggled up together on the bed in front of an infared electric stove with flames. It's all very cozy indeed!

As my car is still down, Amber will be dropping by shortly to pick me up and take me to deliver a pan of Christmas lasagna and a loaf of homemade bread to a friend. I think we're both looking forward to getting out in this crazy weather! 

The part for my car arrived just a few minutes ago. After we get past this extreme cold snap, Bud will be able to get that fixed and have me back on the road again in no time. I'm thankful that he's able to do the work.

Aaron, Amanda, and Alysia may be down tomorrow. They have to make connections in Springfield to pick Kayla up for Christmas, so, since time and circumstances allow, they have decided to pass through this way to get in another quick visit before Christmas, which is great!

Well, Amber just called and she is on her way, so I'm going to close for now. I'll be with you all again soon.

Until next time...

~Rebeca

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Get $4.00 off by using coupon code SAVE400.

 

 

Thursday Things - December 1, 2022

It was a cool, cloudy, and gray day here in southwest Missouri. Now, the day is about over and I'm having a cup of tea before winding down for bed. 

First thing this morning I made a batch of rolls to divide, and put in the freezer; after that I started wrapping Christmas gifts. I really need to get on the stick though. Family Christmas is coming up a week from Saturday. 

I still need to figure out a few odd-and-end last minute gifts for the grands, go thrift-store shopping in hopes of finding an ugly sweater, and figure out what foods I'm going to take along for the potluck. 

How about you? How's your week going? How was your day? And how are your Christmas preparations coming along?

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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Thursday Things - August 18, 2022

Good Thursday afternoon! How your day been thus far? I hope you're having a good week.

Things are going well here. I've been working around the place most of the week and have actually accomplished much more than normal. 

Anthony mowed Monday evening and I finished up the weed-eating. It's been so dry that I don't think we've had to mow for over a month now. If we don't get some good rain soon, I don't think we'll have to worry about it again for another month, at least. We've had brief showers of rain here and there, but nothing significant. 

Dry Creek Bed on the Way to Work

Many area creeks and ponds are completely dry and it's getting harder and harder for everything out there to live. Between the effects of the heat and drought, I daresay, that it's going to be a rough winter for many...man and beast alike.

We lost, what I consider, an extended family member this week...my daughter-in-law, Angie's, Aunt Betty. She was a dear friend and quite a lady. She will be greatly missed and her absence in our town will be felt by all. God bless you, Aunty Betty! You were one of a kind and our family loved you very much! 

Betty and My Grandson, Silas

She was definitely his biggest fan!

I checked the fluids, washed my car, and vacuumed it out this week. It was so dirty! With working on the gravel roads it gets that way. Soon I will make an appointment with the vo-tech school in Lamar for it's annual fall check-up. The boys at the school and their overseer have been my mechanics for years. They do a great job and for a fraction of the cost of anywhere else. 

I delivered birthday greetings to two granddaughters yesterday, then went to the store. While I was in Lamar I ate lunch at Subway and visited with an old friend (she manages the store and my daughter, Amber, used to babysit her children). Anyway, it was nice to enjoy a leisurely lunch and catch up with her a bit. 

Today I'm working in the kitchen. So far, I've made food to take to a friend and baked homemade bread. I've also made a fresh batch of hummingbird food and packaged up taco meat for the freezer. Before the day is done, I hope to wipe down the fridge and rearrange a cabinet or two. We'll see if that actually ends up happening or not! 

Carla will be here soon, so I am going to go for now. Was just sitting down to rest for a moment or two and thought that I'd say hello. I hope that you're having a great day where you're at and I'll talk to you again soon.

Until next time...

~Rebecca

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