Share 4 Somethings - November 2024

  

This is my November post of Share 4 Somethings, where I'll talk about the things I loved/disliked, accomplished, improved upon/needs improvement and something I noticed. Link-up is here.  

Loved or Disliked:  I'm loving watching all the Christmas movies on the Hallmark Channels and Great American Family Channel.  I'm also enjoying working jigsaw puzzles. 

 

 

Accomplished: I finished crocheting and gifting the baby blanket I made for our nephew's new baby.

          

Improved Upon/Needs Improvement: I've been pretty behind on my reading goal for 2024.  I improved on this by reading several books in October and November.  I still need to read 9 more to reach my goal.  I probably won't reach that goal, but I'm happy with what I've read.  

Noticed: Winter is here.  We've had some snow a few days ago and now the temperature has dropped a lot and it appears it's going to stay this way for a bit. It's Friday night as I'm editing this post and it's snowing (really just flurries, but it looks like it's sticking).  We didn't expect it. But on a Friday night when I don't have to go anywhere, I can certainly enjoy it and say, "Let it snow, Let it snow, Let it snow!

That's the end of my Share 4 Somethings for this month.  Thanks for reading and I hope you have a great weekend. Again, the Link-up is here.  

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

Good morning:  I'm linking up today with Joyce for the Wednesday Hodgepodge.  Hope you will consider joining Joyce today too.

1. Thursday is National Walk To A Park Day. I know these celebratory days are mostly made up, but some are fun to think about. Do you live close enough to a park to walk to one on Thursday? Will you? The most famous park in the world is Central Park located in NYC. Have you ever been to Central Park? What did you think? If you haven't been is this a place you'd like to see? 

No, I do not live close enough to walk to a park.  We do have nice parks in our town and surrounding areas.  I have never been to Central Park, however I've seen lots of murders take place there in all the TV series I have watched and continue to watch.  Yes, if I got the opportunity I think I'd like to go to NYC and see the park and many other things.

2. Something you've done recently that turned out to be a 'walk in the park'? Can't think of a thing at the moment.

3. Can you parallel park? Do you have to do this often where you live? Can I...probably.  Will I...not if I can avoid it.

4. The colors of fall...red, brown, russet, golden bronze, golden yellow, purplish red, light tan, crimson, orange red, and scarlet. Are these colors you like to wear? Is this your season in terms of color? What about your home? Would we see these tones in your home decorating?  I don't wear these colors, nor decorate with them except in the fall.  I have a couple orange sweatshirts from past years that I still wear.  My few fall decorations are out right now too.

5. What part of history do you find most interesting? Elaborate. I love reading fiction books about the wagon trains and people heading to the west.  I also enjoy reading fiction books that take place during Biblical Times.

6. Insert your own random thought here. Our crochet group hasn't been together for quite a few weeks now.  We're supposed to meet up this afternoon again.  I'm looking forward to this.

This is what I'm currently working on and have been working on, off and on, for quite some time.

That's about it for me today.  Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a really good day.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 

Good Morning:

It's a beautiful Monday morning.  I took a short walk with Lucy while it was still in the 60's.  Planning to finish up that time I need to close the ring on my Apple Watch before the day is over. I may walk up and down the aisles here at church to get my last 10 minutes or so in.  It'll be a lot cooler in here as opposed to the 90 some degrees it's supposed to get today.  I'm pretty proud of myself that I walked at least 30 minutes all 7 days last week and want to continue that trend this week.

Beautiful sunset skies

It appears he has outgrown the kids' meals and is now moved onto to
 a Big Mac.  I sure do love this boy more that I can even say.

Early morning sky.  If you look close you can see the moon is still out.

We spent a lot of time at home this weekend.  I read an entire book by Linda Ford on Friday and then started another by her, which I'm still working on.  

I've been struggling with the pink blanket I've been working on (crochet).  I started it out too big and I wasn't sure I was going to have enough yarn.  So when I laid it out to measure and see what I thought, I saw that for some reason it was getting wider as I went and about 5-6 rows back I noticed an error I had made.  So I decided right then and there to start completely over.  Now mind you, I had probably used 5-6 skeins of yarn already.  But I did it anyway and I think I'm much happier for it.  I still will have to frog what I've already done because I'm going to need that yarn.  But it's worth it.  If I'm going to make something, I want to be happy with it.  I'm not saying it has to be perfect, but it needs to make me happy and proud to give it to someone.  For those of you who crochet or knit, have you ever frogged a project that you've already spent hours working on?  Was it worth it?

Hubby preached a really good sermon on Sunday morning.  He's been doing a series on the names of God.  Sunday's was Jehovah Adonai.  The pre-recorded sermon is below.

Sunday was also hubby's birthday.  We had a very quiet day (which is what he wanted).  We are taking the week off next week and we plan to celebrate both of our birthdays sometime that week.  I love this man with all my heart and am so blessed to call him mine.  God has been good to us both.

So how was your weekend?

Cathy

Linking up with Hello Monday, Holly and Sarah

Currently - August 2024 and Wednesday Hodgepodge

Good Morning:  Welcome to the August edition of Currently! Here are the prompts for August. loving, looking forward to, scheduling, buying, and gearing up for.  Click on the blue Currently above to link up with Jennifer.

Loving:  watching reruns with hubby in the evening and crocheting...still working on that pink blanket.

Looking forward to:  the first week of September as hubby is taking a vacation and we plan to do some day trips and hopefully his mom with come with us.

Scheduling:  I need to schedule Lucy a Vet appointment as it's time to get her shots that are due and then I need to schedule her a grooming appointment.

Buying:  I bought 2 skeins of yarn yesterday to make a lap blanket to donate.  I love the yarn and I'm excited to get it started (but I have to finish the pink one first...lol)

Gearing up for:  Ladies Fall Bible Study - we're going to do Lisa Harper's "Luke, Gut Level Compassion".  Has anyone done this study?  What are your thoughts.

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Click above for the link-up with Joyce

1. What's a task you do on a regular (or semi-regular basis) that feels like it should be an Olympic event? Sweeping the floors.  It feels never-ending!

2. What's in the trunk of your car right now? I don't have a trunk as I drive a van.  But right now, There is an umbrella, an extra cane for hubby, a storage box that has a blanket and re-useable bags for shopping.  I also have a trolley cart as hubby purchased a table for use here at church and I used the trolley to get it inside.

3. Summer foods vs. fall foods...which do you prefer? 

 Would you rather:

watermelon or caramel apple? watermelon

iced coffee or pumpkin spiced latte? Neither

potato salad or sweet potato casserole? both please

barbecued ribs or roast turkey? ribs 

ice cream sandwich or apple pie? Ice cream sandwich, especially since I found a lower sugar one that's really good. 

corn on the cob or candy corn? Corn on the cob

4. August 7th is National Lighthouse Day. Have you visited any lighthouses? I've visited several, but I don't remember ever going inside one.  Do you have a favorite? Nope, no favorites, if it's a lighthouse I like it! Is a lighthouse something you seek out if you're visiting an area known for theirs? Sure, if I know we're fairly close.

5. Light at the end of the tunnel, out like a light, give the green light, a lightbulb moment, in a new light, in the limelight...of the 'light' idioms listed which applies in some way to your life lately? Explain. Out like a light as I didn't get enough sleep last night...I'm sure there will be a nap time declared and observed today! lol

6. Insert your own random thought here. I love this photo Kelli sent me of her and Colton.

Aren't they just the cutest!

Thanks for visiting and I hope you'll link in to both, Currently and the Hodgepodge.

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge and Thankful Thursday

 

1. The Olympics kick off this coming weekend. Will you be watching? Hopefully I'll get to watch some of it, If you could watch just one event in person, which one would you choose? Ladies' Gymnastics - I would like to see Simone Biles.

2. Have you ever been to Paris? No Is this a city you'd like to visit? Not really. What's your favorite 'French thing'? I have no idea.

3. Macaron, creme brulee, chocolate soufle, mille feuille, or an eclair...your favorite French patisserie from the ones listed? Eclair

4. July 24th is National Cousins Day...do you have many cousins? Yes, I have lots of them.  Are you close to them? Some yes...Love them all, but don't get to see a lot of them very often. Will you see any of your cousins on July 24th? No, I didn't.

5. Last time you went somewhere that felt like 'everyone and his cousin' was there? Probably a graduation party a few weeks ago. Here are a group of the cousins who were there.  These are some of the cousins from my mom's side of the family. 

 

6. Insert your own random thought here. Adding my Thankful Thursday post here.

I am thankful for:

* Visit with daughter:  We had so much fun for those few days. 

* Bible Study:  Just finished the 2nd Bible Study with my daughter. "Gospel on the Ground" by Kristi McClelland. I'm thankful for the chance to actually do the last 2 videos in person. We actually have one more discussion to go to completely finish it.

* Crocheting: I've been enjoying crocheting a lot lately. I'm working on a pink baby blanket.

* Cooler Weather:  We've had a short time of a little cooler weather and I've loved that.

* Crown:  Finally got my crown finished and it feels pretty good. I hope I'm finished for awhile with seeing the dentist.

That's all I'll list for now.  Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a wonderful day.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 

Good Morning Friends:

It's Monday morning and I'm linking up with Hello Monday.  We had a nice weekend and I'm going to share a little bit with you.

Friday morning hubby and I had a chiropractor appointment and after having to postpone it for 2 weeks, it was needed and enjoyed.  After that we picked up hubby's mom and we went to Fazoli's for lunch and some great conversation.  After that, I dropped MIL off at home and then dropped hubby off at home and I went to Walmart.  We had a rather large list of things to get.  I didn't get everything, but I definitely got what we needed. I did some cleaning and some TV watching and some laundry and reading too.

Saturday I finished a book and started another.  Hubby had to go to church to pre-record the Sunday morning sermon for FB and YouTube and I needed to run copies of the bulletin and Sunday morning's Sermon Notes. (I'll post the YouTube video of the sermon at the bottom of this post for anyone who may be interested)  After that we picked up some lunch from Buffalo Wild Wings and the evening was pretty much a repeat of Friday evening. 

Sunday we had church and then grabbed a bite and came home and rested and I finished my book.  After evening service we watched some TV and I did some crocheting.  Here's a photo of my current WIP.

While we were watching TV and I was 
crocheting, this is what Lucy was doing.

Just the kind of weekend we like.  Oh, and we got our dishwasher delivered and installed on Thursday.  I now have a fully operational kitchen again.  lol   Thanks for visiting.

Cathy

Wednesday Hodgepodge

 

1. Did you watch the Kentucky Derby this past weekend? Have you ever been to a horse race? Ever ridden a horse? Did you enjoy it? Have you ever been to Kentucky? Do you like Bourbon? No, I did not watch the Kentucky Derby and no, I have not been to a horse race. I have ridden a horse (a really, really, old horse named Honeybunch) and yes, I enjoyed it. I have been to Kentucky many times. I live less than an hour from the Ohio/Kentucky border at the Ohio River in Cincinnati. I have never tasted Bourbon, so I have no idea if I like it.

2. What's something you wish you'd placed in a time capsule fifteen years ago? I can't think of a thing.

3. Are you adventurous? Elaborate. No, not really. I wish I was.

4. Something you want to make this year? It can be a new recipe, craft, diy project, a milestone you've set for yourself...anything at all. I'm working on baby blankets right now and we are donating them to my sister's church for whenever someone has a baby, they give them a handmade blanket. I'm waiting on the yarn I bought to come in so I can start a baby blanket for my nephew's baby coming in October. We're also talking about making some lap blankets for seniors who would like to have them.

5. Cinco de Mayo was also celebrated this past weekend...do you like Mexican food? If so what's your favorite dish? Have you ever been to Mexico? Margarita-yes or no? Yes, I do. I have several favorites such as nachos, tacos, burritos and enchiladas. I also like refried beans and rice. I have not been to Mexico.I've never tasted a Margarita either. But I will say they are very pretty drinks.

6. Insert your own random thought here. The lilacs are blooming!

That's it for me today. If you click on the button at the top of the page, you'll find Joyce's page. Joyce is the one to host us every week.  Thanks Joyce!

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

Things I'm thankful for:

* Some beautiful sunshiny days up in the mid 60's and I can't wait to have some more - I see some blue skies this morning, but it's only going to be in the 40's today, but that's okay too since it's not raining

* Some quiet evenings at home with hubby - and today we're heading out for lunch and some errands and then back home for the rest.  I think we're going to Cheddars for lunch...yummy

* Crocheting another baby blanket...I have 2 in progress...I'm trying to use up some of my stash of yarn. I'm so glad I learned to do this many years ago and it's fun doing this with my sister and friends.  My sister and I were both crocheting at the hospital during her husband's surgery.  It sure helps to pass the time. By the way, I'm thankful her husband is doing better.  The first couple days were a little rough, but he should be coming home today.

* Enjoying a cup of hot chocolate while doing some Bible study yesterday and I enjoyed both.

My favorite cup

* Trying a new to me type study called verse mapping...my daughter got me a journal type book for it and I did my first mapping yesterday...I'm just trying to figure it out but I'm not sure it's something I will like, but you never know until you try it.  Have any of you done verse mapping? If so, what're your thoughts and suggestions?

* I'm thankful for Jennifer who hosts Thankful Thursday each week.  You can link up with her here, if you'd like.

There are so many things I am thankful for, but when I sit down to write a post, I seem to have trouble remembering them.  Maybe I should start writing at least one down each evening before bed.

Thanks for visiting.  

Cathy
 

 

Currently - February 2024

Today is the time for the February edition of Currently where we are talking about what we're currently loving, looking forward to, doing to be romantic, changing, and celebrating. I hope you make plans to join us! Jennifer is our host and you can link up here.   

Loving - I'm loving crocheting...sometimes I get a little tired of crocheting, but right now it's one of my favorite activities while watching TV in the evening with hubby,  Here are a couple of pictures of what I'm currently crocheting.  I started this a long time ago and have set it aside several times to work on other projects.  I have another project in mind, but decided to put that off for at least a few more days as I'm enjoying making this one grow.

 

Looking Forward To - I'm looking forward to our upcoming 35th Anniversary on February 18th.  I love my man and I'm so very thankful for our years together.

Doing to Be Romantic - I think one of the most romantic things I can do for my hubby, is to be kind to him.  I think most everyone responds well when kindness is given.  I know kindness, when shown to me, makes me very happy. And kindness and happiness with my hubby can be very romantic.  

Changing - Maybe my attitude...I'm working on being less critical of others and accepting them as they are.  I'm also trying to be less critical of myself and remember that God made me the way that I am and He loves me, so I should love myself.  Not that that gives me free license to quit trying to improve myself in areas that need it.

Celebrating - Retirement for a former co-worker this past week and our upcoming anniversary as I mentioned above.

Thanks for visiting.  There is a link up above if you'd like to participate.  It's the first Wednesday of every month.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 Good morning:

We've had a good weekend, even though it rained through the vast majority of it.  It's looked grey like the below photo most of the weekend.

  

Tracy and I picked up his mom and then we met up with my sister and her husband and had lunch at a place called Rod's Capricorn Inn.  It's just a small restaurant out in the middle of no where.  But let me tell you, their food is delicious and plentiful!  Unfortunately, I didn't take pictures (because no one in our group likes to have their pictures made. lol).

On Saturday, hubby and I went to Culvers for lunch and I found out they have an awesome fish dinner.  Oh my!  It was good.  Saturday evening we watched a Hallmark mystery movie that hubby had recorded and it was good.  I also did some laundry.

I'm still watching "The Chosen" and I'm in Season 3.  I'm still enjoying it.  Last night I finished the project I was helping with for the kids at my sister's church.  So now my plan is to start a new baby blanket or maybe it will be a lap blanket sometime today.  My plan is to make a ripple pattern in several shades of blue with a layer of white involved also.  When I get a good start, I'll take a picture and show it here, if I'm like it.  lol  I have never done a ripple and I'm excited to learn something new.

Tracy preached the 4th sermon from his Jonah Study.  I can hardly believe how much I'm learning from this small book of the Bible.  I'm posting the pre-recorded sermon below. "Outrageous Grace - Travelling with Jonah" Message #4 The Greatest Revival In History.

Thank you for visiting and I hope you have a great day. We're supposed to have some sunny days towards the end of this week and I am so looking forward to it.  In the meantime, I intend to enjoy the day God has given me today.

Cathy

Thankful Thursday

 

Good morning!

It's time for me to give thanks to the Lord this morning.  Here are a few things I'm thankful for right now:

*  I had a really good night's sleep last night and woke up just before 7:00 this morning and I'm feeling good.

*  I just finished some breakfast and it wasn't particularly healthy, but it was good.

*  We had a good Bible study at church last night.  There weren't very many of us there, but I love it when someone asks a question and gets me to thinking about things I've never thought about before.

*  My new devotional was delivered last night and I will be starting it today.  I'm looking forward to seeing if I'm going to like it.  

*  I so enjoyed our crochet group get-together yesterday.  We really need to get a name for our group cause I never know what to call it when I tell someone about it.  lol  Anyway, we had such a good time talking and crocheting.  We started a little project yesterday to help out 2 of the ladies that (along with another of their friends)  are going to try to teach a group of young girls how to crochet at their church.  The lady running the group has not done much crocheting and asked them to do this.  They are supposed to teach them to make a scarf.  So each of us are going to start a scarf and then they'll take that to the meeting and teach them just one stitch so hopefully they'll be able to crochet the rest of the scarf.  We each have to start 8 scarves.  We're only making them 8 inches wide and we're going to do the first 10 rows.  That way they don't have to learn the chain stitch and we all agree that the first row is the hardest.  All they have to learn is how to do a half double crochet and then how to turn at the end of the row and start the next row.  It still seems overwhelming to do this for 31 girls to me, but hopefully this will give them a fighting chance.  Anyway, I'm sure the girls will have a lot of fun.  These ladies are just a joy to be with.

*  Lucy is eating so much better and I can tell she has gained some of her weight back that she lost.  I'm so thankful for her.  She is a joy and an aggravation to be around.  Guess what?  So am I.  I love this little puppy!

That's my list for today.  What are you thankful for?

I'm linking up with Jennifer for this post today.  You can link up here with your Thankful post if you'd like.  

Thanks for the visit today.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 

Happy Monday:

We had a nice weekend.  Mostly it's been quiet, with a few fun things interspersed throughout.

On Friday, I met two of my cousins at a concert in nearby Middletown.  The Methodist Church there has free concerts by various artists on the first Friday of every month. This one was Jimmy Rogers who is a pianist and singer of honky tonk and blues.  His piano playing was awesome and he had a nice voice too.  After that we went to lunch at Cracker Barrel and just had a fun time talking and being together. After that, I met hubby at church and finished up some things there.  Then we came home that evening and watched some TV (getting back into some of the shows we've been binging in the past year).  I also finished the blanket I was making for Lucy.

Look at all those plugs (most will be going away soon when I take down the Christmas stuff) 
We're not quite ready to turn off the lights.  lol

I think it's safe to say, she likes the blanket.  A couple times when I was still working on it
 and had laid it aside to do something else, I caught her laying on it.

On Saturday, we woke up to some snow, which was pretty much all gone by evening. But Lucy and I went out and took about 20 minute walk in spite of the snow.  Enjoyed every minute of it too.

That afternoon, we grabbed a bite from Freddy's and then spent the rest of the day at home doing laundry, reading and watching TV.  Oh and I also made a pot of potato soup and I've been enjoying that the last couple days.

Sunday we had 2 great services and we had Skyline Chili for lunch and took a nap in the afternoon because neither one of us slept well Saturday night.  I'll post the pre-recorded sermon below.  He started a new series called "Outrageous Grace - Travelling with Jonah".

I received a picture from my daughter of Colton on his first ride on the monorail at Disney World.

I think he likes it!

I finished my 2nd book (this is the first book in the second series I mentioned in my last post) of the year this morning and I have the next downloaded from Libby and onto my Kindle ready for me to start this evening,

So that's pretty much my weekend.  Thanks for visiting and I hope you have a great day.

Cathy

Bits of This and That

 

Good morning:

It's a beautiful morning, but it's going to get really hot as the day goes on and it will be really hot all week.  But that's okay because we are blessed to have air conditioning.

We had a nice weekend and the weather was really nice...not too hot at all.  It was pretty quiet for us.  We went out for lunch on Friday and Saturday and took something home for lunch on Sunday after church. Saturday evening while watching some TV, I also scrubbed down my bathroom and did some laundry. 

I read a good book (you can see in my sidebar for Good Reads what I read).  And I started another one.  We watched some TV and really just relaxed this weekend (actually, we do that most weekends.).

I finished this baby blanket last Wednesday and I've started another one.

Here's a pre-recorded copy of the Sunday morning sermon.

Life is good and I feel so blessed.  I hope you are having a good day and thanks for visiting.

Cathy