Terri Simon's religion column - Daily Press

Terri Simon's religion column - Daily Press: Religion Column: Lent reminds us to assess our life
February 25, 2012For Christian churches around the world, this past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, a day that marks the beginning of the Lenten season. On Ash Wednesday, ashes are placed on the foreheads of believers in a cross as a sign of repentance.
As a child growing up in the Catholic Church, I remember that the prayer being said as the ashes were rubbed on your forehead went something like this: "Remember that you are dust and to dust you shall return." Wow! What a sobering thought to begin Lent! You are slapped in the face with your own mortality.

As we age we tend to think more about this, at least I have. I believe all the Good News written in the Bible..I may not have been constant in my reading, but My heart is full of Love for God, and the knowledge that Jesus, our Messiah went down into the bowels of the earth carrying all sin, thus my sin...and although I fall short time and time again, I ask for HIS forgiveness as I try to be what God wants me to be. Honoring HIM and sharing that Good News is what it most important in my life...Blessings to all those who BELIEVE, and those we hope to reach so they can too. Blessings as we continue learning, and sharing during this LINTen season!

What a week I've had!

Good morning or should I say good mid morning..lol it's 11:25 and I've already been extremely busy...was up around 6am..had coffee with hubby and crocheted a bit on one of the neckscarves I'm making....got in the car before nine to be at my friend, Diane's by nine.  Two other ladies from our were invited to come and visit with Diane's sister, June whom we hadn't seen in many months.  She's such a sweet gal and fun to be around.  I won't be able to show any photos of the gathering because I haven't been able to find my camera...yep, I've misplaced it several days ago, and can't for the life of me remember where.  This Short Term Memory loss has gotten to the point where my hubby says I need a board to list things when I put them away so I can find them again....same with my stamps...needed to mail some letters, and couldn't find them either...grrrr.  I know as we age this happens to so many of us, but I actually lost my last job because of it, and was given disability solely on it.  Drs say it's not the normal memory loss...not dementia nor Alzhiemers,  but I know it's getting worse. 

I want to apologize to those blogs I follow for not visiting as often as I used to...I can't seem to keep up...am wondering if I should get out of some groups because of it...how about you, do you have this issue, what do you think I should do...not only does it bother Dewey, but it's beginning to really bother me too! 

Wish I could share some photos of the new jewelry I've created the past couple weeks getting ready for the Yardsale at our Ruritan Club in Winchester...This time I have lots of clothes too big for me *Yay* jewelry just made, and even little odds and ends I hope someone will want give a new home to.  I have just too much taking up space in our little trailer! hehehe!  Blessings to all who happen by, and have a wonderful weekend...(((hugs)))

Blessings to all who come by!

Good morning friends.  I've been busy riding with my hubby on some of his Tow trips enjoying not only his company, but all the eye candy we see in VA.  It's snowed a couple times in the past 2 wks, however nothing that caused any problems.  More to come on Sunday. 

Peace & Grace

Be My Valentine

Little Bunnies

Meow

Be my Valentine

Our Father is in Control

Thought I'd share some of the little ATCs I've created for trading....it's been ages since I made some.  They are so much fun to do I just can't stop creating them cold turkey. LOL  Here are some of them.

I'm stilling knitting and crocheting neck scarves, cowls, and baby blankets...three of my friends are having babies in the next couple months so I'm getting them ready early!!

Just letting you all know that I'm sitting around twiddling my thumps...did I spell that right??? hhehehe~~~

My memory problems is getting worse so please forgive me if I say something more than once or leave out a word.  I send lots of good blessings for each of you as you go thru the days in front of you...remembering worrying about days gone by is just a waste of time...it's now and how we live each day from here on is what matters...giving and loving those in need not only makes them happy, but it sure does make our hearts as well...(((hugs)))

Well Winter is finally here

I can't complain now that a "real" snow storm is on it's way today cuz we have had a "gentle" time of it so far.  Yes, we've gotten some snow, but the sun has melted it all with in a day!  Warm weather has been on and off here in VA as in many other States.  Today we are expecting 6 + inches up here in the mountains, and by the looks and feel of the air outside it's gonna start any minute.  I have my fireplace going with  lots of crocheting to do. (2 baby blankets to be done in a week) 

If you were wondering why I haven't been doing much painting that's the reason.  I've been making  little knitted neck scarves, and making fine doilies.  Then there's this bright idea I had to paint a scene on the replaced wall in our bathroom.  Our hotwater heater busted last year which was fixed and the old wall replaced, but I hadn't painted it yet.  So I thought why not a mural...I used to lots of them, but since the last knee replacement I've discovered it was just too difficult to do a whole wall...painting down at the bottom was the problem..see I can't get on my knees anymore. This should be interesting to see how I finish it..ehheeh

Just the beginning of the 5x7 feet

This doily is white measuring 17.5 inches

in diameter

This one measures 29 inches in diameter

This little one measures 14 inches in diameter

Little short neck scarves, warm but a great fit

I've made all different colors with

Wool Ease thick and chunky yarn by Lion Brand

I had orders for 5 in this color, purple

Pssst, I thought if you were interested making any you can purchase the yarn for just $2.79 a skein from Walmart where all other places charges far more.

It takes only one skien to make one...I don't have a pattern but I cast on large knitting needles 9  and you would knit then purl 4 to 5 times then reversing the pattern to make the design.  Drop 2 stitches in the middle of one row then add 2 stitches on the row after...If anyone finds a pattern plz share it with me..hehehe!!!

love and peace to all of you!!!

Stay warm and safe!

Well the snow has started in the time it took me to write this blog!

Well it's finally come, my Birthday!

Today my twin bro and I celebrate our 69th Birthday....one I can't hardly believe is here...Most of the time I think of myself as middle aged...hummm do you suppose The 60s are the new 40s these days??  I actually don't feel any older, in fact I feel younger than I did a year ago.  I've recovered from the second knee replacement, and am walking much better.  I'm just so thankful God is allowing me to still be around...course I'm not afraid of dying cuz I know I'll go to a better place....but there are things I want to finish if it be HIS will.  I called my twin bro this morning finding him in good spirits too.  We have a connection even tho we don't see each other as often as we'd like.  He's in Maryland, I'm in Virginia...maybe a couple hours apart.  It's a shame we get so busy that we can't see our way to go visit.  I think this year will be different...I'm going to make a point of taking my hubby down so we can visit....I'm thinking of going to GA next year to visit my dear sister, Mary it's been about 3 yrs now since we last saw each other.  Perhaps I'll have a birthday party for our mom who will be 94 in April...that would give us all the chance to visit...

In the front yard

On the side of the house

Beautiful tree in the back yard

beyond our fence in the back

Love this tree with the sqirrel nest

Christmas Cactus blooming again

Napoleon running for the back door thinking he can

catch the dog on TV

Napoleon watching TV

Napoleon getting ready to pounce

Now I want to share some new photos of what it looked like very early this morning...what  a pleasant surprise, but it's now after 2pm and the trees are clear and the sun is shining some.  Of coursh I got the ones of Napoleon backwards..eheheh!!!

Hope all of you have a Birthday today our sometime in Feb. are having a wonderful day...God has been good to me and I'm so very thankful for His Love and peace and grace!!
Blessings to all my friends out there in Computer land~

I got this recipe from a friend, and love it...

Good morning, I was taking a break from creating new jewelry a couple days ago so decided to bake an "Apple Dapple Cake"  I have to say it was a big hit for those who stopped by before it was all gone..hehehe~~

Apple Dapple Cake
1 1/2 cups oil
2 cups sugar
3 eggs
3 cups (all purpose) flour
1 tsp soda
1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup coconut (you can use the frozen if you like)
1 cup black walnuts chopped (you can use regular walnuts)
3 cups peeled apples ( I used apples I'd canned in water)
2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup raisins ( I used dried cranberries instead)

Mix oil, sugar & eggs at once.  Sift together flour, soda, & salt then add to mixture.  Chop together raisins, coconut, walnuts and apples, add to mixture along with the vanilla.
Bake @ 325 F for 1  1/2  hrs in tube pan.  Batter will be thick!
Icing
1/2 cup brown sugar 1/4 cup milk, 1/4 cup butter then boil for 2   1/2 mins.
If you want a more sweet cake use long picks to puncture cake so you can drizzle icing down into the cake.  I just brushed on the icing all over the cake...
I have to tell ya, I've baked many cakes, and I think this one is my fav.  I'll have to share my " Chocolate Mayonnaise Cake" (when I find the recipe) hehehe!!

Blessings as you go thru your busy day, and remember to start with God's word for it's the only true guide for our lives here on earth!!!  (((hugs)))

A SPLENDID ADVENTURE: more on listening

A SPLENDID ADVENTURE: more on listening

Well it's well into the New Years already!

Can't believe it's already the 5th of Jan 2012 and I'm just now post a Happy New Years to all of you.  It's been said the older you get the more quickly the time goes by.  I can't imagine it going any faster than it does now...at 68 soon to be 69!  heheheh!!

I've been doing some painting the past couple days after working for weeks creating jewelry to sell at the Christmas Bazaars during Nov and Dec 2011.  Now, we've had a little snow (maybe 2.5 inches), and the bitter cold we've experienced the past 2 days has changed to temps in the 40's and promises to be in the high 50's over the weekend.  Yay!

We've really had a very gentle winter so far so we can't complain here in the East.  My concern is that this will be the trend in the coming years making it difficult for many animals who thrive in the bitter cold.  We must get serious about changing things that will help, don't we?

I painted a black and white painting on canvas measuring 18x24" for my dear hubby.  He'd loved one I created a couple years ago, but sold to a friend who's actually made arrangements for him to get it in the event she should pass away before he does.  What a special friend I have in her.

I thought I'd share some photos of what it looks like here at home after the little snow we had a couple days ago, and of the painting in black and white, and the one I did for my daughter, Missy and her BF for Christmas.  She wanted a folksy village of sorts with NO animals. (not even a bird) hehehe!

Dewey's painting

Missy & Skip's painting

the tree that fell and busted the fence down back last week

A very cold morning!

The sun coming up this morning!

Beautiful...

Happy New Year to all

Blessings