Mrs. Amelia's Daybook

I thought I would treat myself to a daybook today...These are nice I think.

Outside my window...It's a nice day here, breezy, green, sunny.

I am thinking...That I'm a little worn out today so I will just chill a bit. I'm also thinking and am thankful for some confirmations on simplifying my life in some ways, the Lord showing me quite matter-of-factly one particular way in simplifying some online things. Yay God!  I'm also praying for my oldest daughter that she would have divine guidance.

I am thankful...For a husband who has been faithful and a strong spiritual leader.  We've been married for almost 33 years and we have so much fun, whether it's taking a drive into a little town to pick up a lawn mower or whatever, in our middle years we are having a sweet life together.  Through thick and thin we get each other now more than then, do we always agree? Most of the time, but the key is we have learned how to disagree agreeably for the mostpart when we do disagree. : )  We love our life in the country and I love seeing hubs outside the window when he gets home; gets out of his loafers and throws those old jeans on hopping on his tractor.  That makes me happy.  Thanks be to God for all the great things He has done!  Our four sweet daughters who love Jesus too, that is a big thing to be thankful for! : )

In the kitchen...Right now there is nothing really, just remnants from Memorial Day and a lonely little pan soaking from some scrambled eggs I just made myself.

I am wearing...a white vneck ladies Hanes tshirt top I purchased from walmart.com (I really like those tshirts, you can pair them with skirts too, they also come in scoop neck and those are nice as well).  The price is right at $4. (And it is so nice to be able to order dog food, paper towels, laundry detergent delivered to my door!) I'm also wearing some capris out of a cheerful tiny plaid of peachie pink/white...kind of retro I think.  I purchased those from ebay and they are a blessing!  I have my hair back in a low ponytail. 

I am creating... simple napkins I throw in the wash with my dishtowels, I've noticed the paper napkins are a bit pricey and we go through those like crazy.  I just cut squares out of material remnants I already have...I pink the edges and zig-zag.  Just simple little cloth squares or rectangles, from 6 to 12 inches across, I toss them in a large bowl or basket unfolded for our family to take as needed.  I made a bunch of them so it's cost effective to wash.

I am going...Probably nowhere today, but later this eve perhaps a datenight with my husband!

I am learning... To trust the Lord more and more.  To simplify by giving even more clothing to bless others, especially when I like other things I have better.

Around the house... Delle and Becs are cleaning the above ground pool. Marianna and Lea are getting loose ends tied up in their business deals, Mar also rejoicing over a scholarship for court reporting...and a small matter smoothed over for her court reporting class by the Dean of students. (talk about favor from the Lord!) PTL  The wash is going, black berries are being picked throughout the day.  We have a new little adopted doglet Mar brought home, this poor baby girl puppy dog was dumped in a neighborhood and we will take care of her.  We are still thanking God  for Sweetie and the most precious reminder of God's Healing Power even in what some would consider small. 

I am pondering...  Churches. Churches.  *sigh* We visited a church Sunday and the music hurt my ears, the preacher used a pg13 movie to illustrate part of his sermon : ( and worship leaders were wearing jean type pants including the pastor's wife.  I looked at the sweet older, elderly ladies who've attended the church for years and their sweet dresses...I thought to myself sadly...These sweet people deserve so much better, just so very much better.  On the other hand we can go to churches where they dress nice, respectfully and the music doesn't hurt my ears but people won't talk much.... 

A favorite quote for today...
"Much of what is sacred is hidden in the ordinary, everyday moments of our lives.  To see something of the sacred in those moments takes slowing down so we can live our lives more reflectively."     Ken Gire

One of my favorite things...Old retro homes, old things like old WWII USO centers....I try to imagine what went on there...the parties, the entertainment.  Settings from "It's a Wonderful Life" and WWII soldiers.

A few plans for the rest of the week:  Grocery store, more gentle decluttering.  What books to start on next.  Listening to the Lord...taking care of, treating our new doglet...taking Becs to drive and enjoying our buddy times.

A peek into my Sunday...

Oh George...I just love that old house...
 ~It's a Wonderful Life

Me, after church service we traveled to USO-town and ate, then we crossed the street to this wonderful old home.   I love this place...It's a huge woodframe home with many original furnishings scattered here and there. 

Hubs and I spying a green material couch I would love to have...It's simple and has pretty lines. The kitchen not only has one porcelain rolling cart like the one my mom gave me...but three of them!  The great room in the back with the green couch and piano is huge-huge-huge!  It's almost ballroom sized...tall french doors open to other rooms, including that kitchen.  And from the massive tall ceiling hangs one single huge ..tiffany style lamp. It's not tiny pieces of glass but one solid piece with swirls of color in it...Simple design but lovely.  This is a homie place...Just like what we see in old 40s movies but my suspicions are this home is much older from seeing the iron beds and the old ticking mattresses. 

 This is just the side of the old home...

Me again in front of the dark mysterious underground cellar, concrete steps lead down below...Soooo neat.

I have other pics of this place too that I'll have to share another day.

I hope you all are having a nice week, thanks for joining me in day to day life here.

I used prompts from The Simple Woman's Daybook it looks like a nice opportunity for fun and fellowship.: )

Thanks so much to all who read here, you are a blessing to me.    Love,  ~Amelia

Pasta Bowl for That Warm Evening...So Good...So Easy Plus an Old Movie Suggestion

Wednesday eve I was sooo tired.  Everyone was sooo tired.  But we wanted something good to eat for supper as usual.  We cherish our family suppers. : )  

The answer?  The good Lord whispered.... That pasta dish Dear One...look in your old handwritten recipe book...

So I did!... and I found my old recipe I used to make all the time when my girls were little.  I don't know why in the world I stopped making it!

I think I will share it with you as I'm listening to:



I so love the theme music and the movie itself...We own the movie as well.  Very appropriate for Memorial Day too.  Check into the history of the movie if you like, one of the actors without arms is a true Veteran from WWII.  Yes, his arms were truly lost in the war and he had no actor's training from what I understand.   There is alcohol used in the movie but it is not shown in positive light at all.  What is shown is what our soldiers go through and how they felt (feel) upon returning. (We must never forget)

The returning soldier without arms marries the sweetest gal ever....I love the simplicity of things  (you'll see)...  SO sweet.  This young lady has such a beautiful character, it's not one that is esteemed in this culture these day but God esteems it.

Some other good movie suggestions are "Destination Tokyo",  "Thirty Seconds Over Tokyo" and of course...."Sergeant York".   Maybe I'll add more if I think of any. : )

People are so darned busy now-a-days they just go-go-go- ...it doesn't seem like there is much substance or thinking going on does it?  One thing I especially ponder in this movie is the part of Myrna Loy...The reason?  I think her character is very much in the same season of life I am...almost exactly.  My oldest daughter is 30 and our youngest daughter is 18.  So much going on in our culture that makes it difficult for nice young ladies, they feel unappreciated and understandably so.   But never the less...it's a nice season too.  : )  It's a sweet time in our home.  But all in all, I really do understand Myrna and how she feels at times, those heart to heart talks and how we too remember so well how life is, ... and was.  Oh do we!

Now for that recipe!

Amelia's Quickie but Goooooood Pasta Bowl  (said like Andy Griffith)   gooooooooood

Put enough olive oil in a large pot, a goodly amount, around a 1/4 inch deep.

I sauteed 4 very large cloves of garlic for about 1 minute.  No longer!  Only til fragrant!

Okay girls, the easiness of this recipe is going to floor you...

Dump a large can of diced tomatoes including juice in the pot.  (around 27 oz.)

Dump a regular size can (14 oz.) of white northern beans, drained and rinsed or any bean that you have on hand, or no beans works too but I like to add beans to my veggie dishes.

Dump a can of black olives to the mix.

Dump a half box of veggie broth, that's what I had left in fridge.

A few teaspoons of dried basil.

Let it simmer a bit.

Serve with a ladle over angel hair pasta!   Bella!!!

I top my bowl with lemon pepper....oh ladies, this is really good!

The add-ons are endless, I'm thinking of adding some kale next time too.  Walnuts on top?  Mm. Mm.

I added toasted sesame bread with olive oil dipping sauce to round it out and you will have a very nice supper for your family! 

I hope everyone is doing well, we're doing good, just busy at the Forest Cathedral here! 

I thought you might enjoy seeing the above pics of two of our daughters leaving for a Spring Formal, I thought it was so cute, the girls in their pretty dresses here at The Forest Cathedral.  The Spring Formal is a nice old English folk dance, young men are encouraged to dance with each girl once unless they are in a courtship...It's  a very nice wholesome event. : )  I just thought I'd share the atmosphere here.

Four young ladies, a husband, wife in middle age years, little baby chicks who are also our pets...even a miracle chick! four doglets, four sweet cats and lot's of cookin'.

Live - Love - Laugh -   Pray Hard...

That's life at the Forest Cathedral.  God bless America and may America Bless God! : )  Hug a soldier, ask the old soldiers questions, cherish them they are treasures.  

Love to All,    ~Amelia

Driving With Grace and Sweetie Walks! A Miracle!

A short little update here!  We are so excited that Sweetie is walking now!  She is so enjoying being with her sister-chicks and it is so adorable.  Thank you so very much for those who joined in and prayed.  God cares even about our little chicks!

First I thought I'd quickly share a couple of pics too from Grace and my country drive.  We took an old less traveled road and oh the eye candy there.

  Grace and I had sooo much fun.  We would stop and take pics and talk....So fun.  Of course these pics on my blog are from my little cheapie camera. But I still like them. : )  Grace's are much better though!

Sometimes when Grace and I drive we go to smalltown and through the drive-through soda place for some good ol' unsweetened strawberry tea....and always enjoy the country scene here behind the drive in.  Such a privilege to live in the area.  I thank God that He brought us back.

Sweetie!

Is this not the most precious thing ever?   Joycie and I have been nursing this little Bantam and in our carnal minds we thought she would be lame at best and would have been so excited at that even.  Oh God did so over and above!  

Her little claw was froze it seemed, (and before that the vet had suggested to euthanize).  You see a week or so ago she was feverish, one leg was completely frozen in a forward position and the other entire leg was frozen in a backwards position.  Both claws were limp as they could be. 

We prayed and took care of little Sweetie and last week I noticed when we would pick her up her legs started operating back and forth as normal!

 God gave me the thought or idea to place a piece of masking tape on the bottom of her one foot that was left froze and also on the top to make a cast of sorts. That leg was also partially still froze.

  Joycie and I went to work. : )  Grace did her part in cuddling the little chick too.  These little Bantams, (Banties) have the cutest little feathers on their feets!  They look like house shoes!  

When we were doing our Sunday evening family devotions, I heard the chicks tweeting and I snuck into the hobby room where they are kept...Lo and behold...Sweetie was walking!  I smiled hugely and just stayed put in that room for a while praising the Lord for what He did!  It was a miracle!

Sweetie is here on our table as we very carefully removed the masking tape after she showed us for a day or so she could walk and walk well!  Praise the Lord!

Sweetie is a little darling, she knows our voices.  All of our chicks do.  She is a wee little Bantie, I suspect that since she was so sick she has a little catching up to do, but she may stay petite too and that's okay with us. : )   

So that is an update for those who were wondering how Sweetie is doing!  God is good.  So very good!

Supper:
I'm making some vegan lasagna for supper tonight so it's assembled and ready to pop in the oven!  I made my Grandma Oddo's pasta gravy so it will be double good!  I also have some frozen bread rolls rising and a green veggie will be served too.  You may be wondering what I use for ricotta?  I use tofu in my own little ricotta recipe.  Yes indeedie.  I do believe it's just as good as Cousin Phillip's. ; )

Hope you are all doing well.  What are you cooking tonight for supper?  Do you have any praise reports this week?  Any prayer requests?

Praying for our country,  take care now, until the next time....    <3 br="" melia="" nbsp="">