Sunday Morning Sunshine: Things That Make Me Happy

Animals, like...

Squirrels.

They're thieves, fast, and brave.

Funny and smart

Turtles

Not very friendly,

loners at times,

and are quite determined to be left alone.

But still awesome.

Geese

Quite demanding when it comes to food,

Protective of their babies,

Slow-moving (on purpose, I believe) when crossing a road,

And so much fun to watch!

Swan

Graceful, elegant,

and quite the King (or Queen) of the feathered creatures.

ALL God's Creatures!

 

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Frost on the Pumpkin

 When the Frost is on the Punkin

When the frost is on the Punkin

and the fodder's in the shock,

And you hear the kyouck and gobble of the struttin' turkey-cock,

And the clackin' of the guineys, and the cluckin' of the hens,

And the rooster's hallylooyer as he tiptoes on the fence;

Oh, it's then's the times a feller is a-feelin' at his best,

With the risin' sun to greet him from a night of peaceful rest,

As he leaves the house, bareheaded, and goes out to feed the stock,

When the frost is on the punkin and the fodder's in the shock.

...

Aren't poems totally delightful?

Those who can put words together to make sense like this,

well, they're a talented people.

A tip of the hat to poets! 

and to Autumn!

Serious Wednesday: Introducing: Catch Me If You Can

 Catch Me If You Can

Book ONE of 

The Nursery Rhyme series

The big cat sat on the oversized rock, ears pointed toward the sky, every muscle taut, every sense at the ready.

“S-s-shut up and f-f-forget it. You've s-seen nothing and know nothing. I won't warn you again. G-g-got it?”

The cat's head swiveled, his ears twitching as if catching the hint of threat in the whisper. A soft hiss slid from his open mouth and reinforced the overtone of evil pressing in upon the scene. Within hours, lies and dark secrets are slithering all over the campground.

Coaxed into finding the animal killer at Jamieson's Outfitters, Tara Layne, with her sidekick, Boet, is welcomed by a threatening whisper and the unfriendly eyes of a rugged and devastatingly handsome manager. Wesley Clarke, both interesting and frustrating, holds an attraction for Tara that is both primitive and exasperating.

Intermingled with her search, Tara deals with her own heartbreaking buried secrets. When a strange old Native American probes into the recesses of her heart, he encourages her to face her bitter feelings.

As Tara closes in on her search, she finds herself—and Boet—the target of someone who's determined to outrun and outsmart her. Someone determined not to get caught.

His theme:

Fun as fast as you can, you can't catch me.

The question:

Can Tara run fast enough to catch this real live Gingerbread boy

before he decides to get rid of her and Boet?

Buy the book here:

amzn.to/2CIEhrC

Sunday Morning Sunshine: Fabulous Vacations!

Where's your favorite vacation spot?

The beach?  

Camping?

Finding Treasures, like feathers?

Boating?

Visit historical sites?

Stay home and do special fun things? Like: 

Helping with the farm animals? Picking berries? Painting the porch?

Wherever, have fun! 

Serious Wednesday: A New Day, A New Series: Raisins for Racy

 What fun it is to sleigh tonight...No! I meant, write a book...   

Seriously, I just began a new series in Children's Books, called The Character Traits. The first book is titled:  Raisins for Racy:  Unselfishness. 

These fun books are for younger children who, with their parents guiding them, will learn about Character Traits that will encourage them to strive to make the traits a part of themselves. 

In Raisins for Racy (the rabbit), he so loves raisins that he refuses to share with anyone and even goes so far as to steal them. He thinks its funny to see everyone so upset until one day Racy comes face to face with his selfishness...and what do you think happens?

Find the book here to learn how little Racy learns that sharing is the best option.

https://www.amazon.com/Carole-Brown/e/B00EZV4RFY?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1&qid=1624460388&sr=1-1

I think children and even parents will enjoy this cute book! 

Happy Reading! 

Sunday Morning Peace: and Simple Things

LOVE and LOVELY THINGS

Kisses
Warm hugs
Baby steps
Toddlers' steps
Unexpected love notes

Soft winds
Fluttering leaves
Mothers' soothings
Fathers' protectiveness
Wisdom from the older ones

Rippling brooks
Roaring waterfalls
Beautiful quilts
Luxurious lawns
Swings
Laughter
Dandelions
Pansies
Lilacs
God's truth
God's forever love

Couples holding hands
Dancing in the rain
Wading in the ocean
Seashells
Kittens
Baby animals
Well loved pets

...and much more!

Blessings

A Weird Contest . . .

 

How would you like to meet this friendly guy in your backyard?

 

How often do you use animals in your novels?

 

Tell me about a favorite pet and you could win a prize
(at least two books if I really like yours!)
if yours is chosen!

 

Blessings! 



Early Morning Peace

Our Shyanne

Remember his marvelous works

That he has done

His wonders, and the judgments

Of his mouth.  -Psalm 105:5

Blessings!

                                                                                

A MOUSE TRAP STORY


A mouse looked through the crack in the wall to see the farmer and his wife open a package.

“What food might this contain?" He was devastated to discover it was a mousetrap. Retreating to the farmyard, the mouse proclaimed the warning:  "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The chicken clucked and scratched, raised her head and said, "Mr. Mouse, I can tell this is a grave concern to you, but it is of no consequence to me. I cannot be bothered by it."

The mouse turned to the pig and told him, "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The pig sympathized, but said, I am so very sorry, Mr. Mouse, but there is nothing I can do about it but pray. Be assured you are in my prayers."

The mouse turned to the cow and said "There is a mousetrap in the house! There is a mousetrap in the house!"

The cow said, "Wow, Mr. Mouse. I'm sorry for you, but it's no skin off my nose."

So, the mouse returned to the house, head down and dejected, to face the farmer's mousetrap . . . alone. That very night a sound was heard throughout the house -- like the sound of a mousetrap catching its prey.

The farmer's wife rushed to see what was caught. In the darkness, she did not see it was a venomous snake whose tail the trap had caught. The snake bit the farmer's wife. The farmer rushed her to the hospital and she returned home with a fever.

Everyone knows you treat a fever with fresh chicken soup, so the farmer took his hatchet to the farmyard for the soup's main ingredient.

But his wife's sickness continued, so friends and neighbors came to sit with her around the clock. To feed them, the farmer butchered the pig. The farmer's wife did not get well; she died. So many people came for her funeral, the farmer had the cow slaughtered to provide enough meat for all of them.

The mouse looked upon it all from his crack in the wall with great sadness.

So, the next time you hear someone is facing a problem and think it doesn't concern you, remember ---- when one of us is threatened, we are all at risk.

We are all involved in this journey called life. We must keep an eye out for one another and make an extra effort to encourage one another.


REMEMBER. . .

• EACH OF US IS A VITAL THREAD IN ANOTHER PERSON'S TAPESTRY;

• OUR LIVES ARE WOVEN TOGETHER FOR A REASON.

• One of the best things to hold onto in this world is a FRIEND ! ! !

Friendship isn't about whom you have known the longest, but about who came and never left your side.

Wonderful blessings to all of you, my friends!

Testing . . . Testing . . .

For Smart People . . .

And I've determined that you qualify. The following short quiz consists of 4 questions and will tell you whether you are qualified to be classified as a smart person.

Scroll down for each answer(if you're brave enough). The questions are NOT that difficult. But don't scroll down UNTIL you have answered the question! No cheating.


1. How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

Give up? Ah, come on. Surely you can come up with something.




The correct answer is: Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe,
and close the door. This question tests whether you tend to do
simple things in an overly complicated way.


Okay, okay. So you didn't know the answer. You've still got another few coming. Try this one:

2. How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?


Did you say, Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close
the refrigerator?

Wrong Answer.




Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, put
in the elephant and close the door. This tests your ability to
think through the repercussions of your previous actions.


Well, I knew that you had problems, but come on . . .


3. The Lion is hosting an animal conference. All the animals
attend ... except one. Which animal does not attend?

You give up? Sigh. No comment.





Correct Answer: The Elephant. The elephant is in the refrigerator.
You just put him in there. This tests your memory.

Okay, even if you didn't answer the first three questions
correctly, I'll give you one more chance to show your true abilities. Before I scratch your name off my friends' list. Now, think carefully . . .

4. There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, and you do not have a boat. How do you manage it?

What? You don't know? Think again. Strain your brain. Look in the dictionary. Try a little harder.





Correct Answer: You jump into the river and swim across. Have you
not been listening? All the crocodiles are attending the Animal
Meeting. This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

Sorry. You failed the test. Does that mean you're not smart?




I've talked a lot about animals this week, so . . . hints for them:

1. To ease an upset stomach, put a little warm live yogurt and a drop of honey into your pet's food bowl.
2. Dilute dog shampoo with water in an empty squeeze bottle: lasts longer and goes through the coat easier.
3. Start at shoulders and work backward, leaving the head until last as this is what makes them shake.
4. Pill time for pet? Hide it in a piece of cheese or other treat that he likes.

Quote:
Victory belongs to the most persevering. --Napoleon Bonaparte


Have a wonderful weekend and don't forget: Coming up next month: An interview with Cindy Woodsmall. Look for it!

Blessings.

Woof!

• As you know, we adopted Noah, our BIG collie dog this spring. He is such a sweetheart and a big baby. If you pet him, he'll literally lay on you. Taffy, our little squirt, growls (from jealousy) and tries to stand between him and us. She's so possessive!

Anyhow, the other night I got my bread machine out and turned it on. Noah must not have been able to figure out what that weird noise was, because he kept growling and barking! I tried to coax him over to it to show him it was not an unseen monster, but he wouldn't go. I think he was afraid!

He's an outside dog, but because he has such a heavy coat of hair, I feel sorry for him, and allow him in some when the temperature is extremely hot. I know, I'm a softie.

Then last night we had a storm with thunder, lightning and rain. Noah must have thought a big-foot monster was coming, 'cause he kept growling at the thunder rolls. What a dog! But I already adore him. Sigh. Me and my animals.

• A few weeks ago we heard the Red tail hawk's babies crying for food. Loved the sound and would have loved seeing those babies!

• On another note, we've got a calf. It was on again, off again, on whether this strange cow was pregnant or not. But toward to the end, hubby kept saying, hmmm, the signs are she's pregnant. Sure enough, I came home one day this spring, and there was this little chocolate coated calf beside her. Darling creature!

• Sunday, the blue jays swooping and squawking in their raucous voices. I walked out to my big flower garden and in one of my cherry trees sat a baby blue jay, making his first foray into flying. Or at least, he was thinking of it. He sat forever on that little branch. I ran out to rescue him once from Sandy (the cat) and risked getting my head pecked from Mama and Papa Blue jay. He finally rallied enough courage to take off.

• And last, but not least, from the animal front: I saw a hummingbird Monday, when I worked in my garden. I've been meaning to get a couple feeders, but kept putting it off. Now that item is at the top of my list! I love hummers!
  

Attention, Ann and Livia: As you know we had a tie for the Father's Day Contest. To try to break that, I've prepared questions from my previous blogs. See how many you can answer. You can look back if you want. If you have questions, feel free to ask.

1. Name two things that cause moodiness (good or bad) in me.
   
2. What color of elephant do I want?
3. Which of my pets do I claim was God-sent?
4. How many pets do I have?
5. What's a favorite dessert of mine?
6. What bird did hubby and I enjoy watching this spring?
7. What kind of hat would I love to have?
8. Name one thing I'm afraid of.
9. What sandwich is one of my favs?
10. How much money would I give to each of mine and hubby's brothers and sisters if I were a millionaire?
    

Remember: I'm looking for specific answers. Send them to me by email, comment, or phone. Best!




And today for fun I've got a new breakfast (or use it anytime!) item for you. If you love fruit, you'll sure to love this.

Fun Fruit Kabobs

Ingredients:

• 1 apple
• 1 banana
• 1/3 c. red seedless grapes
• 1/3 c. green seedless grapes
• 2/3 cup pineapple chunks
• 1 cup nonfat yogurt
• 1/4 c. dried coconut, shredded
  

Notes:

• Use any fruit you like!
  
• Instead of coconut, use granola, nuts, or raisins ( or use your imagination).

Directions:

1. Prepare the fruit by washing the grapes, washing the apples and cutting them into small squares, peeling the bananas and cutting them into chunks, and cutting the pineapple into chunks, if it's fresh. Put the fruit onto a large plate.
2. Spread coconut onto another large plate.
3. Slide pieces of fruit onto the skewer and design your own kabob by putting as much or as little of whatever fruit you want! Do this until the stick is almost covered from end to end.
4. Hold your kabob at the ends and roll it in the yogurt, so the fruit gets covered. Then roll it in the coconut.
5. Repeat these steps with another skewer.

Then enjoy!



Quote:
Time is not a line, but a series of NOW points. --Taisen Deshimaru


Blessings

The Things I Collect . . .




Music boxes (oldies, new ones, unique ones)

Souvenir cups from states . . . and other interesting ones





Elephants (the ceremic or stuffed variety! Although I must confess to a hankering for a PINK one. Sigh.)



Or should I say, lots of animals . . .

And then . . . I love and collect . . .


Plants (what's to say: I love 'em all! Poor hubby in the spring time! I'm way too tempted.)

Quotes and Sayings (Know any good ones?)




Books (Son One and I vie for flea market, yard sale, and library sale books)

Certain songs

Dust
(Oh, dear,
did I really say that?)

Dirt on my car ( Shamed confession here)





Raise your hand if you LOVE to dust. Ha. I didn't see any hands. Here's a couple of things that will help keep dust at a minimum:

1. Because dampness serves as a breeding ground for mold, mildew, insects & bacteria, try to keep the humidity level between 30% - 50%.
2. Make sure your attic and crawl space is ventilated.
3. Dust, vaccuum, and clean often. Pay attention to carpets, draperies, and bedding.
4. Maintain air conditioning and heating systems.
   
5. Use kitchen and bathroom vents to remove contaminants and moisture.
6. Clean evaporation trays in dehumidifiers, air conditioners, and under refrigerators.
   

Want to answer a few questions? Let me know . . . I'll use your answers on a blog next week.

1. If you had it to do over, would you NOT have any children? (Be honest, now!)
2. What is your most precious memory of being a mother in relationship to your children? Please be specific.
3. Which is hardest: mothering girls or boys? Or if you have only one child, or one or the other, what is the hardest thing about mothering for you?
   

What was the answer to the trivia question from yesterday?
5% of men admit they snore. Till next week . . .

Quote:
One cannot collect all the beautiful shells on the beach. One can collect only a few, and they are more beautiful if they are few. --Anne Morrow Lindbergh


Blessings.